Executive Profiles
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CEO
Ben Jennings is the Chief Executive Officer at Embroker. A seasoned global technology executive, Ben brings more than 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, business development, customer success and alliances to the role. In Ben's tenure as CEO of Embroker, he has driven the launch of five industry verticals, has expanded Embroker ONE's capabilities and offerings, as well as established himself as a thought leader in the insurtech space.
"I am immensely proud to lead the talented Embroker team and to continue transforming the insurance industry through technology innovations. Our mission goes beyond selling policies; we're empowering companies to grow confidently by providing them with the right coverage, insights, and tools. As we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in insurtech, I'm excited about the future we're building — one where insurance is not just a necessity, but a strategic asset for every business."
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General Counsel and SVP People
Deanna Johnston is General Counsel and SVP People at Embroker. Deanna is a seasoned legal professional, with over 25 years of experience in organizations such as Seyfarth Shaw, Jones Day, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and Allianz. She is also a founding member of the San Francisco Chapter of Chief, the largest network of senior women executives in the world. As General Counsel, Deanna oversees all legal matters and provides strategic guidance to ensure Embroker's compliance and success in the complex Insurtech landscape.
"At Embroker, we're not just disrupting the insurance industry — we're seeking to drive innovation and growth while navigating complex, legacy legal and regulatory landscape. We're building a team of exceptional legal and compliance professionals who are passionate about transforming business insurance while ensuring regulatory compliance. Our legal department fosters creativity, analytical thinking, and continuous learning, which is crucial in the fast-paced world of Insurtech. As we tackle the intricate legal challenges of insurance, we're also shaping a legal framework that's agile, robust, and ready to meet the evolving demands of tomorrow's business landscape."
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CFO
Brian Acks is the Chief Financial Officer at Embroker. Brian has over 15 years in the Commercial P&C insurance industry, including lengthy experience at CNA, a top 10 commercial insurer. Brian most recently built the Finance function of an insurtech startup as the first finance hire and supported the company's growth from pre-revenue in seed stage to a Series C investment. In his tenure at Embroker, Brian has seen Embroker pass $100M in annual premium, launched the company strategy focused on scaling industry verticals in the Embroker ONE experience, and built an incredible Finance team to support the company's growth and scale.
"At Embroker, we're fueling a revolution in commercial insurance. Crossing the $100M premium milestone was just the beginning. With Embroker ONE, we've simplified the insurance experience from quote to bind to payment. As CFO, I'm proud to lead a stellar finance team that's instrumental in our growth and that has helped focus our strategy to serve the complete needs of our customers by industry vertical. We're not just chasing numbers; we're creating sustainable value and reshaping how businesses interact with insurance."
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CPO
Chris Spagnuolo is the Chief Product Officer at Embroker. Prior to joining Embroker, Chris served as the Chief Product Officer at Wander, a company specializing in building digital mapping and marketing products for the travel industry. Chris brings nearly twenty years of product experience to Embroker. Throughout his career he has delivered magical product experiences for a wide array of customers and organizations. He has also spent 7 years as a product consultant to organizations such as Riot Games, Deloitte, PwC, Home Depot, UnderArmour, Jackson Hewitt, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Ford Motor Company, and many others. At Embroker, Chris strategizes and oversees product development, positioning his team to transform the insurance buying experience for businesses.
"At Embroker, we're reimagining the entire insurance experience from the ground up. We're creating insurance products that are as intuitive and responsive as the best consumer apps, but with the robustness and reliability that businesses require. Our goal is nothing short of revolutionizing how companies interact with, purchase, and benefit from insurance. It's an exhilarating challenge, and I'm thrilled to lead a team that's pushing the boundaries of what's possible in this industry."
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CIO
Andrew (Andy) Lea is the Chief Insurance Officer at Embroker. He brings over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry to this role. From the beginning of his career as an Underwriter at Zurich U.S. Specialties to tenures at Marsh USA, Swiss Re, AIG, CNA, and Vantage Risk, Andy's knowledge of and experience in the insurance space is a major asset to the Embroker team. In these roles, Andy has successfully launched and maintained underwriting platforms, driven profitable growth, and mitigated risk for businesses and individuals alike. In his current role, Andy oversees a team of seasoned insurance professionals working to meet the evolving needs of businesses, and expand Embroker's influence on the insurance industry.
"In my two decades in the insurance industry, I've seen firsthand how crucial proper coverage is for businesses. At Embroker, we're not just selling policies; we're providing peace of mind and enabling growth. Our team of seasoned professionals understands the evolving risk landscape that modern businesses face. It's exciting to be at the intersection of insurance expertise and technological innovation, where we can truly make a difference in how businesses protect themselves and thrive."
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COO
Kristy joined Embroker in August 2023, having spent 21 years in the insurance industry, with the majority of her career with Marsh McLennan. Most recently, prior to joining Embroker, Kristy served as the Chief Operating Officer for two InsurTech startups. Kristy began her career in Finance with Marsh and progressed into Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, and eventually Operations, holding leadership positions in a number of MMC Operating Companies (Marsh, Mercer, Guy Carpenter, MMC Corporate), the last of which was the National Director of Operations for MarshMcLennan Agency. Kristy holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and is a licensed Producer and Surplus Lines Agent.
"Operations is the backbone of any successful company, and in a rapidly evolving field like insurtech, it's crucial to build scalable, efficient processes that can keep pace with innovation. I'm thrilled to be part of Embroker's journey as we revolutionize how businesses access and manage their insurance. The future of our organization is incredibly bright, and I'm excited to leverage my expertise to drive our growth and deliver exceptional value to our clients."
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CTO
Gene Linetsky is the Chief Technology Officer at Embroker. Gene brings more than 30 years of experience in the computer science industry to his role. He previously founded several technology and software companies, serving in various executive, engineering, and technology leadership positions. At Embroker, Gene is responsible for the management, development, and maintenance of the organization's technology infrastructure. He oversees a global team of engineers working diligently to enhance the insurance buying experience for businesses.
"Technology is the driving force behind Embroker's mission to revolutionize business insurance. At Embroker, we're not just digitizing insurance — we're reimagining it from the ground up. Our global engineering team is pushing the boundaries of what's possible, creating a seamless, intelligent platform that makes insurance more accessible and tailored to each business's needs. We're leveraging cutting-edge technologies to analyze risk, streamline processes, and deliver instant, accurate coverage. It's thrilling to lead this technological transformation and see how our innovations are making a real difference for businesses every day."
