Boise Exchange
Biographies

Boise Exchange Biographies


Mark Hiltz BIO

Gratitude Researcher, Speaker
In July 2020, Mark Hiltz retired as a Fortune 100 Sales and Service executive to focus
on his gratitude work, both writing and speaking on this topic.
In 2016, Mark earned a Masters Degree in Coaching from Middlesex University in
London. While studying at Middlesex, Mark researched gratitude in the workplace.
More specifically, how practicing gratitude at work impacts employee happiness. It
was a fun and rewarding experience to understand how having an attitude of gratitude
benefits us all. Since then, Mark has been sharing his research more widely, helping
both individuals and organizations benefit from being grateful.
Mark donates his speaking fees to charity. Mark likes to say that over the years, he
learned more than he taught, took more than he gave and was blessed more than he
deserves. Donating speaking fees is simply one way for Mark to show his gratitude for
blessings received.

DAVID VANDYKE BIO

David VanDyke is General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and oversees information security at Shelter Insurance. David grew up farming and wanting to be a cowboy but instead has been practicing law for 28 years and has spent the last eight as General Counsel. In that role, he’s helped his company and other insurers understand AI tools and put them to work responsibly and effectively.

Will Felvey BIO

Will Felvey has served as the P&C Consumer Services Manager of the Virginia Bureau of Insurance since 2023.  In this role, Will is responsible for overseeing a team of Insurance Specialists who investigate filed written complaints pertaining to everything from claims, to terminations, and rating issues.  Prior to this role, Will was in the P&C Market Conduct Section where he was responsible for the P&C Market Analysis from 2011-2023 and prior to that he was an Insurance Market Examiner.  He has been with the Virginia Bureau of Insurance for 18 years

 

Shannon Hohl BIO

Shannon Hohl has been with the Idaho Department of Insurance for more than 12 years and is currently the Market Oversight Bureau Chief and Chief Market Examiner. The Market Oversight Bureau works with industry to promote a healthy insurance market for all Idahoans. Shannon holds Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and German, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She recently earned the Accredited Insurance Examiner (AIE) designation from the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society (IRES).

 

Tolanda McNeal BIO

Tolanda McNeal (Coker) has worked for the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions for 8 years. Tolanda began work for the Department in 2014 reviewing Life and Health form filings and eventually moved to become Market Conduct Manager in 2022 within the Department’s Market Regulation and Consumer Services Division. This Division includes Market Conduct Examinations/Analysis, Health Care Appeals, Surprise Out-of-Network Billing, and Consumer Services for both insurance and financial institution matters. She finds the consumer advocacy and entity oversight work that Market Conduct does to be challenging and rewarding. Tolanda has 8 years of experience on the industry side having worked for two Insurance Carriers in a wide range of support roles. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Health Studies and a Masters of Public Administration with a focus in Government & Policy.

Robert Hartwig BIO

ROBERT P. HARTWIG, PHD., CPCU
Clinical Associate Professor of Finance
Darla Moore School of Business
University of South Carolina
1014 Greene Street | Columbia, SC 29208
O: 803.777.6782 | M: 917.453.1885 | [email protected]
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2016-Present Clinical Associate Professor of Finance and Director, Risk and Uncertainty Management Center, University of South Carolina, Darla Moore School of Business, Columbia, SC
Directed Center activities including industry relations, media, legislative and regulatory outreach and expert testimony, conducted sponsored (funded) research; coordinated student employment, internship and scholarship opportunities; Served as student mentor/advisor. Raised funds for Center operations.
Courses Taught
Introduction to Risk Management and Insurance (F2016, F2017, S2018, F2018, S2019)
Life and Health Insurance (F2016, F2017, F2018, F2019)
Corporate Financial Analysis (S2017, S2018, F2019)
2007-2016 President & Economist, Insurance Information Institute, New York, NY
Served as Chief Executive Officer for leading international property/casualty insurance trade association whose members account for two-thirds of U.S. industry premiums;
Successfully implemented and executed the Institute’s core, analytically driven mission of providing high quality data, information, service and advocacy across all industry stakeholders including insurers, regulators, legislators, consumers, producers, media, academia and investors;
Successfully expanded membership, strengthening the Institute’s financial resources and reduced expenses while increasing influence on a global scale;
Dramatically enhanced the Institute’s profile and stature with state and federal public policymakers to the benefit of member organizations;
Represented industry with expert testimony before state and federal regulatory bodies, including numerous U.S. House and Senate Committees with jurisdiction over insurance issues;
Devised and executed technology-driven strategies for improving data quality and accessibility while reducing response times;
Implemented sophisticated, integrated communications management strategies that significantly enhanced organizational and industry reputation;
Demonstrated thought leadership and influence on key industry issues;
Highly sought-after speaker, presenter and author across all property/casualty insurance and reinsurance segments;
Presented frequently to company Boards, senior management, key staff, producers, clients and regulators/legislators;

 

Brent Walker BIO

Brent Walker is the Director of Government Relations at the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, leading national advocacy and cross-sector efforts to strengthen antifraud policy.

In this role, he serves as liaison to lawmakers, regulators, and industry leaders; supports member committees and task forces; and contributes to a weekly member newsletter. He also represents consumer interests as an appointed Consumer Representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). His work focuses on highlighting that insurance fraud prevention is consumer protection, along with staying on top of emerging insurance fraud trends.

Brent spent over two decades in the Special Investigation Units (SIU) at two major U.S. carriers, leading regional field operations, national anti-fraud regulatory compliance, and SIU quality initiatives. He has conducted major case investigations, improved technology systems, and partnered with law enforcement nationwide. He has served on the board of IASIU and has a law enforcement background.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from East Texas A&M University, Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator and Senior Claim Law Associate designations, and is a certified Police Instructor. A proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Walker has been married for over 30 years with three children.

 

VRUSHANK NAYAK BIO

 

Vrushank is the senior data reporter at P&C Specialist, a Financial Times news service written for P&C insurers. He focuses on how ‘personal lines’ events and trends will impact carrier executives, not agents or brokers. Previously, he worked at Front Office Sports as a Data Reporter covering the sports business industry and before that he was the Elections Data Reporter at the Associated Press.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

To promote professionalism and shape the standards of behavior in relationships between insurance organizations, regulators and customers through proactive dialogue, research, communication, and education.