Insurance Business America (IBA) has revealed its 11th annual Hot 100 list, celebrating 100 US insurance professionals who have made a strong impact on the industry over the past year. The 2026 list features leaders from a wide range of areas, including carriers, brokerages, specialty markets, legal and advisory firms, and service providers.
Nominations for the Hot 100 opened in July 2025, inviting industry insiders to recommend individuals who stood out for their contributions in the previous year. These nominations came from various segments like retail and wholesale brokers, insurtech companies, managing general agencies, and regulatory experts.
Once nominations closed, IBA’s editorial team carefully reviewed hundreds of submissions. They selected the final 100 based on factors such as leadership roles, market influence, innovation, and efforts to improve distribution or client services. The list includes a mix of seasoned executives and upcoming leaders, representing businesses of all sizes—from large national companies to smaller, specialized firms.
Among those honored this year are high-profile executives like Paul Kottler from Crawford & Company, Peter McKenna of MSIG USA, and Philip Mortimer at Heffernan Insurance Brokers. Other notable names include Adrianna Rivera and Ania Caruso from Risk Placement Services, Inc., Catherine Gill of LifeScienceRisk, and Fred E. Karlinsky at Greenberg Traurig, P.A. Many others from leading firms such as Alliant Insurance Services Inc., Amwins, Ryan Specialty, and Arch Insurance also made the list.
IBA offers detailed online profiles for many of the featured professionals. These profiles highlight their current roles, career paths, and areas of focus, providing a better understanding of their contributions to the insurance sector. The full list and additional details on the selection process are available for free on Insurance Business America’s website.
This list not only recognizes individual achievements but also paints a broad picture of leadership and innovation across the US insurance market. It shines a light on the professionals shaping the future of the industry today.