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Insurance Business Review: Awards Ranking
We’re proud to recognize the Top 10 Directors of Claims Management - 2025. These leaders are setting the standard for what smart, responsive, and people-focused claims operations should look like. They’ve streamlined complex processes, improved turnaround times, and kept their teams sharp in a fast-moving industry. Just as important, they’ve never lost sight of the human side of claims, where every decision can make a real difference in someone’s life or livelihood. This list celebrates those who lead with both precision and empathy. They bring consistency, accountability, and a deep sense of purpose to one of the most critical parts of the insurance business.
Top 10 Directors of Claims Management - 2025
Director of Claims, The Baldwin Group
Erin Pfeiffer is Director of Claims at The Baldwin Group, combining deep industry knowledge with a people-first approach to client advocacy. Growing up around her father’s insurance career, she entered the field in college and began as a workers’ compensation adjuster. Since moving to the brokerage side in 2000, she has managed claims across various industries, including banking and construction. Joining The Baldwin Group in 2014, she has helped more than double its construction claims team while shaping best practices, training and developing complex claims strategies. For her, the work is as much about people and partnerships as it is about process, helping clients face challenges with confidence.
Director, Claims Management, EMCOR Group, Inc
Kimberly Clifford serves as Director of Claims Management at EMCOR Group, Inc., bringing over 25 years of deep expertise in complex claims handling, litigation strategy and global insurance operations. She began her career as a paralegal, drawn by a passion for justice, before transitioning into claims adjusting, earning her license and building experience from the ground up. Rising through the ranks, she ultimately managed high-value policy limit claims and led teams at a national insurer. A desire for broader impact led her to BIC, where she gained critical exposure to international claims practices. After BIC, she began her role with EMCOR, a Fortune 300 company generating over $15 billion in revenue. In her current role, she combines strategic thinking with a people-first mindset to drive claims excellence.
Director Claim Management, Travelers
Charles Cerlen, CPCU, ARM, AIC, AIDA, is the Director of Claim Management at Travelers in the Greater Boston area. With over 16 years at Travelers, he leads auto liability and first-party medical claims while managing litigation, emergency response and property & casualty operations.
Vice President, DigitalOwl
Jim Sorrells is a dynamic executive known for driving operational excellence and transformational change. He has led multi-million-dollar turnaround initiatives, achieving double-digit efficiency gains and $20M in savings. His strength lies in optimizing organizations, integrating acquisitions and fostering collaborative, results-driven business relationships.
Director of Claims and Absence Management, Lincoln Financial
Lauren Rockholt is Director of Claims and Absence Management at Lincoln Financial Group, a proven people leader with 16+ years’ experience. She excels in operational excellence, risk management, change management and developing high-performing, engaged teams while fostering career growth.
Director of Claims Management, Brown & Brown
Matthew Fasse is Director of Claims Management at Brown & Brown, with over 20 years’ experience in claims and risk management. He excels in leadership, operational excellence, customer-focused solutions and fostering diverse, high-performing teams while driving organizational success.
Director, Claims Management, MasTec
Julie Vernetti, is Director of Claims at MasTec with extensive experience in construction and energy claims management. She excels in claims analysis, negotiation, operational efficiency, risk management and developing high-performing teams while delivering innovative, customer-focused solutions. She is recognized for integrity, strategic judgment and fostering collaborative work environments.
Director of Claims - Insurance Risk Management, CBRE
Samantha Siddiqui is Director of Insurance Risk Management at CBRE, with extensive experience in claims and global risk management. She excels in operational excellence, litigation oversight, team leadership and developing high-performing, engaged teams while driving strategic, customer-focused insurance solutions.
Claim Director, RLI Insurance Company
Nicole Henning is a seasoned claims director overseeing high-risk, high-exposure insurance matters across multiple lines. Known for her technical precision, leadership and talent development, she drives strategic influence, collaboration and excellence in managing large loss teams and complex litigation nationwide.
Claim Director, Kemper [NYSE: KMPR]
A strategic claims leader with over two decades of experience, Jeff Neu combines data-driven insights and operational expertise to transform claims management. His leadership focuses on innovation, process simplification and customer-centered solutions that elevate team performance and organizational efficiency.
