Leadership Team

Since founding the firm more than 35 years ago, Winged Keel has grown into a sustainable, multigenerational services and administration platform that’s built to last. We are a team of 150+ experienced, disciplined, and focused professionals collaborating to structure, implement, and administer high-end life insurance solutions. Together, we deliver service and insight to support the needs and goals of our clients and their advisors.

Executive Leadership

Eric Naison-Phillips
CEO
Chelsea Maeda-Wiegand
Principal
Michael Mingolelli, Jr., JD
Principal
Howard Sharfman
Principal

Eric Naison-Phillips

CEO


 

Eric Naison-Phillips is CEO of Winged Keel Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Management Committee. He plays an integral role in the strategic direction of the firm, driving its growth strategy and advancing its position as the premier national platform for the structuring, implementation, and administration of high-end life insurance solutions. Eric joined Winged Keel as an intern in 2001, became Managing Principal in 2009, and was named CEO in 2025. His strong track record of value creation includes executing multiple acquisitions to expand the Company’s product suite and geographic reach, helping to develop Winged Keel’s unique position in the family office market, directing Winged Keel’s strategic market focus, and building a high-performing team. 

Eric frequently presents at industry conferences, hedge fund roundtables, private equity summits, and private family office events on topics that include Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), Private Placement Variable Annuities (PPVA), Insurance-Dedicated Funds (IDFs), the advanced applications of traditional life insurance, and building and scaling financial services businesses. He has been a featured speaker at the Apex Global Family Office Symposium hosted by Goldman Sachs, McDermott Will & Schulte’s FOCIS (Family Office Capital & Investment Strategies) Forum, the Robin Hood Investors Conference, and Finseca Advanced Markets. Eric has also co-authored several articles on a variety of life insurance solutions for the online journals of Trusts & Estates and Financial Advisor magazines.

Eric’s breadth of experience also drives his leadership across the industry. He is on the Executive Committee for Finseca (formerly known as the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting), the nation’s leading advocacy group for Financial Security Professionals. Eric is currently the Treasurer and Secretary of Finseca and will become Chair in 2027. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of M Financial Group, one of the nation’s premier insurance design and distribution organizations for ultra-affluent clients. As a leader of the IDF administration platform SALI Fund Services, where he became a Principal in 2009 and was named President in 2017, Eric was actively involved in the company’s strategic growth and played a key role in SALI’s merger and successful integration into JTC Group. He continues to serve in an advisory capacity for JTC.

Eric is deeply committed to supporting causes that engage, educate, and motivate opportunities for growth. Together with his wife, Laura, he created the Naison-Phillips Family Foundation to support areas of our communities that are increasingly being left behind, including the arts, education, and sports and leadership opportunities for at-risk youth.

Eric’s active engagement includes serving as a Director of the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation and being a member of The Yale University Club Committee, which awards grants to Yale students from low-income families. He and Laura are longtime supporters of DREAM (which evolved from Harlem RBI), an organization recognizing that truly impacting children requires engaging with them and their families from pre-K through high school, for the entire school day and beyond. Eric is also a founding member of the DREAM golf team and continues to invest in its growth. For over two decades he has supported New Heights Youth, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that combines basketball programming with services that elevate college and career readiness, social emotional learning, and physical and mental health. Eric also serves as a Trustee for First Tee – Metropolitan New York.

In the arts, Eric and Laura are significant donors to the Paul Taylor Dance Company. They also provide meaningful support to the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company in Washington, D.C. In 2022, Eric and Laura cofounded LAHA Dance Group as Laura expanded her career as a Paul Taylor muse to become a choreographer creating works that foster community through shared dance experiences.

A graduate of Yale University with a BA in American Studies, Eric was a pitcher and four-year letter winner for the Yale baseball team. He holds FINRA Series 3, 6, and 63 securities registrations.

Eric lives in Brooklyn, New York, with Laura and their two children. In addition to his active support of the performing arts, he enjoys yoga, golf, fitness, and cooking.

AR License #7901415; CA Insurance License #0K38434 


Chelsea Maeda-Wiegand

Principal


 

Chelsea Maeda-Wiegand is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and a member of the firm's Executive Management Committee. She is responsible for overseeing some of the largest and most complex life insurance portfolios structured by the firm, working with ultra-high-net-worth families, single family offices, and institutional clients in the design, implementation, and long-term administration of sophisticated life insurance solutions for wealth transfer and income tax planning purposes.

Chelsea joined Winged Keel Group as an intern in 2007, advancing into the role of Client Relationship Associate in 2012 before becoming a Principal in 2020. Over nearly two-decades she has developed a deep understanding of both Traditional Life Insurance and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) portfolios as well as an ability to help clients and advisors navigate the complexities of various strategies. She also serves on Winged Keel's Community Impact and Technology & Innovation Committees, where she plays an active role in elevating the firm’s culture and values and driving strategic initiatives and fostering innovation across the organization.

Chelsea has been named to the Forbes/SHOOK Research list of Top Financial Security Professionals for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025), an honor that underscores her industry leadership, commitment to delivering exceptional client outcomes, and standing among the nation's top advisors.

Chelsea has contributed thought leadership to leading industry publications, co-authoring articles on modernized estate planning with PPLI for the online journal of Trusts & Estates magazine and examining life insurance policy re-pricing driven by the Covid-19 pandemic for Bloomberg Tax's Tax Management Estates, Gifts and Trusts Journal.

Chelsea earned a BA in Statistics from Columbia University and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and daughter. Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys traveling, working in the garden, leisurely hiking the trails of the Pacific Northwest, and learning and growing with her YPO forum.

Michael Mingolelli, Jr., JD

Principal


 

Michael Mingolelli, Jr., is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and member of the firm's Executive Management Committee. In addition to serving the firm in several management capacities, Michael works directly with clients on the design, implementation, and monitoring of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance portfolios. His clients include single family offices, c-suite executives, business owners, and partners at hedge and private investment funds, as well as public and private companies.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2018, Michael served as CEO of Pinnacle Financial Group, which became a division of Hub International in 2016. Before his tenure at Pinnacle, Michael was a corporate lawyer at Sullivan & Worcester LLP and at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP.

An active member of the national advisor community for many years, Michael is a member of Finseca (formerly AALU), the nation’s leading life insurance and annuities advocacy organization, and The Boston Estate Planning Council. Michael currently serves on the Board of Directors of M Financial Group and previously served on the Boards of The Boston Estate Planning Council and Finseca. In his local community, Michael serves on the Board of Trustees of the Greater New England Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Michael earned a BS in Finance, magna cum laude, from Boston College and graduated from Boston College Law School, cum laude.

Michael lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with his wife and he has three daughters. In addition to spending time with his family, Michael enjoys golfing, traveling, and following Boston’s sports teams.


CA Insurance License #0I12321 AR Insurance License #7924270

Howard Sharfman

Principal


 

Howard Sharfman is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Management Committee. He works with ultra-high-net-worth families, family offices, business owners, and their advisors on sophisticated life insurance planning, with a focus on multigenerational wealth transfer and the integration of insurance into broader advisory strategies.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Howard was Senior Managing Director at NFP Insurance Solutions, where he led one of the largest wealth transfer consulting firms in the U.S.

Howard has been continually recognized by Forbes as one of the country’s top financial security professionals, including earning the #1 ranking in Illinois and #7 ranking nationally in 2025. He has served some of the country’s most financially influential families and has developed strategic alliances with major private banks, law firms, and CPA firms, driven by his belief that insurance professionals should be included as trusted advisors on professional advisory teams.

Howard’s ideas and concepts have been shared with peers and advisors around the world through many speeches, presentations, and publications. He has been a keynote speaker at major industry events, including Finseca, MDRT, the Canadian Association of Life Underwriting, and the Discovery Financial Summit in Johannesburg, and has been featured on CNBC Africa. His leadership roles include Chair of the Forum 400, AALU’s Business Insurance and Estate Planning Committee, and the Finseca Foundation.

Outside of work, Howard has been married to his wife Jami for over 30 years, with whom he has two children. He is also an avid numismatist, collecting early half dollars since childhood.

Sean O'Reilly
COO
Tricia Michaels
CFO

Sean O'Reilly

COO


 

Sean O’Reilly is COO of Winged Keel Group.  He is responsible for managing the firm’s day-to-day operations in support of Winged Keel’s strategic growth initiatives, including scaling existing businesses and identifying and integrating new M&A opportunities.  He has a passion for building and investing in great businesses and great teams.

Prior to joining Winged Keel in 2025, Sean drove growth initiatives for private equity-backed financial services companies FIMC and J.G. Wentworth.  He has significant experience in the affluent and high-net-worth market, as he launched and led the Chase Sapphire business for J.P. Morgan Chase, consistently named “Top Rewards Card” by media and business outlets.  He also led external marketing efforts for USAA, twice named “Customer Service Champs” by BusinessWeek during his tenure at USAA.

Sean began his corporate career at Leo Burnett, leading marketing campaigns for blue-chip clients such as Philip Morris and Disney.  Sean has been fortunate to serve in people leadership roles his entire career, beginning with his service as an active-duty Army officer in the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized).

Sean earned his B.B.A in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Notre Dame, cum laude, and he proudly served as President of the Notre Dame Alumni Association.  He received his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Sean and his wife, Sara, have four children and live in Wallingford, PA, just outside Philadelphia. Sean enjoys spending time with his family, traveling with family and friends, competing in triathlons, and college football weekends in the Fall.

Tricia Michaels

CFO


 

Tricia Michaels is the CFO at Winged Keel Group where she leads the firm’s finance functions. She plays a key role in strengthening the firm’s financial infrastructure, driving improvements in reporting, audit, operations, and data management, and guiding strategic investments in both people and technology to support long-term growth.

Tricia is a highly accomplished strategic and operational leader with over 25 years of experience in fast-paced, high-growth environments across a broad range of private equity, privately owned, and public companies. Her hands-on, solutions-oriented approach, and strong cross-function collaboration are key drivers of the firm’s growth strategy.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Tricia served as CFO at 3Step Sports, a youth sports operator backed by private equity, where she served as CFO. She has also served as CFO at Ignite Fitness Holdings, which develops and operates Planet Fitness clubs, in CFO roles at Advanced Dental Management, VetCor, and M|C Communications, and in senior finance leadership roles with a variety of other companies. Tricia’s diverse financial expertise includes M&A, due diligence, post-acquisition integration, process refinement, systems implementation, and talent development and engagement.

Tricia earned a BS in Accounting from Syracuse University – Martin J. Whitman School of Management and is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as following her favorite sports team.

Client Relationship Managers

Jeffery W. Bird
Principal
Minneapolis
Jay Cleary
Principal
Denver
Marko Djuranovic
Principal
New York
Brent M. Eden, JD
Principal
Atlanta

Jeffery W. Bird

Principal
Minneapolis

 

Jeffery is a Principal at Winged Keel Group, and co-head of the Minneapolis office. Jeffery has overseen life insurance product studies for over twenty years and is widely considered a trusted source of insurance knowledge. He has extensive experience in all types of insurance transactions and wealth transfer strategies. Jeffery has also helped trust companies audit life insurance policies and establish due diligence procedures for trustees.

Jeffery worked as a tax attorney for several years at Arthur Andersen, and as an Advanced Underwriter with Minnesota Mutual where he consulted on all types of life insurance transactions, as well as developed life insurance products. In 1989, Jeffery joined The Brehm Group, which later became MBW Group. MBW Group merged their practice with Winged Keel Group in 2025.

Jeffery has been a board member for several nonprofit organizations, including the Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation, The Gospel Association of India and the Total Victory Christian Center.  He helped establish Hope Academy and started the Hope Farm School. 

Jeffery attended the University of South Dakota where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After working as an accountant for Iowa Public Service Co. for two years, he returned to school and earned his master’s degree in business administration, as well as a law degree from the University of South Dakota.  

Jeffery has coached youth sports for the past 30 years, taught Sunday school, and led a weekly Bible study group. Jeffery grew up on a farm in Marcus, Iowa, and now resides in Minneapolis with his wife, Widdy, with whom he raised six children. 

CA Insurance License #0B63196

Jay Cleary

Principal
Denver

 

Jay Cleary is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, leading the firm’s Denver office. Jay consults with ultra-affluent clients and their professional advisors to design and manage life insurance portfolios that coordinate with their estate and business plans. His clients include business owners and executives in industries such as manufacturing, distribution, real estate, technology, biotech, energy, professional sports, and private equity. He works closely with his client’s wealth management, estate planning, accounting, trust, and family office advisors. 

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2025, Jay was the Founder and President of Bridge Life, a Denver-based provider of advanced life insurance services for affluent and ultra-affluent clients, which he formed in 2012. Before his tenure at Bridge Life, Jay was a Principal at another Denver-based insurance advisory firm for 18 years, which was acquired by a regional bank. 

Jay has been part of M Financial Group for over 30 years, having chaired M Financial Group’s 2023 Annual Meeting and serving on M’s Product Design Group Committee. A frequent speaker on advanced planning and life insurance topics, Jay is recognized for his ability to bring clarity to complex situations. 

Equally committed to his community, Jay has served on numerous nonprofit boards. He was one of two outside board members for Denver Broncos Charities for over 20 years. Over the last decade, Jay has been deeply involved with Elevate USA, a unique mentoring program for at-risk youth, which has expanded from one to 20 cities during this period. 

Jay graduated from Bates College in Maine with a degree in Mathematics. He holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designations from The American College. He and his wife, Lisa, have four children, all avid skiers, and they enjoy time together in Vail, Colorado.

Marko Djuranovic

Principal
New York

 

Marko Djuranovic is a Principal of Winged Keel Group. As Head of Institutional Relationships, he oversees many of the firm’s national relationships with banks and works closely with the professional advisor community.  He applies his strong technical skills to the structuring, implementation, and service of Traditional Life Insurance and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuities.  He joined Winged Keel Group as an Associate in 2008 and was promoted to Director of Product Development before becoming a Principal in 2016.

Marko holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University. He is a CFA® charterholder and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  He received his BA from Duke University, where he was a staff writer for a local newspaper and President of Alpha Sigma Delta of Chi Psi Fraternity.

Residing in Old Greenwich, Connecticut with his wife and two children, Marko enjoys tennis, golf, skiing, gardening, and cooking in his spare time.

Brent M. Eden, JD

Principal
Atlanta

 

Brent M. Eden is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, co-leading the firm’s Atlanta office.  Brent specializes in providing life insurance advice through the structuring, implementation, and servicing of customized, integrated planning solutions to ultra-affluent families, business owners, and corporate executives.  He also advises privately and publicly held businesses in the areas of business continuation insurance, buy-sell agreement funding, and executive benefits.  Brent recommends collaborative solutions that help meet the unique needs of his clients and match their overall planning strategies and objectives.  Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2023, Brent served as Principal of Nease, Lagana, Eden & Culley, a position he held after practicing law in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Brent is a member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council as well as the American, Georgia and Atlanta Bar Associations, and he holds the Trust & Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation as a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP).  He is also a member and participates in the Ambassador program of Finseca, the advocacy and development organization for life insurance and financial security professionals.  Brent previously served on the Board of Directors of M Financial Group as well as its Audit, Compensation, and Member Firm Compensation Plan Committees.  Brent has held leadership roles and advisory and executive board memberships with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and he is a Past President of the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia.  Brent holds FINRA series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 
 
Brent graduated from the University of Michigan and obtained his law degree from Georgia State University College of Law, focusing on estate planning and litigation.  In law school, Brent was a member of the Moot Court Board, was an Honor Court Justice, and clerked for the Honorable Jerry Baxter, Superior Court of Fulton County.  Prior to law school Brent clerked at the law firm of Alston & Bird, LLP, where he worked exclusively on the Enron bankruptcy.  Brent also lived for a year in New Zealand, where he worked for the New Zealand law firm Buddle Findlay and the Kinloch Lodge.  

CA Insurance License #0L97996

Brian Gartner
Principal
San Francisco
Jason Hackmann
Principal
St. Louis
Walter L. Helms
Principal
Atlanta
Brady C. Knight
Principal
Houston

Brian Gartner

Principal
San Francisco

 

Brian Gartner is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, responsible for the ongoing development and operations of Winged Keel's California presence.  He specializes in the structuring, implementation, and servicing of life insurance and annuity portfolios designed to help meet the unique needs of ultra-affluent families.  

After joining Winged Keel Group as an Associate in 2011, Brian advanced into the role of Director before relocating across the country to open the firm's San Francisco office in 2016.  He was promoted to Managing Director in 2019 and became a Principal in 2020.

Brian has co-authored articles on topics such as the use of term insurance as a liquidity hedge, Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) fundamentals, and charitable planning for the online journal of Trusts & Estates magazine and Bloomberg Tax’s Tax Management Memorandum.  He frequently speaks at industry conferences on the utilization of PPLI and other life insurance solutions.  Brian is also a member of Finseca and part of its Ambassador program, which focuses on legislative advocacy for the financial security profession.   

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Brian was a school record holder as a member of the Varsity Swim Team and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.  He holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

Brian is an active supporter of American Lung Association, A Breath Of Hope Lung Foundation, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  He lives in San Rafael, California with his wife and children and enjoys baseball, football, and golf.

CA Insurance License #0L71954


Jason Hackmann

Principal
St. Louis

 

Jason Hackmann is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, leading the firm’s St. Louis office.  Jason has extensive experience in designing, evaluating and implementing life insurance solutions within the ultra-high-net-worth community.  Jason has worked with top advisors and financial institutions, helping clients navigate estate planning, business succession, and wealth transfer strategies utilizing life insurance.

Jason founded his previous firm, BryanMark Group, in 2004 to deliver highly customizable life insurance solutions for affluent individuals and families.  Jason has built a reputation for deep technical knowledge, strategic design capabilities, and long-term client relationships. Jason’s ability to structure and implement innovative life insurance solutions tailored to the unique needs of his clients has made him a trusted partner within the industry.  In 2025, Jason merged his practice with Winged Keel Group.

Beyond his professional achievements, Jason is active in charitable and humanitarian efforts in Africa with a particular focus on the most neglected human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He partners with local non-profits to aid Christian communities that are subject to risk of genocide by the ADF (who the US State Department classified as a terrorist organization in 2022).

Jason is a member of Finseca and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.     

Jason and his wife, Jennifer, have three children and reside in St. Louis where they enjoy traveling and furthering their humanitarian efforts.

CA Insurance License #0G53811, AR Insurance License #4864723

Walter L. Helms

Principal
Atlanta

 

Walt Helms is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, co-leading the firm’s Atlanta office.  He specializes in utilizing life insurance to create customized asset transfer plans for affluent families and business owners.  Typical plans include multiple generations and employ sophisticated techniques such as Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs), split dollar arrangements, Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs), installment sales and discounted assets.  Additionally, Walt advises corporate clients on employee benefit plans including Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plans, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs), and executive bonus plans.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2023, Walt served as Principal of Nease, Lagana, Eden & Culley.  Walt regularly speaks at local, regional, and national conferences on topics including life insurance and complex strategies to efficiently transfer assets over multiple generations. 

Walt is a member of Finseca, the Atlanta Estate Planning Council, and the Product Development Group for M Financial Group.  He previously served as a member of the Government Affairs Committee for M Financial Group, where he played a key role in advocating for the industry regarding the appropriate tax and regulatory treatment of life insurance. He is also an active board member of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education.

Walt received a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He continued his graduate studies at the Georgia State University earning two degrees—a Master of Taxation and Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning.  He is a Certified Financial Planner® and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.

CA Insurance License #0I19835


Brady C. Knight

Principal
Houston

 

Brady Knight is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, leading the firm’s Houston office. He has extensive experience in the structuring, implementation, and servicing of life insurance and annuity portfolios designed to enhance multi-generational wealth accumulation and asset transfer strategies. His clients include ultra-affluent families, business owners, key executives, and their legal and accounting advisors.  

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2021, Brady served as CEO of Knight Planning Corporation—which he founded in 2006—and oversaw all aspects of the firm.

A native Houstonian, Brady holds memberships and leadership positions in numerous professional and philanthropic organizations within his local community. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Houston chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and The Whitehall Club and is actively involved in the Amschwand Sarcoma Foundation efforts. Brady also serves on the River Oaks Country Club Tennis Committee and is an annual sponsor of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Tennis Championship.

Brady holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of St. Thomas. He is a member of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting) and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. For the past several years, Brady has been ranked among the nation’s top Financial Security Professionals (nationally and for the state of Texas) by Forbes/SHOOK Research.

Brady resides in Houston, Texas with his wife and two sons. He enjoys tennis, hunting, skiing, surfing and spending time with his family, clients, and colleagues.

Warren McGuire
Principal
Chicago
Matthew H. Phillips
Principal
New York
Mark J. Richards
Principal
Denver
Jeri L. Turley
Principal
Richmond

Warren McGuire

Principal
Chicago

 

Warren McGuire is a Principal of Winged Keel Group. He advises business owners, entrepreneurs, family offices, and ultra-high-net-worth families on sophisticated insurance and wealth planning strategies. His practice focuses on helping clients preserve wealth, maximize tax-efficient growth, and navigate complex estate, business succession, and liquidity planning challenges through innovative insurance solutions.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Warren spent eight years at NFP Insurance Solutions, where he served as President. He began his career as a Financial Consultant at AXA Advisors. In 2017, he co-founded Blue Cove Capital, a boutique wealth management practice, before selling his stake and joining the firm.

Warren is considered an industry leader, earning recognition on Forbes’ Best-in-State Financial Security Professionals lists every year since 2022 and earning the #3 ranking in Illinois in 2025. He is a frequent presenter, addressing topics such as integrating AI tools into business strategy, enhancing client interactions, and private placement life insurance (PPLI).

Warren holds a Certified Retirement Planner degree from Wharton School of Business and a Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) Designation from the American College. He was nominated for the Five Star Wealth Manager award and is a member of the YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization).

Warren holds degrees in both Finance and Economics from Villanova University. He maintains the Series 7, 63 and 65 FINRA securities registrations, as well as Life & Health Insurance Licenses.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Warren moved to Chicago after living in New York City for 7 years. Warren and his wife Molly have two children and live in the western suburbs. He enjoys running, skiing, reading and golf, and has completed 4 marathons.

Matthew H. Phillips

Principal
New York

 

Matt Phillips is a Principal at Winged Keel Group, where he has been a central force in shaping the culture, growth, and direction of the company. Matt became a Principal in 2003, and for over two decades has supported the firm’s strategic expansion while mentoring the next generation of Client Relationship Managers and reinforcing the firm’s position as a leading advisor to ultra-affluent families and single-family offices.

Throughout his time at Winged Keel, Matt has worked closely with single-family offices, delivering tailored, high-impact solutions for highly complex wealth structures. His ability to build deep, lasting relationships has made him a trusted strategic partner to clients navigating the complexities of generational wealth. Matt has led with vision, experience, and a deep commitment to client success. He specializes in designing and implementing sophisticated life insurance portfolios that support long-term estate and investment planning objectives. His work spans both Traditional Life Insurance—used as a component in business continuation and estate planning—and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), a highly-effective tool in intergenerational wealth transfer and tax-efficient investment strategies.

A frequent speaker at wealth management conferences and family office forums, Matt is recognized throughout the industry for his insights on Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), Private Placement Variable Annuities (PPVA), and advanced planning strategies. His thought leadership has been featured in top publications including Bloomberg Tax and Trusts & Estates, including nuanced topics such as non-bloodline family member planning and charitable planning.

Matt graduated from Bard College and is originally from Larchmont, New York. He currently lives in New Rochelle with his wife and two children, and enjoys playing golf, ice hockey, and running.

CA Insurance License #0G57294 AR Insurance License #1510283


Mark J. Richards

Principal
Denver

 

Mark J. Richards is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and leads the firm’s Denver office.  He specializes in offering creative asset transfer and legacy preservation strategies to ultra-affluent families and business owners through the design, implementation, and administration of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance portfolios.  Mark is a well-regarded presence in the Denver estate planning community, having served as a trusted resource for over 30 years.  His clients include real estate developers, oil and gas executives, family offices, and executives of privately and publicly traded companies. 

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2023, Mark served as President and CEO of The Madison Group, Inc., a 55-year-old insurance firm and the first member of M Financial Group in Colorado.  Prior to that, Mark was Founder and President of the M.J. Richards Company, a Denver-based financial planning firm specializing in consulting, investment, and life insurance services. 

Outside of work, Mark is passionate about giving back to the financial services industry and the greater community.  He has served as the Chairman of The Economic Club of Colorado, Chairman of the AALU Trust and Estate Committee, and is a founding member of the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Colorado.  

Mark is a graduate of Oneonta State University with a double major in education and history.  He holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 22, and 63 securities registrations as well as the professional designations of Certified Financial Planner™, Chartered Life Underwriter®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Accredited Estate Planner®.  

Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.  He is also an avid reader and athlete, having competed as a cyclist, open-water swimmer, marathoner, and triathlete.  In winter, he enjoys skiing in Colorado.

CA Insurance License #0787572


Jeri L. Turley

Principal
Richmond

 

Jeri is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, leading the firm’s Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. offices. Working closely with ultra-affluent families, their businesses, and their advisors throughout the asset accumulation and transfer process, she specializes in structuring, implementing, and administering customized insurance solutions that enhance asset accumulation strategies, promote philanthropic giving, and help maximize the value passed to future generations. Jeri also plays a lead role in growing the firm’s corporate owned life insurance (COLI) and partner owned life insurance (POLI) businesses, delivering expertise and insight to various organizations, including law firms, on customized plans designed to fund benefit liabilities and support after-tax savings programs.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2019, Jeri served as President and Principal of BCG Companies in Richmond, VA, and BCG Holleman in Chevy Chase, MD. She joined BCG Companies in 1994, serving in various roles while developing a strong understanding of the needs of ultra-affluent families and their businesses. She also coordinated and supervised the case design, underwriting, and servicing efforts of BCG’s professional staff in both the Richmond and Chevy Chase offices.

Advocating for social progress, innovation, and informed decision-making in successful succession planning, Jeri has authored articles for LinkedIn’s Pulse and Private Wealth magazine. Jeri is a Past Chair of the Board of Directors for Finseca (formerly AALU) and she has served on the Board of Directors of M Financial Holdings, Inc. Jeri is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Richmond, a member of the Go Red Executive Leadership Team of the American Heart Association, and an active member of the Professional Advisor Council of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond.

Jeri earned a BBA in International Business and Economics from James Madison University, where she joined the Alpha Phi International Fraternity, a fraternity of women supporting one another in lifelong achievement. She remains an active supporter of the organization’s efforts to empower limitless excellence. 

Splitting time between Winged Keel’s Richmond and Washington, D.C. offices, Jeri resides in Richmond with her husband and stays busy keeping up with their three sons in her free time.


David A. Wischmeier
Principal
Minneapolis
Lawton M. Nease, III
Principal
Atlanta
Campbell T. Gerrish
Principal Emeritus
New York
Brian Henricks
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Scottsdale

David A. Wischmeier

Principal
Minneapolis

 

David Wischmeier is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, and co-head of the Minneapolis office. David has over 25 years of experience as an estate planning attorney, insurance company product analyst, and a financial planner. David is focused on advanced life insurance planning and has extensive experience in designing complex life insurance solutions for ultra-affluent individuals.

David's career began at Minnesota Life Insurance Company where he served as a product analyst and later Senior Advanced Marketing Counsel. He then served as an estate planning and benefits attorney with Parsinen, Bowman and Levy. In 2000, David joined MBW Group as Advanced Planning Counsel, becoming a partner in 2007.  MBW Group merged their practice with Winged Keel Group in 2025.

As one of the nation’s leading authorities on insurance legislation and estate and tax planning, David is a frequent guest speaker at national and regional insurance meetings. Additionally, his expert testimony on life settlements has been used in passing government legislation to protect consumers from stranger originated life insurance practices. 

David attended the College of St. Scholastica where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Computer Information Systems.  He later earned a Juris Doctor degree from William Mitchell College of Law, and subsequently became a Chartered Life Underwriter. 

David is active in several community non-profits including serving as a board member of Saint Paul's Outreach (SPO) and coaching youth soccer.

CA Insurance License #1906294

Lawton M. Nease, III

Principal
Atlanta

 

Biography coming soon.

Campbell T. Gerrish

Principal Emeritus
New York

 

A recognized leader in the insurance industry, Campbell co-founded Winged Keel Group—one of the leading independent life insurance brokerage firms in the U.S.—in 1989.  While continuing to cultivate the client advisor relationships he has developed for more than four decades, Campbell dedicates significant time to mentoring future leaders who will take Winged Keel Group through to its next level of multigenerational partnership. Driving strategic alignment with Winged Keel Group’s core values, Campbell also serves a vital role in leading philanthropic efforts within the firm.

After joining the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) Board of Directors in 1995, and becoming a member of the Executive Committee in 1998, Campbell served as President of the AALU in 2001.  During his tenure as President, Campbell spearheaded AALU’s creation of the AALU Issues Alliance, an invaluable partnership between AALU and the industry’s leading organizations that, today, continues to address key legislative and regulatory issues impacting advanced life insurance planning.  In 2016, the AALU presented Campbell with the Gerald H. Sherman Service Award, recognizing him for his accomplishments and contributions in helping AALU fulfill its mission to promote, protect, and preserve the life insurance industry. 

Campbell is an active participant in the development of The M Center of Excellence at The American College, focused on facilitating longer, healthier lives, lived well. He spoke at the Summit on Business and Future of Aging at the 20th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference, and has also been a featured speaker at industry conferences and annual meetings of the AALU and others.

A 1973 graduate of Princeton University, Campbell is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and holds a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS). 

Campbell is married with three children and lives in Rye, New York. With a deep appreciation for his local community, Campbell is an active supporter of New York charitable organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Cristo Rey New York High School.  In the past, he has served on the boards of The Partnership for a Drug Free America and The Breast Cancer Alliance.

Brian Henricks

Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Scottsdale

 

Brian Henricks is a Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager of Winged Keel Group.  He works closely with ultra-affluent families and their professional advisors on the structuring, implementation, and servicing of life insurance and annuity solutions designed to help enhance asset preservation and asset transfer strategies.  He specializes in the areas of estate, business succession, and charitable planning.

Brian is an integral part of Winged Keel’s West Coast operations, leveraging his strong relationships within the Los Angeles financial services and banking communities and expansive knowledge of advanced planning strategies.  He joined Winged Keel in 2022 with more than 15 years of experience in life insurance advisory. 

Brian is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas with a BA in Marketing and holds Series 6, 63, 7, and 24 securities registrations.  Residing in Scottsdale with his wife and daughter, Brian enjoys golf, cooking, and family vacations to San Diego and Telluride.

CA Insurance License #0G27452


Zach Specht
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Dallas
Kathleen Watt
Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
New York
Christopher Cooley
Senior Director, Client Relationship Manager
Nashville
Scott Coppeto
Senior Director, Client Relationship Manager
New York

Zach Specht

Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
Dallas

 

Zach Specht is a Managing Director at Winged Keel Group. Based in Texas, he collaborates closely with ultra-affluent clients and their advisors to structure and implement life insurance and annuity portfolios, specializing in Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and Annuity (PPVA) products.  He joined Winged Keel Group’s New York City office as a Design Analyst in April 2013 before advancing into the role of Client Relationship Manager in March 2014.  After nine years in New York, Zach relocated to Winged Keel’s San Francisco office to help grow the firm’s west coast presence.  Zach now lives in Dallas and enjoys playing golf and supporting his alma mater and hometown Texas Longhorns.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Zach worked at SALI Fund Services in Austin, Texas, where he worked closely with asset managers to build and onboard Insurance-Dedicated Funds (IDFs) as investment options on life insurance company separate account platforms.

Zach is a graduate of The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in finance.  He holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

CA License #4272138

Kathleen Watt

Managing Director, Client Relationship Manager
New York

 

As a Managing Director of Winged Keel, Katie Watt works closely with clients in the design, implementation, and administration of life insurance portfolios for asset management and planning purposes.  Katie joined Winged Keel Group as a Design Analyst in 2014, supporting the Principals of the firm with life insurance portfolio reviews and client presentations.  In 2019, she advanced to the role of Senior Client Relationship Associate and was promoted to Director in 2022. 

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group, Katie served as Actuarial Analyst at John Hancock in Boston, where she gained experience in pricing life insurance products. 

Katie is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.  She holds Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  Katie resides in Hoboken, NJ, and enjoys playing soccer, running, reading, and sampling chocolates.

Christopher Cooley

Senior Director, Client Relationship Manager
Nashville

 

Christopher “Chris” Cooley serves as Senior Director and Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group, based in Nashville, Tennessee. In his role, he is instrumental in advancing the firm’s strategic expansion throughout the Southeast. Chris works closely with institutions and financial advisors to deliver tailored insurance planning solutions to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. His consultative approach and deep technical expertise in estate planning and wealth transfer strategies strengthen Winged Keel’s ability to serve clients with precision and care.

Chris brings over 30 years of industry experience, having held leadership roles at MetLife, Legacy Wealth Management, and TPG Financial. At MetLife, he advanced from Sales Associate to Managing Director, leading a top-performing office in Atlanta. He later co-founded Legacy Wealth Management and spent two decades at TPG Financial, where he consulted with advisors at UBS, Morgan Stanley, and other major firms on complex insurance and estate planning strategies. In 2024, he launched Prosperity Life Advisory Group to further elevate the client experience through independent, bespoke solutions.

Chris graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and fiduciary standards.

Originally from Seattle and raised in Atlanta, Chris and his four siblings were all adopted into a large family, shaping his values around connection and resilience. He now resides in Franklin, Tennessee with his wife Shelli. Chris’s two children are college graduates pursuing their own paths. Outside of work, Chris is a lifelong competitive soccer player, finding parallels between the sport and his professional life in strategy, teamwork, and discipline.

CA #4243309

Scott Coppeto

Senior Director, Client Relationship Manager
New York

 

Scott Coppeto is a Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group where his experience as an estate planning attorney, financial advisor, financial planning specialist, advanced planning attorney and an insurance planning specialist enables him to be a valued partner to financial advisors and other professionals.  Utilizing his experience in the industry, Scott’s focus is on his long-standing relationships with the financial institution community. 

For over 20 years, Scott has been providing planning-based analyses and consultative advice regarding sophisticated financial planning areas such as estate and legacy planning, business succession planning, wealth transfer and retirement planning.

Scott has contributed to various industry articles on topics such as estate planning, retirement planning, and life insurance. Scott currently holds the Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, Chartered Life Underwriter and Certified Long Term Care accreditations. He is a past president of the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey.

Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in politics and economics from King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Although licensed in New York and New Jersey, he is currently retired from the practice of law and does not provide legal or tax advice.

Anthony Iorio
Senior Director, Client Relationship Manager
New York
William J. Ventura
Senior Director, Client Relationship Manager
Orlando
Devra Gerber
Client Relationship Manager
Atlanta
Leigh Harter
Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

Anthony Iorio

Senior Director, Client Relationship Manager
New York

 

As a Client Relationship Senior Director of Winged Keel Group, Anthony Iorio collaborates closely with ultra-affluent clients and their advisors throughout the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios.  Anthony joined Winged Keel as an Accounting and Finance Associate in 2014 and most recently supported the Principals of the firm with life insurance reviews and client presentations as a Design Associate. 

Anthony previously held accounting positions at AvePoint and CareOne Management.  He is a graduate of Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts in Organization and Management Studies, where he was a member of the varsity wrestling team.  Anthony earned a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Pace University and he holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

Anthony resides in Union City, New Jersey and enjoys golf, traveling, and reading in his free time.

William J. Ventura

Senior Director, Client Relationship Manager
Orlando

 

William “Bill” Ventura is a Senior Director and Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group. Based in Orlando, Bill works closely with financial institutions and advisors across Florida to deliver tailored insurance planning solutions to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. His technical specialty in estate planning and gifting strategies, combined with his consultative and innovative approach, strengthens Winged Keel’s ability to work collaboratively with advisors to serve the dynamic needs of clients.

Bill has more than 25 years of experience working in complex financial planning areas involving estate, legacy, wealth transfer, and business succession planning. This includes advising financial advisors on advanced solutions for affluent clients and transforming how advisors integrate life insurance solutions into their practices.

Bill previously spent more than two decades with Lincoln Financial Distributors, where he developed deep expertise in point-of-sale collaboration within the nation’s leading financial institutions, including Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo. As Sales Vice President, he drove record-breaking results, earning Lincoln’s Hall of Fame (2017) and two President’s Cup (2017, 2019) awards. He also served as Head of Strategic Growth for Modern Life, a technology-driven Brokerage General Agency.

Bill earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Denison University. He holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) designations, completing his CFP® coursework at DePaul University. Outside of work, he enjoys life with his wife, Jessica, and their two children, as well as traveling, golfing, and going to see live music.

Devra Gerber

Client Relationship Manager
Atlanta

 

Based in Atlanta, Devra Gerber works with families, businesses, and their advisors to design and implement personalized insurance and risk management solutions. With more than 30 years of experience, she brings a broad business perspective and deep specialization across property and casualty, life insurance, and long-term care planning.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Devra served as a Director at NFP Insurance Solutions. Earlier in her career, she was Managing Director of a privately held insurance brokerage, where she played a key role in long-term strategic planning, business development, and oversight of several core functional areas.

Devra holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Leigh Harter

Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

 

Leigh Harter brings over 25 years of experience and a distinctive track record of wealth transfer and insurance specialization that includes all aspects of high-net-worth life insurance. Her experience ranges from advanced underwriting and life settlement negotiation to portfolio analysis and case design.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Leigh spent 12 years as Managing Director at NFP Insurance Solutions. Before that, Leigh was Managing Director and ran the Chicago office for Pinnacle Financial Group. Prior to that, she was Managing Director of The Insurance Design Center (IDC), where she specialized in advanced case design from 2004 through 2012 and built a fee-based life insurance consulting model with a national footprint. She has also worked at Goldstein Financial Group, The Orchard Group, and JR Katz, all in the Chicago, Illinois area.

As a renowned specialist in her field, Leigh has been published in Trusts and Estates magazine and the Journal of Practical Estate Planning on topics such as Holistic Estate Planning, Life Insurance Valuation and Business Continuation Planning. She helped develop and teach a national program to educate law firms, trust companies, Accounting firms, investment advisors and family offices on changes in the insurance industry, as well as the opportunities and risks of holding life insurance capital. Leigh's contributions and experience in writing and speaking about life insurance have made her a frequent, in-demand presenter at industry events.

Leigh graduated magna cum laude from DePaul University with a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Registered Investment Advisor. She also holds the NASD Series 7 and 66 certifications. She is a member of the Chicago Finance Exchange, on the executive committee for Lurie Children’s Legacy Partners group, and serves on the board of the Chicago Estate Planning Council as well as the Networking and Annual Outing Committees.

Leigh was actively involved in leading her sons’ Boy Scout troops and helped them achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. She has participated in seven triathlons plans to “race” again in the 2026 Chicago Triathlon. She enjoys camping, gardening, gourmet cooking, skiing, biking, boxing, and yoga.

Jacob Hartz
Client Relationship Manager
Chicago
Jordan Kreke
Director, Client Relationship Manager
St. Louis
Todd Loving
Client Relationship Manager
Richmond
Larry Lubin
Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

Jacob Hartz

Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

 

Based in Chicago, Jacob Hartz works closely with ultra-high-net-worth families and their advisors on sophisticated insurance strategies, combining his legal training in estate planning with his experience as a family office generalist and private client advisor. He consults on complex techniques involving estate planning, life insurance finance, private placement life insurance, charitable planning and the efficient transfer of wealth across generations.

Since 2022, Jacob has taught Insurance Planning at Northwestern University’s CFP certificate program. In addition to life insurance, he is an expert in the design and implementation of annuities, long-term care plans and high-limit disability insurance for exceptionally successful professionals.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Jacob spent six years as Managing Director at NFP Insurance Solutions, focusing on serving the ultra-high-net-worth community through a consultative approach to life insurance planning, portfolio management, and in-force policy review.

Prior to joining the firm, Jacob was an advisor in the Chicago office of Lenox Advisors, a New York-based wealth management firm. At Lenox, Jacob and his team of financial planners gained a reputation for helping high-income professionals and entrepreneurs mitigate taxes, plan for retirement and leave a legacy for future generations using insurance-backed strategies.

Jacob graduated from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University with a focus on tax and estate planning. He began his career at GVW Group, a family office-owned private holding company in Highland Park, IL. There he performed due diligence for investment opportunities and ran special projects for the firm’s operating companies, working closely with the Chairman and various executive committees.

Jacob resides in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood with his wife and children. He volunteers on working committees for Partners Financial and is a member of Finseca and the Chicago Estate Planning Council. Outside of work he is a racquet sports enthusiast and enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children.

Jordan Kreke

Director, Client Relationship Manager
St. Louis

 

Jordan Kreke is a Director and Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group.  In his role, Jordan collaborates with private wealth advisors, attorneys, and their clients on the acquisition of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance.  With a specialization in serving professional athletes, ultra-affluent families, and business owners, Jordan adopts an educational approach to address complex business continuity, wealth transfer, and estate planning needs. 

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Jordan was an Associate Producer at a life insurance firm in St. Louis and held the position of National Sales Director within a life insurance and annuity wholesaler.  Before his tenure began in the life insurance industry, Jordan played professional baseball for the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros. 

He serves as a board member on the St. Louis Estate Planning Council and remains active in the community, volunteering for the local high school’s CEO program and coaching baseball. 

Jordan holds a BA in Accounting from Eastern Illinois University, where he was a standout shortstop and captain of the EIU baseball team.  He holds Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) certifications, as well as Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 

Residing on a 20-acre farm in Trenton, IL with his wife and four daughters, Jordan enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, playing golf, and hunting.

Todd Loving

Client Relationship Manager
Richmond

 

Todd Loving brings more than 30 years of experience advising professionals, high-net-worth families and closely held businesses on sophisticated insurance and wealth preservation strategies. He collaborates closely with high-income professionals, ultra-affluent clients, and their advisors to design and implement customized insurance planning solutions that support supplemental retirement income, business succession, estate planning, and wealth transfer objectives.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Todd served as Managing Director at NFP Insurance Solutions after spending nearly a decade as Senior Insurance Consultant with Forvis Mazars LLP. At Forvis, he led the firm's internal insurance practice, partnering with the firm's Partners, Directors, Wealth Advisors, and clients to develop customized life insurance strategies that supported long-term succession, estate, and legacy planning objectives.

Todd began his career with New York Life and later Northwestern Mutual, where he advised business owners and high-net-worth individuals on a broad range of financial planning strategies. Those experiences provided him with a strong foundation in life insurance, investments, and wealth management, while reinforcing his commitment to delivering objective, client-focused advice.

Todd earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics from Radford University. He lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Sloan, and their two children.

Larry Lubin

Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

 

Larry Lubin is a trusted advisor to high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, and privately held businesses on complex life insurance and wealth transfer strategies. With more than 40 years of experience in risk management, he is a respected and established voice in the life insurance industry.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Larry served as Executive Director of Life Insurance Strategies at NFP Insurance Solutions in Chicago. Before entering the life insurance industry, he spent more than 25 years as an independent trader of futures, equities, and options, developing a deep understanding of risk management and complex financial markets.

Larry believes the most effective planning is achieved through a collaborative, team-based approach. Working alongside the professionals at Winged Keel Group, he partners closely with each client's advisor network or family office to design and implement customized life insurance strategies that protect, enhance, and efficiently transfer wealth across generations.

His practice encompasses both traditional estate planning solutions and effective Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) strategies. Helping clients achieve tax-efficient wealth accumulation, protection and wealth transfer, while addressing the unique needs of multi-generational families and closely held businesses.

Larry holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Finance and Real Estate from the University of Illinois.

Brian Murray
Director, Client Relationship Manager
Philadelphia
Matthew Naumec
Director, Client Relationship Manager
Boston
Lily Richards
Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Los Angeles
Carolyn Rogers
Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Washington, D.C.

Brian Murray

Director, Client Relationship Manager
Philadelphia

 

Brian Murray is a Director and Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group.  In this role, Brian works with affluent clients and their advisors to structure and implement life insurance and annuity portfolios, including Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI).  He specializes in helping institutional advisors leverage life insurance for their clients’ wealth transfer, estate planning, and business continuity needs.   

Brian began his career focusing on long-term care planning and estate planning with a prominent life insurance company before transitioning to become a life insurance brokerage manager, working closely with high-end traditional life insurance agents.  In 2005, Brian joined a New York-based insurance company as an account executive, partnering with advisors of national financial institutions to offer life insurance solutions to their clients.  Two years later, he was recruited by Merrill Lynch to serve as their in-house Wealth Structuring Specialist for Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Jersey, and Maryland, collaborating with approximately 600 advisors to provide expertise on charitable, business, and wealth transfer planning.

In 2014, Brian left this role to help start an RIA firm, where he served as the director of Wealth Structuring and Business Advisory Services.  While working with the RIA's clients, Brian continued to nurture relationships with advisors he had connected with throughout his career.  This eventually led to the launch of his own firm, Allegiance Insurance Wealth Structuring, LLC, in January of 2018.  

Throughout his career, Brian has emphasized the importance of letting the plan guide the outcome, and he believes in working closely with financial advisors to ensure that the wealth they help create for their clients is protected and aligned with their long-term goals.

Brian is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a BS in Marketing, holds a Health and Life license, and holds Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  He resides in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and enjoys coaching lacrosse as well as golfing, skiing, and snowboarding with his wife and three children.

Matthew Naumec

Director, Client Relationship Manager
Boston

 

Matthew Naumec is a Client Relationship Director of Winged Keel Group.  Based in the firm’s Boston office, he collaborates closely with ultra-affluent clients, their advisors, and Winged Keel’s Case Design team on the design and implementation of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios.  Matthew joined Winged Keel Group’s Boston office as a Design Associate in March 2021, and he was promoted to Client Relationship Associate in January 2023.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Matthew played golf professionally for two and a half years, holding status on The Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamerica.  His professional golf highlight came when he competed in the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.  Matthew resided in Palm Beach Gardens, FL during his professional golf career.

Matthew is a graduate of the Morrissey College of Arts & Science at Boston College with a BA in Economics.  He lives in Boston, Massachusetts and enjoys competing in high-level amateur golf tournaments, reading, traveling, and fishing.

Lily Richards

Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Los Angeles

 

Lily Richards is a Senior Associate of Winged Keel Group. Splitting her time between Los Angeles and the firm’s Denver office, Lily works closely with ultra-affluent clients and their advisors through the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios. Lily also collaborates with clients to create strategies that support their asset creation and generational legacy planning goals. She joined the firm in 2023.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Lily served as a Financial Professional with The Madison Group where she customized multi-generational insurance portfolios for ultra-affluent families, with a focus on the preservation of family legacies.  

Lily graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing and Acting and minors in Marketing and Political Communications. She holds Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.

Lily is also active in the entertainment industry as a writer, director, actor, and film producer.  Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling the world, game nights with friends, long walks, sculpting, and new culinary experiences.

CA Insurance License #4219186


Carolyn Rogers

Senior Associate, Client Relationship Manager
Washington, D.C.

 

Carolyn Rogers is a Client Relationship Manager at Winged Keel Group. Located in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, Carolyn works closely with ultra-affluent clients and their advisors through the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuity portfolios. She specializes in structuring customized insurance solutions designed to assist clients in their asset accumulation, asset transfer, and business succession planning. 

Carolyn joined Winged Keel in 2025, bringing over 20 years of experience in the life insurance industry. She graduated cum laude from George Washington University with a degree in international affairs with concentrations in international development and international economics. Carolyn is a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.

Carolyn is active in the Washington, D.C. Estate Planning Council, currently serving on the Board of Directors. She resides in Maryland with her husband and two sons, and enjoys hiking, wildlife photography, and exploring new cuisines and places.
 

AR #8688777 CA #0L01211

Steve Schaumberger
Client Relationship Manager
Chicago
Sam Steinberg
Client Relationship Manager
Chicago
Guy Zomick
Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

Steve Schaumberger

Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

 

Steve Schaumberger has worked closely with professionals and advisors to design and implement strategies providing innovative and personalized insurance and risk management solutions on behalf of families and businesses.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Steve was Managing Director at NFP Insurance Solutions. Over the past 35 years, he has built his career around connecting people, advocating for clients, and helping solve complex planning challenges.

Steve has authored numerous articles, including “Insurance Arbitrage,” “Mitigating the Triple Tax Whammy,” “Creating a Framework to Control Cost,” and “Seeing the Forest through the Trees: A Look at the Turnover Cost on a Company’s Bottom Line.” He has spoken extensively on planned giving and philanthropy at industry conferences, including M Financial, Partners Financial, the Chicago Estate Planning Council, Forum 400, and AALU.

Steve is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Business School. He is the past president of the Harvard Business School Club of Chicago and a current board member of the Harvard Club of Chicago.

He is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Executives Club of Chicago, the JUF Professional Advisory Committee, the Chicago Estate Planning Council, the Greater North Shore Estate & Financial Planning Council, and the Annual Fund of Ravinia Festival. Steve is an avid photographer, including daily sunrise photography.

Sam Steinberg

Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

 

Sam Steinberg, based in our Chicago office, brings over seven years of experience in the insurance industry and a wealth of knowledge to Winged Keel Group. Her journey has equipped her with end-to-end specialization, both fostering strong client relationships and crafting personalized solutions through direct interaction. Her understanding extends to the technical aspects of insurance, including risk assessment and crafting tailored policy solutions through her involvement in underwriting and case design.

This combined experience allows Sam to navigate complexities and deliver exceptional results with precision. One of Sam's standout qualities is her unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. She prioritizes understanding and meeting the unique needs of clients, ensuring that every project is tailored to deliver maximum value and exceed expectations.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Sam spent two years as Senior Project Manager at NFP Insurance Solutions, building a strong foundation in both client service and technical insurance processes.

Sam earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from The Ohio State University, bringing a strong foundation of financial acumen to her role.

Outside of work, Sam enjoys golf and dragon boat racing, where she thrives in the collaborative and competitive spirit of the sport.

Guy Zomick

Client Relationship Manager
Chicago

 

Guy Zomick works closely with clients and their teams of advisors, including accountants, attorneys, and financial advisors, to support customized insurance solutions. His practice expands beyond his Chicago base as he serves owners and executives of closely held businesses, families, real estate owners, and developers around the country.

Guy helps clients achieve their individual goals and objectives through his wide-ranging experience, industry involvement, and commitment to service with cutting edge techniques and strategic planning. He works collaboratively with accountants, attorneys, financial advisors, and other members of each client’s advisory team to support coordinated planning and implementation.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Guy spent 17 years as Managing Director at NFP Insurance Solutions, bringing experience shaped by his family business background, family office perspective, and financial and legal education.

Guy earned his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa and his Juris Doctor degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Business Development

Donna Litke
Managing Director of Sales and Business Development
David Baeckelandt
Director, Business Development

Donna Litke

Managing Director of Sales and Business Development


 

Donna Litke is a Managing Director of Sales and Business Development for Winged Keel, where she oversees a growing national sales team and the Financial Institutions channel. With over 30 years of experience in life insurance and sales management, she empowers her team to enhance their impact and results by leveraging Winged Keel’s extensive resources.

Donna previously served as Vice President of Strategic Relationships for M Financial Group, where her responsibilities included carrier relationships and firm recruiting. Prior to that, as Chief Marketing Officer at BKA Financial, she was instrumental in expanding their regional footprint and establishing the firm’s national presence with financial institutions.
Earlier in her career, she had successful tenure at Lincoln Financial Group (LFG) where she was a multiyear winner of the prestigious Top Regional Sales Director Award and earned the Platinum Achievement Award for three consecutive years. She has also worked directly with Private Wealth Advisors at firms such as Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Merrill Lynch on advanced sales strategies for ultra-high-net-worth clients.

Donna’s sales success is matched by her reputation for building strong, lasting relationships across the industry. A graduate of Florida Southern College, she is also an avid athlete and a supporter of many charities. Donna lives in Glastonbury, CT with her husband Mike and her two sons.

David Baeckelandt

Director, Business Development


 

Dave Baeckelandt is a Director of Business Development at Winged Keel Group. In this role, he works with affluent clients and their advisors to structure and implement life insurance and annuity portfolios, including Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI). Dave specializes in helping clients leverage life insurance for their wealth transfer, estate planning, and business continuity needs.

Dave has led sales teams offering access to alternative products, primarily private equity, to family offices, pension plans, endowments, foundations, and sovereign wealth funds across North America, Benelux, and Japan. Before joining Winged Keel, he was Senior Vice President, Head of Client Relations, at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management, one of Asia’s largest asset managers, leading a global sales team focused on public and private investment strategies. He was previously with Cambridge Associates, where he led sales for the company’s Optica division (benchmarking/research/data tools). Dave leadership roles also include Mercer Investment Consulting where he was the U.S. business leader for their analytics and research group, and William Blair, where he established and ran their Japan office. Dave began his career structuring 401(k) plans, retirement plans, and rabbi trusts for Japanese transplant firms in the U.S.

Dave earned a B.A. and M.A. in History from the University of Illinois and a certificate in Advanced Japanese studies at Konan University, Kobe, Japan. Dave has spoken on the nexus between finance and history and moderated various professional panels. Past speaking engagements have included talks on “Chicago’s Financial Firsts” and “Japanese Financial Art.”

Outside the office Dave has played an active leadership role in several nonprofit organizations, including the Japan America Society of Chicago (Executive Board, Board of Directors, 2000-2012), Belgian Publishing Inc. (President and Chairman of the Board, 2012-2014), and the Nederlandse Taalunie (on the U.S. Advisory Board of the Belgian-Dutch nonprofit since 2013). He also enjoys spending time with his wife and three children in suburban Chicago and tinkering on his 1966 Chevy.

Finance

Vikash Haritwal
Principal

Vikash Haritwal

Principal


 

Vikash Haritwal is a Principal of Winged Keel Group.  He joined the firm as an Associate in 2008, advancing into Senior Associate and Controller positions.  He is responsible for the firm's accounting, financial reporting, and licensing.  

Vikash holds a BA from the University of Pune in India and an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology.  Residing in New Jersey with his wife and daughter, Vikash finds great joy in moments spent with his family and in seeing and exploring new places.

Design

Eric Hieber
Principal
John Kessinger
Principal
Kenneth J. Masters
Principal
Mee Mei Zhao
Director, Case Design

Eric Hieber

Principal


 

Eric Hieber is a Principal of Winged Keel Group. Based in the firm’s Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. offices, Eric oversees case design and the management of client relationships. In addition to helping families address liquidity needs, Eric specializes in working with companies across a variety of industries to structure customized insurance solutions that provide funding for nonqualified executive benefit plans and succession planning.

Prior to joining Winged Keel in 2019, Eric was a Principal of BCG Companies in Richmond. His association with BCG Companies began in 1993. He spent three years focused on the carrier side of the industry, gaining valuable insight as the Director of M Financial Marketing for Prudential, before returning to BCG Companies. Eric’s unique and diverse exposure to the life insurance industry drives his operational leadership and his ability to help clients make informed decisions.

Eric is an active member of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting) and previously served as President of the Estate Planning Council of Richmond. He has also co-authored articles on the use of life insurance as a long-term planning strategy. Eric currently serves on the Board of Directors and Development Committee for Sportable, an adaptive sports club for persons with disabilities and visual impairments. Eric earned a BS in Mathematics from the University of Richmond and is a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond, a community leadership development and engagement program. 

Eric and his family live in Richmond. In addition to actively supporting his two children’s various activities, Eric enjoys time focused on enriching his local community and traveling the world with his wife.

John Kessinger

Principal


 

John Kessinger is a Principal of Winged Keel Group.  As Head of Case Design, he plays an integral project management role for many of the firm's largest cases.  John delivers a depth of knowledge from more than 35 years of experience in the life insurance industry.  Prior to joining Winged Keel Group, he served as a Principal at a leading insurance firm in the Boston area.

John is a member of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting).  He holds the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU) designation from The American College, as well as FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  He studied English and Economics at John Carroll University and Boston University. 

John and his wife have two children and live near Boston, Massachusetts.  Splitting his time between Boston and New York, John is active with family, friends, and colleagues; he enjoys running, tennis, and reading in his free time.

Kenneth J. Masters

Principal


 

As a Principal of Winged Keel Group, Ken Masters works closely with a client’s team of advisors to design, model, and implement sophisticated life insurance and Private Placement portfolio strategies.  With the technical background required to build dynamic, advanced planning models, and an understanding of the transfer tax system, Ken enjoys being able to communicate complicated concepts and analysis in an understandable way.  Ken maintains relationships with a select group of family clients and advisors providing additional collaboration on the implementation and ongoing management of complicated life insurance portfolios.

Ken’s additional responsibilities include managing the case design team, a ten plus person team.  In his management capacity, Ken assists in the training and development of other members of the team and providing ongoing training and support to the firm’s Client Relationship Associates.  Ken actively works with the New Business, Client Services, and Communication and Marketing Teams supporting their efforts.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2018, Ken served as the Director of Life Insurance Design & Development at Pinnacle Financial Group for eight years.  Before that, he held roles directing R&D and advanced case design with two life insurance advisory companies and delivered advanced market consulting services to Sun Life Financial.

Ken is a member of the Boston Estate Planning Council (BEPC), Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting), and CFA Society Boston.  He has spoken on advanced estate planning techniques at national insurance conferences.  His articles have appeared in Private Wealth magazine, Estate Planning magazine, the online journal of Trusts & Estates magazine, and LinkedIn’s Pulse, and he has been quoted in various industry publications. 

Majoring in Finance, Ken graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management.  He is also a CFA® Charterholder, Chartered Life Underwriter®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Accredited Estate Planner®, and holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 66 securities registrations. 

Ken and his family live in Medfield, Massachusetts.  In addition to spending time with his family, Ken enjoys playing golf, rugby, and reading history.

Mee Mei Zhao

Director, Case Design


 

Mee Mei Zhao is a Director at Winged Keel Group and has been with the firm since 2011.  Supporting the firm’s Principals with client presentation preparation, her work encompasses a broad range of both traditional life insurance and private placement portfolio reviews, although her technical and analytical proficiency has led to a specialization in private placement accounts.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group, Mee Mei was an Actuarial Consultant with Buck Consultants, where she led Associates and Senior Associates in analysis and project planning for retirement accounts.  Her experience also includes Associate and Analyst work with GlobeOp and Moody’s Investors Service, both in New York.

Mee Mei holds a Bachelors of Arts in Finance and Actuarial Science, Cum Laude, Distinction FIN, from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  She resides in Queens, New York, is fluent in Cantonese, and enjoys traveling.

Douglas Doughty
Director
Amy Donaldson
Director
Kaleigh Hathaway
Associate Director, Case Design

Douglas Doughty

Director


 

Doug Doughty is a Director of Winged Keel Group.  Based in the firm’s Houston office, Doug oversees case design and works closely with a client’s team of advisors to structure and implement complex life insurance and annuity solutions.   

Doug brings vast industry knowledge and experience to the firm.  Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2021, he was the Director of Planning for Knight Planning Corporation, where he was responsible for product research, advanced planning techniques for estate and business planning, and overseeing financial underwriting.  He has also held positions with American General, Pacific Life, and Principal Financial Group in a variety of capacities, including sales and marketing, case design, and client relations. 
 
Doug graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.  He, along with his wife and three children, enjoy staying active in their church, spending weekends in Rockport, Texas and annual visits to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.  He is an avid follower of his favorite sports teams, including the Texas A&M Aggies, Houston Texans and Astros, and Buffalo Sabres.

Amy Donaldson

Director


 

Amy Donaldson is a Director at Winged Keel Group. Based in the firm’s Atlanta office, Amy works closely with clients and their advisors throughout the design and implementation process of complex life insurance plans.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2023, Amy was an Account Manager at Nease, Lagana, Eden & Culley where she was responsible for business continuity planning, supplemental executive retirement plans, split dollar arrangements, asset transfer planning, and disability income insurance.

Amy is a graduate of Mercer University, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. She is life insurance licensed and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. Amy is a registered representative of M Holdings Securities, Inc.

Kaleigh Hathaway

Associate Director, Case Design


 

Kaleigh Hathaway is an Associate Director of Case Design at Winged Keel Group.  In her role, Kaleigh works closely with clients and their advisors throughout the design, implementation, and ongoing administration of sophisticated life insurance solutions.  She is based in the firm’s San Francisco office and joined Winged Keel Group as a Design Associate in 2018. 
  
Kaleigh previously served as a case design analyst at an insurance advisory firm based in Charlotte, NC, where she gained experience in customizing insurance portfolios to help meet the unique planning needs of ultra-affluent families with a focus on the underlying analysis of client presentations.

Kaleigh is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science, double major in Mathematics and African Studies, and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations.  Kaleigh resides in San Francisco, and outside of the office she enjoys hiking, traveling, and volunteering with the SF-Marin Food Bank.
CA Insurance License #0M44100


Operations and Technology

Barbara Novak
Principal
Edward Skurko-Chan
Principal
Jerry Cheung
Director, IT and Cybersecurity
Merrill Rome
Director, Executive Assistance & Office Management

Barbara Novak

Principal


 

Barbara Novak is a Principal of Winged Keel Group.  She specializes in the structuring, implementation, and administration of both Traditional and Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuities, working directly on many of the firm’s largest and most complex portfolios.  Throughout her 25+ year career, Barbara has developed a breadth of experience in life insurance solutions for ultra-affluent individuals and their families. 
 
Barbara also spearheads firmwide initiatives to develop and strengthen Winged Keel’s operational platform.  She is focused on efforts that enable the firm to provide best-in-class service, leveraging her extensive experience with clients and their professional advisors.  She plays a key role in strategic planning initiatives, oversees Compliance, and serves on both the Technology & Innovation Committee and IT Risk & Information Security Committee. 
 
Prior to joining Winged Keel in 2008, Barbara spent 14 years managing the implementation and administration of life insurance portfolios for affluent individuals and families at another insurance advisory firm, while developing their operational platform.

Graduating from Columbia University with degrees in History and Sociology, Barbara also earned an MS in Statistics and Operations Research from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.  She is a Chartered Life Underwriter® and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 

Barbara resides in Haddonfield, NJ with her children and their two dogs.  She enjoys cycling, kayaking, and practicing yoga in her free time.

Edward Skurko-Chan

Principal


 

Ed Skurko-Chan is a Principal of Winged Keel Group, focused on the vision and strategy for driving innovation within the organization.  He works cross-functionally with teams in all departments to inspire best practices, increase efficiencies, and implement new technology systems. 

Ed joined Winged Keel in 2002 as a Design Associate and spent nearly 10 years with the firm.  He rejoined Winged Keel Group in 2018, transitioned to the role of Senior Operations Associate, and was promoted to Director of Innovation and Operations in 2019. 

Ed is a graduate of Hunter College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Economics and Sociology.  A former Hong Kong resident, he now resides in Brooklyn, New York, and enjoys traveling and pursuing his passion for photography.

Jerry Cheung

Director, IT and Cybersecurity


 

Jerry Cheung, CISSP, is a Director at Winged Keel Group, where he leads the firm's information technology and cybersecurity strategy. Working cross-functionally with teams across all departments, Jerry is responsible for ensuring the secure and efficient operation of the firm's technology infrastructure, driving IT governance and compliance, and guiding the adoption of emerging tools and platforms that enhance organizational performance.

Jerry brings more than 20 years of IT and security experience spanning both in-house and managed service environments. This breadth of perspective enables him to assess complex technical and operational challenges holistically and address critical situations with clarity and efficiency. His expertise encompasses IT strategy, cybersecurity program development, infrastructure management, and organizational risk management.

Prior to joining Winged Keel, Jerry served as Operations Manager at Cornerstone Information Technologies, LLC, a New York-based managed services provider specializing in small and mid-sized law firms. In that role, he led a team of more than 14 engineers and analysts responsible for supporting over 5,000 endpoints across a diverse client base, overseeing service delivery, team performance, and day-to-day operational execution.

Jerry holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Baruch College, City University of New York. He resides in Roseland, New Jersey, and outside of work can be found running, bicycling, and spending time with his family.

Merrill Rome

Director, Executive Assistance & Office Management


 

Merrill Rome serves as Director of the Executive Assistance and Office Management team.  Merrill has worked with Winged Keel Group Principal Brady Knight since 2011 and joined Winged Keel Group in January 2021 when Knight Planning merged with Winged Keel Group.  As Director, she oversees the Executive Assistants and Office Managers of all Winged Keel offices nationwide.  Prior to joining Brady’s team, Merrill was the recruiting director for three large Houston law firms for 16 years and coordinated law school and lateral hire interviews as well as firm events and the Summer Associate programs. 

Merrill received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin.  She is a native Houstonian, married with three adult children, and five grandchildren.  She enjoys travel, trivia, and great restaurants.

People and Culture

Nicole Harrington
Principal

Nicole Harrington

Principal


 

Nicole Harrington is a Principal of Winged Keel Group and oversees People & Culture.  Since joining the firm in 2002, Nicole has been an integral part of shaping the company culture, employee development, and employee engagement process. Nicole supports Winged Keel’s mission to build a creative and productive work environment that inspires innovation, growth, and evolution.

Nicole works closely with the Executive Management Committee to advise on all aspects of people and culture and spearheads the coaching program for rising leaders in the firm.  Winged Keel draws on her areas of experience in Talent Acquisition, Retainment Tools, Culture Assessment, Employee Relations, Employee Engagement, Leadership Development & Coaching, Performance Management, Training Programs, and Communication Effectiveness.

She is also a member of the Citizenship Committee, where she leverages her educational background and passion for giving back to help implement Winged Keel’s social impact strategy and firmwide initiatives such as the WKG Wellness program.  Nicole is one of the longest tenured members of the firm, and she remains committed to hiring high caliber talent and cultivating a dynamic work environment where employees thrive and maximize their potential.

Nicole holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Florida International University, and a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from Barry University.  She is also trained and certified as a Co-Active Executive Coach from the renowned Coaches Training Institute. 

Nicole enjoys cooking, practicing yoga, hiking, and traveling.  She also volunteers her time to Habitat for Humanity and Our House Grief Support Center.

Underwriting

Katharine Vinchot
Senior Director, Head of Underwriting
Ferne Landman
Director, Underwriting

Katharine Vinchot

Senior Director, Head of Underwriting


 

Kate Vinchot is the Senior Director of Underwriting at Winged Keel Group and has been with the firm for more than a decade. She began her career in 2007 as part of the Winged Keel Group college internship program, and subsequently advanced to several positions within the Underwriting department.

Kate has managed the underwriting and implementation of some of the largest portfolios of both traditional and private placement life insurance within the firm, as well as private placement variable annuities. In her current role, she oversees the Underwriting department, and manages the resources of the team to ensure that clients and their advisors receive white-glove service throughout the implementation process.

Kate is a graduate of Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, and in addition to spending time with her family, she enjoys cooking and reading.

Ferne Landman

Director, Underwriting


 

Ferne Landman works closely with advisors, carriers, and clients to support thoughtful underwriting outcomes and the implementation of efficient insurance solutions tailored to client needs. She serves as a liaison between insurance carriers and clients, helping ensure that underwriting is handled effectively and that appropriate products are implemented in alignment with each client’s planning goals.

Prior to joining Winged Keel Group in 2026, Ferne was Director of Operations at NFP Insurance Solutions. She began with the firm in 1983 and played a central role in building and supporting the team’s operational and underwriting capabilities.

She is a past participant of the Partners Financial Underwriting Committee, where she joined other industry professionals in reviewing global underwriting issues affecting Partners members and advocating for change when necessary.

Ferne holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She has been a Chartered Life Underwriter since 1988 and has completed numerous industry-related courses throughout her career.

Ferne resides in Chicago, IL with her husband.  She enjoys pilates, yoga, water aerobics, and pickleball in her free time.

Client Services

Brigette DiNicola
Senior Director, Head of Client Services
Jennifer Fitzgerald
Director, Client Services
Christian Lysinger
Director, Client Services

Brigette DiNicola

Senior Director, Head of Client Services


 

Brigette DiNicola is a Senior Director of Winged Keel Group, with more than 20 years of experience in the life insurance industry. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the service and administration of Traditional and Private Placement life insurance and annuity portfolios and managing the team of service professionals. 
 
Prior to rejoining Winged Keel Group, Brigette served as Principal and Co-Chief Operating Officer at Financial Architects Partners in Boston, where she oversaw client service, underwriting, sales support, and operational initiatives.  She began her career in life insurance in 1998 as an Account Manager with Winged Keel Group.  In her six-year tenure, she was promoted to Manager of Implementation and Client Relations. 
  
Brigette received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia.  She is a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, Fellow of the Academy of Life Underwriting, Chartered Life Underwriter®, and Chartered Financial Consultant®, and she holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. 

Brigette resides in Needham, MA with her husband and three kids.  She enjoys spending her free time with friends, watching her children’s youth sports games, reading, and volunteering.

Jennifer Fitzgerald

Director, Client Services


 

As a Director with Winged Keel Group, Jennifer Fitzgerald manages Client Services for clients with Traditional Life Insurance and Corporate Owned Life Insurance portfolios. She is responsible for overseeing inforce policy management, providing efficient and proactive service, and developing customized reporting to ensure the effective management of each client’s life insurance portfolio. Jennifer applies her analytical skills to review complex and sophisticated insurance portfolios and develop and automate team metrics.

In her 10+ year career prior to joining Winged Keel in 2019, Jennifer held the positions of Client Services Analyst at BCG Companies and Sales Support Specialist at Principal Financial Group.

Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations. She resides outside of Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys cooking, outdoor pursuits, and spending time at the beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.


Christian Lysinger

Director, Client Services


 

As a Director with Winged Keel Group, Christian Lysinger manages Client Services for Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and Private Placement Variable Annuity (PPVA) portfolios. In his role, he oversees customized reporting for PPLI and PPVA accounts and their accompanying investment vehicles, as well portfolio reviews and analytics, investment allocations, and all other aspects of servicing the portfolios.

Christian joined Winged Keel Group in 2014 as an Associate. He was promoted to Senior Associate before advancing to Director within the Client Services department.

Christian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communication and Chinese Studies, magna cum laude, from the University at Albany. He holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations and is also a CFA® Charterholder. Christian resides in Manhattan and enjoys skiing, hiking, and camping.

Marketing and Communications

Jacob Boston
Managing Director, Marketing and Communications
Arrael Kurth
Director, Marketing & Events

Jacob Boston

Managing Director, Marketing and Communications


 

Jacob Boston is Managing Director of Marketing and Communications at Winged Keel Group. He leads the strategic direction and execution of the firm’s marketing and communications platform, with a focus on M&A activity, corporate growth initiatives, and stakeholder engagement through Centers of Influence. He also partners closely with Winged Keel’s events team to advance the strategic vision of the firm’s national platform for highly curated events.

Prior to joining Winged Keel in 2025, Jacob was Senior Vice President, Head of Communications and Engagement, at NFP, an Aon company. In that role, he led internal and external communications across the enterprise, collaborating with executives, business line leaders, and regional teams to craft and deliver key messaging. He played a central role in communications surrounding Aon’s $13 billion acquisition of NFP in April 2024 and oversaw strategic partnerships with two major sports leagues to elevate brand visibility and create unique experiences for clients and employees.

Earlier in his career, Jacob served as Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs at M Financial Group, where he led the firm’s communications and events strategy and developed content for member firms and advisors. He also managed relationships with members of Congress and advocacy organizations, including Finseca.

Jacob earned a BA in Political Science from Emory University. He lives in Brush Prairie, Washington, with his wife, Kim, and their three daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys sports of all kinds, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Arrael Kurth

Director, Marketing & Events


 

Arrael Kurth is Director of Marketing and Events at Winged Keel Group where she supports the firm’s brand positioning and client engagement initiatives. She brings a creative and strategic mindset to the development of high-impact initiatives, leveraging her expertise in brand storytelling, experiential marketing, and integrated communications.

Before joining Winged Keel, Arrael held senior marketing roles at Saks Fifth Avenue, Hudson’s Bay Company, and Gilt Groupe. She began her career in public relations and communications, working with both boutique and established fashion and retail brands to build compelling brand identities and customer experiences.

Arrael earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from LIM College. She lives in New York City with her husband and daughter. Outside of work, Arrael enjoys traveling, staying active, listening to music, and spending time with her family.