In the inaugural episode, Roger Barbieri and Jeff Evans, Harbor Group, welcome Jon Gilbert, Alliant M&A, to look into the complexities of commercial real estate insurance. They discuss common challenges like high deductibles and catastrophic loss exposure, the importance of early engagement and how Harbor Group Consulting's unique approach ensures smooth closings.

With IPO activity on the rise, companies preparing to go public must carefully evaluate D&O insurance programs to ensure proper coverage and carrier alignment. Join Ron Borys and Ryan Farnsworth, Alliant Financial Institutions, as they speak with colleagues Jennifer Sylvester and Blake Cramsie about key strategies for IPO readiness.

A recent Supreme Court decision is reshaping the landscape for fraud enforcement against government contractors, eliminating the need to show monetary loss when false statements are made during the bidding process. Mike Radak, Alliant Financial Institutions, and David Finz, Alliant Claims & Legal, break down the implications of Kousisis v. United States and discuss a pivotal California ruling that broadens the scope of the California Consumer Privacy Act beyond data breaches. Together, they explore how these developments could carry implications for contract compliance, DEI disclosures, cyber controls and privacy litigation moving forward.

The first half of 2025 marked a shift in the financial institutions' risk landscape, driven by regulatory rollbacks, growing digital asset exposures and a surge in claims activity. Join Ron Borys and Ryan Farnsworth, Alliant Financial Institutions, as they discuss how these changes are influencing market behavior, insurer appetite and underwriting strategy. They also outline key considerations for renewals and explain how Alliant supports clients with strategic planning, analytics and claims advocacy in a rapidly evolving environment.

Kenny White and Fred Driscoll, Alliant Healthcare, are joined by Seth Madnick, Alliant Captives, to examine how captive insurance continues to shape risk financing strategies in the managed care and ancillary healthcare sectors. The team outlines key considerations for feasibility, formation and utilization, highlighting benefits such as control over coverage terms, cost efficiency and streamlined access to reinsurance markets.

AI-powered cyber-attacks are reshaping the threat landscape, driving new risks and challenges for organizations worldwide. CJ Dietzman, Alliant Cyber, welcomes Daniel Tobok, CEO of Cypfer, to break down the latest cyber trends from Q1 2025 and predictions for the future. They discuss the rise of generative AI in attacks, the ongoing ransomware threat and the increasing role of third-party vendors in breaches. Daniel also offers practical advice on boosting cyber awareness, protecting critical data and preparing incident response plans to stay ahead in this evolving environment.

With cyber threats growing more sophisticated, NIST has overhauled its incident response guidance to help organizations better prepare, respond and recover. Join Jay Stampfl, David Finz and Grace Michael, Alliant Cyber, as they explore the NIST Special Publication 800-61 Revision 3 and its link to the updated Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0. They explore the expanded role of incident response, the new “govern” function and the shift toward continuous improvement. The team also explains how these changes affect cyber insurance underwriting and how Alliant helps clients stay ahead through planning, tabletop exercises and risk-focused engagement.

With major staff reductions and budget constraints, the SEC is predicted to scale back broad enforcement efforts and prioritize more traditional securities fraud like insider trading, Ponzi schemes and accounting fraud. Mike Radak, Alliant Financial Institutions, and David Finz, Alliant Claims & Legal, explore the shifting regulatory priorities for the SEC under the current U.S. administration and its implications for financial and consumer industries.

Bledion Dizdari welcomes Holly Ragsdale as she shares her journey into the insurance industry and the power of networking. They discuss how Holly was drawn to insurance as a way of combining her analytical skills with her passion for building relationships, which now plays a key role in her work with the Conserve-A-Nation program. Holly also shares how co-founding the Young Risk Professionals’ (YRP) D.C. chapter has helped her expand her professional network and support the next generation of insurance professionals.

In recognition of Women in Construction Week, this episode features a discussion with Celia Seigerman-Levit and Laura Martino on the evolving landscape of the construction industry. They share their career journeys, the changes they’ve seen over the years, and the reasons they are passionate about their work. The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities for women in the field, as well as their advice for the next generation of professionals entering the industry.