ITIC Americas 2025

Brandon Bates is responsible for strategic growth and development as well as marketing, companywide, at AirMed International. He plays a vital role in the service delivery to all of AirMed’s key partners, as well as securing and managing new partnerships and executing brand strategies. Brandon joined AirMed in August 2005 as an Account Executive for the AirMed membership program and served as Director of Membership Sales for the organisation from 2009–2013. In addition, he oversees the 24/7/365 AirMed Global Operations Center which is responsible for handling over 100,000 calls annually. Brandon holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration and during his tenure at AirMed has successfully led initiatives targeted at developing new market growth and brand recognition. He is actively involved in the air medical transport community as a member of AAMS and THiA as well as currently serving as a Board Member of the UStiA.

Frederico Tarling has been working in the insurance industry since 1991. In 2002 he joined Assist Card and for 10 years he held different positions in Business Development with a main focus in Asia where he helped open sales operations in several countries. Since 2013 he has been the company’s Chief Service Officer and is a member of the Executive Committee. As Chief Service Officer, he is responsible for the fulfillment of services throughout the world, being the leader of the Assistance Dept., Suppliers Network Development Dept. and Reimbursement Department. He leads a team of over 300 professionals distributed around the world.

With a career spanning over 25 years in financial services, insurance and assistance, Alastair Crossley now leads the Global Travel Solutions team at AXA Partners. He is responsible for the end-to-end value proposition, innovation, commercial framework, customer solution delivery & implementation for the AXA Travel Insurance offering globally. Having started his career in asset finance, Alastair soon moved into a commercial role in the UK for an automotive data services business, before joining the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) as Head of Motoring Services. In 2020, Alastair joined AXA Partners to head their Global Roadside Assistance programme, before switching industries to lead the Travel Solutions team. An accomplished public speaker, Alastair regularly covers travel and travel insurance topics from Security to Sustainability and Insuretech to Risk.

Dave has been with AXA Partners US for 3 years and has nearly 25 years of financial and insurance experience, putting together programs that benefit both individuals and corporate clients. Prior to joining AXA Partners US, Dave spent nearly 10 years at MetLife US, specializing in US, IPMI, and multinational insurance programs. At AXA Partners, Dave is responsible for leading a team that maintains and expands client and partner relationships in travel assistance, travel insurance, and cost containment. Dave also ensures that AXA’s service delivery exceeds client expectations and drives a superior customer experience.

Alan Abreu is a seasoned professional with almost 20 years experience in insurance, having worked with the largest global names in the industry. Alan’s experience includes product development, sales, underwriting and brokerage development. Alan is passionate about cyber risk management and for the last 8 years has focused exclusively on cyber risk. Prior to joining BOXX Alan led Cyber for Chubb Iberia, headed Tech and Cyber for Hiscox for Iberia, and was Cyber Growth Leader in Marsh Spain.

Alan lives in Madrid with his wife and two children.

Peter Nardi is a Senior Contract Manager for International Markets at Cleveland Clinic.  He has 20 years of experience in cost containment for IPMI and travel assistance products, as well as managed care pricing and network development.  Peter has been with Cleveland Clinic for almost two years, where he is responsible for contracting and relationship management for all international TPAs and commercial insurance plans.  Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic, Peter worked in provider contracting and network management for GMMI, World Travel Protection, and Europ Assistance.

Paul has worked in travel insurance for 30 years, covering a range of Operational roles in claims and assistance. His current role is Head of network, counter-fraud and recoveries at Collinson, focussing on patient welfare and cost containment. Paul is also the Chairman of the Travel Insurance Claims Committee, which includes most assistance and claims teams in the UK.

Adrit is the Managing Director, APAC for CoverGo, an award-winning Insurtech providing enterprise software solutions to insurance companies globally. CoverGo has developed the first fully configurable, modular, no-code health insurance platform for omni-channel distribution, policy admin and claims powered by 500+ open insurance APIs, allowing insurance companies to configure and deploy products at record speed, across any cloud. CoverGo’s vision is to replicate this across GI & Life to become a fully configurable, no-code SaaS platform for all lines of business!

Prior to joining CoverGo, Adrit had over 17 years of experience in insurance, insurtech, and health tech, including co-founding Symbo (embedded insurance insurtech) and serving as the CEO of Vivant (Health Tech). He has also held various leadership roles at RSA & AIG. His extensive background equips him to address key challenges and opportunities in the industry.

Adrit is a firm believer in tech innovation to advance the evolution of the insurance or health sector, a vision perfectly embodied by CoverGo.

Adam Hill is the Executive Creative Director and Founder of Designate. He started the agency just over 30 years ago with £300 and a second-hand Mac. A huge advocate of brand and creativity, Adam looks at the world in a slightly different way, which can ignite creative that really cuts through. A shrewd businessperson and entrepreneur, he has owned the Good Food Guide best restaurant in Wales, an art gallery, and has his own radio show. Adam has travelled widely, is a judge on the Charted Institute of Marketing Travel Marketing Awards, and a mentor with the Creative Mentor Network. 

AJ Steele is a Business Development leader at travel insurance startup, Faye. In this role he oversees building strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to diversify the company’s distribution channels. With over a decade of experience in both travel and insurance, AJ is a seasoned expert in working with travel advisors, agencies and OTAs to present the best product to their audiences in order to boost adoption and drive revenue. Prior to Faye, AJ led global account management at Trip Mate, creating products to fit their business needs, and built out the national distribution and partnerships arm at Travelex Insurance Services. AJ resides in Florida with his wife and two children.

In 2012 after more than 10 years of international EMS and healthcare experience founder Oliver Müller understood the need for a company to provide high quality medical and non medical transportation within the air ambulance, travel assistance and healthcare industry. By creating close and personal relationships with stakeholders clients see the passion for patient well-being and safety brought forward 24/7/365 days a year. Continuous industry networking, long term strategic initiatives and a forward-thinking approach ensure the ongoing success of Gateway International EMS. Gateway International EMS also operates Gateway International Health (www.gateway-health.com), specializing in healthcare consulting on a global scale.

Tracey has celebrated her 21st year with the Global Excel team. During this time, she has held a variety of roles in operations, project management and leadership. Notably, while she was the Assistant Director for Quality Management and Director of Support Services, she became a certified Lead Auditor and led numerous Kaizen initiatives. She also obtained a continuous improvement certification from the Kaizen Institute.  In her current role, Tracey oversees the cost containment functions and has been working with our Network Development teams across the globe for the last decade.  Her passion for achieving a fair price has allowed her to build strong relationships with providers, networks, and clients.

With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and insurance sectors, I specialize in managing complex operations, leading case management teams, and developing networks across Latin America. My expertise includes optimizing processes to ensure cost control, improving service delivery, and building strategic relationships with corporate clients and providers. Currently, I serve as the Director of Case Management & Networks for LATAM at Global Excel Management, where I drive operational excellence and support business expansion in key markets, including Brazil, Colombia, and the Caribbean.

I have a deep understanding of travel, expat, and healthcare services, with a focus on delivering personalized customer care while achieving significant cost savings. I’m passionate about enhancing operational efficiency through training, service innovation, and strong governance.

With a strategic mindset, I align global priorities with regional objectives, fostering collaboration across teams in North America and Latin America. I actively contribute to the financial health of the organization by delivering exceptional outcomes for clients.

In addition to my work, I am committed to maintaining financial stability and growing my wealth through sound investments, with long-term goals centered around achieving financial freedom.

Dr. Ladak joined Global Excel in 2006. She received her Medical Degree from the University of British Columbia in 1983, and completed a Family Practice Residency in New York from 1983 to 1986.

Prior to Global Excel, Dr. Ladak has 15 years’ experience in family practice and the Emergency room. In addition she was the Medical Director of two U.S. hospitals in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Currently, she is responsible for the medical governance of all the Medical Case Management teams, for the entire enterprise.  This includes making sure that all the assistance cases are held to a high standard of medical evaluation, adhering to the best practices of the day. She is also responsible for prudent financial handling of high cost inpatient U.S. files and complex or high-risk cases worldwide. She is a sought after speaker and author on behalf of Global Excel Management.

Seth is the Vice President of Client Risk Management at Global Guardian. A decorated former U.S. Army Colonel with a 28-year career, Seth has both executed and overseen special operations in uncertain and dangerous environments—making him uniquely suited to solve complex problems and mitigate business risk in an evolving global threat landscape. Prior to working for Global Guardian, Seth served as the Chief of Staff at Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), providing command and control for all Special Operations in the Middle East and Central Asia. He also commanded the Fort Irwin Garrison at the National Training Center in California’s Mojave Desert, after leading a Battalion at the Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS). Earlier in his Army career, Seth served in multiple leadership roles in the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

With numerous combat and classified deployments around the world—including the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia—Seth has extensive intelligence, counter-terrorism, and special operations experience. Seth has a BA from Tulane University and a MS from the Naval Post Graduate School. He was also a senior Military Fellow at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute.

Hamilton Clark is senior vice president and chief executive officer of Jackson Memorial Hospital, responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of one of the nation’s largest hospitals. He oversees multiple business units and premier service lines, including the emergency department, Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial, Miami Transplant Institute, Jackson Heart Institute, perioperative services, and critical care services supporting numerous medical specialties.

Mr. Clark’s breadth of knowledge and experience at Jackson Memorial is vast, having previously served as the hospital’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer, where he oversaw operations and finances for the 1,500-bed comprehensive teaching and research medical center.

Prior to becoming CEO of Jackson Memorial, Mr. Clark served as senior vice president and chief executive officer of Holtz Children’s Hospital & The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial, one of the largest and most respected hospitals of its kind in the southeastern United States. In that role, he led the administrative team in every aspect – operationally, strategically, and financially – to transform the culture, maintain financial stability, and increase volume through aggressive strategic planning and physician recruitment.

Mr. Clark joined Jackson in 2013. Previously, he worked at Broward Health, rising through the ranks from a financial analyst to chief financial officer of Broward Health Medical Center and Chris Evert Children’s Hospital.

Mr. Clark has an MBA from the University of Miami in health sector management and policy and a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from the University of Florida.

Zígor joined MAWDY’s Operations Area in Spain in 2001, where he stayed until 2007. From there, he took on the responsibility for the Operations Area of the Europe Region, and in 2009, he managed the company’s international provider networks. Since 2012, he has led the International Reinsurance Unit, driving the travel insurance business in over 40 countries. Additionally, he actively supports other MAWDY units, participating in various boards of directors and transversal projects. Currently, alongside these responsibilities, he is the company’s point of reference for its travel insurance line.

My name is Mauricio Cyjon, but everyone calls me Mauro. I am a young entrepreneur in the healthcare industry, blessed to lead SEMM, a family-owned company with 32 years of operations in Panama. I know I said family business, let me tell you—it wasn’t easy. I started driving ambulances, and even now, I prefer being in the back of an ambulance helping someone to sitting at a desk. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of transforming SEMM, giving it a 180-degree shift and positioning it as a regional leader in ground ambulance services and prehospital care.

My team and I are deeply committed to treating every patient as if they were a member of our own family. We are passionate about innovation and embrace a disruptive mindset to consistently bring fresh ideas to both our operations and commercial strategies.

I have always had a love for aviation. For eight years, I worked as an air ambulance broker, and two years ago, with my partner Mark, we founded Skymedic, an international air ambulance company built on the same principles of excellence and dedication.

One of my favorite hobbies is meeting new people, learning from them, and building meaningful friendships. I believe the world is losing its sense of human connection, and every day, I strive to foster more of it.

Driven by his passion for travel and tourism, Stephen founded Cross Border Media in 2007 as a boutique travel media company, where he developed a number of successful online publications & resources.

In 2016, he launched Snowbird Advisor, which quickly became a leading one-stop resource for Canadian snowbirds.

In 2018, Stephen co-founded Snowbird Advisor Insurance to assist Canadian snowbirds, boomers and seniors with their unique travel insurance needs.

Stephen is active in many Canadian travel industry organizations. He currently sits on the board of directors for Discover America Canada and the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada’s Innovation Committee. He is also a past board member of SKAL Toronto.

He is a frequent guest speaker at travel industry events and conventions and has appeared on television and in print media as an expert on travel and snowbird issues.

Prior to founding Cross Border Media, Stephen received his BA from McGill University and his law degree from the University of Western Ontario and served as legal counsel and in executive roles for multiple media and software companies.

Jean Mackintosh is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Business Development for Thomas International in North America. With over 20 years of experience at Thomas, Jean leads strategic partnerships and mentors a team of Senior Consultants focused on helping national and multinational organizations recruit and develop top talent through behavioral, aptitude, personality, and emotional intelligence assessment solutions.

Jean is a strategic partner, speaker, and facilitates executive workshops for global and North American leadership teams, aligning their cultures to support business strategies.  She works with prominent clients, including Intercontinental Exchange, General Dynamics, and Celebrity Cruises to help increase performance, and organizational capability.  Jean’s expertise in people science, her business acumen, and passion for transforming organizations makes Jean a trusted advisor to her clients, and an integral part of the Thomas North American Leadership Team.

Dr. Geary has an extensive background in nursing and healthcare quality. Dr. Geary has held a variety of nursing roles throughout her career including bedside nurse, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, infection control practitioner, patient safety officer, clinical assistant professor and senior leader for Quality at multiple healthcare systems. Dr. Geary has taught quality management principles to nursing and medical students, as well as facilitating their process improvement projects. She previously received two sigma theta tau awards, “Excellence in Nursing Mentorship” and “Excellence in Nursing Research”. Dr. Geary has given quality management and patient safety presentations for conferences throughout the United States and internationally. She presented at the European Academy of Nursing Science in Dublin, Ireland as well as a conference in Shenyang, China. Additionally, Dr. Geary was a course presenter for the “Hamad Medical Center Quality Academy” in Doha, Qatar, and the “Information Management in Healthcare Quality” course in Cairo, Egypt.as a conference in Shenyang, China. Additionally, Dr. Geary was a course presenter for the “Hamad Medical Center Quality Academy” in Doha, Qatar, and the “Information Management in Healthcare Quality” course in Cairo, Egypt.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and the author of the 2021 release, “Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the
Leader You Were Meant to Be”. Both his leadership talk, and his book are based on his 40+ years of leadership experience in combat, peacekeeping operations, disaster relief operations and in the board room. Oak highlights principles that will benefit today’s leaders and inspire the leaders of tomorrow, in any profession and at any level of leadership.