Broker Council

The BerniePortal broker council is comprised of some of the best broker minds in the business. We have handpicked four agencies across the country who will be providing essential feedback to help BerniePortal continue to serve employers in the best way possible.

Jennifer Sosa Headshot

Jennifer Sosa; Texas

Jennifer is responsible for providing advice and risk management services to clients in the many areas of employee benefits, including insurance services, benefit plan designs, financial analysis and state and federal compliance at Higginbotham. Her expertise includes health and welfare strategic planning, healthcare reform, human resources and implementation of strategies to manage employer liability. Jennifer has more than 27 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. When Jennifer is not working, she finds herself spending quality time with her husband, son and dog.

Chris McArdle Headshot

Chris McArdle; Wisconsin

Chris has been helping individuals and small employers in the Milwaukee area find insurance solutions for almost 30 years and is the owner of MKE Benefits. His agency primarily focuses on the three areas of small group benefits, Medicare plans, and individual marketplace policies. He regularly presents on the topics of Medicare and the Affordable Care Act and has served on various industry task forces and advisory groups for the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and for local insurance carriers. He has served on the board of directors for the local YMCA and Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, and enjoys volunteering with groups such as Hunger Task Force and the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

Dana Kiblawi Headshot

Dana Kiblawi; Wisconsin

Dana is the Director of Account Management at MKE Benefits LLC, located in Milwaukee, WI. She studied Consumer Finance at the University of WI Madison, after which she focused her career in the insurance industry on the client service side of the business for several different local agencies. Joining MKE Benefits at its inception in 2018, Dana is a leader in the group insurance area of the business, working with clients and prospects to help with all of their employee benefits needs.

Jennifer Coppola Headshot

Jennifer Coppola; Virginia

Since joining LD&B Insurance and Financial Services in 2011, Jen has served in account management and operations management roles, and currently leads the firm’s Employee Benefits team.  LD&B has a strong commitment to their clients and the local community, which allows its employees to find innovative solutions to the complex problems faced by employers today.  Jen’s team uses a wide range of tools and programs to serve both large and small clients, and works extensively in the medical self-funded arena.  Outside of work, Jen enjoys trying out new recipes and spending time with her family.

Diana Epstein Headshot

Diana Epstein; Virginia

Diana has worked in a few different administrative roles with the Employee Benefits Division at LD&B Insurance and Financial Services since 2016. Her primary responsibilities currently include communicating employee benefit enrollments and changes to carrier partners, both manually and via some data integration support. She also serves as liaison for benefits software vendors and supports clients and account managers with benefit technology questions and troubleshooting. In her free time she loves to travel and experience new things with her friends and family.

Jill Pedersen, REBC; Oregon

Jill is the owner of Columbia Benefit Solutions. She is well versed in health care reform, fully insured benefits and Medicare and presents on a wide variety of complex issues to employers and industry partners. Columbia Benefit Solutions believes that when clients understand their options, they will be able to make an informed decision about their health and financial future for themselves and their employees. She has held many leadership roles and continues to contribute to forwarding the legislative efforts across the country. Away from the office, Jill loves travelling with her husband of more than 30 years and visiting their 3 adult sons and their families.

Jolene Bryant; Oregon

Jolene is the Senior Account Executive who manages all employee benefits at Columbia Benefit Solutions. Her years of experience developing and managing client relationships both with a carrier and at large and small agencies has led to her proficiency in the employee benefits arena. As a leader, she works collaboratively within her organization to build engagement and accountability and provide mentorship to increase organizational performance. Jolene is an active participant in her professional association, the National Association for Benefit and Insurance Professionals (NABIP). Her ability to make a party out of any meeting has increased membership and retention across the country.