PREVIOUS POSITION: Dallas-based senior vice president, Amwins
OUTLOOK FOR THE INDUSTRY: Complexity is driving opportunity in the professional space — brokers who understand governance, technology risk and professional liability at a deeper level will be increasingly valuable. Additionally, brokers who can effectively leverage AI in their day-to-day will stand out from their peers. I’m optimistic about the long-term outlook, particularly for specialists who can help clients navigate uncertainty rather than simply place off the shelf coverage.
GOALS FOR YOUR NEW POSITION: My primary goal is to help CRC continue to be a thought leader and the go-to resource for D&O, E&O and cyber solutions by delivering tailored, quick, competitive and execution-focused brokerage. That includes supporting retail partners with complex placements, expanding market access and product innovation, and mentoring the next generation of brokers. I also want to contribute to CRC’s growth by strengthening relationships across regions and disciplines.
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: In the D&O, E&O and cyber sectors, the primary challenge is the increasing convergence of risk. For instance, cyber incidents are no longer standalone events. They often lead to regulatory actions, securities litigation and professional liability claims, creating overlap and potential gaps across coverage lines. At the same time, evolving governance standards, disclosure requirements and litigation trends require more sophisticated structuring and a deeper understanding of how these policies interact. And underlying risks are increasingly not black and white — take fintech firms, which have a simultaneous FI E&O and tech/cyber exposure, yet these coverages are often only available with different forms and from different underwriting units. While there are a handful of fintech-specific products, these forms don’t necessarily address the full extent of exposure in a single policy and the coordination between teams and forms remains a challenge to provide a truly bespoke solution that is competitively structured.
FIRST EXPERIENCE: Coming from a legal background, I treated my first quote like a contract and redlined it pretty aggressively. The underwriter called me shortly after to explain that this wasn’t how brokerage worked. It was a humbling but valuable early lesson in collaboration and negotiation.
ADVICE FOR A NEWCOMER: Intellectual curiosity and drive will set you apart. Take the time to understand coverage forms, claims trends, and how underwriters think. Build relationships early, listen more than you talk, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This industry rewards those who are willing to put in the work and consistently show up for clients and partners.
DREAM JOB: Ski instructor
LOOKING FORWARD TO: Collaborating with the depth of talent at CRC and helping retail partners solve challenging placement issues. CRC’s platform, culture and commitment to specialty brokerage create a great environment to do meaningful work at a high level.
COLLEGE MAJOR: Business management. I went on to get an MBA/JD from the University of Denver and practiced law prior to getting into the insurance industry.
FAVORITE MEAL: My mother’s country breakfast: grits, biscuits and gravy, country ham, eggs, hashbrowns
FAVORITE BOOK: “Invisible Man,” by Ralph Ellison
HOBBIES: Skiing, golf, anything sports, and adventures with my young children.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: “NFL RedZone”
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Saturdays are for the family.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.