Shawna Bertalot, CIC, ACI, President
Shawna brings over 27 years of industry experience to her role with WisMed Assure. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Shawna began her career with a London broker handling the placement of Directors & Officers and Errors & Omissions insurance. She also has held underwriting, agency ownership and executive team leadership positions. Much of Shawna’s career focus has been serving the health care industry and has expansive knowledge from working with large health systems. Shawna holds the CIC designation (Certificate Insurance Counselor) and ACI (Associate in Captive Insurance), and is a member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society, Wisconsin Society for Healthcare Risk Management and Healthcare Financial Management Association. Shawna’s passion is raising her two kids and two dogs, and in any spare time she enjoys cooking, yoga, volleyball, skiing and travel anywhere.
Collette Cesar, Senior Account Manager
Collette Cesar has been with WisMed Assure since 2013 and brings more than 25 years of customer service experience in both banking and insurance to her role as a Senior Account Manager. Collette is licensed in Wisconsin for Life and Health as well as Property and Casualty. In 2018, she earned her Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation. Collette earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in Marketing and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Collette enjoys watching the Brewers, Bucks, Packers and Badgers, live theater (especially productions that include her son in the cast) and singing with her family choir.
Brian Fowler, Account Director
Brian has more than 15 years of experience as a customer service expert. He has worked with internal and external clients in the health care and banking fields. Brian is dedicated to professional, high-quality interactions with anyone in need of assistance. Prior to his current role he worked directly with physicians, nurses, health care staff and patients in the fight to eradicate colorectal cancer. Brian helped to develop a process for managing incomplete orders, thereby causing thousands of patients to be screened who otherwise would not have been. Brian holds a Wisconsin Property and Casualty license and a Life and Health license. Brian’s passion is being an amazing brother, son, and friend. He loves helping people and being there for his loved ones. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, music, traveling, reading, and exploring what the world has to offer with friends and family.
Tara Julien, Customer Service Agent
Tara brings more than 15 years of insurance experience, including more than five years of group insurance experience. Prior to joining WisMed Assure, Tara worked on the insurance carrier side specializing in large group new business sales. She has worked with clients in both the consumer goods and health care industries and believes in creating strong relationships to best understand the needs of the customer. Tara holds an Associate Degree in Business Management and is licensed in Wisconsin for life and health insurance. Tara and her husband reside in southeastern Wisconsin with their two young children. She and her family love to be active and enjoy walks to the park, days at the lake and biking the trails of Wisconsin.
Janet Marszalek, RPLU, Senior Account Manager
Janet has more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining WisMed Assure, Janet held positions at ProAssurance and PIC Wisconsin, specializing in Professional Liability for physicians, hospitals and health care facilities. Her previous roles include Senior Underwriter, Policyholder Services Representative and Administrative Assistant. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Upper Iowa University and is licensed in Wisconsin for Property and Casualty. Janet holds the RPLU designation (Registered Property Liability Underwriter) and has been a member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society. Janet has four grown boys and two grandchildren. She enjoys traveling to warm remote islands, hiking and biking at Wisconsin state parks and shopping.
Christopher Noffke, CSFS, GBDS, Vice President of Employee Benefits
Chris has more than 17 years of experience in group insurance sales and retention, including six years on the health insurance carrier side. Prior to joining WisMed Assure, Chris held positions at WPS, EPIC Life, Group Health Cooperative of South-Central Wisconsin and Ameritas Group, as well as operating his own insurance agency. He has completed the National Association of Health Underwriters Voluntary/Worksite Certification and holds a Group Benefit Disability Specialist (GBDS) designation. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska. When he’s not helping people with insurance, Chris enjoys traveling, playing card games, disc golf, and movies.
Jensen Peck, Business and Professional Insurance Executive
Jensen began his insurance career helping individuals across 27 states secure Medicaid and Medicare Advantage with one of the largest national Medicare carriers, where he was consistently ranked amongst the top 5% of agents. Jensen’s primary goal is being a trusted advisor and problem solver for his clients. Jensen’s experience working on the health care insurance payor side complements his new focus with WisMed Assure helping independent practices with their professional liability and business insurance needs. Jensen is fully licensed in Property and Casualty as well as Health Insurance. Jensen earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing with an emphasis in consumer behavior and sales from Edgewood College. When he isn’t busy helping you meet your insurance needs, he is an avid golfer and loves to travel and spend time with his friends, wife, and three cats.
Justin Sawran, CCI Operations Manager
Justin works on the data management and analytics efforts of WisMed Assure by overseeing our agency’s information management systems, consulting projects, and our service team. Justin has completed his Certificate in Captive Insurance (CCI) designation with the International Center for Captive Insurance Education as well as a Capstone Certificate in Actuarial Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Prior to working for the Medical Society, Justin was a Technical Services Representative for Epic Systems and had received degrees in math and economics from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. Justin also coaches swimming in Oregon, WI with their high school and club team programs. Justin swam competitively in college and currently plays water polo with the Madison Hippos. When he isn’t at the pool, Justin spends a lot of time exploring with his 2 Labrador Retrievers.
Tom Strangstalien, Insurance Advisor
Growing up on a family farm in Southwest Wisconsin, Tom learned the value of hard work at an early age. Tom attended Viterbo University in La Crosse, graduating Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in Business Administration and Finance. Beginning his career marketing individual health insurance plans, Tom developed a passion for individual finance and the role that insurance plays. He has reaped numerous industry awards, including becoming a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.
Tom started his own Financial Advisory practice, which flourished due to his concern and empathy for the families he works with. He has been a featured speaker on personal financial topics at many industry events. Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience, Tom joined WisMed Assure in June of 2020 to be an asset and advocate to our members, relative to their individual insurance planning.
In his spare time, Tom pursues all that is “outdoors”, including fishing, hunting, hiking, and searching for elusive morel mushrooms and ginseng. He also enjoys travel and new adventure. Tom lives on his small hobby farm in West Salem, Wisconsin.
Laura Weber, Senior Large Account Director
Laura brings more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, primarily in Health Care Professional Liability for large and small physician groups and hospitals. Previous positions include senior underwriting roles at both ProAssurance and MedPro. She most recently managed a book of business for a commercial brokerage placing benefits and property/casualty coverages for business owners. Laura earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is licensed in Property/Casualty and Life/Health. She holds the Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU) and Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) designations and is working to earn the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation, as well. Outside of her role at WisMed Assure, Laura enjoys cooking, traveling, a wide variety of creative interests and hiking in our beautiful state and national parks.