Philadelphia Chapter Launch
The official launch of the VCIA Philadelphia Chapter, featuring an educational program and networking reception.
Event Details
The launch features intensive, credit-eligible sessions led by captive owners from diverse industries in conversation with Vermont regulatory leadership, and caps off with a high-end business networking reception.
Locations: Ernst & Young Office, 2005 Market Street, Philadelphia, 1:00-4:00pm
Continental Midtown,1801 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, 4:30-6:00pm
Join us for the VCIA Philadelphia Chapter Launch that highlights the dynamic regulatory landscape of Vermont, the leading domicile for captive insurance in the U.S., and shares key insights from successful captive programs. We will feature the strategic advantages of captive insurance, demonstrating how it can be utilized for optimal benefits.
You’ll hear inspiring success stories from the front lines that focus on reasons for formation, the feasibility process, key insights in successful captive programs, and their evolution. Attendees will gain an understanding of the cost structures associated with captives and the capital requirements, plus much more.
*Schedule: Education Sessions 1:00 – 4:00 CPE/CLE credit eligible
Part I Captives at Work: Success Stories from the Front Line
Part II Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: Key Insights
*Educational sessions and learning objectives subject to change.
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Networking Reception at Continental Midtown,1801 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Who Should Attend: Business professionals who seek insight into captives:
• Executives of companies, associations or institutions considering the formation of a captive;
• Executives of companies, associations or institutions with captives who wish to update their knowledge or review the way in which captives are currently operating and managed.
Speakers
Clare M. Bello, Esquire serves as the Enterprise Director of Claims & Insurance for Jefferson Health, a leading Philadelphia-based healthcare system with facilities across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In this role, she oversees enterprise-wide claims strategy and insurance operations, with a focus on mitigating risk and managing complex medical malpractice exposures.
Ms. Bello earned her Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law and practiced professional liability defense and regulatory law in Pennsylvania for over a decade. She transitioned to the corporate sector as the founder of VCM, a pioneering national medical malpractice claims and litigation management company.
Under her leadership, VCM evolved from a regional startup in 2002 to a nationally recognized firm. In 2014, VCM merged with CCMSI, becoming its specialty lines division dedicated exclusively to healthcare clients and the management of medical malpractice captive programs.
Currently, she is spearheading initiatives in the Philadelphia region to develop tools aimed at addressing the challenges of high-verdict risk environments.
As Deputy Commissioner, Christine Brown currently leads the Captive Insurance Division of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. She is responsible for the administration and regulation of captive insurance companies and risk retention groups.
Christine has been with the Captive Division since 2003, previously serving as Director of Captive Insurance, and has been involved in all aspects of the analysis and examination processes. Prior to joining the Captive Division, Christine spent seven years in public accounting, including four years with Johnson Lambert, LLP in Burlington, VT, specializing in captive insurance, and three years with Ernst & Young, LLP in Boston, MA.
Christine received a MS in Accounting and MBA from Northeastern University and a BA in Political Science from Regis College.
Brett Giarrusso, ARM, possesses extensive experience in risk management and assurance. Currently serving as Senior Director of Risk & Assurance at Breakthru Beverage Group since October 2014, Brett has progressed through various roles including Director, Manager, and Senior Risk Analyst. Prior to this, experience at Liberty Mutual Insurance from August 2007 to October 2014 included positions such as Team Manager, Senior Claims Consultant, and Claims Case Manager. Brett holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marist University, completed in 2007.
As Captive Insurance Economic Development Director, Brittany is responsible for the marketing and business development of Vermont’s captive insurance industry, working closely with the Department of Financial Regulation and Vermont Captive Insurance Association to strengthen the state’s reputation as the premier onshore captive insurance domicile. Brittany helped form and continues to support the Vermont Captive Insurance Emerging Leaders Initiative, supporting emerging professionals in the industry and raising awareness about captive insurance as a career path.
Brittany worked in the fields of community and economic development in the nonprofit and governmental sectors in both Vermont and Texas serving a variety of industries. Brittany received a MA in Sustainable Development with a concentration in Policy Advocacy & Analysis from SIT Graduate Institute and a BA in Political Science from the University of Vermont. The 2022 Captive Review Power 50 named Brittany “One to Watch.” In 2023, Brittany received Captive International’s FORTY Under 40 award. She was also named a 2023 Rising Star by Vermont Business Magazine.
As the Director of Risk Management, Nicole brings over 10 years of experience in developing and implementing comprehensive risk management and safety strategies. In her current role at LCSWMA, Nicole oversees the development and execution of risk management and safety programs designed to protect both people and assets.
Nicole holds a B.A. from Alvernia University, a master’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University and is certified as a RIMS Certified Risk Management Professional (RIMS-CRMP). With a keen eye for both current and emerging risks, she ensures that LCSWMA is well-prepared for potential challenges, balancing risk against opportunity to support the organization’s objectives.
Ian Davis, MPA is President of the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA), the largest captive insurance trade association in the world and a respected authority in the global captive industry. With experience spanning both public and private sectors, Davis brings a distinctive blend of strategic vision, policy expertise, and collaborative leadership to the role. Prior to joining VCIA, Davis served as Senior Vice President of Captive Insurance at M&T Bank, where he managed a diverse portfolio and led initiatives to strengthen client relationships, improve operational efficiency, and drive institutional growth.
