Alliant Insurance Services

Financial lines insurance trends are evolving with new legal rulings, DOJ antitrust activity and emerging AI-related risks impacting coverage and compliance. In this episode, Mike Radak and David Finz, Alliant Specialty Claims & Legal, discuss a recent Ninth Circuit decision impacting D&O insurance coverage, recent Department of Justice enforcement signals and a case exploring AI and legal privilege. Together, they break down what these developments mean for policyholders and organizations, including how to challenge coverage denials, prepare for regulatory scrutiny and manage confidentiality risks associated with AI tools.

D&O and E&O insurance coverage, professional services exclusions and cyber liability trends are reshaping how organizations manage claims and risk in today’s financial lines landscape. In this episode, Mike Radak and David Finz, Alliant Specialty Claims and Legal, analyze a Delaware court decision on D&O vs. E&O coordination and safeguarding your company against cyber litigation tied to data breaches and geopolitical threats. They share key insights on policy wording, coverage gaps and data breach liability, while highlighting strategies for insurance coverage alignment and cyber preparedness.

Strong professional networks are built through trust, consistency and meaningful relationships, not transactional interactions. In this episode, Jenni Lee Crocker, Alliant, welcomes Stephanie Ford, Warren Whitney, to discuss how centers of influence (COIs) and authentic networking drive long-term success in sales. Together, they share practical insights on building referral networks, strengthening professional connections and cultivating relationships that support sustained business development and career growth.

Join Mike Radak, David Finz and Peter Kelly, Alliant Specialty Claims & Legal, as they examine three legal developments shaping today’s financial lines landscape. The team analyzes a federal decision reinforcing strict reporting requirements under claims-made policies in runoff, a Texas ruling cautioning insurers about extra-contractual exposure when rejecting reasonable D&O settlement demands and emerging trends in pixel tracking litigation and cyber coverage. Together, they outline practical considerations for notice compliance, settlement strategy and managing website tracking risk.

Welcome to the very first episode of Women in Sales. Host Jenni Lee Crocker is joined by Beth Phares and Julie Rison for an honest and inspiring conversation about what truly drives success in sales. Together, they share real experiences, practical lessons and encouragement for the next generation of women considering a path in sales. This debut episode launches an ongoing series dedicated to elevating women’s voices, stories and impact across the industry and marks the beginning of many powerful conversations to come.

Join Kenny White, Alliant Healthcare, and Kathy Roe, Health Law Consultancy, as they examine recent federal and state developments shaping the regulation of artificial intelligence in healthcare and managed care, including a new executive order establishing federal priorities. Their discussion highlights state-level activity around prior authorization and mental health AI applications, alongside the growing tension between federal oversight and state enforcement. They also share practical considerations for organizations, from governance and risk management to compliance and insurance implications as AI adoption continues to evolve.

Join Brendan Hall and Michael White, Alliant Cyber, and Scott Erickson, APT Healthcare, as they explore how Alliant’s PortCo Protect program supports private equity organizations in advancing cybersecurity maturity across their portfolio companies. The discussion highlights how portfolio-wide risk assessments, sponsor transparency and ongoing remediation guidance help drive alignment, justify investment and strengthen security posture. Scott also shares firsthand insights on modernizing IT infrastructure, improving defenses against threats like ransomware and the value of collaborative partnership in elevating enterprise risk management.

Join Mike Radak, Alliant Financial Institutions, and David Finz, Alliant Claims & Legal, as they discuss recent court decisions and federal policy developments shaping coverage outcomes and emerging risk exposures. Mike discusses a favorable Southern District of New York decision affirming full coverage for an insured in a D&O coverage arbitration, highlighting key takeaways on allocation, best efforts and the application of New York’s relative exposure rule. David then examines a new federal executive order on artificial intelligence, outlining its potential impact on state regulation, emerging liability exposures and insurance considerations across specialty lines.

AI is accelerating ransomware attacks and reshaping the cyber threat landscape. Join Brendan Hall, Alliant Cyber, and Brad LaPorte, Morphisec, as they discuss how evolving ransomware tactics and polymorphic malware are challenging traditional cybersecurity defenses. Together they share how a preemptive approach to ransomware protection can help organizations reduce exposure, lower insurance costs and strengthen cyber resilience as AI continues to accelerate the speed and sophistication of attacks. They also highlight how Morphisec’s patented technology and ransomware-free guarantee provide a powerful layer of protection that complements existing MDR and EDR tools.

CJ Dietzman and Tara Albin, Alliant Cyber, are joined by Kenny White, Alliant Healthcare, to examine the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the managed care industry. Their discussion explores how AI is streamlining administrative processes and compliance functions, while simultaneously introducing new exposures around privacy, vendor accountability and cyber risk. Together they highlight how proactive strategies such as implementing governance frameworks, employee training and AI literacy in an organization can strengthen resilience and manage risk in an increasingly automated environment.

Join Mike Radak, Alliant Financial Institutions, and David Finz, Alliant Claims & Legal, as they explore recent key rulings under the Investment Company Act and D&O policy prior notice exclusions, with Mike exploring their impact on claims handling and coverage strategy. David then examines a recent data breach settlement, highlighting how precise policy language can help manage cyber liability and navigate complex class action exposures.

Join CJ Dietzman, Cara Murray and Ben Lorentzen, Alliant Cyber, as they discuss the current state of the cyber insurance market and the evolving threats organizations face heading into 2026. Their conversation explores how cultivating a strong culture of cybersecurity that is supported by engaged employees and leadership can strengthen resilience and reduce exposure. They also share actionable steps organizations can take to build a sustainable cyber culture that reinforces strategy and enhances preparedness in today’s dynamic risk landscape.

Join Howard Miller and Grace Michael, Alliant Cyber, as they discuss practical strategies organizations can use to reduce downtime, minimize costs and strengthen resilience before and after a cyber incident. They examine how effective incident response planning, tabletop exercises and business impact analysis (BIA) collectively enhance recovery and guide smarter insurance and risk transfer decisions.

Roger Barbieri, Harbor Group Consulting, is joined by Jon Gilbert, Alliant Mergers & Acquisitions, to examine the unique risks involved in financing healthcare real estate compared to traditional commercial assets. They explore key challenges including medical professional liability, environmental exposures, and evolving post-COVID regulations, highlighting how comprehensive insurance reviews and active lender involvement can lead to stronger healthcare transactions.

Suicide and mental health challenges remain critical yet often overlooked issues in the construction industry, with suicide rates significantly higher than in other professions. Join Eli Mendoza and John Murphy, Alliant Construction, as they discuss the factors driving this crisis, recent statistics and how to overcome the stigma surrounding mental health in construction. Their conversation explores prevention and post-prevention strategies, available resources and how Alliant works alongside clients to raise awareness and implement meaningful support programs.

Join Mike Radak, Alliant Financial Institutions, and David Finz, Alliant Claims & Legal, as they break down three recent legal developments shaping insurance and cyber risk. They discuss how strict notice provisions can result in claim denials, the importance of securing coverage for regulatory investigations and what the MOVEit litigation reveals about duty to defend versus choice of counsel. Together, they provide key insights for policyholders navigating coverage gaps, defense strategies and the evolving risks in the financial institutions and cyber markets.

Join Brendan Hall, Alliant Cyber, and Gaurav Kulkarni, COO, Sprocket Security, as they explore the evolution of penetration (Pen) testing from traditional legacy models to continuous security programs that deliver real-time insights into an organization’s ever-changing attack surface. Their discussion highlights how this new approach supports compliance, reduces exposure and aligns with modern cybersecurity frameworks like Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). Gaurav also outlines how Sprocket’s hybrid model blends technology with human-led testing to better identify, validate and remediate risk to stay ahead of zero-day vulnerabilities and emerging risks in today’s changing climate.

In the inaugural episode, Roger Barbieri and Jeff Evans, Harbor Group, welcome Jon Gilbert, Alliant M&A, to look into the complexities of commercial real estate insurance. They discuss common challenges like high deductibles and catastrophic loss exposure, the importance of early engagement and how Harbor Group Consulting's unique approach ensures smooth closings.

A recent Supreme Court decision is reshaping the landscape for fraud enforcement against government contractors, eliminating the need to show monetary loss when false statements are made during the bidding process. Mike Radak, Alliant Financial Institutions, and David Finz, Alliant Claims & Legal, break down the implications of Kousisis v. United States and discuss a pivotal California ruling that broadens the scope of the California Consumer Privacy Act beyond data breaches. Together, they explore how these developments could carry implications for contract compliance, DEI disclosures, cyber controls and privacy litigation moving forward.

Kenny White and Fred Driscoll, Alliant Healthcare, are joined by Seth Madnick, Alliant Captives, to examine how captive insurance continues to shape risk financing strategies in the managed care and ancillary healthcare sectors. The team outlines key considerations for feasibility, formation and utilization, highlighting benefits such as control over coverage terms, cost efficiency and streamlined access to reinsurance markets.

AI-powered cyber-attacks are reshaping the threat landscape, driving new risks and challenges for organizations worldwide. CJ Dietzman, Alliant Cyber, welcomes Daniel Tobok, CEO of Cypfer, to break down the latest cyber trends from Q1 2025 and predictions for the future. They discuss the rise of generative AI in attacks, the ongoing ransomware threat and the increasing role of third-party vendors in breaches. Daniel also offers practical advice on boosting cyber awareness, protecting critical data and preparing incident response plans to stay ahead in this evolving environment.

With cyber threats growing more sophisticated, NIST has overhauled its incident response guidance to help organizations better prepare, respond and recover. Join Jay Stampfl, David Finz and Grace Michael, Alliant Cyber, as they explore the NIST Special Publication 800-61 Revision 3 and its link to the updated Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0. They explore the expanded role of incident response, the new “govern” function and the shift toward continuous improvement. The team also explains how these changes affect cyber insurance underwriting and how Alliant helps clients stay ahead through planning, tabletop exercises and risk-focused engagement.

With major staff reductions and budget constraints, the SEC is predicted to scale back broad enforcement efforts and prioritize more traditional securities fraud like insider trading, Ponzi schemes and accounting fraud. Mike Radak, Alliant Financial Institutions, and David Finz, Alliant Claims & Legal, explore the shifting regulatory priorities for the SEC under the current U.S. administration and its implications for financial and consumer industries.

Bledion Dizdari welcomes Holly Ragsdale as she shares her journey into the insurance industry and the power of networking. They discuss how Holly was drawn to insurance as a way of combining her analytical skills with her passion for building relationships, which now plays a key role in her work with the Conserve-A-Nation program. Holly also shares how co-founding the Young Risk Professionals’ (YRP) D.C. chapter has helped her expand her professional network and support the next generation of insurance professionals.

In recognition of Women in Construction Week, this episode features a discussion with Celia Seigerman-Levit and Laura Martino on the evolving landscape of the construction industry. They share their career journeys, the changes they’ve seen over the years, and the reasons they are passionate about their work. The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities for women in the field, as well as their advice for the next generation of professionals entering the industry.

Trailblazers like Wendy Conway are paving the way for the next generation of women in the industry. In this episode we sit down with Wendy Conway, Managing Director of Risk Management at Greystar Development & Construction, to discuss her journey in construction, the challenges she’s overcome, and the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way. Wendy shares insights into risk management, leadership, and the evolving landscape of the construction industry, along with actionable advice for women looking to build their careers in this space.

Bledion Dizdari welcomes Pam Frassineti, Alliant Public Entity, to discuss her career journey and what sets Alliant apart as a leader in insurance. Pam shares how her aspiration to become a high school guidance counselor provided her with the transferable skills needed to succeed in the insurance industry, emphasizing the value in understanding client needs, building trust and providing customized solutions. As a recent addition to the Alliant team, she highlights how the company’s relationship-centered approach is essential to building a successful outcome.

The construction industry is evolving, and women are playing a crucial role in shaping its future. In this episode, we sit down with Hillary Neal, Managing Director of Risk Management at Greystar Development & Construction, to explore her career journey, the shifts she’s witnessed in the industry, and the invaluable lessons she’s learned along the way. Hillary shares her insights on navigating risk management, breaking barriers, and leading with confidence in the construction industry. She also offers practical advice for the next generation of women looking to build successful careers in construction.

CJ Dietzman welcomes Jon Gilbert, Alliant M&A, and Michael White, Alliant Cyber, to discuss the critical role of cybersecurity and technology risk assessments in mergers and acquisitions for private equity firms. The team reviews key insights from 2024, including the growing importance of cyber due diligence and the complexities of managing cyber risk across PE portfolios. As one of the top five risk considerations, they highlight the necessity of integrating cyber risk into M&A strategies to ensure long-term success. They also share how Alliant equips firms with the expertise and solutions needed to navigate these evolving challenges and to better support our clients.

Bledion Dizdari welcomes Kenny White, Alliant Healthcare, to discuss his unique career trajectory, transitioning from law to insurance, and highlight Alliant’s collaborative company culture with the one P&L model fostering teamwork across the entire organization. Kenny also shares his advice for aspiring insurance professionals, emphasizing the value of expertise and specialization in a chosen field.

The insurance landscape is ever-changing, especially when decisions are made shifting legal standards. Join David Finz, Mike Radak and Peter Kelly as they explore recent legal decisions posing broad implications for the industry. They discuss a favorable appellate court ruling on D&O insurance coverage and indemnification, examine efforts to deem the Corporate Transparency Act unconstitutional and analyze a high-profile cybersecurity enforcement case in New York’s financial sector. Executive Liability Newsletter: https://alliant.com/news-resources/newsletter-financial-lines-executive-liability-2024/

Karen Caterino, Alliant Public Entity, welcomes Myshell Gresham, Ascot Group, to discuss her unconventional career path and advice essential for career growth in insurance, or any relationship-based industry. Myshell shares the internal and external challenges she has faced that have helped her learn the importance of investing in yourself, constant learning, maintaining curiosity and being an effective communicator. Defining herself as a relationship maverick, Myshell emphasizes the value in developing your personal brand and leveraging social media as a networking tool.

As companies prepare for the unfortunate probability of a cyber attack, many continue to overlook the key role played by cyber crisis communications teams. Brendan Hall, Alliant Cyber, is joined by Dan Wire, Head of Crisis Communications at Mandiant Consulting, to discuss the critical need for proactively managing communications during a cyber event, and pitfalls to avoid in order to best protect the enterprise during crisis.

The public sector has historically grappled with workforce challenges, including employee retention, layoffs, and a shortage of qualified workers—issues further exacerbated by the pandemic. Carleen Patterson welcomes Scott McNea, Alliant Public Entity, to discuss the impact of the workforce crisis on the public sector and five solutions public policy professionals believe will address these challenges. From adjusting job qualification criteria to utilizing AI to streamline the hiring process, there are several strategies organizations can actively implement to minimize the workforce shortage and improve employee retention.

Join Karen Caterino, Alliant Public Entity, as she welcomes Brandon Barnhardt, Safety and Risk Manager for the City of Charlotte, to share how a passion for environmental science sparked his career in safety and risk management. Brandon provides valuable insights into the responsibilities, challenges and rewards of his role and how he navigates regulations and leverages technology to improve outcomes.

How will the outcome of the presidential election affect enforcement actions and litigation? Join Steve Shappell, David Finz and Mike Radak as they discuss their predictions for a possible shift in SEC enforcement priorities, massive deregulation and an increase in civil litigation under the Trump administration. The team also examines the dismissal of a data privacy case by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, a decision that could influence website tracking litigation across the nation.

Bledion Dizdari welcomes Rosy Ku, Executive Vice President, Alliant M&A, to discuss her career path in the insurance industry and what led her to Alliant. She highlights the Alliant One P&L model as well as the company culture of unlimited support and resources as the key factors of success.

How can innovative solutions like parametric insurance and water detection systems be leveraged to improve risk management in the construction industry? Join Matt Walsh, Greg Melton and Bill Marutsos, Alliant Construction, as they explore the current challenges and opportunities facing businesses in construction. From navigating large-scale infrastructure projects to mitigating catastrophic events, this podcast offers valuable insights into the strategies and solutions shaping today’s builder's risk marketplace.

CJ Dietzman welcomes Tara Albin to the Alliant Cyber team and explores her background in the managed care industry, specifically focusing on how cyber risks have impacted the insurance market. They also discuss her prediction for the future of the cyber market and the current threat actors and key controls organizations can implement such as MFA, EDR solutions, email filtering, employee education and incident response plans.

Navigating the complex insurance landscape can be a daunting task for real estate developers and investment firms, as traditional policies often fail to cover the full spectrum of risks, from managing development to tenant interactions. Join Craig Goesel and Jimmy Farkas as they discuss the intricacies of the real estate market and the insurance needs developers and investors should have in place before any project is initiated. The duo also explore how the REDI program simplifies risk management and enhances protection, ultimately providing better value and security for real estate firms.

Join Tim Crowley, Travis Barnett, Matt Green and Sara Heller, Alliant, as they review key trends and challenges that have surfaced for public and private companies in the first half of 2024. The team provides an analysis of current market conditions, coverage trends and implications for policyholders.

Bledion Dizdari connects with Tim Carlson, Alliant Construction, to discuss his transition to Alliant and the benefits of the one P&L structure. Tim highlights his decision to join Alliant was based on his commitment to taking care of his clients and how the Alliant platform allows him the flexibility to do what’s best for the client, every step of the way.

Private equity investors are leveraging AI as an integral part of their business strategy. With this exciting technology comes a growing concern: data privacy. Join Chad Neale, Alliant M&A | Cyber, and Sara Haneef, BluDot Advisors, as they discuss AI due diligence as well as data compliance, cybersecurity and governance frameworks for PE firms to ensure a successful and responsible acquisition.

Bledion Dizdari welcomes Peter Carpenter, Chief Operating Officer, Alliant, to discuss the company culture, employee experience, and commitment to client satisfaction which earned Alliant the highest net inflow of industry-leading broker talent among the nation’s leading P&C insurance brokerages in 2024. They also dive into Peter’s personal experience in the insurance industry, including the 2008 acquisition of the Seattle-based employee benefits consulting firm that he co-founded and where he started his career in insurance.

How will the SEC’s new data privacy rules under Regulation S-P impact financial entities? David Finz and Steve Levine unpack the regulations for enhanced client data protection, quick breach notifications and incident response plans, effective July 15. They discuss the vital role of third-party risk management and explore the insurance implications, highlighting coverage areas in cyber and D&O policies. Alliant offers specialized services to help clients ensure their compliance with these regulations and strengthen their incident response strategies.

The Black Basta ransomware group has become a significant concern, prompting the issuance of a joint Cybersecurity Advisory. Join Steve Shappell and David Finz, Alliant Claims & Legal, as they discuss the escalating concern surrounding the Black Basta ransomware syndicate and its implications for cyber risk management. Originating from Russia, this group has been targeting healthcare and critical infrastructure sectors, prompting a joint cybersecurity advisory from several U.S. agencies. The advisory provides technical details and mitigation strategies to help organizations protect their data and networks. They also explore the importance of precise policy language in D&O insurance, especially in cases involving bankruptcy and prior acts, emphasizing the need for meticulous scrutiny to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Chad Neale, Alliant M&A, welcomes Haytham Allos, Chief Technology Officer at Cyberbian.ai, to discuss the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI systems prevalent today and strategies for evaluating AI enabled applications during due diligence. From dissecting the technology stack to assessing talent shortages and data security challenges, they provide insight for navigating challenges involved with AI-driven businesses.

Product liability continues to be the most common legal and reputational risk for life sciences companies. How prepared are public and private companies when faced with litigation claiming that their product has caused injury to one or more people? Join Rich Leavitt, Rob Lane and Will Eustace as they discuss the best practices to shield your company from product liability claims. Learn how to build a rapid-response team, secure essential insurance coverage and avoid hidden dangers that could derail your defense.

Join CJ Dietzman and Howard Miller, Alliant Cyber, as they welcome Ronald Ross, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to discuss the pivotal role of building cyber resilience within your organization. Learn what the future holds for NIST and the evolving threat landscape, as well as how NIST empowers businesses to strengthen their cyber defenses.

The landscape for student health insurance has undergone major consolidation over the years, making the options for higher education health plans limited. Join Carleen Patterson as she welcomes Kevin McCarroll from Alliant Student Health, to discuss the benefits of student health insurance. The duo discusses the incentives for domestic and international students during the recruitment process, as well as what differentiates Alliant from other student health programs.