People Moves: Gallagher Expands Executive, Financial Risk Practice Leadership; AXA XL Promotes Williams and Schmude in Specialty Insurance

Gallagher Expands Executive and Financial Risk Practice Leadership Team

Gallagher, headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, appointed new leaders in its executive and financial risk practice.

Seth Pfalzer has been appointed senior vice president and national director, joining the practice’s board of directors.

Priya Huskins has been named senior vice president and national director, leading the practice’s content thought leadership initiatives. A corporate securities attorney and a public company board member herself, Huskins has extensive experience counseling clients on mitigating directors & officers (D&O) liability risks.

Joining Huskins are Lenin Lopez and Walker Newell, both with the title of senior vice president and executive director.

Lopez leverages his experience leading corporate governance and securities functions at public companies to help boards and executive management navigate legal and business risks.

Newell draws on deep experience leading securities litigation and enforcement matters in past government, public company, and elite law firm roles to counsel clients.

Pfalzer, Huskins, Lopez and Newell most recently served as management liability leaders at Woodruff Sawyer before Gallagher acquired the firm in 2025.

AXA XL Promotes Williams and Schmude in Specialty Insurance Team

AXA XL, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, promoted Mikki Williams to head of ocean marine, including cargo, hull & P&I, and marine liabilities and Doug Schmude to head of commercial bonds.

Based in Seattle, Williams has played a vital role in shaping AXA XL’s marine underwriting and risk management strategies. In her new position, she oversees the Ocean Marine portfolio across the Americas.

Schmude, based in Chicago, is a seasoned professional with a proven track record in the bonds market. He is focused on expanding AXA XL’s offerings and deepening client relationships within this segment.

Topics Excess Surplus Leadership A.J. Gallagher AXA XL