EMERGING ISSUES TRACK: Property and Hazard Insurance Challenges

Managing Director, Insurance Operations Executive & Head of the Corporate Flood Program, JP Morgan Chase

Kathleen Dufraine is the Managing Director of the Insurance Center of Excellence and Head of the Corporate Flood Program at JPMorgan Chase. With over 35 years of experience as a credentialed and licensed insurance professional, Kathleen leverages her extensive expertise to build high-performing teams, ensure compliance, transform business processes, and provide consultative insurance support to lending and servicing leaders. A recognized industry leader, Kathleen is a passionate advocate for reforming the Flood Disaster Protection Act and frequently speaks on this critical topic. Her past achievements include collaborating with the Mortgage Bankers Association to lobby Congress for the creation of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), developing the ACORD 28 Property Certificate, and co-authoring influential whitepapers such as “Blanket Insurance” and “Due Diligence for Force Placed Insurance.” More recently, she contributed to the first edition of the ABA’s Reference Guide to Flood Compliance. Outside of her professional endeavors, Kathleen enjoys spending quality time with her family, attending concerts, and traveling.

Vice President, Property & Environmental, American Property and Casualty Insurance Association

Collins serves as Vice President, Property and Environmental in the Policy, Research, and International Division for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). APCIA is the primary national trade association for home, auto, and business insurers, with a legacy dating back 150 years. APCIA members represent companies of all sizes, structures, and regions--in the U.S. and across the globe. APCIA's mission is to advance private competitive insurance markets to protect consumers, businesses, and communities. APCIA supports a strong, state-based regulatory system and proactive U.S. engagement in international regulatory discussions, to facilitate market growth and stability through proactive education, thought leadership, and advocacy. Collins provides thought leadership on property and natural catastrophe issues, with emphasis on risk mitigation and resilience and post-disaster response. Collins provides policy expertise on legislative and regulatory issues at the state, federal and international level, on behalf of the trade association and its membership. Collins has authored numerous white papers on issues impacting property insurance markets across the U.S., such as inflation, natural catastrophes, and environmental impacts, and frequently provides presentations and interviews (tv, radio, print) on such topics. Prior to joining APCIA, Collins acquired 20 years of insurance experience with several major insurance carriers, in varying roles and responsibilities spanning Product, Sales, I.T., and Claims.

Vice President, Industry Relations and Compliance, Assurant

Patrick serves as VP of Compliance & Industry Relations for Assurant, the industry’s leading provider of lender-placed insurance and related outsourcing services. Patrick’s team monitors legislation and rule-making that occurs at a Federal, State or Investor/GSE level and leads Assurant’s response to new laws and regulations. Patrick works closely with many industry trade groups and committees to advocate on behalf of stakeholder interests and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Flood Association. Prior to joining Assurant, Patrick worked for nine years at Fannie Mae in Washington D.C. in both Credit Policy, and Audit and began his business career in banking as an internal auditor. Patrick holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland.

Shareholder, Buchalter

Heather Wright helps a broad variety of clients identify operational risks and determine business solutions to mitigate those risks, with a particular focus on advising clients about risk management through insurance. She provides regulatory and compliance advice to lenders regarding property insurance and flood insurance. In addition, she represents commercial property owners and managers, as well as real estate developers and general contractors, in the negotiation of insurance provisions in sales contracts, debt service agreements, leases, management agreements and construction contracts.