The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers has expanded both its membership and sponsorship ranked ahead of its 2026 Employee Benefits Leadership Forum (EBLF) in Colorado Springs, adding new brokerage, MGA and benefits-focused firms from multiple regions and market segments.
The Council, whose members include many of the world’s largest commercial and employee benefits intermediaries, said the additions reflect the continued globalization and diversification of its membership and the growing importance of data, technology and specialty capabilities in the broker value proposition.
The Council is welcoming three new member firms – GIS Benefits (Morris, Ill.), Steadfast (Sydney, Australia) and Balavant Insurance Group (Novato, Calif.) – to its membership community.
GIS Benefits is a privately held general agency specializing in benefits solutions for organizations of all sizes. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Morris, Illinois, GIS now operates nationwide, combining benefits expertise, technology optimization, employee engagement tools and data-driven recommendations to help clients enhance their benefits strategies. Its approach reflects a broader shift in the employee benefits space toward tech-enabled distribution, decision support and analytics around plan design, particularly in the mid-market.
Steadfast, based in Sydney, is a brokerage group placing approximately A$25 billion in gross written premium annually across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the U.S. (through ISU Steadfast), with multiple broker and agency networks as part of the group. The company is also the majority owner of the global network UnisonSteadfast, holds majority stakes in 31 underwriting agencies and serves clients globally through a London-based Lloyd’s broking operation. Its inclusion adds further international and specialty-market perspective to The Council at a time when large buyers are seeking diversified capacity and alternative structures across regions.
Balavant Insurance Group, headquartered in Novato, California, is a managing general agent platform providing technology, centralized services and leadership to support specialty insurance businesses. Drawing on its experience in the MGA ecosystem, Balavant partners with underwriting teams and program administrators to accelerate performance and support product innovation. Its membership highlights the increasingly prominent role of MGAs and program managers in bringing niche capacity and expertise to the market, and the growing overlap between retail brokers, MGAs and carriers.
“It's true that the evolving risk environment continues to challenge the large employers our members serve,” said Joel Wood, president/CEO of The Council. “But it's also true that brokers are constantly adapting and responding to market shifts to address their clients' needs. The Council is stronger when firms serving diverse sectors and geographies are part of the conversation, so we're very pleased to bring GIS Benefits, Steadfast and Balavant into the fold to be a part of those discussions.”
These three firms are the latest of nine new members to join The Council in 2026. New members announced earlier this year include AGA Benefit Solutions (Westmount, Canada); APRIL Group (Lyon, France); Element (West Chester, Pa.); Sanyuu (São Paulo, Brazil); Specialist Risk Group (London, United Kingdom); and Tropolis Insurance Services (Ann Arbor, Mich.). Together, the additions bring extra depth in group benefits, international programs, specialty lines and Latin American markets.
Ahead of its Employee Benefits Leadership Forum this month, The Council has also added three organizations to its sponsorship community.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Lumelight and Ringmaster Technologies have joined as new EBLF event sponsors. Anthem adds a large national medical carrier presence, while Lumelight and Ringmaster bring technology and pharmacy benefits capabilities that align with employers’ focus on medical trend, specialty drug costs and plan complexity.
“The Council's new and longstanding partnerships fuel creativity and growth, making it possible for the association to continue to develop valuable benefits for its members,” said John Howard, vice chairman of CRC Group and Council board chair. “We look forward to bringing Council members together with their carrier and industry partners at EBLF for important discussions about the opportunities and challenges facing their shared clients.”
As previously announced, MSIG USA, ReSource Pro and The Hartford have elevated their support from Platinum to Diamond Partner; CRC Group, Factory Mutual Insurance Company, Swiss Re and Zywave have increased their investment from Gold to Platinum Partner; and Norton LifeLock Benefit Solutions has increased its investment from EBLF Event Sponsor to Gold Partner.
The expanded membership and sponsorship slate comes as brokers and carriers face sustained pressure to manage medical inflation, mental health and wellbeing needs, and increasing regulatory and compliance demands across jurisdictions. Large employers are seeking more integrated health, wealth and risk solutions, while asking for clearer reporting on cost drivers and outcomes.
Forums such as EBLF have become key venues for discussions on how data is shared among carriers, brokers, point-solution vendors and employers; how AI and automation can be used responsibly in enrollment, underwriting and servicing; and how intermediaries can continue to differentiate on advice and advocacy as benefits programs become more complex.
The Council is set to welcome its members, sponsors and marketplace leaders from across the industry to its annual Employee Benefits Leadership Forum on May 26 to 29 in Colorado.
