FORUM AGENDA

If you are a younger (under 40) self-insurance/captive insurance industry professional, this is a must-attend for you. Developed by the SIIA Future Leaders Committee, this forum will feature educational content targeted at younger professionals with multiple networking opportunities to help you make important connections with those in your age group. 

Monday, April 13, 2026

2:00 p.m. – 3:oo p.m.              

Registration & Welcome to the Forum

SIIA Future Leaders committee members welcome you at the Registration desk and share their tips on how to get the most of your Forum experience. It's your first networking opportunity!

  

3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Welcome Remarks

Speaker


Morgan Sandell
Chair, Future Leaders Committee
SIIA

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Understanding Self-Insurance Basics

Start with this opportunity to enhance your understanding of self-insurance and gain insights into navigating the complexities of cost, control, and compliance in the realm of employee benefits. We will delve into the fundamentals of self-funded plans and how they differ from fully insured options. Learn about the breakdown of costs involved, including administrative premiums, re-insurance/stop-loss/captive premiums, and claims costs. We will also explore the nuances between self-insurance and level funded insurance plans, shedding light on the key differences. 

Moderator


Morgan Sandell
Chair, Future Leaders Committee
SIIA

Speakers


Justin Cech
Sales Representative
One80 Intermediaries


Keith Hodges
Director of Business Development
Imagine360


Steven Howard
Manager, Self & Level Funded Services
Qualexa Healthcare

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Claims Management and Underwriting Innovation

Delve into the complex world of handling claims from a carrier perspective, addressing high-cost claims, exploring best practices for underwriting, understanding the role of AI in underwriting, and examining the impact on the employer experience. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in the insurance industry by learning from top professionals and engaging in thought-provoking discussions on the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of claims handling and underwriting practices. 

Moderator


Keith Hodges
Director of Business Development
Imagine360

Speakers


Joe Kalbach
Claims Manager, Vice President, North America
Swiss Re


Rachel M. Warrick
Senior Underwriter, Stop Loss
Symetra Life Insurance Company


Tyler Zellner
Senior Consultant, Series Lead
Lockton Companies

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception

7:00 p.m.

Small Group Dinner and Drinks in Charlotte (optional)

During registration, you may select to join other attendees for dinner. Details will be provided in advance of arrival. 

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.              

Networking Breakfast   

8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Welcome Remarks

Speakers


Amy Gasbarro
Chairwoman of the Board
SIIA


Morgan Sandell
Chair, Future Leaders Committee
SIIA

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Keynote Address: Strategies for Breakthrough Communication for Future Leaders

Whether you are new to the world of communication or have years of experience under your belt, this session will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance your communication skills. Our attention as young leaders under 40 is pulled in many directions, and so is the attention of those we are trying to reach. In this session you will learn how to write emails that get a quick response under difficult communication situations. 

Speaker


D. Joel Whalen
Associate Professor of Marketing
DePaul University

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Navigating the Future of Medical Stop Loss Captives

This session will focus on Medical Stop Loss Captives, offering insights into their role in the insurance industry and the benefits they provide to plan sponsors. We will discuss the key players involved, emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities for innovation. 

Moderator


Phil Gibson
Director, Regional Sales
HM Insurance Group

Speakers


Mark Catanzaro
Director, Captive Programs
Oswald Companies

Additional Speaker to be Announced

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Networking Break

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Beyond the Spread: The New PBM Landscape for Plan Sponsors

PBM rules, pricing models, and pharmacy channels are shifting fast – and plan sponsors are being asked to make higher-stakes decisions with less clarity. This session breaks down the most consequential policy and market changes impacting PBMs and employer pharmacy plans, including current federal/state reform momentum (including "Trump Rx"/drug-pricing policy proposals), drug importation activity, the rise of cost-plus models (e.g., Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company), spread pricing and pass-through design, and the real-world impact of copay accumulators and maximizers. You'll leave with a practical decision framework and a set of questions, contract levers, and monitoring metrics to help you evaluate PBM arrangements, protect member experience, and strengthen specialty drug management – without overreacting to headlines. 

Moderator


Mark Catanzaro
Director, Captive Programs
Oswald Companies

Speaker


Brady Bizarro, Esq.
Vice President, Legal Compliance & Regulatory Affairs
The Phia Group, LLC

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Hosted Luncheon

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

SIIA – Championing Our Industry

SIIA actively champions the self-insurance industry by advocating for its legislative and regulatory interests in Washington, D.C., and across all 50 states. Engaging with Congress, state legislatures, regulatory agencies, and key policymakers to protect and advance the industry's priorities. This session will highlight how SIIA carries out this mission, its top priorities for 2026, and how you can get involved. 

Speaker


Anthony Murrello
Government Relations Manager
SIIA

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Networking Break

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Knowledge Exchange Session

Join us for an engaging and informative Knowledge Exchange Session where you'll have the opportunity to spark meaningful dialogue with industry leaders and get your burning questions answered. This interactive session will showcase popular questions collected throughout the conference, as well as any questions submitted in real-time by the audience. Attendees will gain practical insights, learn from the experiences of industry leaders, and walk away with actionable strategies to navigate the evolving self-insurance landscape. 

Moderator


Morgan Sandell
Operations Lead, Underwriting Operations, A&H NA
QBE North America

Speakers


Mark Catanzaro
Director, Captive Programs
Oswald Companies


Keith Hodges
Director of Business Development
Imagine360


Yann Passet
Director of Product Management & Marketing
90 Degree Benefits


Katie Thornton
Senior Account Representative
Aon Re, Inc.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Networking Reception

5:30 p.m.

SIPAC Fund-Raiser (Optional Off-Site Event for Members Only)

Join other attendees for a special Future Leaders fund-raising event benefiting the Self-Insurance Political Action Committee (SIPAC). Details will be provided directly to SIIA member attendees. 


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