ABOUT US

We live and breathe insurtech

Celebrating Ten Years of Insurance Innovation

For ten years, the Global Insurance Accelerator has endeavored to bring innovation, change, and fresh ideas to the insurance ecosystem.

This Review is a celebration of where we’ve been, the growth we’ve seen to today, and a look ahead to what is to come.

OUR WHY

We are uniquely positioned to filter, refine and connect the early stage insurtech innovators with leaders in the insurance industry that must continually discover new ways to make the world safer and smarter.

OUR VALUES

Driving the insurtech
ecosystem forward

  • Especially bold ideas and strategies that serve our GIA ecosystem.

  • The art of the breakthrough™ starts with clarity and honesty.

  • Then be resourceful and move fast - like a startup.

  • Learn quickly and laugh off the rest.

  • Mind, body and spirit – we need ‘em all.

OUR STORY

The Global Insurance Accelerator started in 2014 with a mission to drive innovation through the insurance industry. It was formed as a partnership between insurance carriers, innovation leaders, and local governmental leaders in Des Moines.

In 2015, seven founding investors established the first cohort. The early-stage founder program brought together founders who had passions and ideas to change the industry, with established and innovation-minded carriers.

Their goal was to bring a program to the industry that would combine mentor-led programming and early-stage capital to truly accelerate the best founders in the industry.

And since ideas and founders could come from anywhere and anyone, the GIA has brought in founders from all over the world in the years since.

As a result, the GIA has attracted founders from five continents and invested over $3 million in early-stage insurtech companies.

Today, with successful founder exits and an eye for growth in the future, the GIA is ready for the next decade, to bring innovation to the insurance industry through partnerships between companies, mentors, founders, and investors.

Executive Team

  • Dan Israel

    MANAGING DIRECTOR

    I am responsible for the overall strategy and operations of the organization - emphasizing the growth, development, and success of the programs, as well as ongoing support of all of the accelerator’s portfolio companies.

    My goal is to bring together strategic and forward-thinking investors with innovative founders who can enhance both groups’ opportunities for growth and the insurance space overall.

    Prior to the GIA, my career has spanned roles in innovation, management and strategy, finance, and operations within a number of industries. I have an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.B.A. in Finance and Economics from the University of Iowa Henry B. Tippie College of Business – go Hawks!

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  • Jess Louis

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

    I am responsible for all things relating to our mentor program and 100-day program. This means I get the honor and joy of working with each of our very giving mentors 1:1 before, during, and after our annual programs. I shape our program based on our mentors’ experience and ability to help early-stage founders shape their businesses within the insurance ecosystem.

    I completed my B.S. from Iowa State University in Child, Adult and Family Services. Before the GIA, I started my career in the nonprofit sector including the Ronald McDonald House and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa where I learned to grow volunteer programming as well as operating management. Throughout my career, I have created a passion to help others succeed in their own interests and goals.

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  • Jenni Gruenisen

    Jenni Gruenisen

    ALUMNI DIRECTOR

    I am responsible for building relationships and connections with cohort companies, as well as the broader InsurTech ecosystem, in order to support cohorts after they exit the program. My goal is to work to ensure the long-term success of GIA alumni, and the growth of GIA, by building and strengthening relationships and connections between our alumni and the broader InsurTech ecosystem of investors, sponsors, partners, mentors, and more.

    I have a J.D. from Drake University Law School and a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College in Political Science. Prior to GIA, I worked as a mediator and attorney, coached college tennis, and dedicated much time to volunteering in my community.

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Board Members

  • April Schmaltz

    April Schmaltz

    PRESIDENT AND CEO
    Delta Dental of Iowa

    Board Vice Chair

  • Beth Nigut

    EVP AND CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
    EMC Insurance

  • Pavan Goteti

    VP, INNOVATION & BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT
    EMC Insurance

  • Ann Balashaitis

    VP, STRATEGY, PLANNING, DATA AND INNOVATION
    Farm Bureau Financial Services

  • Mark Sandbulte

    VP, ALTERNATIVES AND MACRO STRATEGY
    Farm Bureau Financial Services

    Investment Committee Chair

  • Dave DeCapp

    SVP, MARKETING
    Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa

  • Scott McEntee

    VP, ACCOUNTING
    Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa

  • Christian Walk

    VP, LEGAL & ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL
    Global Atlantic Financial Group

  • Brock Scheck

    SVP, ALTERNATIVE PARTNERS & PLATFORMS
    Global Atlantic Financial Group

  • Aaron Madison

    VP, SOFTWARE SERVICES
    IMT Insurance

  • Dan Mulcahy

    TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER
    IMT Insurance

  • Cory McAnelly

    AVP, ENTERPRISE INNOVATION STRATEGY
    Principal

  • Jeremy Harrington

    DIRECTOR OF EXPERIENCE, BENEFITS AND PROTECTION
    Principal

  • Casey Decker

    VP, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND DIGITAL EXPERIENCE Sammons Financial Group

  • Amy Teas

    SVP - GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY Sammons Financial Group

  • Amanda Martin

    DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION
    Shelter Insurance Companies

  • John Rooney

    VP - INFORMATION SERVICES
    Shelter Insurance Companies

    Programming Committee Co-Chair

  • Ann Dieleman

    MANAGING PARTNER
    Ann Dieleman Consulting
    Independent Board Member

    Programming Committee Co-Chair

  • Sheldon Ohringer

    PARTNER
    Independent Board Member Board Chair

  • Stephanie Wessman Lemmon

    SR. EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
    Delta Dental of Iowa
    Board Secretary

Drake University Partnership

With its close proximity to our offices, the GIA has cultivated a unique and special relationship with Drake University in Des Moines. Their specialty in Actuarial Science, Data Analytics, and Business degrees provides amazing students and faculty which support our program.


Each year during our 100-day program, we have the privilege to bring two Drake students on as interns who partner with the cohort companies to solve real challenges for these startups. Over the past several years, many of these interns have gone on to careers in insurance including some with startups and founders they worked with during their time at the GIA!

2024 Interns

  • Jack Ekholm

    Jack Ekholm is a current senior at Drake University studying actuarial science and finance. Originally from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Jack is very involved on campus as a member of Gamma Iota Sigma – a professional fraternity specializing in risk management and insurance. In addition, he serves as a student representative on the leadership council for Drake’s Zimpleman College of Business. Jack has a passion for insurance, demonstrated by his actuarial experiences at Travelers, Allianz Life, Principal, and Deloitte. He also contributes to progress within the industry as a second-year intern with Drake's Insurance Innovation Lab. When he is not studying or working, Jack enjoys weightlifting, mountain climbing, trivia competitions, and listening to comedy podcasts.

  • Katlyn Sroka

    Katlyn Sroka is a second-year student at Drake University majoring in actuarial science and finance from Oak Lawn, Illinois. At Drake University Katlyn is involved as a student ambassador for the Zimpleman College of Business, secretary of the Math Motivators club, and director of Diversity, Equity, and inclusion for the professional fraternity Gamma Iota Sigma which specializes in risk management and insurance. She has cemented her interest and participates in the insurance industry through Drake's Insurance Innovation Lab. In her free time, Katlyn loves giving back to the community, going on nature walks, baking, and gaming with friends.