The Embrace Team
The reason we got into the pet insurance business was to change it. We couldn't do this without the outstanding team that makes Embrace, well, Embrace. Click on a name to read more.
Laura Bennett Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder
Alex Krooglik Chief Marketing Officer & Co-founder
Michael Butler Partner at NCT Ventures
Heather Carleton, DVM Veterinary Consultant
Shawn Brown Senior Analyst
Laura Hay, CPA Controller
Marketing
Michael Masello Director of Internet Marketing
Kate Zirkle Marketing Manager
Katie Huneke Veterinary Territory Manager
Chrissy McGregor Veterinary Account Rep
Sandy Gilbert Veterinary Account Rep
Alison Kelley Veterinary Account Rep
Sara Radak Marketing Coordinator
Rich Hessinger CRM & Web Application Developer
Customer Care
Christopher Hagesfeld Contact Center Manager
Lea Jaratz Customer Care Embracer
Tenisha Lovelace Customer Care Embracer
Mike Lambert Customer Care Embracer
Lisa Geraghty Customer Care Embracer
Megan Duval Customer Care Embracer
Claims
Christine Wrona Claims Managing Embracer
Adrienne Schlott Senior Claims Embracer
Sandra "Sam" Adkins, RVT Claims Embracer
Sonya Harris Senior Claims Administrator
Cynthia Hokes Claims Administrator
Jessica Stern Claims Administrator
Joy Wrona Claims Embracer
Jennifer Doering Claims Embracer
Jenna Mahan Claims Embracer
Karen Giardina Claims Coding Embracer
Laura Bennett Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder
Laura holds an honors mathematics degree from the University of Western Ontario, is a life and health actuary (FSA), and holds the chartered financial analyst designation (CFA). Laura received her MBA, with a concentration in Strategic and Entrepreneurship Management, from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, where she graduated with several university and peer awards. She was also part of the team that won first prize in the Wharton Business Plan Competition in 2003 with a pet insurance company concept.
Prior to her MBA, she worked for The Canada Life Assurance Company in Toronto, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland, in a number of leadership roles, including asset-liability management, strategic planning, and business development. After graduating with her MBA and co-founding Embrace, she became the first pet insurance actuary in the US, bringing an integrative actuarial approach to a complex and undervalued product. Laura is in her second term as Chairman of the Board of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, promoting pet insurance awareness and education in the US.
Laura is a wife and mother in her second job, and when she isn't thinking about family or pets, Laura delights in experiencing different cultures though food and travel and allowing others a view into her life through her multiple blogs.
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Alex Krooglik Chief Marketing Officer & Co-founder
Alex has over 8 years experience in the insurance industry, with roles in direct and internet marketing and product management, and 7 years in construction, where his roles included designing work flow and data mining systems for large, billion-dollar projects. His international experience is extensive and he has worked and lived in England, Chile, the United States, and Australia.
Alex holds an honors degree in chemical engineering from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in marketing. While at Wharton, Alex was part of a team that won first prize in the Wharton Business Plan Competition with an entry for a pet insurance company. Alex enjoys visiting unusual places around the world with his family and is easily swayed into buying the latest gadgets and digital toys.
Alex's family shares their home with a shelter kitty, Milla, who holds two local awards, one for largest amount of food eaten in one sitting and another for most number of mice brought to the back doorstep.
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Michael Butler Partner at NCT Ventures
Michael has extensive experience with business development and creating partnerships with other organizations. He spent the last 20 years with Nationwide Financial (the financial services arm of Nationwide Insurance) where he led numerous sales teams and was responsible for the distribution of a variety of financial products.
Michael has an undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Ashland University, and he has earned the following designations; Certified Public Accountant, Charter Life Underwriter, Charter Financial Consultant, and Certified Fund Specialist. Michael and his wife are the proud owners of an Old English Mastiff, Baby (and an Embraced pet too).
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Heather Carleton, DVM Veterinary Consultant
Dr. Heather Carleton is a veterinarian at Springcreek Animal Hospital in Jackson, Wyoming. She graduated from Colorado State University's veterinary school and then continued on with a medical and surgical internship in Bend, Oregon. Her work experience has taken her from Montana to Vermont to Wyoming in a variety of practices where she has seen everything from emus to bison, not to mention a lot of cats and dogs! She also founded a small animal emergency clinic in Missoula where she honed her skills in critical care medicine.
In her spare time, Heather is known to volunteer at the local Humane Society and is also on the board and medical adviser of the Animal Adoption Center in Jackson. Heather recently made her first annual trip to Thailand to volunteer her services to the Soi Dog Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to reduce the suffering of stray dogs and cats while also working to humanely control the stray population in that country.
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Shawn Brown Senior Analyst
Shawn has over 8 years experience in the auto insurance industry. Prior to joining Embrace, he worked at Progressive Insurance in various analytical roles including pricing, product development, and direct marketing.
Shawn holds a bachelors degree in mathematics from John Carroll University and minor in economics. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports and has endured many painful seasons in Cleveland.
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Laura Hay, CPA Controller
Laura graduated with both a bachelors and masters degree in Accounting from Miami University of Ohio. Since then, she has also earned her CPA. Laura used to work for a resort on Middle Bass Island called St. Hazard’s, but after finishing graduate school she worked for Plante & Moran, a regional public accounting firm, specializing in audits of mid-sized manufacturing and distribution companies. Now we are happy to have her on the team at Embrace!
Laura is an avid Indians fan and loves to travel. In the past few years she has been to Seoul, Beijing, Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Cozumel, Oahu, London, and Scotland.
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Michael Masello Director of Internet Marketing
Michael brings over 7 years of Internet Marketing experience to the Embrace team, with previous positions at The Step2 Company and American Greetings Interactive. Some of his prior roles included customer service, marketing, and brand management. Mike was drawn to Embrace because of the team's knowledge, passion and customer-centric focus.
Growing up, Michael had a miracle pet goldfish that lived four years despite a water changing incident during which the fish found a temporary home on the carpet floor. His interests include several different sports including basketball, volleyball, and rock climbing and finding new music from friends, the radio, and Pandora.
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Kate Zirkle Veterinary Territory Manager
Kate found her way to Embrace much in the same way that she started fostering dogs, by following her heart. After a harsh layoff, Kate decided to pursue a career with her lifelong love, animals. She honors the memory of her beloved dog Solo each day by educating pet parents on the benefits of pet insurance. Kate now has a black cat named Midnight, a Doberman named Beau and there’s always a foster dog around to care for as well.
Kate has a Bachelors degree in Advertising with minors in Marketing and Psychology from Kent State University.
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Katie Huneke Managing Veterinary Evangelist
Katie brings 10 years of animal health experience to Embrace. Her love for animals has always come natural and there were lots of pets in her home as a child ranging from fish turtles and birds to cats, dogs-even a goat and pig! Upon graduating from high school she became a technician at a surgical and referral practice and continued as tech for a year after graduating from college. Deciding to put her education to good use, she went off into the business world but made it her mission to stay in a field where animals were a part of her daily routine. She is passionate about pets and can be found in the NJ, NY or PA area educating hospitals and pet parents.
Katie holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and a Bachelors degree in Equine Science with a concentration in Business Management from Centenary College, NJ. She shares her home with her husband Matt and four legged feline son Stink. Stink also has an adorable poodle mix little brother Captain and feline sister Boo. Katie and Matt welcomed their first two-legged son, Grady, in August 2011.
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Chrissy McGregor Veterinary Account Rep
Chrissy’s love and passion for animals led her directly into the veterinary field right out of high school. She worked as a veterinary technician throughout college, where she studied pre-vet courses at Baldwin-Wallace College. Chrissy holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Business Administration, with concentrations in Entrepreneurship. Right out of college, Chrissy began her career with a Biotech company where she gained over 3 years experience in customer and technical service serving the clinical, pharmaceutical and veterinary markets. She quickly realized that her dreams for making a difference in the care and lives of animals was not being completely fulfilled and that brought her to Embrace! While full time at Embrace, Chrissy still works part time as a technician – loving every minute of that hands-on experience.
Chrissy is the proud parent of a 9 year old Mastiff (and absolute best friend ever), Bruiser Woods, a 6 year old Boxer mix, Bella, and a 3 year old, Domestic Short Hair Cat, Ivy. She been accused of treating her pets better than most people treat their children!
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Sandy Gilbert Veterinary Account Rep
Sandy first fell in love with veterinary medicine while in high school working for the local hospital. This interest took her to Becker College earning an AS in Veterinary Science. Her enjoyment of academics took her to New England College and SUNY at Buffalo to study Sports Medicine. During this pursuit, she took on part time work at Eastern Mountain Sports. Her involvement with customers and her passion for service redirected her career to Retail Management in other outdoor stores including REI. She also has worked at two local Massachusetts Animal Hospitals where she was instrumental in improving client service and client retention. Sandy brings to Embrace Pet Insurance many years of providing outstanding client service and training. Sandy shares her home in Massachusetts with her 13 year old Lab, Ollie.
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Alison Kelley Veterinary Account Rep
Alison's love for animals inspired her to pursue a career in the veterinary industry from a young age. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Technology. While studying as an undergraduate, she worked at a small animal general practice. Upon graduation she relocated to Maryland and continued her career in a large surgical referral practice establishing relationships with veterinarians and clients. She is a avid believer in providing the best care possible for our four legged friends! Alison shares her home with fiance, Chris, and Labrador, Boulder - nicknamed Bean (due to his petite size!).
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Sara Radak Marketing Coordinator
Sara had never had a pet before she adopted Henry, a 6-month old rescue Beagle mix, in 2009. Despite house training accidents, chewed up flip flops, and a few stinky skunk encounters, Henry wormed his way into her heart. Since then, she has become active in her local rescue- Secondhand Mutts- which led her to this opportunity at Embrace. Sara’s marketing background and love of social media made her a perfect fit for this position.
Sara holds degrees in Communication and Theatre from Capital University in Columbus, OH. She spends her free time as a board member and foster parent for Secondhand Mutts and as a volunteer at Near West Theatre. She loves travel, Mexican food and a good book.
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Rich Hessinger CRM & Web Application Developer
Rich is a developer who has worked on projects both nationally and globally. His love of animals brought him to Embrace and his broad programming knowledge got him hired. Rich has a bachelor's degrees from Penn State University with majors in Computer Engineering and Software Engineering and a minor in Computer Science.
At home Rich has a variety of pets including a dog (Ginger), cat (Snap), guinea pig (Sonic) and turtle (Ralphie). In his free time, Rich enjoys computers, cars and music; he is currently learning how to play the guitar.
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Christopher Hagesfeld Contact Center Manager
Chris has spent the last several years answering people's questions which is what brought him to Embrace. If he was going to answer questions, it might as well be about something he loves. And, even though Amadeus (a Collie-Shepherd mix named after the popular 80s song his brother was singing on the way to adopt her) is gone, he's looking forward to the day he takes his daughter and sons to pick out their new 4-legged family member.
Before joining Embrace, Chris studied sociology at The Ohio State University. He then worked in a call center for one of the largest manufacturers of promotional products in the country.
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Lea Jaratz Customer Care Embracer
It's often said that you don't find a pet, a pet finds you. Little did Lea know that finding Lyger, her Lab mix, in the street during a thunderstorm would change her career. Lea started her career studying animal nutrition and behavior. She served in area animal shelters as a foster care coordinator, later helping develop foster programs nationally.
Her passion for pets expanded into a role that gives Lea the opportunity to educate pet parents about pet health care and she shares info about trendy pet products through the Embrace Pet Community blog. While she started with Embrace in a full-time role, Lea now splits her time between Embrace and her Early Childhood Learning degree studies. Lea enjoys Lake Erie, the local music scene, and Mexican restaurants she finds with her husband, and she also loves to hear about your pets.
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Tenisha Lovelace Customer Care Embracer
Tenisha was probably destined to work at Embrace Pet Insurance. An avid and lifelong dog lover, pet parent of two Guizmo (Malti-Poo) and Champ (American Pit bull), a bubbly personality, and former Progressive Insurance claims representative, equals an awesome Customer Care Embracer! Tenisha started her career in the banking/financial field where she’s held positions from mortgage loan officer to investment operations specialist. She is currently pursuing her Associates degree in Human Resource Management which she will receive in May of 2010, and going on to pursue her Bachelors in the same field.
Tenisha loves to shop, travel, see movies, hang out with her boy friend and play in the park with her dogs.
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Mike Lambert Customer Care Embracer
Mike has worked in Customer Service and Sales for 20+ years. He is an avid fan of pets and is very passionate about helping pet owners insure and protect their pets. Mike is a pet parent to two very active Airedale Terrier named Finnegan and Sullivan. Mike always loves to hear stories about pets and he occasionally shares some of the antics of Finnegan & Sullivan.
Before joining Embrace, Mike spent 16+ years in the printing business and then another 5+ years in sales for a nursery company located in Ohio. Mike has degrees in Graphic Arts and Business Administration from Baldwin Wallace College.
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Lisa Geraghty Customer Care Embracer
Lisa brings a diverse background in Customer Service, Warehouse Duties and Receptionist Capabilities to Embrace. She is also fluent in insurance speak, having previously worked Progressive. Lisa has three cats: 2 blacks cats named Cirrus and Ebony and a gorgeous Siamese/Himalayan mix named Chloe. She has been around animals her entire life, having cats, dogs, a boa constrictor and even a squirrel!
In her spare time she enjoys reading, watching anything and everything on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel and hanging out with her friends and family.
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Megan Duval Customer Care Embracer
Megan is thrilled to be part of the Embrace Team! Having previously worked in mortgages, retail banking, and customer service, Megan is excited to bring her experience and passion for pets to Embrace. Megan received her Bachelor degree in Psychology from John Carroll University, and plans to work on her Masters in the coming years.
Megan is the proud pet parent of two. Magnolia, a Black and Tan Coonhound, was rescued from a rescue group in Alabama and is beyond spoiled! Megan and Maggie enjoy hiking and running together. Megan also owns Troy, a Thoroughbred race horse who used to race under the name At A Boy Troy at Mountaineer Race Park in West Virginia. Troy and Megan currently compete in local shows in the Hunter Jumper ring and also enjoy trail rides in the afternoons.
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Christine Wrona Claims Managing Embracer
Chris is the emulation of the true meaning of Embrace. Last time she was at a dog show, she had as much "fuzz" on her clothes from "Embracing" all of the pets that came near her as the dogs themselves. Chris's passion is veterinary medicine, and animals and their care have consumed her world for over 15 years. With 3 dogs, one guinea pig and much volunteer work at a horse farm, it is hard to imagine she has time for Embrace; however, she is continually reading and learning more about how this industry grows and helps animals in ways it could not 10 years ago.
She has a 2-year certificate in an animal care program, experience in grooming and boarding kennels, and was a veterinary technician for over 6 years in areas ranging from emergency medicine to Internal Medicine. Prior to Embrace, Chris most recently worked in a vet technician role at the Shaker Animal Clinic.
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Adrienne Schlott Senior Claims Embracer
Adrienne has 18 years of experience as a veterinary technician, predominantly in emergency and specialty medicine with a focus on soft tissue and orthopedic conditions. She also worked in Processing Solutions for 3 years at Fifth Third Bank.
Adrienne has been involved in Search and Rescue for 10 years. She has a trained SAR dog and is now a training officer for her SAR group, helping to train dogs and their owners to find missing persons. Adrienne is the proud owner of a Pomeranian therapy dog named Andre, and she is an avid photographer and an outdoor enthusiast.
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Sandra "Sam" Adkins, RVT Claims Embracer
Sam is a Registered Veterinary Technician with over 13 years of experience in a wide variety of settings including 6 years working in emergency and referral practices. Always believing in doing what was best for her patients, she continues her strong belief in patient advocacy here at Embrace.
Sam attended school at the Bel-Rea Institute in Denver, Colorado, obtaining an associate degree in veterinary technology. She shares her home with her ever patient husband Tom, three mixed breed dogs; Einstein, Maxwell and Zippopatomus, two cats; Oliver and Puck, and two Spanish Mustangs; Rita and BoGo who we are training to pull a cart in addition to be riding horses. She also finds time to combine science and art in her life, and her illustrations have been published in text books, periodicals and presentation materials for veterinarians and doctors.
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Sonya Harris Senior Claims Administrator
Sonya started her career in the nursing field as a S.T.N.A. and later changed her career to coaching girls’ basketball, softball, and volleyball. Sonya loves dogs and hopes to adopt a Bichon Frise puppy very soon.
Sonya is an avid bowler who has bowled a high game of 299, so close but the ten pin denied her. She is very athletic and is on a semi-pro softball team that travels to different states for tournaments. In her spare time she loves being active and watching her daughter be a “mini” her.
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Cynthia Hokes Claims Administrator
Cynthia has always been a life-long dog lover. She is passionate about pets and has a 6 year old Aussie named Logan and a 3 year old Domestic Short Hair named Yopi. She also takes a special interest in dog training and behavior. Cynthia works with a trainer in the evenings and on weekends teaching basic obedience, agility and play behavior. She competes in Rally Obedience with Logan and has helped Logan achieve his Level 1 title.
Cynthia has a Bachelors degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University with a concentration in Animal Science. She also enjoys thoroughbred racing and the breeding industry.
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Jessica Stern Claims Administrator
Jessica has had a lifelong passion for animals. She grew up riding and showing horses at a hunter/jumper farm and always had numerous pets. While attending Ohio University, she worked at an equine rescue both training adult horses and caring for orphan foals. After graduating from OU in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Managerial Communications and a minor in Equine Studies, she started her career as a vet tech. She worked for an equine veterinarian for 2 years before switching to small animals.
Jessica currently has 2 lovable, rescued dogs – Dubs, a boxer, and Gracie, a miniature dachshund. In her spare time, she enjoys riding horses. She loves to be outdoors, camping or at the beach.
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Joy Wrona Claims Embracer
Joy has been with Embrace for quite some time now. A detailed and diligent worker, Joy's background lies in graphic arts. She loves to read and watch movies and has a passion for travel. Joy spent most of her time homeschooling her son and daughter, a rewarding and enriching experience. Joy also helps run her husband's computer business.
Joy is an avid dog lover and has two dogs of her own, a Miniature Schnauzer and a Miniature Dachshund. Her dogs may be miniature but the bond they all share is anything but.
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Jennifer Doering Claims Embracer
Jennifer has a wonderful, well-rounded background and brings a lot to the Embrace family. She has a degree in Economics from the University of Akron and also graduated from Cuyahoga Community College's Veterinary Technician program in 2003. Jennifer has worked in both specialty and private practice clinics and has a general love of animals. In her spare time, she enjoys photography.
Jennifer has quite the handsome Standard Wirehaired Dachshund appropriately named Frank and also two cats, a Domestic Shorthair named Elmer and a Tonkinese named Tyler.
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Jenna Mahan Claims Embracer
Jenna has an extensive background in the veterinary community and she brings this knowledge and experience to Embrace daily. She graduated from Cuyahoga Community College in 2002 with an associates of applied science in Veterinary Technology and also studied Biology, Chemistry and Theatre at Bowling Green State University. Jenna has previously worked at the Matthew J Ryan Veterinary Teaching Hospital ICU in Philly and has spent the vast majority of her career in emergency medicine. She takes a special interest in pet nutrition and allergies.
Jenna has the pleasure of sharing her life with one pup named Hazel and two kitties named Harry and Peggy. She is also the co-owner of a professional photography business and in her spare time enjoys jewelry making.
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Karen Giardina Claims Coding Embracer
Karen has degrees in Biology and Chemistry and spent most of her career doing neuroscience research, DNA sequencing and embryology. She has lived in Alaska and Colorado but moved back to Ohio to be near family. Karen has been married for 21 years and has 5 fur children- two cats (Ditto, Moxie & Buddy), one dog (Gordy), and one horse (Kismet). She loves to travel and enjoys great outdoors activities such as fishing, hiking and camping.
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