50 Best Thought Leaders in Insurance (2026)
- Jonno White
- Mar 26
- 20 min read
The insurance industry is changing faster than at any point in its history. Artificial intelligence, climate risk, regulatory upheaval, and shifting customer expectations are forcing insurers to rethink how they operate from the ground up. In the middle of all this change, a growing number of thought leaders are helping the industry navigate what comes next.
Whether you are an insurance executive looking for strategic insight, a broker searching for fresh perspectives on distribution, or a newcomer trying to understand where the industry is heading, following the right thought leaders can save you years of trial and error. The people on this list are not just talking about change. They are driving it, through published research, innovative companies, industry platforms, podcasts, books, and active engagement on LinkedIn.
This guide profiles the 50 best thought leaders in insurance for 2026, spanning insurtech founders, global executives, consultants, podcast hosts, authors, and innovation leaders. Each person was selected based on verifiable credentials, active thought leadership output, and genuine influence on the industry conversation.
How to Choose Which Insurance Thought Leaders to Follow
Not every thought leader will be the right fit for your needs. Here are seven criteria to help you decide who deserves your attention:
1. Relevance to your sector. Insurance is a broad industry. Some thought leaders specialise in property and casualty, others in life and health, and still others in insurtech or reinsurance. Focus on those who speak to your part of the market.
2. Consistency of output. The best thought leaders publish regularly, whether that is weekly LinkedIn posts, podcast episodes, conference presentations, or research reports. Look for people who contribute consistently, not just once a year.
3. Practical experience. Thought leadership grounded in real operating experience carries more weight than academic commentary alone. Prioritise leaders who have built companies, led underwriting teams, or managed large portfolios.
4. Willingness to challenge the status quo. The insurance industry has historically been slow to change. The most valuable thought leaders push the industry forward rather than simply reinforcing existing practices.
5. Engagement with their audience. Leaders who respond to comments, participate in industry discussions, and make themselves accessible provide more value than those who broadcast one-way content.
6. Geographic and sector diversity. The best insights come from leaders across different markets. Following only US-based or only P&C-focused voices limits your perspective.
7. Track record of accurate predictions. Leaders who have consistently called industry trends correctly, whether around AI adoption, climate risk, or digital distribution, deserve extra attention.
The 50 Best Thought Leaders in Insurance (2026)
1. Jonno White
Leadership Team Facilitator, Keynote Speaker, and Author, Clarity Group Global
Jonno White brings a complementary perspective to insurance leadership through his expertise in team dynamics, culture, and leadership development. As a Certified Working Genius Facilitator trained in Patrick Lencioni's frameworks, Jonno helps leadership teams in complex industries, including financial services and insurance, identify and resolve the dysfunctions that hold them back.
Jonno is the bestselling author of "Step Up or Step Out," which has sold over 10,000 copies globally. He hosts the Leadership Conversations Podcast, which has aired more than 230 episodes reaching leaders in over 150 countries. His 7 Questions on Leadership movement has featured insights from over 6,000 leaders across every sector.
At the 2025 Australian Small Business Awards, Jonno achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating for his keynote delivery. His approach to facilitation and leadership development is particularly valuable for insurance organisations navigating the cultural transformation required by digital disruption, regulatory change, and workforce evolution.
Website: consultclarity.org
2. Paul Carroll
Editor-in-Chief, Insurance Thought Leadership
Paul Carroll is the editor-in-chief of Insurance Thought Leadership (ITL), one of the most influential platforms in the insurance industry. ITL works with more than 1,500 thought leaders and has published over 5,000 articles on risk, innovation, and industry transformation. Carroll spent 17 years at the Wall Street Journal as an editor and reporter and was nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize. He is co-author of "A Brief History of a Perfect Future" and "Billion Dollar Lessons." His weekly newsletter "Six Things" is essential reading for anyone tracking where the insurance industry is heading.
Website: insurancethoughtleadership.com
3. Nigel Walsh
Managing Director, Insurance, Google Cloud
Nigel Walsh is one of the most recognisable names in insurtech. As Managing Director for Insurance at Google Cloud, he leads the firm's strategy for the global insurance sector. Previously a Partner at Deloitte Digital, Nigel co-authored "The InsurTech Book" and co-hosted the InsurTech Insider podcast. He is consistently ranked among the top global insurtech influencers by InsurTechNews and is known for his candid, practical commentary on digital transformation, AI, and how insurers can modernise core systems without losing sight of customer outcomes.
4. Matteo Carbone
Founder and Director, IoT Insurance Observatory
Matteo Carbone is the world's foremost authority on the intersection of the Internet of Things and insurance. He founded the IoT Insurance Observatory, a global think tank that brings together insurers, technology companies, and researchers. Carbone advises major insurers on telematics, connected devices, and usage-based models. He is a prolific LinkedIn contributor, frequently sharing data-driven analysis on how connected technology is reshaping underwriting, claims, and customer engagement across both personal and commercial lines.
5. Bryan Falchuk
President and CEO, PLRB
Bryan Falchuk is a bestselling author and insurance industry veteran. His book series "The Future of Insurance: From Disruption to Evolution" has become a reference text for leaders navigating digital transformation. As President and CEO of PLRB (Property and Liability Resource Bureau), he leads one of the most important organisations supporting insurance claims professionals. Bryan also hosts The Future of Insurance podcast, featuring interviews with the industry's top innovators and executives. His perspective is grounded in operational experience and a genuine passion for helping the industry evolve.
6. Denise Garth
Chief Strategy Officer, Majesco
Denise Garth is a recognised Top 50 InsurTech Influencer and one of the most visible strategic voices in insurance technology. As Chief Strategy Officer at Majesco, she leads marketing, industry relations, and innovation. Garth hosts the "Future of Insurance: Industry Influencer Podcast Series" and has held senior executive roles at Mutual of Omaha, CUNA Mutual, and Century Cos. She is a frequent keynote speaker at industry events and a regular contributor to Insurance Thought Leadership, writing on topics including digital transformation, customer experience, and platform-based business models.
7. Mark Breading
Senior Partner, ReSource Pro (formerly Strategy Meets Action)
Mark Breading is one of the longest-serving and most respected analysts in insurance technology. He spent 25 years at IBM in roles including Global Insurance Strategist before joining Strategy Meets Action in 2009. Now at ReSource Pro, he leads consulting, research, and advisory services for P&C carriers and technology vendors. Breading publishes 25 to 30 research reports per year and is consistently ranked among the top global insurtech influencers. His deep knowledge of core systems, distribution strategy, and emerging technology makes him an essential voice for anyone tracking insurance innovation.
8. Shefi Ben Hutta
Founder, Coverager
Shefi Ben Hutta is the founder of Coverager, one of the most respected independent media platforms covering the insurance industry. Originally from Israel, she entered the US insurance space in 2007 and quickly built a reputation for sharp, unfiltered analysis of insurtech trends, M&A activity, and company strategy. Coverager delivers news, insights, and data in a modern format that resonates with a younger generation of insurance professionals. Shefi is a regular on the InsurTechNews Top 50 Influencers list and is known for her willingness to challenge industry hype with data.
9. Rob Galbraith
Founder and CEO, Forestview Insights
Rob Galbraith is an author, speaker, and independent consultant who focuses on the future of risk and insurance innovation. His book "The End of Insurance As We Know It" became a touchstone for industry leaders grappling with how technology is reshaping the traditional insurance value chain. Through Forestview Insights, he advises insurers, insurtechs, and investors on strategy, innovation, and market positioning. Rob is known for his forward-looking perspective and his ability to explain complex industry shifts in accessible terms.
10. Daniel Schreiber
Co-Founder and CEO, Lemonade
Daniel Schreiber co-founded Lemonade in 2015 and has since become one of the most recognised faces in insurtech globally. Lemonade's AI-driven model for renters, homeowners, pet, and life insurance challenged the traditional carrier approach and raised over $630 million in funding. Schreiber's thought leadership focuses on how behavioural economics, transparency, and technology can fundamentally reshape the insurer-customer relationship. He is a frequent conference keynote speaker and writes extensively on LinkedIn about AI, ethics, and the future of financial services.
11. Sabine VanderLinden
CEO, Alchemy Crew
Sabine VanderLinden is the CEO of Alchemy Crew, a venture-building firm that helps insurers, reinsurers, and corporates develop new digital business models. She is a former Managing Director of Startupbootcamp InsurTech and is widely regarded as one of Europe's foremost experts on insurance innovation ecosystems. VanderLinden is a regular keynote speaker at global insurance events and writes frequently on topics including platform strategy, embedded insurance, and how incumbents can collaborate with startups to accelerate transformation.
Insurtech Founders and Innovation Leaders
12. Guy Goldstein
Co-Founder and CEO, NEXT Insurance
Guy Goldstein co-founded NEXT Insurance to simplify small business insurance. Under his leadership, the company has raised over $881 million in funding and serves more than 400,000 customers. NEXT Insurance's platform uses AI and machine learning to automate underwriting and claims for commercial lines. Goldstein's thought leadership centres on how technology can make insurance more accessible and affordable for small business owners who have traditionally been underserved by the market.
13. Joshua Motta
Co-Founder and CEO, Coalition
Joshua Motta co-founded Coalition in 2017 and has since built it into the leading cyber insurance provider in the United States. Coalition has raised $755 million in funding and achieved a $5 billion valuation. Motta's background includes time at the CIA and Goldman Sachs, which gives him a unique perspective on risk. His thought leadership focuses on cyber risk, active insurance models that prevent losses before they happen, and how data science can transform underwriting for emerging risk categories.
14. Sean Harper
Founder and CEO, Kin Insurance
Sean Harper founded Kin Insurance to tackle the growing homeowners insurance crisis in catastrophe-prone areas. Kin has raised over $410 million and uses a direct-to-consumer model powered by technology to offer affordable coverage in markets where traditional carriers are pulling back. Harper speaks regularly on climate risk, the affordability gap in property insurance, and how technology-enabled carriers can serve markets that legacy insurers have abandoned.
15. Mario Schlosser
Co-Founder, Oscar Health
Mario Schlosser co-founded Oscar Health in 2012 to reinvent health insurance through technology. Oscar now serves over one million members and has pioneered a technology-driven approach to health insurance that emphasises telemedicine, personalised care, and transparent pricing. Schlosser's thought leadership focuses on how health insurers can use data and design to create better outcomes for members while controlling costs.
16. Alex Timm
Co-Founder and CEO, Root Insurance
Alex Timm co-founded Root Insurance to bring fairness and technology to auto insurance pricing. Root uses smartphone telematics to measure actual driving behaviour, allowing the company to price policies based on how people actually drive rather than demographic proxies. Timm is a vocal advocate for data-driven underwriting and has spoken widely on how machine learning can reduce bias in insurance pricing.
17. Peter Colis
Co-Founder and CEO, Ethos Life
Peter Colis co-founded Ethos Life to make life insurance accessible to the millions of Americans who are underinsured. Ethos uses technology to simplify the application process, eliminating medical exams for many applicants and delivering decisions in minutes. Colis's thought leadership focuses on closing the life insurance protection gap and how digital distribution can reach consumers who have been excluded by the traditional agency model.
18. Janthana Kaenprakhamroy
CEO, Tapoly
Janthana Kaenprakhamroy is the CEO of Tapoly, a London-based insurtech that provides on-demand insurance for freelancers, gig workers, and small businesses. She was named Insurance Leader of the Year at the British Insurance Awards. Kaenprakhamroy is a prominent voice on the future of work and how insurance products must evolve to meet the needs of a changing workforce. She speaks frequently at global events on embedded insurance, the gig economy, and diversity in financial services.
19. Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve
CEO and Co-Founder, Alan
Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve co-founded Alan, France's leading health insurtech, which has expanded across Europe. Alan is known for its radically transparent company culture, including publicly shared salaries and a no-meeting policy. Samuelian-Werve writes extensively on LinkedIn about company culture, health insurance innovation, and building technology companies in regulated industries. His perspectives on organisational design are relevant well beyond the insurance sector.
Global Insurance Executives
20. Evan G. Greenberg
Chairman and CEO, Chubb Limited
Evan Greenberg has led Chubb for over two decades and has built it into one of the largest and most profitable insurance companies in the world. Under his leadership, Chubb completed its landmark merger with ACE Limited and has expanded aggressively across Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Greenberg is a respected voice on geopolitical risk, underwriting discipline, and the long-term outlook for the global P&C market. He regularly speaks at RISKWORLD and other major industry events.
21. Thomas Buberl
CEO, AXA
Thomas Buberl has led AXA's transformation from a traditional European insurer into a globally diversified risk management company. He has overseen major strategic moves including the sale of AXA's US life business and the acquisition of XL Group. Buberl is a prominent voice on climate risk and sustainability in insurance, frequently speaking at the World Economic Forum and other global platforms about the role insurers play in building resilience against climate change.
22. Tricia Griffith
President and CEO, Progressive Corporation
Tricia Griffith has led Progressive to become one of the largest auto insurers in the United States. Under her leadership, Progressive has consistently outperformed competitors through its use of data analytics, telematics, and direct-to-consumer distribution. Griffith is widely respected for her focus on operational execution and has been named one of Fortune's Most Powerful Women multiple times. Her perspectives on pricing innovation and customer acquisition are closely watched across the industry.
23. Peter Zaffino
Chairman and CEO, AIG
Peter Zaffino led AIG through one of the most significant turnarounds in insurance history, restoring underwriting discipline and profitability to the global insurer. His strategic vision included the separation of AIG's life and retirement business (now Corebridge Financial) and a renewed focus on commercial and specialty lines. Zaffino is regarded as one of the most effective operational leaders in the industry and speaks regularly on risk management, underwriting excellence, and corporate transformation.
24. Sarah London
CEO, Centene Corporation
Sarah London leads Centene, one of the largest health insurers in the United States, serving over 28 million members through government-sponsored healthcare programmes. London's thought leadership focuses on health equity, technology-enabled care delivery, and how managed care organisations can improve outcomes for underserved populations. She brings a technology background to health insurance leadership and is driving Centene's investment in data analytics and population health management.
25. Mario Greco
CEO, Zurich Insurance Group
Mario Greco leads Zurich Insurance Group, one of the world's largest multi-line insurers. He has been a vocal advocate for the insurance industry taking a more proactive role in addressing climate change and cyber risk. Greco has argued publicly that climate risk could become uninsurable if the industry and governments do not act together. His thought leadership on systemic risk and the boundaries of insurability has shaped global conversations about the future of risk transfer.
26. David Cordani
Chairman and CEO, Cigna Group
David Cordani has led Cigna through a period of major transformation, including the acquisition of Express Scripts and the rebranding to The Cigna Group. His strategic focus on integrating pharmacy, medical, and behavioural health services has positioned Cigna as a leader in whole-person health. Cordani writes and speaks on the intersection of health insurance, pharmacy benefits, and preventive care, advocating for models that reward health outcomes over service volume.
Consultants, Analysts, and Advisors
27. Scott Steinberg
CEO, TechSavvy Global
Scott Steinberg is one of the most sought-after futurists and keynote speakers in the insurance industry. He has consulted for over 3,000 brands on technology adoption, customer experience, and industry disruption. Steinberg's presentations are known for translating complex trends into actionable strategies for insurance executives. He is a regular speaker at ITC Vegas, RISKWORLD, and other major conferences, and his insights on AI, digital distribution, and the changing expectations of insurance customers are widely cited across the industry.
28. Chris Raimondo
Partner, EY Americas Insurance Consulting Leader
Chris Raimondo leads EY's insurance consulting practice across the Americas, driving strategy and execution for property and casualty and life and annuity carriers. His focus areas include modernising core operations, AI-enabled transformation, and workforce consulting. Raimondo's thought leadership draws on his deep experience working with large carriers to implement technology-driven change at scale. He publishes regularly through EY and is a respected voice on the practical challenges of insurance digital transformation.
29. Isabelle Santenac
Global Insurance Leader, EY
Isabelle Santenac has led EY's Global Insurance practice since 2019, setting strategy for over 24,000 insurance professionals worldwide. She brings a global perspective to the challenges facing insurers, from regulatory change in Europe to market expansion in Asia. Santenac speaks frequently at international forums on resilience, sustainability, and the evolving role of insurers in society. Her thought leadership bridges the gap between strategic consulting and operational implementation.
30. Paul Laughlin
Founder, Laughlin Consultancy
Paul Laughlin is the founder of Laughlin Consultancy, which helps insurance companies and financial services firms generate sustainable value from their customer data and insight capabilities. He is a regular contributor to Insurance Thought Leadership and has deep expertise in customer analytics, data strategy, and evidence-based decision-making. Laughlin's writing focuses on how insurers can move beyond vanity metrics and use genuine customer insight to improve retention, pricing, and product development.
31. Matt Edwards
Senior Director, Slalom
Matt Edwards helped establish Slalom's Global Insurance Industry practice and guides clients through strategic transformation initiatives including AI-enabled underwriting, cloud migration, and data infrastructure redesign. His consulting work focuses on helping insurers modernise their technology foundations while maintaining operational stability. Edwards is a respected voice on the practical challenges of large-scale insurance transformation and the importance of aligning technology investment with business strategy.
Insurance Media and Platform Leaders
32. Matthew Grant
CEO, Instech
Matthew Grant leads Instech, one of the most active communities connecting insurance, reinsurance, and technology. Instech publishes reports, newsletters, and podcasts and hosts weekly events featuring leading innovators. Grant's thought leadership focuses on where technology is creating genuine value for the insurance industry, as opposed to where hype exceeds reality. His platform has become a go-to resource for senior executives, investors, and technology companies seeking to understand the insurance market.
33. Dr. Robin Kiera
Founder, Digitalscouting.de
Dr. Robin Kiera is a German insurance influencer, consultant, and content creator with over 30,000 LinkedIn followers. He founded Digitalscouting.de and hosts insurtech-related live shows and podcasts. Kiera's approach blends education with entertainment, making complex insurance topics accessible to a broad audience. He collaborates with both traditional insurers and insurtech startups, and his commentary on digital distribution, customer engagement, and the European insurance landscape is widely followed.
34. Hugh Terry
CEO and Founder, The Digital Insurer
Hugh Terry founded The Digital Insurer, a Singapore-based online platform that serves a community of more than 40,000 insurance professionals. The Digital Insurer publishes research, analysis, and thought leadership on how digital technology is transforming insurance across Asia and globally. Terry brings close to 30,000 LinkedIn followers and is recognised as one of the leading voices on insurtech in the Asia-Pacific region. His perspectives on digital maturity, customer centricity, and the Asian insurance market are highly valued.
35. Abel Travis
Host, The Leadership in Insurance Podcast
Abel Travis hosts The Leadership in Insurance Podcast, featuring discussions with leading innovators on artificial intelligence, insurtech, digitisation, and the future of the industry. Travis brings an engaging interview style and a genuine curiosity about how technology and leadership intersect in insurance. His podcast has become a valuable resource for insurance professionals seeking to understand emerging trends from the people driving them.
Specialist and Emerging Voices
36. Chris Cheatham
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Steadily
Chris Cheatham brings extensive property insurance experience and engages nearly 150,000 LinkedIn followers with content on insurance technology, distribution, and industry trends. His thought leadership is grounded in operational experience across both traditional insurance and insurtech. Cheatham's large and engaged LinkedIn following makes him one of the most visible insurance voices on the platform, and his posts on underwriting, claims innovation, and the future of property insurance consistently generate meaningful industry discussion.
37. Rosaline Chow Koo
Founder and CEO, CXA Group
Rosaline Chow Koo founded CXA Group in Singapore to optimise how employers manage healthcare and insurance spending across Asia. The company expanded across 20 countries under her leadership. With over 31,000 LinkedIn followers, Koo is a prominent voice on employee benefits, health insurance innovation, and how technology can improve health outcomes while controlling corporate healthcare costs. She brings a uniquely Asian perspective to global insurance discussions.
38. Carey Anne Nadeau
Co-CEO, LOOP
Carey Anne Nadeau co-leads LOOP, an insurtech focused on providing fair auto insurance pricing to communities that have historically been discriminated against by traditional rating models. Her thought leadership addresses the intersection of insurance, social justice, and algorithmic fairness. Nadeau speaks and writes on how insurance pricing can perpetuate inequality and what the industry can do to build more equitable models. Her work is particularly relevant as regulators scrutinise the use of AI in underwriting.
39. Sofie Quidenus-Wahlforss
Executive Chairwoman and Founder, omni:us
Sofie Quidenus-Wahlforss founded omni:us to bring AI-powered claims automation to the insurance industry. Her company helps insurers process claims faster and more accurately using machine learning and natural language processing. Quidenus-Wahlforss is a respected voice on AI in insurance operations and is recognised as one of the Top 25 InsurTech Executives of 2025 by The Financial Technology Report.
40. Jack Kudale
Founder and CEO, Cowbell Cyber
Jack Kudale founded Cowbell Cyber to provide AI-powered cyber insurance for small and medium-sized businesses. Cowbell's platform uses continuous risk assessment rather than point-in-time snapshots, helping businesses understand and reduce their cyber exposure in real time. Kudale is a recognised expert on cyber insurance innovation and speaks frequently on how insurers can use technology to make cyber coverage more accessible and effective for the businesses that need it most.
41. Tim Attia
CEO and Co-Founder, Slice Labs
Tim Attia co-founded Slice Labs to build cloud-based insurance solutions that enable on-demand and usage-based coverage. Slice's technology powers insurance-as-a-service for carriers and digital platforms alike. Attia is a thought leader on embedded insurance, microinsurance, and how the industry can move from annual policies to real-time, event-driven coverage models. He speaks at major conferences and writes on the shift from product-centric to platform-centric insurance.
42. David Goate
Co-Founder and Chief Architect, Marshmallow
David Goate co-founded Marshmallow, a UK-based insurtech that has insured over one million people, with a particular focus on newcomers to the UK. Marshmallow developed proprietary technology and real-time pricing systems that address underserved market segments. Goate is recognised as one of the Top 25 InsurTech Executives of 2025 and brings a unique perspective on how technology can make insurance more inclusive and accessible to communities that traditional carriers overlook.
43. Stacy Warren
Executive Vice President and COO, Lockton
Stacy Warren received the 2025 Women in Insurance Leadership Lifetime Achievement award from Digital Insurance. As EVP and COO of Lockton, one of the world's largest privately held insurance brokerages, she has shaped the firm's operational strategy and growth. Warren's thought leadership focuses on brokerage innovation, talent development, and how insurance distribution is evolving in an increasingly digital marketplace.
44. Sabrina Hart
President and CEO, Munich Re Specialty
Sabrina Hart leads Munich Re Specialty and was named one of Business Insurance's 2025 Women to Watch Iconic Leaders. Her leadership at one of the world's most respected reinsurance groups gives her a unique vantage point on specialty risk, innovation in reinsurance, and how the global risk landscape is shifting. Hart speaks at industry events on emerging risks, leadership in complex organisations, and the importance of diversity in insurance leadership.
45. Namrata Sharma
Research Executive Manager, Deloitte Center for Financial Services
Namrata Sharma leads insurance research at the Deloitte Center for Financial Services, producing data-driven insights on AI, climate risk, fraud, and industry transformation. Her research papers on topics including "Property and casualty carriers can use AI to win the fight against insurance fraud" and "Bridging insurance gaps to prepare homeowners for emerging climate change risks" are widely cited across the industry. Sharma's thought leadership is grounded in rigorous analysis and provides actionable intelligence for insurance executives.
46. Bill Pappas
Head of Global Technology and Operations, MetLife
Bill Pappas leads technology and operations at MetLife, one of the world's largest life insurers. He is driving MetLife's digital transformation and AI strategy, and speaks regularly at major conferences including The Future of Insurance USA. Pappas's thought leadership focuses on scaling AI across large insurance organisations, modernising legacy technology infrastructure, and building technology teams that can deliver innovation at enterprise scale.
47. Sarah Muniz
Insurance Industry Speaker and Influencer
Sarah Muniz is a prominent insurance industry speaker and social media influencer who focuses on helping insurance professionals build their personal brands and leverage social media for business development. Her LinkedIn content on insurance industry trends, professional development, and social media strategy consistently generates high engagement. Muniz represents a new generation of insurance thought leaders who are using digital platforms to connect with and educate the industry.
48. Jason Cass
Insurance Agency Owner, Speaker, and Podcast Host
Jason Cass is one of the most energetic voices in the independent insurance agency space. He hosts a popular podcast that combines thought leadership with technology reviews and practical agency advice. Cass is known for his high-energy style and his commitment to helping independent agents embrace technology, improve their sales processes, and build sustainable businesses. His influence extends across the agent and broker community, where his practical, no-nonsense advice resonates deeply.
49. Brent Kelly
President, The Sitkins Group
Brent Kelly leads The Sitkins Group and hosts a weekly podcast focused on helping independent insurance agencies sell more, retain more, and earn more. His thought leadership focuses on sales excellence, leadership development, and building high-performance agency cultures. Kelly's approach combines strategic thinking with practical coaching, and he is widely respected in the independent agency community for his ability to translate big-picture industry trends into actionable steps for agency principals and producers.
50. Kelly Donahue-Piro
Founder, Agency Performance Partners
Kelly Donahue-Piro is the founder of Agency Performance Partners and a leading voice on sales performance, client retention, and building a culture of accountability within insurance agencies. She works directly with agency teams to improve their operational and sales effectiveness, and her thought leadership blends practical consulting experience with a genuine passion for helping agencies thrive. Donahue-Piro is a sought-after speaker at industry events and her insights on agency management are widely followed.
What to Expect from Following Insurance Thought Leaders
Following the right thought leaders in insurance gives you access to perspectives you will not find in trade publications or annual reports alone. The best thought leaders share real-time analysis of market shifts, offer contrarian views that challenge conventional thinking, and provide practical frameworks you can apply in your own organisation.
Many of the leaders on this list are active on LinkedIn, making it easy to engage with their content, ask questions, and build genuine professional relationships. Several also host podcasts, publish newsletters, or contribute to platforms like Insurance Thought Leadership, giving you multiple ways to access their insights.
As you build your own network of thought leaders to follow, prioritise diversity of perspective. Follow executives from different regions, sectors, and company sizes. Balance the views of large carrier CEOs with those of insurtech founders and independent consultants. The most valuable insights often come from the intersection of different viewpoints.
Pricing and Cost Guide
The thought leaders on this list offer their insights through various channels, many of them free. LinkedIn posts, podcast episodes, and platform articles are available at no cost. For deeper engagement, options include paid speaking engagements (typically $5,000 to $50,000 for keynotes), consulting retainers, executive workshops, and online courses.
If you are looking to bring a thought leader into your organisation for a keynote, workshop, or strategic advisory engagement, expect to invest based on their profile and the scope of the engagement. Many of the consultants and facilitators on this list offer customised programmes for insurance leadership teams.
FAQ
Who are the most influential thought leaders in insurance right now?
The most influential thought leaders in insurance include Paul Carroll (Insurance Thought Leadership), Nigel Walsh (Google Cloud), Matteo Carbone (IoT Insurance Observatory), Bryan Falchuk (PLRB), and Denise Garth (Majesco). Each brings a unique perspective, from editorial leadership and technology strategy to IoT innovation and industry analysis.
What makes someone a thought leader in insurance?
An insurance thought leader combines deep industry expertise with a consistent commitment to sharing insights publicly. This includes publishing research, speaking at conferences, hosting podcasts, contributing to industry platforms, and engaging actively on professional social media. The best thought leaders have practical experience in the industry and a track record of accurately identifying trends before they become mainstream.
How can I connect with insurance thought leaders on LinkedIn?
Most of the leaders on this list are active on LinkedIn. Start by following their profiles and engaging thoughtfully with their posts. Add value to their discussions rather than simply promoting your own services. Over time, consistent and genuine engagement builds relationships that can lead to meaningful professional connections. Many thought leaders also host events, webinars, or community groups that provide additional opportunities to connect.
Are insurtech thought leaders different from traditional insurance thought leaders?
Yes, though the line is blurring. Insurtech thought leaders tend to focus on technology-driven disruption, new business models, and startup culture. Traditional insurance thought leaders often emphasise underwriting discipline, regulatory compliance, and market strategy. The most valuable perspectives come from leaders who can bridge both worlds, understanding the potential of technology while respecting the fundamentals of risk management and capital allocation.
Why should insurance professionals follow thought leaders?
Following thought leaders helps insurance professionals stay ahead of industry shifts, discover new ideas and frameworks, and build networks that accelerate their careers. In an industry undergoing rapid transformation, the professionals who succeed are those who actively seek out diverse perspectives and are willing to challenge their own assumptions. Thought leaders provide a curated stream of insight that can inform better decisions and spark innovation within your own organisation.
Conclusion
The insurance industry is entering a period of unprecedented change, and the thought leaders on this list are helping to shape what comes next. Whether your focus is on insurtech innovation, global strategy, underwriting excellence, or leadership development, following the right voices will keep you informed, challenged, and inspired.
If you are looking for help developing your insurance leadership team, whether through a half-day workshop, an executive offsite, or a keynote presentation, Jonno White at Clarity Group Global specialises in helping leadership teams work better together. Visit consultclarity.org or email jonno@consultclarity.org to start a conversation.
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