AIG picked a new head of communications for its Investments organization. Holborn Corporation hired a veteran Gen Re executive. The Global Insurance Accelerator brought on a new executive who will become managing director in May.
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American International Group named Carla Ferrara as head of communications for AIG’s Investments organization. She’ll be based in New York and report to Elaine Rocha, chief operating officer, AIG Investments.
Ferrara brings 25 years of experience in the global insurance and financial services industry to this role. She joined AIG in 2018, serving as director, Internal Communications, for AIG’s Finance, Internal Audit, Enterprise Risk Management and Global Legal Compliance & Regulatory functions.
Before AIG, Ferrara served as director of Data Communications for XL Catlin. Prior to that, she was vice president, Corporate Communications & Branding, for QBE North America. She also previously worked for Chubb North America.
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Veteran Gen Re executive Berto Sciolla has joined U.S.-based independent reinsurance broker Holborn Corporation as executive vice president and chief production officer.
Sciolla, a highly accomplished reinsurance executive with more than 30 years of industry expertise, will be responsible for enhancing Holborn’s existing client relationships through the coaching of client service teams, talent development and performance management across the firm’s three offices in New York City, Minneapolis and Kansas City. He’ll will be based in New York City.
Sciolla joins Holborn from General Reinsurance Corporation (Gen Re), where he has held a variety of domestic and international leadership roles since 1984. Most recently, he served as executive vice president and regional manager of Gen Re’s North American Treaty Mutual Practice. Over his time in leadership at Gen Re he was instrumental in building the firm’s long- and short-term strategy, including strategies for business development, multichannel distribution, diversification, merger and acquisitions, integration, brand management, as well as customer service and satisfaction.
Previously, he was general manager of General Re Underwriting Services Ltd. (underwriting manager for Tempest Re), Gen Re’s Global Property Facultative regional manager, managing director of General Reinsurance UK Ltd and executive vice president of Gen Re. He has also served on the General Reinsurance Corporation Risk Committee since 2008.
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The Global Insurance Accelerator announced that Nicole Cook will join the organization on Feb. 11, with an eye on taking over as managing director on May 1, 2019 when the 2019 cohort concludes.
During the GIA’s 2019 cohort, Cook will work alongside current managing director Brian Hemesath. Her background includes expertise in finance, strategy, sales, technology and raising capital, though much of her enthusiasm for leading the GIA stems from her most recent role as COO of Speeko, provider of an automated verbal communication and training platform, where she helped lead the startup through a technology accelerator.
Cook began her career in investment banking at BMO Capital Markets before transitioning to startup life, where she worked for and advised a number of fintech and technology startups over the last decade, including Dwolla and Speeko. She also has experience as a seed-stage investor, serving as managing partner of Five Island Ventures Partnership.
Hemesath will step down as managing director on May 1 to become the GIA’s entrepreneur-in-residence. Cook’s hiring and Hemesath’s continuing role are part of a comprehensive transition and strategic planning process that promotes continuity for the GIA, the annual 100-day accelerator program and the GIA’s alumni.
Sources: AIG, Holborn Corp., Global Insurance Accelerator