Kristen Pontarelli

About Kristen Pontarelli

I’m an insurance professional highly experienced in Property Casualty, a champion of innovation, a strategist, and an operational leader who brings ideas to life and exceeds expectations. From strategic partnerships to new distribution channels to product development and underwriting excellence, I drive the success of critical new business development initiatives. I develop business strategy, build infrastructure, and drive marketing and communications efforts that launch highly successful new businesses, including a wholesale distribution channel and an in-house insurance agency. From concept to operations, I establish the vision, processes, and teams to exceed growth goals, surpass operational performance targets, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.In my current role, I manage key partnership programs, strategic sales initiatives while also serving as a family office relationship manager facilitating solutions for the high-net-worth consumer segment. Responsible for supporting Private Client sales advisory team and clients. Highlights of my leadership include: Cross-divisional relationship manager for the largest premium multi-family office account Change manager responsible for the zonal transition and 40+ staff into a client experience based new service model. Led most improved zone in 2021. Building and leading AIG Exchange, a new wholesale distribution channel and high-priority growth initiative that outperformed its year-one goals by 150% and ranked 16 of the top 100 AIG agents for new business development in Q3 of 2019. Developing and directing in-house consultative sales and service agency AIG Client Assist (the foundation for AIG Exchange), leading strategy, operations, staff, and marketing to build the business into AIG’s 33rd top new business generator for 2018 Establishing and leading AIG’s Strategic Programs Unit to develop strategic partnerships, alternative distribution channels, and new products that continue to generate millions of dollars in revenue.From new personal lines product development to technology implementations to referral and affinity programs, consistently driving written premium growth, customer retention, and product innovation by leading new business initiatives from concept through launch and long-term sustainable growth.Collaborative and resourceful, I make a proven positive impact across underwriting, distribution, business development, program execution, strategic relationships, and operational excellence.Contact me via LinkedIn or k••••••••@gmail.com

Experience

1. Vice President Carrier Relations and Business Development

   Gallagher

   Mar 2025 — Present

   Develop a strong national partnership with carriers to drive growth, new product development and joint initiatives. Assist in the pursuit, onboarding and retention of VIP clients and centers of influence.

Education

• Wharton Executive Education

  Certified Advisor of Personal Insurance, Insurance

• St. John's University

  High Net Worth Chartered Private Risk and Insurance Advisor (CPRIA), Personal Lines Insurance

  2017 — 2018

• Northern Illinois University

  BS, Marketing

  1990 — 1992

• University of Illinois Chicago

  Associate's degree, Business Administration and Management, General

  1988 — 1990

Skills

• Liability
• Strategic Partnerships
• Strategy
• Casualty Insurance
• Direct Marketing
• Property & Casualty Insurance
• Operations Management
• Management
• Brokers
• Training
• General Insurance
• Excess
• Casualty
• Legal Liability
• Insurance
• Umbrella Insurance
• Inland Marine
• Underwriting
• Leadership
• Program Management