The insurance industry saw a wave of executive appointments this week, spanning a leading P&C software provider, a national brokerage, a wholesale benefits general agency and a global specialty carrier's US arm.
Insurity has appointed Jatin Atre (pictured, left) as chief executive officer, succeeding Jeff Clarke, who will remain with the company as executive chairman.
Atre had served as Insurity's president since January 2026, a role in which he oversaw the company's AI-powered transformation, including a $50 million commitment to AI-powered R&D in 2026 and the Andromeda, Borealis and Cassiopeia product releases, which introduced AI, workflow automation, real-time risk intelligence and deeper connectivity across the insurance lifecycle.
He joined Insurity in late 2020 and previously led its marketing and analytics businesses before taking on responsibility for product, engineering, customer success and support as chief business officer.
"Insurers are looking for technology partners that can help them move faster, modernize with confidence, and improve the economics of their business. That is what is driving our momentum," said Atre. "We are now committing an additional $100 million over the next two years to modernize core systems with embedded AI and build AI-native insurance products designed to help carriers lower expense ratios, improve performance, and grow more profitably."
The leadership change comes as core system replacement has become a competitive battleground among P&C insurance software vendors, with carriers under pressure to modernize legacy platforms while managing rising claims costs and tighter underwriting margins.
CRC Benefits, a division of CRC Group and one of the nation's leading general agencies, has hired Karen Crotty (pictured, center) as a benefits sales executive to lead a new Northeast-focused department serving brokers in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Crotty, hired specifically for the role, will oversee an initiative dedicated to Minimum Value Plans (MVP) and Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) plans.
Crotty brings more than 35 years of insurance industry experience, with a background in employee benefits, carrier relationships, broker support and client service built through the general agency wholesale model.
"Karen's extensive experience in employee benefits and her strong broker-focused approach make her an ideal leader for this important new initiative," said Dave Mascia, regional vice president. "Her knowledge of the Northeast market, combined with her ability to build trusted relationships, will help us expand the resources and solutions we deliver to our broker partners."
HDI Global has appointed Justin Gress (pictured, right) as chief operating officer of its US business, as part of a broader leadership and organizational overhaul under the carrier's four-year Xcelerate29 group strategy, which runs from 2026 to 2029 and is designed to bring underwriting, claims and service teams closer to brokers and clients.
In his new role, he will oversee technology and data enablement, transformation, product development and talent management, with a mandate to build a scalable, consistent operating model.
"My focus will be on translating these strengths into a consistent and scalable operating model. We will enhance operational clarity for brokers and clients, advance our technology and data capabilities, and foster a culture where colleagues can do their best work," said Gress. "This is a moment of real momentum for HDI in the US, and I am excited to contribute to shaping what comes next."
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has appointed Monica Donatelli as national surety practice development leader, tasking her with developing practice strategy, client service delivery and the expansion of the firm's surety capabilities nationwide.
Donatelli brings more than 16 years of experience in construction and commercial surety, advising contractors, developers, investor-backed platforms and financial institutions. She was recently elected president of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers and will lead initiatives to educate federal, state and local officials on the value of surety.
At EPIC, she will focus on expanding access to market capacity and developing bonding solutions for clients in construction, customs and transportation, waste management, financial services, healthcare and energy.
Donatelli said: "EPIC's national platform has built a strong foundation for serving clients with bonding and risk management needs. The firm's commitment to thinking big, inspiring trust and delivering results for clients aligns closely with my own approach to leadership and service," commented Donatelli. "I'm excited to build on existing momentum by helping grow the firm's surety practice, further strengthening its client-first approach and delivering specialized solutions for organizations that rely on surety bonding as a critical part of their business."
