May 06, 2021

NAME: Matthew Marolda

NEW JOB TITLE: Boston-based chief innovation officer, Acrisure LLC

PREVIOUS POSITION: Boston-based executive management team member, Tulco LLC

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen the financial services industry and the insurance industry specifically drive innovative ways to meet customers’ needs. This is an exciting time to be in the industry and working with a company who puts innovation and technology at the forefront. As we look to a post-pandemic world, I think we’ll continue to see increased digital service offerings and data-backed solutions and services. The industry is ripe for transformation across the board and there are many organizations working to solve these major gaps.

GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: I’m looking forward to finding a powerful blend between people, data and technology that can drive innovation at Acrisure. It was too enticing to pass up the opportunity to extend Acrisure’s entrepreneurial culture and insurance/finserv distribution platform in new, growth-oriented ways.

CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: Having enough of the right data is always a challenge, regardless of industry. This is just as true in insurance as it is anywhere. What we’re focused on is solving this problem by leveraging data, data science and AI to better see trends and understand risks impacting clients. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to support this journey and help create solutions to take full advantage of data and technology in insurance and other financial services.

ADVICE: As someone who has entered different industries over the course of my career, I’ve learned that finding great, patient partners and asking lots of questions is a quick way up the learning curve. I’ve also learned that it is important to strike a balance between respecting what has come before and identifying opportunities for change and innovation.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: I’ve been very fortunate to have at least two dream jobs during my career. I spent around 10 years working on player evaluation and coaching analytics in professional sports with StratBridge, followed by the next eight years in Hollywood with Legendary and WarnerMedia. I’m passionate about data science and I see a huge opportunity for data science to transform the insurance industry, just as it did in sports and entertainment.

COLLEGE MAJOR: At Bowdoin College, I had a double major in economics and mathematics with a minor in art history (to round out the liberal arts experience). At Dartmouth College, finance and entrepreneurship were the concentrations in my MBA.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: In addition to Acrisure’s incredible assets, resources and capabilities, I’m most excited about the impressive and entrepreneurial team I get to work with every day. I’m looking forward to continuing this growth and accelerating it further by continuing to build its tech and innovation initiatives.

FAVORITE MEAL: I’m not sure exactly, but I know I’d find it in our family’s cookbook of Italian recipes passed down through the generations.

BOOK: I’ve been re-reading all of the Harry Potter books, since my kids have been into them.

HOBBIES: I am a sports fan, specifically a Boston Celtics season-ticket holder. I’m also an avid skier and sailor, and generally like to stay active.

TV SHOW: Over the years, I’ve been a fan of “The Sopranos,” “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men.” More recently, shows that come to mind are “The Mandolorian,” “Brockmire,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” “The Great” and “Ted Lasso.”

ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: You’ll always find me with my family, and we’re likely skiing, sailing, biking, hiking or watching movies.