About

“It’s a privilege to be part of the founding team for this venture. I am inspired daily by the people I lead and follow, the clients we serve and the agents we partner with.”

Kathy Tierney says the best things happening in our business right now will come from looking at what we do through a totally different lens, having a little bit of fun with it, and not being afraid to experiment and take inspiration from unlikely places.

She came to Berkley from a position as chief operating officer of Chubb’s personal insurance division. Her career has included leadership positions in specialty insurance, strategic development and surety.

Though she has won many awards for her accomplishments in the insurance industry, Kathy says she’s proudest of two things: her efforts to expand opportunities for women in insurance, and the fact that she can impress her two teenaged boys when she tells them about what Berkley One is doing.

She holds a B.A. from Williams College and an MBA in finance and economics from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

“I enjoy taking a creative approach to solving problems, applying technology, rethinking assumptions, challenging the status quo. It makes every day an adventure.”   

Susan Vella’s job is to walk in the client’s shoes in every meeting, in every discussion, on every topic – and to be the person who reminds everyone else to do so. That means delivering an exceptional service experience to members and agents that is easy, transparent, efficient and flexible.

After three decades managing underwriting, client service and agent-facing teams for Chubb in two countries, she says for her it all comes down to one very simple belief: that listening to clients and treating them fairly is the key to great service. She keeps challenging herself and others to look at processes from the outside, to see them as the client sees them.

Susan’s greatest passion is her family – her husband and three children. They enjoy exploring the world and trying new things. This year, it’s stand-up paddleboarding. She has a degree in Economics from Yale University.

“To be valuable, you have to find solutions, and we’re doing that. It’s exciting to create an insurance organization that finds new ways of doing things, making things easier for agents and consumers.”

Kevin Hogan says his guiding philosophy is to understand frustrations with the status quo and apply modern solutions to long-standing problems. To do that successfully, he empowers a team approach to sourcing views and opinions from different backgrounds, experiences and insights, and applies what is learned to design better processes, products and services.

As COO, Kevin Hogan has his eyes on that kind of victory by integrating various strategies from underwriting, product development, risk management, and analytics across the Berkley One organization.

Before joining Berkley One, he spent 24 years at Chubb in various leadership roles including underwriting, sales and distribution, and field management.

He holds an accounting degree from Assumption College and, to stay sharp, has participated in continuing education classes in finance, sales management, organizational leadership and general management. Outside of insurance, Kevin’s passions are spending time with his wife and three sons, supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and following college football.

“Being part of a startup makes you more creative in every area of the company. We’re always looking for ways to pull our vision through.”

Vadim Mezhebovsky leads a team of actuarial analysts on pricing strategies, product development and reserving.

Over his 20-year career in the property and casualty insurance industry, he has held several senior roles, most recently as vice president and actuary at MAPFRE Insurance. His background includes product management, mergers and acquisitions, reinsurance, pricing, reserving, ERM, management consulting, and research and development.

Travel is Vadim’s personal passion. He holds degrees in math and economics from Brandeis University.

“I love to learn. I believe the principles of success are universal – to succeed, you have to constantly think about how the pieces fit, what’s changing and what’s next.”

In his marketing role for Berkley One, Christoph leads sales, distribution and marketing. That means listening and understanding to what clients need now and may want in the future, so we can respond in ways that help them enjoy what they have and restore it if necessary. For agents, it means understanding what’s important to build their businesses and giving them the support to do so.

Christoph came to Berkley One after 25 years in Chubb’s personal insurance division. He started as an underwriter and was drawn to marketing and strategy by his passion to analyze, plan and grow business – especially when it means leading fundamental changes to conventional ways of doing things.

He says he’s always found it fascinating that most of this planet is under water, which is why he’s a huge fan of scuba diving. He loves exploring both underwater and new parts of the world with his family.

Christoph holds a degree in psychology from Franklin and Marshall College and has done graduate work at the University of Maryland and The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” – Harvey S. Firestone

Matthew Sontag joins Berkley One as Senior Vice President, Chief Claims Officer. Sontag is a veteran in high-net-worth claims as well as a licensed attorney. He has spent much of his career focused on providing white glove service to ultra-high-net worth clients. Previously, Matthew served as Senior Vice President and Chief Claims Officer of a large national insurance brokerage. Prior to that, he held leadership roles such as Vice President of Property Claims, where he led property strategy, operations, and transformation, while also overseeing execution of catastrophe and watercraft claims.

When working in the legal field, Sontag was an Associate at a firm where he focused on advising distressed companies in complex chapter 11 cases or out-of-court restructurings, as well as advising financial and strategic investors seeking to acquire distressed targets.

Matthew graduated magna cum laude from New York Law School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rider University, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Studies. Outside of work, Matthew loves spending time with his family and coaching his children in softball, baseball, football, and wrestling.

“Those who genuinely listen to feedback become the trusted partners. Engaging customers early in the IT solution process and taking input creates a collaborative environment where all participants win.”

Mike McKernan believes that to create great technology solutions, we have to challenge the way things have been done before. He thinks that one of the most important aspects of IT is listening—to clients, agents and colleagues, to understand early on where we need to shake things up and create something new.

In nearly two decades in the industry, Mike has helped insurance teams transform their digital platforms, implement award-winning systems and expand the ways they reach clients and agents. At Berkley One, he applies his passion for technology and transformation to build systems and services that help make working with Berkley One better every day.

Mike is an avid baseball player and hiker. He believes watching his children grow into their future selves is truly a wonder—and loves being a part of it all, from coaching soccer to watching piano and dance lessons.

Mike is a trained Scrum Master, SAFe Agilist and Release Train Engineer. He holds a B.S. in Information Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with concentrations in user-centered design and computer system engineering.

“I live by the slogan ‘failure is not an option,’ so I make the most out of every situation. I’m grounded in a deep passion to help others and believe in paying it forward each day.”

Adrienne Woodberry believes that being part of a company that values both innovation and its people is incredibly fulfilling. For that reason, she is excited about her role at Berkley One as Vice President of Center Operations. Adrienne brings over two decades of successful experience, having worked with some of the most reputable high net-worth carriers in the industry.

Adrienne began her career as a property adjuster trainee and has held roles of increased responsibility including Quality Manager, Vice President Regional Property Manager, Vice President Branch Manager, Senior Vice President Head of Service Center and Operations and Senior Vice President North America Property Claims. Adrienne is leveraging her past experiences to position her current company as a leader in the industry with a strong focus on innovation, customer service, and operational excellence. She also dedicates her time to mentoring early-career professionals in the industry, helping to guide and empower the next generation of leaders.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Adrienne is known for her vibrant personality and love for having fun. Whether it’s exploring new activities or spending quality time with friends and family, she brings a sense of joy to everything she does. A devoted wife and mother, she also takes great pride in caring for her 88-year-old mother, balancing her career with her family responsibilities. This strong sense of commitment, both in her personal life and her work, is a hallmark of her character.

“Part of creating a new kind of insurance organization means being straightforward and clear with both clients and agents. This way, we get everyone on the same page and satisfaction goes up.”

Elaine Reyes has been an attorney in the world of insurance for 32 years. At heart, though, she’s an English major, trusting in the power of words to communicate fully and transparently about every detail of all our insurance coverages and services. Our product is a promise set forth in words, so it’s very important to her that those words make it clear what that promise includes and doesn’t include.

Elaine is proud to say she has a track record of using compliance process improvements to help companies reduce regulatory inquiries and improve their relationships with clients.

In her personal life, her greatest passion is her family – providing for her children and striving to be a good role model for them.

Elaine has a B.A. in English and Political Science from Montclair State University and a law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.

“Everything we do starts with and is grounded in our great people. I believe getting the people right leads to getting all the other stuff right.”

Ellen Wallace joined Berkley One the better part of a year before it opened its doors to focus on building a new kind of team for a new kind of insurance company. She spent that time helping to fill key positions to fully staff the launch of the new company.

After 30 years in property and casualty insurance – 11 of them in HR – Ellen couldn’t pass up the chance to help start a new organization that is taking a fresh, innovative and exciting approach to insurance. She’s passionate about building great teams and a great place to work. Ellen wants every employee to feel proud, engaged and energized by their role at Berkley One.

Outside of work, she enjoys travel, cooking, reading, paddleboarding and spending time with her two sons.

Ellen has a B.A. in French with a minor in Spanish from Framingham State University.

“For me, helping agents move forward is about innovative approaches and leading a team of people dedicated to growing the business together.”

Frances Brodeur listens. She listens to agents to learn what they need, what they’re concerned about and how Berkley One can help them to not only win a great account together, but also grow their businesses. Constantly reimagining the underwriting and sales process has become one of our differentiators in the marketplace.

To understand Frances, just connect the dots between her 10 years at Chubb, her position as executive director of philanthropy for a multi-state non-profit, and her volunteer work as guardian ad litem for foster youth. It’s about advocacy. It’s about resourcefulness. It’s about a powerful drive to make things better. That’s why she came to Berkley One.

Frances has a degree in actuarial science from Ohio State University.

“I always want to know more. I’m not content with what is at the surface. I am interested in deep dives and understanding how things work together. The curiosity keeps me moving forward.”

Sarah Mashek believes that actions mean more than words, and it’s how you deliver on promises that matters most. In her role as Vice President of Distribution, Sarah does just that. While leading the Distribution Team as they engage with independent agencies across the country, Sarah also focuses on creating and implementing strategy, agent communications, and driving new business to Berkley One.  She uses over 18 years of experience in high-net-worth personal lines, both as an underwriting leader and a distribution leader, when traveling to work with agents of all varieties.

A graduate of Drake University with a Bachelor of Science in International Business (with a concentration in Insurance), Sarah has the privilege of being an original member of Berkley One. Over time she has worn several hats and managed multiple territories. She particularly enjoys building relationships internally and externally to help both Berkley One and independent agencies achieve their collective goals. In a previous position, she was awarded Chartered Private Risk and Insurance Advisor (CPRIA), Runner Up Salesperson of the Year (2014).

In her leisure time, Sarah enjoys reading and traveling— both voraciously and often at the same time! She has a personal goal to leave the country once a year to experience a new adventure. Sarah also aspires to read at least one book per week, which often happens while in the air.

“I have a passion for training and development, and I love helping the next generation of risk managers grow into their confidence and skillset. ”

Amanda’s love of homes began as a child, when her grandfather was a caretaker of a large estate in Bernardsville, New Jersey. She and her mother would also point out large homes on car rides, and Amanda would dream of how they looked inside. The need to care for and protect homes grew into what she calls the perfect career choice. Amanda has always been in risk management, appraising mostly in New Jersey and Manhattan.

Amanda has traveled the Eastern Seaboard in her work, with the largest home that she’s appraised having a replacement cost of $99 million. Amanda has spent her career in the high net worth space, starting at Chubb, and then followed by ACE, Fireman’s Fund, and PURE. Amanda also has a passion for training and development, and loves helping the next generation of risk managers grow into their confidence and skillset.

Amanda lives in New Jersey with her husband, son, and two dogs. When she’s not with her family, she’s dreaming about her next decorating project. With over two decades in the field of appraising fine homes, she admits that if she’s left too long in a room, she’ll want to redesign or rearrange it. Amanda also loves technology and determining how to best use it not only with her family, but with all those she hopes to protect as part of the risk management department.

Amanda graduated from Drew University, where she majored in Economics and minored in Business Management. Amanda has had her real estate license for over fifteen years.

“Service is everything in claims. Demystifying the process for clients, keeping them informed around every corner and lending an empathetic ear is what we do daily.”

With close to two decades of liability and casualty claims experience, Bryan’s entire career has been dedicated to personal lines claims. He knows the importance of excellent customer service because any claim, no matter how large or small, can be a traumatic event for our clients.

Bryan is no stranger to handling complex coverage claims, working with defense counsel on litigated matters, and settling cases directly with plaintiff attorneys. Prior to joining Berkley One, he worked as a Casualty Claim Litigation Specialist with Nationwide and Harleysville Insurance Companies.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and two young boys, coaching, home improvement projects and anything outdoors. Bryan has a Marketing degree from York College of Pennsylvania.

“My greatest passions are my faith, family, and life. I view each day as an opportunity to make a difference!”

Valerie Jones believes that customer experience is what differentiates good companies from great companies. In her role of Assistant Vice President, Customer Service Delivery Manager, she is excited to lead a customer centric and friendly call center for high-net-worth customers here at Berkley One. Valerie has a bachelor’s degree in management as well as a master’s degree in organizational leadership. She plans to pursue a doctoral degree in management and organizational leadership soon.

Valerie knows that today’s consumers have many choices, and that they are loyal to a particular company often because of how that company treats them. For this reason, providing remarkable care is always at the top of her priority list. She has a wide range of expertise to aid this commitment to excellence. Valerie has been a manager of organizations and national brands in the telecom, sales, customer service, and finance among other industries. She considers her expertise to be managing processes, metrics, and high volume/ high performing call center teams that deliver excellent customer service and sales.

“I’ve been looking at physical damage to autos for 28 years, but at Berkley One, every day is different. We’re always looking for ways to create a good experience out of the experience of having a claim.”

As the auto physical damage and recreational marine subject matter expert at Berkley One, Robert Young knows what he’s looking at when he looks at the results of an accident.

He also knows how important it is to have someone looking out for you when you have to make a claim. His orientation is about finding ways to help the client. When it comes to auto and watercraft claims, he looks for ways to make the process go more smoothly.

If he’s not at work, Robert likes to play golf. He hopes to someday play at Saint Andrews and Pebble Beach.

Robert is an I-CAR Platinum member, holds an ASE-B6 certification and has received several customer service awards throughout his career.