Meet our board members

Taylor Evans is a Manager of Marketing and Communications at IAT Insurance Group, where she leads corporate communications efforts across both internal and external channels. Since joining IAT in 2017, she has played a key role in shaping and strengthening the company’s brand foundation, while supporting marketing and communications initiatives across the Transportation, Surety, Inland Marine, Property, and Aviation business units. 

Prior to IAT, Taylor worked in social media and public relations at a Raleigh-based advertising agency, where she developed a strong foundation in brand storytelling and audience engagement. 

In 2022, she received the Trailblazer Award from the Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCA), which honors professionals who bring exceptional creativity and set the standard for others in the field. That same year, she was appointed to IMCA’s Board of Directors and served as Chair from 2025–2026. 

Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. 

Lorraine Jeckells is Co-founder and CEO of FREE, an award-winning global brand and creative marketing agency focused exclusively on the insurance sector. With more than 25 years of experience across financial services and agency environments, she has worked with business from all areas of the insurance ecosystem to develop brand strategies and marketing programmes that drive growth, attract talent, and strengthen market positioning.

Throughout her career, Lorraine has championed the strategic value of marketing and communications in insurance, advocating for the critical role they play in shaping reputation, building trust, deepening client engagement, and supporting commercial success in their organisations.

As a long-standing Board Member of the Insurance Marketing & Communications Association (IMCA), Lorraine has been a committed advocate for professional excellence and the advancement of the insurance marketing and communications community. She is passionate about fostering collaboration, encouraging innovation, and helping to strengthen the influence and impact of marketing and communications across the sector.

Gina Butchin is AVP, Marketing & Communications at Nautilus Insurance Group, with over 30 years of experience in strategic marketing, brand development, and corporate communications. A published author and seasoned leader, Gina is known for her innovative thinking, collaborative approach, and ability to drive meaningful change through compelling storytelling and strategic execution.  

At Nautilus, she leads transformative initiatives that elevate brand visibility, engage key audiences, and align marketing efforts with business goals. Her campaigns consistently deliver measurable impact, strengthening customer relationships and positioning the company as a top-tier partner in the insurance industry. 

Gina holds a B.A. in Communications from Arizona State University and has built a career defined by creativity, clarity, and purpose. Her expertise spans high-quality content creation, internal communications, and strategic planning, with a strong focus on fostering a positive workplace culture through transparent and authentic messaging. 

Kalynne Connolly is a marketing leader with more than 10 years of experience driving growth through strategic marketing, communications, and business development initiatives. As Marketing Director at Gallagher, she partners with leaders across the business to create data-driven marketing programs that build relationships, drive engagement, and support organic growth. Throughout her career, she has worked across the insurance, manufacturing, and tourism industries, bringing a passion for connecting people and ideas. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors for the Insurance Marketing & Communications Association (IMCA) and enjoys supporting the growth and development of fellow marketing professionals.

When she’s not working, Kalynne loves spending time with her husband and daughter, especially if it involves being outdoors. Whether she’s hiking, exploring Arizona, trying a new recipe, or baking something from scratch, she enjoys creating memorable experiences with family and friends.

Alex Duong is a Senior Marketing Communications Specialist at Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Group, where he helps lead integrated marketing initiatives that connect brand strategy, digital marketing, content, social media, and industry engagement. His work supports multiple areas of the organization, including healthcare, pharmacy, dental, veterinary, and insurance distribution audiences.

He values IMCA as a place for insurance marketing professionals to learn from one another, share ideas, build relationships, and continue advancing the profession.

Ilija “Ilya” Filipov is a P&C insurance executive and board member of the Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCA), where he supports the association’s mission to elevate insurance professionals through collaboration and shared expertise. As General Manager and Head of North America at Cogneesol, he leads business development and operational transformation across major carrier and legal accounts, and co-founded Vantatir, a pre-launch AI liability and cyber MGA. His career spans Western & Southern, Westfield Insurance, Total Expert, Talkdesk, and several high-growth software companies, giving him deep fluency across underwriting, distribution, claims, and insurtech innovation. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, and MBA-trained at Notre Dame’s Mendoza College, Ilya brings a builder’s perspective to IMCA’s board. In his free time Ilya trains for marathons (having done 10 and counting) and travels internationally.

Lisa Rowland joined Berkley Select as Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Distribution, in early 2021. With a 20 year background in insurance, Lisa began her career as a commercial lines underwriter with a national carrier before moving into sales and marketing roles shortly thereafter. Since joining Berkley Select in 2021, the company’s marketing efforts have excelled dramatically. Lisa’s strong understanding of our product lines and continued relationship building with our producers has made her a trusted mentor and subject matter expert amongst many in the industry. She is an active member in the Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCA). Lisa is a graduate of DePaul University where she attained her MBA in Marketing. She completed her Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

Peter van Aartrijk is founder and EVP of Fairfax, VA-based insurance branding firm Aartrijk.  

Founded in 1999, Aartrijk provides strategic and tactical marketing-communications programs exclusively for insurance industry partners.  

Peter started his career as a newspaper reporter, where he learned how to question the status quo. He has worked with insurance carriers, agents, brokers and related organizations over the course of 40 years. He enjoys supporting leaders who seek to self-disrupt, innovate and create a relevant employee and customer experience.  

He writes regularly on branding-related topics in the media. Since 2009, he has hosted an Insurance Journal podcast, “On Point,” which covers brand, culture and technology.  

In 2008, Peter founded Channel Harvest Research, which conducts an annual quantitative study of independent agents’ attitudes of their insurance carrier partners. 

Earlier in his career, Peter served as VP, Communications for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, a leading association of 300,000 members. There he developed a research-based foundation for a new consumer brand, Trusted Choice®. 

In the 1980s, he held editorial positions with insurance trade media Best’s Review and National Underwriter. He later served as Director of Media Relations for the Insurance Information Institute. As a spokesperson for the industry, he appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox, and network TV, and has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and other national media. 

In 2019, Peter and co-author Tony Wessling published a book, The Powers: Ten Factors for Building an Exponentially More Powerful Brand, based on years of consulting with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 firms.