News Release: RISE Announces 2026 Strategic Planning Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dania Beach, FL, November 13, 2025 – RISE is proud to announce the members of the 2026 Strategic Planning Board.
The Strategic Planning Board plays a key role in guiding RISE’s long-term vision—driving initiatives, shaping strategy, and ensuring that the organization continues to meet the evolving needs of the industry’s future leaders. This year’s board brings together a mix of new and returning members who exemplify RISE’s core values of leadership, innovation, mentorship, and inclusion.
Members of the Strategic Planning Board will collaborate closely with RISE leadership and the Advisory Board to share ideas, provide insights, and help drive key initiatives. Together, they’ll transform vision into action—shaping projects that align with RISE’s long-term goals while building leadership skills, strategic thinking, and meaningful connections across the industry.
The individuals selected for this year’s board represent a diverse cross-section of expertise and experience across the insurance industry:
2026 Strategic Planning Board Members:
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Alexandra Santo, Claims Consultant, Golden Bear Insurance Company
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Amanda Jensen, Head of Marketing and Branding, NARS
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Andye Vantol, Underwriting Auditor II, AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
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Anna Pray Holzapfel, Business Senior Lead Project and Program Manager, Westfield Insurance
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Chelsey Boyle, Associate Claims Specialist, Tokio Marine HCC
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Cody Pavlat, Manager, Training & Education, AF Group
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Cortney Helfrich, CPO, Wilber Group
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DJ Gargano, Senior Client Services Manager, CNA
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Giselle Palladino, Vice President, Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers
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Jessica Elsass, Assistant Vice President & Manager, Medical Resource Unit, Cincinnati Insurance Company
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Kaitlyn Dudzinski, VP – Environmental, Westfield Specialty
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Kayla Pigeon, VP MSP Compliance, Sanderson Firm
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Lindsay Tanner, Claims Unit Manager, Westfield Insurance
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Matt DeBernardi, Director, RLI
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Megan Bell, SVP, Marketing, Falvey Insurance Group
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Mercedes Peil, Director, Strategy, Selective Insurance
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Mykaela Ionta, Senior Middle Market Underwriter, The Hartford
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Quron Berry, Litigation Specialist Supervisor, Utica National Insurance Group
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Siena Pizzano, Senior Catastrophe Risk Analyst, Sompo
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Stephanie Badiola, Excess Casualty Underwriter, Gridiron Insurance Underwriters
The 2026 Strategic Planning Board embodies RISE’s mission to cultivate, connect, and champion emerging leaders in insurance. Together, this team will help chart the course for another year of innovation and impact.
About RISE
RISE is a professional community dedicated to developing the next generation of insurance leaders. Through mentorship, education, networking, and leadership development, RISE empowers professionals to accelerate their careers and helps organizations attract, engage, and retain top talent.
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