Executives in financial risk practices at Gallagher and AXA XL experience growth in leadership roles

Gallagher, a large company based in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, recently made changes to its leadership team in the executive and financial risk practice. Among the new appointments is Seth Pfalzer, who is now the senior vice president and national director and will serve on the practice’s board of directors. Priya Huskins has also been named senior vice president and national director to lead the practice’s content thought leadership initiatives. Her experience as a corporate securities attorney and a public company board member equips her to counsel clients on mitigating directors & officers (D&O) liability risks.

Moreover, two other leaders who joined Huskins are Lenin Lopez and Walker Newell, both with the title of senior vice president and executive director. Lopez brings to the table his background in leading corporate governance and securities functions at public companies to help boards and executive management handle legal and business risks. Newell, on the other hand, combines his extensive expertise in securities litigation and enforcement matters from his past experiences in government, public company, and elite law firm positions to offer guidance to clients. All four leaders, including Pfalzer, Huskins, Lopez, and Newell, previously served as management liability leaders at Woodruff Sawyer before being acquired by Gallagher in 2025.

On the other hand, AXA XL, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, made internal promotions within its specialty insurance team. Mikki Williams has been promoted to head of ocean marine, managing cargo, hull & P&I, and marine liabilities, while Doug Schmude was appointed head of commercial bonds. Williams, located in Seattle, has been instrumental in shaping AXA XL’s marine underwriting and risk management strategies. In her new role, she oversees the Ocean Marine portfolio across the Americas. Schmude, based in Chicago, is known for his achievements in the bonds market and is determined to enhance AXA XL’s offerings and strengthen client relationships in this segment.

To sum up, these strategic appointments and promotions within Gallagher and AXA XL signify these companies’ commitment to enhancing their executive and financial risk practice and specialty insurance team, respectively. The experienced individuals stepping into these crucial roles bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will drive these companies forward in the dynamic world of risk management and insurance. As companies evolve to meet the changing needs of the industry and their clients, having a strong leadership team at the helm becomes even more critical in navigating the complexities of today’s business environment.