Ask the Leaders is a one-of-a-kind series geared towards helping young professionals grow into leaders within the professional lines community. The guests on Ask the Leaders provide insight into their experiences, knowledge and lessons learned that have helped them develop into some of the top leaders in their field. Topics include career advancement tips, networking opportunities, goal setting, and outside experience needed to become a leader!

This series is hosted by Nate Hartman, Claims Superintendent – Professional Liability at Admiral Insurance Group and Robert McCarthy, MLIS, Executive Lines Broker at Risk Placement Services.

Renee Krause is the founder and owner of Lawyers Choice, LLC; a Denver Colorado based, national insurance brokerage specializing in Malpractice, Cyber-Data Breach, and Employment Practices Liability Insurance for law firms. Renee has over 21 years of experience in the insurance industry. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Radford University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Renee worked for several law firms in the Denver Metro Area before shifting her career into the lawyer’s insurance space. Renee was the Vice President of the Lawyers Program of ANLIR, American National Lawyers Insurance Reciprocal. She also worked as a broker for JP Flanagan and Hub International before forming her own brokerage in 2005.

Melisa Zeunert has over 15 years of insurance experience. Melisa joined The Hanover October 2021 and oversees underwriting and distribution of Management Liability in the West Region. Prior to The Hanover, Melisa held various positions at Philadelphia Insurance in their Management and Professional Liability Division as the Regional Underwriting Manager of the North Central and Ohio Valley regions overseeing Private and Not for Profit underwriting segments for Management Liability, Cyber Liability, and Miscellaneous Professional Liability. Melisa graduated from North Central College with a Major in Business Administration and a Minor in Communications. Additionally, Melisa also received her MBA from North Central College. Melisa resides in Naperville, IL with her husband Matt and their two daughters, Aubrey and Carley.