Thank you to all of the incredible speakers who made the 2025 Mid Rivers Risk Forum such a success. Their expertise, insight, and passion for advancing the risk management industry helped set the tone for an engaging and impactful inaugural event. From thought-provoking keynotes to in-depth breakout sessions, each presentation reflected the exceptional quality and depth of knowledge within our community. See all of our 2025 speakers below for a true reflection of the caliber of sessions we were proud to host—and what you can look forward to as we continue to raise the bar for 2026.

OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Chief Economist Michel Leonard

Chief Economist Dr. Michel Léonard delivered an insightful keynote, “State of the P&C Industry: Roadmap to 2025–2027,” outlining how economic factors influence underwriting, rate setting, and business strategy. He highlighted growth and inflation forecasts impacting Net Written Premium and Replacement Costs, examined key market trends across major insurance lines, and explored critical performance drivers including geopolitical uncertainty, legal system challenges, extreme weather, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

closing keynote SPEAKER

Angela Nelson, Director

MO Department of Commerce & Insurance

Angela L. Nelson, Director of the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, brought her extensive experience as an insurance agent, regulator, and executive to the Mid Rivers Risk Forum. She moderated a panel of DCI Directors discussing key issues shaping today’s risk and insurance landscape, offering valuable insights into Missouri’s regulatory priorities and industry challenges.

speakers

Alan Fine with Armanino

Alan has over 32 years of tax experience, specializing in insurance and captive insurance companies. He provides consulting, compliance, and tax planning from formation to closure, advises on complex accounting provisions, and represents clients before the IRS and state authorities.

Peter Dawson with The 831(b) Institute

Peter is a business consultant with expertise in tax mitigation, asset protection, risk management, and asset diversification. A Creighton Law graduate with a background in financial services, he has held leadership roles in investment, insurance, and as CFO for law and medical firms, helping businesses manage risk, optimize operations, and plan for growth.

Tim Vosicky with Milliman

Tim Vosicky, principal and consulting actuary at Milliman’s Chicago office since 2010, specializes in commercial lines including workers’ compensation, liability, property, and warranty. He manages projects for large deductible, self-insured, and captive clients, serving Fortune 500 companies, healthcare institutions, public entities, and insurers. Tim’s clients include Fortune 500 corporations, healthcare institutions, pools, public entities, commercial insurers and reinsurers.

Scott McNea with Alliant Insurance Services

Scott B. McNea, an insurance broker with over 18 years in commercial insurance, specializes in risk management and property coverage for public entities and high-hazard industries. A former engineer, risk consultant, and senior underwriter, he holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, nationwide Property & Casualty licenses, and certification from the National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessels.

TJ Scherer with Spring Consulting

T.J. Scherer, Vice President at Spring Consulting Group, has over 13 years of experience in accounting, finance, and risk management, specializing in complex captive design and management. He advises organizations on forming and enhancing captive insurance programs, holds a B.B.A. in Finance and a master’s in Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Iowa, and is a CPA, RIMS-CRMP, and ACI designee active in industry associations.

Elizabeth Shocklee of Evans & Dixon

Elizabeth Shocklee, Managing Partner of Evans & Dixon, LLC, has practiced law for 30 years and leads a firm of over 100 attorneys across ten offices. A University of Missouri and Saint Louis University School of Law graduate, her practice features insurance defense, medical malpractice, employment law and business litigation. Elizabeth co-founded Our MOM, Inc. in memory of her mother, funding melanoma research at Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation, and serves on the ALS Association advisory board.

Rory Haynie with LegalNet

Rory Haynie, President and CEO of LegalNet Inc., leverages nearly 20 years of leadership and technical expertise to help Fortune 500 clients reduce legal costs through data analytics and AI-powered reporting. A former software developer who led the design of SIMS Claims™, he holds a B.S. in Computer and Information Sciences from Texas State University and is fluent in Spanish.

Luke Renz with Captive.com

Luke is a captive consultant who designs and implements customized insurance solutions, working closely with brokers, actuaries, and managers on underwriting and structuring. He also leads marketing efforts, creates industry content, speaks at conferences, and serves on the CICA NextGen Committee to help educate the next generation of captive insurance professionals.

Dan Cook with TrueNorth Companies

Dan, Principal and Director of Risk Finance at TrueNorth Companies, leads the national transportation practice and develops long-term risk financing strategies to reduce cost-of-risk. With over 35 years of experience, including as an underwriter, he created the 5C’s of Risk Financing™ and a Risk Based Due Diligence model used in M&A transactions. A Ferris State University graduate in Finance and Insurance, he holds multiple professional designations, including CPCU, CIC, CRM, and TRS.

Marshall Crane with Descartes Underwriting

Marshall Crane, Assistant Vice President of Business Development for Descartes Underwriting, is based in Chicago and leads broker-facing distribution across the greater Midwest, taking a consultative approach to deliver tailored solutions for corporate and public sector risks. Prior to Descartes Underwriting, he spent eight years with Philadelphia Insurance Companies managing territories in Illinois, Ohio, and Tennessee. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Denison University.

Matthew Fillo with Reinsurance Group of America

Matthew Fillo, Senior Vice President and Reinsurance & Regulatory Counsel at RGA, specializes in transactional, regulatory, and legislative matters. Previously with Transamerica Reinsurance and in property and casualty litigation, he is an FLMI Fellow, member of the Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois Bar Associations, and holds degrees from the University of Chicago and DePaul University College of Law. He brings extensive legal and industry expertise to the global reinsurance sector.

Dave Nickelson-Rueschhoff One Digital.PNG

Dave Nickelson-Rueschhoff with OneDigital

Dave Nickelson-Rueschhoff, National Complex Property Practice Leader at OneDigital, has over 20 years of experience spanning carrier and brokerage roles in operations, underwriting, product management, and leadership. Prior to joining OneDigital in 2024, he specialized in placing complex property insurance for diverse industries and holds a business administration degree from Southern New Hampshire University along with AAI, AAI-M, and AIS designations from The Institutes.

Aaron Lubbers with OneDigital

Aaron Lubbers, ACI, is National Captive Practice Leader for OneDigital’s P&C division, specializing in simplifying and delivering solutions in the captive insurance space. He previously consulted with agencies nationwide on group and single-parent captive structures, both domestic and international. Aaron holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, the Associate in Captive Insurance designation, was named to Captive International’s 2024 Forty Under 40, and joined the faculty of the International Center for Captive Insurance Education in 2025.

Riccardo Reati with Speartip

Riccardo leads SpearTip, Zurich Insurance’s cyber security services company. Riccardo brings over 20 years of experience in risk management, technology, and advisory roles. He previously founded a boutique consulting firm specialized in insurance and technology and held global executive positions at Zurich. His work emphasizes resilience and the human factor in building awareness and driving positive behavioral change against cyber risks. He is recognized for bridging technical expertise with practical strategies that strengthen organizational defenses.

Scott Barnes with Conssociate Health

Scott Barnes, Senior Vice President of Network and Business Development since 2019, is a healthcare executive with over 30 years of experience in sales, managed care, and network development. He has led the creation of seven Direct-to-Employer Networks across the Midwest serving 40,000+ members and previously drove 300% growth at HealthSCOPE Benefits through strategic partnerships and medical captive affiliations. He previously held leadership roles in network services and hospital operations and holds advanced degrees and certifications in healthcare and insurance.