Caldwell NJ —
Dear SIFM Members, Sponsors and Colleagues:
For more than 67 years, the SIFM has provided a forum for members to learn, exchange ideas and better understand the issues affecting the insurance and reinsurance sectors. Our longevity and success are a direct result of your engagement and support through membership, conference participation, thought leadership, and valuable suggestions that help keep our programming relevant and impactful.
As my term as President has come to a close, I want to extend thanks to our members, sponsors and colleagues for your support, collaboration and friendship over the past two years. It has been a privilege to serve as President and work work alongside Leadership Team. I am also pleased to introduce the Officers, Board and President’s Advisory Council members who will guide SIFM’s next chapter with fresh ideas, initiatives and a continued commitment to our mission.
Election Process
Every two years, the SIFM elects Officers and Board members for the next term. The process begins with a nominating committee tasked with identifying and recommending a slate of candidates. This year’s committee comprised of former SIFM presidents: John Yoon, Chris McNulty, and Sean Egan.
Nominating Committee Recommendations
The Nominating Committee proposed the following:
- Florie Bourrel-Heleine, Partner, Insurance Practice, Forvis Mazars as an officer for the position of Vice President and Treasurer
- Julia Paromchik, VP Internal Audit, QBE North America to the Board of Directors
Review and Election
As part of the review of the current board, the Nominating Committee reached out to members to determine their interest in serving an additional term. The full slate of candidates for board and officer positions are listed below. All nominees were presented, voted upon, and elected to their positions during the Annual Reorganization Meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Additionally, please join me in thanking several members who are retiring from the Board and PAC –
- William Burke of PwC
- Gregory Domareki of EY.
I am deeply grateful for their service. Board and PAC leadership roles require significant volunteer commitment and both have served SIFM with dedication, and professionalism.
As I conclude my term as President and return to the Board, I want to thank the Board of Directors, the President’s Advisory Council and our Sponsors for their support and guidance over the past two years. It has been an honor and privilege of serve as SIFM President.
As I hand-off the Presidency to Russ, I am confident that the newly elected leadership team will continue to delivering exceptional value to our members.
Please join me in congratulating the new Officers, the Board and PAC members and in wishing Russ every success as he begins his term as President.
Elected Positions
President
Russell Sommers, Principal, Baker Tilly Advisory Group LP
Vice President and Treasurer
Florie Bourrel-Heleine, Partner, Insurance Practice, Forvis Mazars US
Board of Directors
Michael Castelli, President, MJC Consulting
Dana D’Amelio, Partner, Financial Services, Ernst & Young LLP
Sean Egan, Partner, Financial Services, KPMG LLP
Laurie Harris, Non-Executive Director, QBE North America
Michele Landon, Managing Director, Deloitte Tax
Elaine Lehnert, Senior Managing Partner, Ankura Consulting Group
Lucy Lillycrop, Assurance Partner, Insurance, PwC LLP
Paul Mallen, President, CEO, Amalgamated Life Insurance Company
Julia Paromchik, VP Internal Audit, QBE North America
Sarah Sheldon, VP, Head of Tax Legal, Lincoln Financial Group
John Swanick, Senior Director, Insurance Practice, Centri Business Consulting LLC
Matthew Tierney, Global Insurance Practice Leader, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
John Yoon, Chief Accounting Officer, QBE North America
President’s Advisory Council Appointments
President Elect, Russell Sommers has appointed two new members to the President’s Advisory Council:
Jason Jacobs, CFO, SageSure LLC and Timothy O’Sullivan, SVP, CFO, Lancer Insurance Company.
President’s Advisory Council
Christopher Alvino, Partner KPMG LLP
Andrew Baxter, Managing Director FTI Consulting Inc
Alyssa Cotillo, Manager Business Consulting, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
Kenneth Croarkin, Partner, Audit & Insurance, EisnerAmper LLP
John Fitzgerald, President, MS Transverse Insurance Group
Gregory Giardielli, Global Controller, MassMutual
Jason Jacobs, CFO, SageSure LLC
Imran Makda, Assurance Principal, Practice Leader, BDO USA LP
Christopher McNulty, EVP, CFO, Treasurer, GNY Insurance Companies
Adriana Nivia, CFO, Treasurer, Renaissance Reinsurance US
Timothy O’Sullivan, SVP, CFO, Lancer Insurance Company
Matthew Williams, Divisional Finance Officer
Warm regards,
Yelena La Forgia
President, SIFM
Chief Financial Officer
About SIFM
SIFM is an exclusive network of insurance financial professionals from global insurance, reinsurance companies, public accounting firms and their servicing organizations. Membership grants exclusive access to our network of industry peers, resources and expert knowledge.
For more information contact: Diane Mensinger (973 303 6297) or visit SIFM.org.