Leadership

SIFM Leadership: Some Board & PAC Members 2024 – 2026
Back Row: Russell Sommers, Paul Mallen, Christopher McNulty, John Yoon
Middle Row: Julia Paromchik, Lucy Lillycrop, Yelena La Forgia, John Swanick, Florie Bourrel-Heleine, Imran Makda
Front Row: Michele Landon

There are 3 leadership groups in the SIFM – Officers, the Board of Directors and the President’s Advisory Council (PAC). Individuals serving in these capacities are SIFM members who are actively involved with SIFM, contribute to its development by participating in conferences and programs, and actively promote the SIFM within their organizations.

Serving on the Board of Directors (Board) and the President’s Advisory Council (PAC) is a challenging and rewarding volunteer opportunity. While election and appointment to the SIFM Board and PAC is an honor, these groups also have important responsibilities that require a commitment of time, skills and resources.

SIFM Officers

The Officers consist of the President and Vice Present/Treasurer.  Although the term of office is 2 years, the VP/Treasurer moves into the position of President at the end of their term; potentially the serving for 4 years.

SIFM Officers

President
Yelena La Forgia, Chief Financial Officer, Aspen Insurance and Aspen U.S. at Sompo

Vice President and Treasurer
Russell Sommers, Principal, Baker Tilly Advisory Group

SIFM Officers
Officer Bios

Board of Directors

The purpose of the Board of Directors is to promote the objectives and mission of the SIFM among colleagues within their organizations and among their peers in the industry, to support the conferences, meetings and Special Interest Groups as well as to support events or projects that the SIFM sponsors.

The Board ensures that the organization’s activities are consistent with its established mission and objectives, and in accordance with the articles of incorporation, bylaws and constitution.  The Board assures the continuity of the organization including the maintenance of adequate financial resources so the SIFM can fulfill its mission. Board members are elected for 2-year terms.

Board of Directors

President
Yelena La Forgia, Chief Financial Officer, Aspen Insurance and Aspen U.S. at Sompo

Vice President and Treasurer
Russell Sommers, Principal, Baker Tilly Advisory Group

Florie Bourrel-Heleine, Partner, Insurance Practice, Forvis Mazars US
Michael Castelli
Dana D’Amelio, Assurance Managed Service Leader, EY
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 Director, Ankura Consulting Group LLP
Lucy Lillycrop, Assurance Partner, Insurance, PwC LLP
Paul Mallen, President, CEO, Amalgamated Life Insurance Company
Sarah Sheldon, VP, Head of Tax Legal, Lincoln Financial Group
John Swanick, Senior Director, Insurance Practice, Centri Business Consulting LLC
Mathew Tierney, Global Insurance Practice Leader, Grant Thornton Advisors LLP
John Yoon, Chief Accounting Officer, QBE North America

Board of Directors
Board Bios

President’s Advisory Council

The goal of the President’s Advisory Council (PAC) is to promote the objectives and mission of the SIFM among colleagues within their organizations and among their peers in the industry, to support the conferences, meetings and Special Interest Groups as well as to support events or projects that the SIFM sponsors.

The President’s Advisory Council is selected by the President and consists of members who wish to more actively contribute to the SIFM. Although PAC membership is non-voting and does not have the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of Board membership, PAC members are expected to contribute to activities in support of the organization’s mission and objectives.  PAC membership provides a great opportunity to demonstrate commitment to the SIFM as well as cultivating prospective board members. 

President's Advisory Council

Christopher Alvino, Audit Managing Director, KPMG LLP
Andrew Baxter, Managing Director, Governance, Internal Audit, and Controls Practice, FTI Consulting Inc
William Burke, Assurance Partner, Insurance, PwC LLP
Alyssa Cotillo, Manager Business Consulting, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC
Kenneth Croarkin, Partner, Audit & Insurance, EisnerAmper LLP
Gregory Domareki, Managing Director, EY
John Fitzgerald, President, MS Transverse Insurance Group
Gregory Giardiello, Global Controller, Mass Mutual
Imran Makda, Assurance Principal, Practice Leader NY Insurance & Banking, BDO USA PC
Christopher McNulty, EVP, CFO, Treasurer, GNY Insurance Companies
Adriana Nivia, CFO, Treasurer, Renaissance Reinsurance US Inc
Julia Paromchik, VP Internal Audit, QBE North America
Matthew Williams, Finance Director, EPIC Insurance Brokers &
Consultants

President's Advisory Council
Advisory Bios

SIFM Growth & Governance Council

Governance Sub-Committee:

  • Ensure adequate financial resources allowing SIFM to fulfill its mission
  • Establish a clear organizational vision and strategic priorities
  • Monitor SIFM’s overall financial stability

Outreach & Membership Growth Sub-Committee:

  • Focuses on prospective members, guests and external audiences
  • Engage with prospective members and guests
  • Support conversion of guests into new members
  • Expand outreach to new organizations, industry groups, and geographies to support growth

Event Attendance & Membership Engagement Sub-Committee:

  • Focuses on current members
  • Drive attendance to SIFM events & conferences
  • Sustain membership retention through ongoing engagement
  • Enhance networking, collaboration, & professional development opportunities

Governance

Subcommittee Chair
Russ Sommers, Principal, Baker Tilly

Michelle Blau, Managing Director, Outside the Basics
Ian Stuart, Director, CFO Consulting Partners
Jay Matalon, Head of Office of Accounting Policy, Aspen Insurance
Louis Durak, Senior Manager, KPMG
Monica Rosenthal, Manager, Trust Solutions Director, PwC

Governance

Growth

Subcommittee Chairs
Julia Paromchik, VP, QBE
Andrew Baxter, Managing Director, FTI Consulting

Ryan Bouchers, VP, Oliver James
Matthias Liermann, Senior Manager, Forvis Mazar
Robert Cunningham, Senior Manager, PwC
Sarah Anyieth, COO, Emerald Bay Risk

Outreach & Membership Growth

Outreach

Subcommittee Chair
Alyssa Cotillo, Manager, Grant Thornton Advisors

Don Rogers, Clearsulting
Andrew Burke, Senior Manager, KPMG
Andrew Czyz, VP, Lancer Insurance
Adam Salvadori, Senior Manager, Oliver James

Event Attendance & Membership Engagement

Ex officio members across 3 committees – Sarah Sheldon and Diane Mensinger

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