29. Special Event: Situation Room with Sandy Bigglestone

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Sandy is Deputy Commissioner of the Captive Insurance Division of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. She is responsible for the administration and regulation of captive insurance companies and risk retention groups. Having been with the Division since 1997, Sandy has 25 years of experience regulating captive insurance. She was appointed as Deputy Commissioner effective September 1, 2022, after serving as a principal staff member to her predecessor for 14 years. Sandy is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Examiner, a Certified Public Manager with the State of Vermont, and earned an Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation designation from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In 2018, Sandy was a recipient of the Women to Watch Award presented by Business Insurance for her leadership, expertise, and accomplishments in the captive insurance industry. The 2023 Captive Review Power 50, which recognizes the most influential professionals in the global captive insurance industry, named Sandy at #3.

As the Vice President of Risk Management for Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Gail Newman provides innovate risk management strategies and evolves efficiencies in business practices to support the company’s global approach to Enterprise Risk Management. Gail is a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of management experience in the disciplines of financial and operations management, six sigma/business process improvement, leading internal audit organizations as well as insurance and captive management. Passionate about finding synergies in business and her community, Gail is actively involved with volunteering with the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, supporting VCIA as a Board member, serving as a Board Member of the Bunker Hill Community College Foundation as well, and doing sustainable gardening and farming efforts in her hometown. Beyond her “day job,” Gail has been active in the Fitness and Wellness industry for over two decades. She currently teaches a variety of fitness classes and is a licensed trainer and nutrition coach.

Michael S. Pieciak was inaugurated as Vermont’s 31st State Treasurer in January 2023. Mike previously served six years as the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) where he was first appointed by Governor Peter Shumlin in 2016 and reappointed by Governor Phil Scott in 2017. Mike also served as deputy commissioner of DFR’s Securities Division, where he led the division’s investigation into the Jay Peak EB-5 projects. While at DFR, Mike served as the president of the North American Securities Administrators Association, a member of the SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies and member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Prior to his public service, Mike practiced law in New York City at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group, gaining experience in commercial transactions, corporate governance and investment and financing transactions. Mike also previously practiced at Downs Rachlin Martin in Burlington in the Business Law Group. Mike grew up in Brattleboro and graduated cum laude from Union College with a degree in political science. He received his law degree summa cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law where he served as editor-in-chief of the “Miami Law Review.” Mike currently resides in Winooski, Vermont with his partner Will and English Setter Jetty.

Adriana Scherzinger is the U.S. National Accounts Head of Alternative Risk Solutions at Zurich North America, bringing nearly 17 years of (re)insurance and risk management expertise across global and local levels. Based in Chicago, she excels in managing complex international insurance programs for multinational clients. Previously, she held pivotal roles at Zurich Switzerland and Latin America and served as a Senior Captive Fronting Manager in Switzerland, Spain, Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Her career achievements include ranking on the Captive Review Power 50 and advising on multiple Captives industry councils. Adriana holds an Executive MBA from Fundação Getulio Vargas and the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy.