Insurance Insights

Paul Utke

The most recent edition of Insurance Insights features discussion with Sen. Paul Utke, Minnesota State Senator and 2026 President of the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). During the conversation, Sen. Utke shares his perspective on insurance affordability and availability as key challenges facing policymakers, discusses the opportunities and concerns surrounding AI including innovation, consumer protection, and the role of state-based regulation, and offers insight into the value of collaboration through NCOIL in developing model legislation and addressing emerging insurance issues.

Scott White

Do not miss this engaging conversation with the Honorable Scott A. White, Virginia Insurance Commissioner, and newly elected President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

In this edition of "Insurance Insights," Commissioner White delivers candid comments on the insurance landscape's biggest challenges from 2025, reveals priorities and emerging opportunities for 2026, and explains how the NAIC engages with insurance regulators and others across America's state-based system.

Roger Schmelzer

In this installment of Insurance Insights, Roger Schmelzer, President & CEO of the National Conference of Insurance Guaranty Funds, joins Frank Paul Tomasello, Executive Director of The Institutes Griffith Foundation, to explore: how guaranty funds originated; why they matter; and their evolving role in today’s insurance landscape.  We invite you to view the discussion below.

Lars Powell

A recently released study by the University of Alabama’s Center for Risk and Insurance Research, speaks to the efficacy of innovative approaches to resilience. In the most recent edition of Insurance Insights, Dr. Lars Powell of the University of Alabama visits with Frank Paul Tomasello of The Institutes Griffith Foundation to discuss the results of the study, commissioned by the Alabama Department of Insurance.

Jon Godfread

The most recent edition of “Insurance Insights” features discussion with the Honorable Jon Godfread, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, and newly elected President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). During the conversation, Commissioner Godfread:

  • provides his perspective on the risk management and insurance challenges faced in 2024;

  • discusses the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025; and,

  • offers insight into the role of the NAIC in our state-based system of insurance regulation.

Pam Hunter

The newly elected President of the National Council of Insurance Legislators, New York State Assemblymember Pamela Hunter, visits with The Institutes Griffith Foundation’s Executive Director, Frank Paul Tomasello, on this edition of Insurance Insights.

Their conversation explores a variety of topics, from the history and role of NCOIL, to the risk management and insurance challenges ahead.

Dr. Tom Oliverson

On this edition of Insurance Insights, the newly elected President of the National Council of Insurance Legislators, Texas House Member, Dr. Tom Oliverson, visits with The Institutes Griffith Foundation’s Executive Director, Frank Paul Tomasello. 

During their wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Oliverson:

  • shares information on his background and what led him to public service;

  • talks about how he learned of and become involved with NCOIL; and

  • provides his perspective on risk and insurance issues of importance in 2024.

Andrew N. Mais, NAIC President

In this episode of  “Insurance Insights,” Frank Paul Tomasello, Executive Director of The Institutes Griffith Foundation, visits the Stamford Campus of the University of Connecticut for a conversation with Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew Mais, the 2024 President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  During the conversation, Commissioner Mais: 

  • shares his perspective on the risk management and insurance-related  challenges and trends that public policymakers faced in 2023; 

  • discusses what he believes to be some pressing risk management and insurance priorities for 2024; and,

  • provides some background on the role of the NAIC in helping state insurance departments to carry out important functions.