Zurich North America has promoted Stan Bernard to head of Industry Practices for US Middle Market, taking over from Lynn Zeitler, who is set to retire in December after a 31-year tenure with the insurance provider.
In his new role, Bernard will be responsible for implementing strategic plans and contributing to Zurich’s growth and profitability in middle-market customer industry segments across the United States.
He will report directly to Alex Wells, head of US Middle Market, and will become part of Zurich’s US Middle Market Senior Leadership Team. His role will also include collaborating with colleagues to support and shape client strategies for Zurich’s Middle Market business.
Wells said that Bernard has been a significant contributor to Zurich’s Industry Practices team, where he led initiatives within the Financial Institutions and Professional Services sectors.
“He has been an integral part of the Industry Practices leadership team since the beginning of the unit and developed many of our most impactful and innovative client strategies. I am excited to have him join the executive leadership team and broaden his impact across the portfolio," said Wells.
His academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and an MBA in accounting and finance from Montclair State University, both based in New Jersey.
Bernard has also earned Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU) designations.
An active participant in Zurich’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, Bernard is involved in Zurich North America’s African American Advisory Council and the Zurich African Ancestry Alliance (ZAAA), which are among the company’s employee resource groups focused on fostering an inclusive workplace.
In 2020, Bernard was named a recipient of the Business Insurance Break Out Award.
How do you see Zurich’s new leadership shaping its Middle Market segment? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
