Steve Mikhlin

About Steve Mikhlin

Let’s build something… together.I’m a strategic and commercially minded Risk & Insurance Leader with over 20 years of experience delivering risk transfer solutions that drive down cost and enhance operational certainty. With a proven track record of over $50 million in savings, I’ve led the design and placement of complex insurance programs spanning cyber, construction, aviation, and environmental risk landscapes.I manage multinational programs, negotiate favorable terms on high-stakes placements, and maintain strong partnerships with global insurers and brokers. As a trusted advisor across all levels of the business—from field teams to executive leadership—I ensure risk is quantified, mitigated, and aligned with enterprise goals.I’m passionate about connecting with people and building meaningful relationships that foster collaboration and trust. I thrive on forming strong bonds with my team, and my natural curiosity drives me to continuously learn, explore new ideas, and find innovative ways to create value and achieve success together.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Morgan Stanley

   Oct 2019 — Present · NY, US

   Director-level Risk and Insurance Leader with 20+ years of experience managing enterprise risk, cyber liability, construction insurance, and alternative risk transfer programs for Fortune 100 companies, governmental entities, and global construction portfolios.Proven record of reducing Total Cost of Risk (TCOR) through innovative program design, disciplined insurer negotiations, and proactive claims and safety management. Deep expertise in cyber insurance placement and optimization, global OCIP/CCIP structures, captive insurance strategies, and bespoke vendor-specific insurance programs.Known for leveraging AI and process automation to improve operational efficiency. rusted advisor to senior leadership, legal, procurement, and finance teams. Builder and mentor of high-performing risk management teams.Selected AchievementsCyber Insurance Optimization: Reduced enterprise cyber insurance program cost below peer and competitor benchmarks while improving coverage certainty, limits, and insurer engagement.Construction Risk & OCIP Leadership: Achieved ~25% reduction in construction insurance costs through the design, placement, and global administration of Owner-Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIP) supported by aggressive safety, loss prevention, and claims management.Captive & Alternative Risk Transfer: Leveraging captive insurer structures to deliver non-traditional and bespoke coverage solutions, including programs that support talent recruitment and retention. Bespoke Vendor Insurance Programs: Created vendor-specific insurance frameworks that reduce premium spend, improve contractual compliance, increase coverage certainty, and ensure adequate limits.People Leadership: Developed and supported risk professionals, increasing technical expertise, cross-training, and capacity, enabling team growth while maintaining market-leading results.

Education

• FlightSafety International

  Safety Management Systems for Managers, Safety Management

  2013 — 2013

• Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology

  Bachelor's degree, Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology

  1996 — 1999

• American Association of Airport Executives

  ACE - Safety Management Systems, Aviation/Airway Management and Operations

  2017 — 2018

• Aviation High School Long Island City, NY

  FAA A&P licenses, FCC GROL license, Airframe and Powerplant licensure

  1985 — 1989

• IRMI

  Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist, Risk Management and Insurance

  2015 — 2015

• International Center for Captive Insurance Education

  Associate in Captive Insurance, Captive Insurance Management

  2016 — 2017

• Hofstra University

  ARM, Risk Management

  2013 — 2014