These highly experienced subject matter experts and thought leaders will contribute to and help shape our coverage of the P&C insurance industry in the year to come. They come from a broad cross-section of the industry and experience levels. We've also tried to reach out to people across the country — some in "flyover" states like Colorado and Michigan — not just those in the major cities. We've asked these individuals to join the Editorial Advisory Board to give us a better picture of where the P&C industry is today and where it's going in the next few years. You'll be hearing more from the Board in the year to come. Related: Only the beginning: A look ahead to 2019 for our readers

Kitty Ambers,  Chief Growth Officer, AVYST

With experience with a carrier, as a licensed independent agent, and as a leader of two insurance member organizations, Kitty Ambers, Chief Growth Officer of AVYST, wants to make it possible for anyone in the independent agent/broker channel to serve customers "without paper or error."  Many have said this before (at least as far back as the "Paper-Free in '83" vow some 35 years ago). But now there is so much capital invested into "breaking the mold" of the insurance value chain—and she sees a future with more speed and much faster workflows.

Ted Besesparis, Senior Vice President, Communications, National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA)

Based in Alexandria, Va., Ted is responsible for the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents' (PIA) national communications initiatives including press relations on behalf of PIA's legislative and regulatory activities. He is editor in chief of the association's weekly e-newsletter, PIA National Newsline, and publisher and editor in chief of PIA Connection, the monthly magazine.

Laurie Champion, Managing Director & Client Services Executive, Marsh & McLennan Companies

Laurie is a recognized expert in enterprise and corporate risk management and the intersection of risk and strategy. Previously, she headed risk management for Ford Motor Company (Dearborn, Mich.), and for Coca-Cola Enterprises (Atlanta, Ga.) She has broad leadership experience, having led global ERM consulting teams in the U.S. and the U.K.

Ward Ching, Managing Director – Western Region, Aon Global Risk Consulting

Located in San Francisco, Calif., Ward is primarily responsible for Captive and Insurance Management Services, Domicile Management, and is also part of Aon's Alternative Risk Finance Practice and Aon's Multinational Client Council. In addition, Ward is Adjunct Professor of Management in the Marshall Business School at the University of Southern California.

Chris Downer, Principal, XL Innovate

Based in Menlo Park, Calif., Chris focuses on InsurTech investments in North America, Europe and Asia, and is responsible for due diligence and deal sourcing. Chris is a board observer at Pillar Technologies, an end-to-end environmental monitoring solution for construction sites, and Stonestep, which provides microinsurance as a service in emerging markets. Before joining XL Innovate, Chris was an associate with Goldman Sachs.

Kimberly George, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, M&A, Global Healthcare, Sedgwick

In her current role, Kimberly works to improve Sedgwick's understanding of how the evolving healthcare market affects its business. She is responsible for evolving Sedgwick's claims and workforce absence offerings into a worldwide health and productivity delivery model. Prior to her current role, Kimberly led Sedgwick's managed care business. She joined Sedgwick in 2001 and has had oversight of integrated disability, case management, product development, and client services.

Brady R. Kelley, Executive Director, Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA)

Brady has been WSIA's executive director since August 2017 and previously NAPSLO's executive director since September 2011. Based in Kansas City, Mo., Brady formerly was the chief financial and business strategy officer for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) with oversight of the Finance Division, Products and Services Division Technical Services Division, and Financial Regulation Standards and Accreditation Program.

C. Nahua Maunakea, Executive Director, Global Risk Management, IHS Markit

During Nahua's more than 30 years of experience in insurance and risk management, he's worked for insurance carriers and brokers, and as a risk manager for several companies. At IHS Markit, Nahua and the Risk Management team are charged with developing, implementing and maintaining a comprehensive risk management strategy for a dynamic global company, by evaluating, analyzing and mitigating inherent risks and their effect on the organization. They also are actively involved in supporting M&A activities, and business development units with contract reviews.

Rob Newbold, Executive Vice President, AIR Worldwide

Rob is responsible for the Americas and Bermuda business development team and the global marketing team, and for providing support and client service to AIR clients in the insurance, reinsurance, securitization, and intermediary markets in the Americas and Bermuda. Rob has been involved in a range of consulting engagements at AIR, including loss analyses, portfolio optimizations, economic impact analyses, and the management of more than 125 catastrophe bonds.

Gary Pearce, Chief Risk, Compliance and Privacy Officer, Kelly Services, Inc.

Based in Troy, Mich., Gary leads the Risk Management Group, including the Global Safety, Health and Environmental; Global Security Programs; Risk Intelligence; Risk Management; Unemployment Compensation; and Workers Compensation departments. He is also Kelly's Global Data Privacy Officer and has led Kelly's highly regarded Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program since its formation in 2007. Gary also participates in multiple initiatives including cybersecurity oversight and "micro-governance" teams assigned to specific compliance domains.

Craig K. Poulton, Chief Executive Officer, Poulton Associates LLC, NCIP

Based in Salt Lake City, Poulton Associates LLC administers the country's largest private flood insurance program, the Natural Catastrophe Insurance Program, the first private market online alternative to the National Flood Insurance Program. An insurance broker for more than 40 years, he holds the professional designation of Certified Insurance Counselor and holds insurance licenses in all 50 states.

Holly Tachovsky, Co-Founder and CEO, BuildFax

With BuildFax, the leading provider of property condition and history insights for globally recognized insurance, financial and real estate institutions, Holly established a previously nonexistent class of property data navigating the complexities of the insurance industry to transform it into value-driving insights. Under her leadership, BuildFax has grown from a startup founded at the height of the 2008 financial crisis to a multi-million dollar company, growing at a double-digit CAGR for the last five years.

Paul Tetrault, Executive Director, Insurance Library Association of Boston

At the Insurance Library Association of Boston, Paul leads all aspects of the Library's operations. He was previously state and policy affairs counsel for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies where he was responsible for public policy development, legislative and regulatory issue management, and legal analysis in support of NAMIC's government affairs activities. He is chair of the CPCU Society's Regulatory and Legislative Interest Group and is a member of the Society's Publications Committee. He is a frequent contributor to insurance publications.

Mark Walls, Vice President, Communications and Strategic Analysis, Safety National

With more than 20 years experience, Mark has insights into the challenges faced by adjusters and employers. His current focus is monitoring industry trends and emerging issues, government affairs, and oversight of Safety National's external messaging. In addition, Mark was the founder of the LinkedIn Work Comp Analysis Group and is the co-host of the "Out Front Ideas with Kimberly and Mark" series. He is on the board of Kids Chance, Inc., which provides college scholarships to the children of workers killed or seriously injured in a workplace accident. Related: Five digital trends impacting insurance agents in 2019