Our Editorial Team of Insurance Experts

We’re a team of passionate personal finance journalists, editors, advisors, insurance agents, and data scientists — and we’re committed to providing you with accurate, relevant information and insurance.

Our editorial mission

We serve our readers with objective, well-researched, simple explanations of complex subjects related to all things insurance. We believe everyone deserves to get the best deal on insurance that’s available to them, and we create content to help you make informed decisions about your insurance coverages.

Our editorial principles

We will create with integrity. Integrity is intrinsic to every word we publish. To create our content, our team of skilled editors, writers, insurance agents, and insurance executives rely on meticulous research, and verified, reputable sources such as expert interviews, government authorities, and insurance company representatives.
We will create with integrity.
Integrity is intrinsic to every word we publish. To create our content, our team of skilled editors, writers, insurance agents, and insurance executives rely on meticulous research, and verified, reputable sources such as expert interviews, government authorities, and insurance company representatives.
We will write independently. Our content is based on factual research and analyses of available data. Although Insurify does receive commissions from the insurance companies we partner with, our team of content writers and editors receive no direct compensation from our business partners or advertisers.
We will write independently.
Our content is based on factual research and analyses of available data. Although Insurify does receive commissions from the insurance companies we partner with, our team of content writers and editors receive no direct compensation from our business partners or advertisers.
We will speak with empathy. We understand that buying insurance can be confusing, intimidating and frustrating – and we also believe it doesn’t have to be. We aim to provide information that can help destress the insurance-buying process.
We will speak with empathy.
We understand that buying insurance can be confusing, intimidating and frustrating – and we also believe it doesn’t have to be. We aim to provide information that can help destress the insurance-buying process.
We will inform with simplicity. Insurance is full of jargon and complicated terms. Whenever possible, we will replace jargon with simple, straightforward words that everyone can understand. When it’s necessary to use insurance terminology, we’ll explain what it means – thoroughly and concisely.
We will inform with simplicity.
Insurance is full of jargon and complicated terms. Whenever possible, we will replace jargon with simple, straightforward words that everyone can understand. When it’s necessary to use insurance terminology, we’ll explain what it means – thoroughly and concisely.

Our editorial leadership

Evelyn Pimplaskar, director of content, has 30-plus years of experience in content creation, editorial content, and personal finance.

Insurify editors

Our editing team includes veteran personal finance editors, specialized subject matter editors who are licensed insurance agents, and data scientists – all of whom excel at helping readers understand insurance industry news and trends that affect their financial well-being.

Headshot of Managing Editor Ashley Cox
Ashley Cox
Senior Managing Editor
Ashley is an experienced personal finance editor who has edited a variety of digital content over the years, including credit cards, insurance, mortgages, personal loans, student loans, and more. She is passionate about helping people learn more about personal finance so that they can empower themselves and achieve their financial goals.Ashley began her career as a journalist, working as a reporter and editor for print and broadcast news outlets. She also has a background in corporate retail communications, where she focused on web content and marketing communications development. Before joining Insurify, Ashley worked as a senior editor at Credible and a copy editor at Credit Karma.When she’s not editing, Ashley volunteers with the local Humane Society, takes trapeze classes (where she daydreams about running away and joining the circus), and hikes the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.Ashley earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Samford University.
Learn more
Chris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Senior Editor
Chris is Insurify’s Senior Editor for home insurance. He’s a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more. He is passionate about breaking down complex subject material to make important information accessible to everyone. Chris began his career as a journalist, managing two weekly newspapers, then moving into marketing and content marketing roles. Before joining Insurify, Chris served as the content strategy manager at Siteimprove and as the content manager at Brandpoint, where he managed a team of content creators. Away from work, Chris is an active hockey player and proud father of two rambunctious little girls. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. 
Learn more
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney Mikulski
Senior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski is a Senior Editor at Insurify with more than three years editing and producing personal finance content. She's experienced with insurance, credit cards, consumer lending, and banking products. Courtney works to provide easy-to-understand and actionable advice to readers looking for their next insurance provider. Her previous work with Bankrate, Reviews.com, and The Simple Dollar, helped readers make smarter financial decisions. When Courtney isn't working, you can find her hanging out with her cat or on a bike ride with her husband. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. 
Learn more

Insurify’s advisory panel

Insurify’s advisory panel helps our editorial team ensure our content is accurate, relevant, and addresses current news and trends in the insurance industry. Panel members draw on a wealth of insurance knowledge from their work as agents, educators, and industry leaders.

Headshot of industry expert Laura Adams
Laura Adams
Advisor
Laura Adams is one of the nation’s leading personal finance, insurance, and small business authorities. She’s an award-winning author, speaker, and the host of "Money Girl," a top-rated weekly podcast. She’s frequently quoted in the national media, and millions of readers and listeners benefit from her practical financial advice. Laura’s mission is to empower consumers to make smart money decisions every day through her spokesperson and advocacy work. She received an MBA from the University of Florida and lives in Vero Beach, Florida.
Learn more
Mark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Director, Corporate Communications
Mark Friedlander is Director, Corporate Communications, at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), a New York-based nonprofit research and education organization focused on providing consumers with a better understanding of insurance. Mark serves as a national spokesperson for the Triple-I, handling a wide array of insurance industry media issues. His responsibilities also include spearheading the association’s hurricane season communications strategy and its member company support and media outreach in Florida, where he is based.Mark’s extensive background includes senior marketing and communications roles at Prudential Financial, HSBC Holdings plc, Arthur Andersen LLP and Main Street America Insurance. He has held leadership positions within several insurance trade organizations, including Board Chair and President at the Insurance Marketing & Communications Association (IMCA), Communications Committee Chair at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), and key roles on the advisory boards of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's Trusted Choice® and Agency Best Practices® programs. Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations at The Ohio State University.
Learn more
Headshot of industry expert Daniel Roccato
Daniel Roccato
Advisor
Dan Roccato enjoyed a successful 20-year career with two of Wall Street’s most prominent investment banks: Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Advising corporations, pension funds, and institutional investors, Dan served as an executive abroad for several years and traveled extensively to more than 40 countries. He became a recognized expert in global securities services and corporate stock options. In 2006, Roccato founded Quaker Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment advisory firm. After growing the company to nearly $300 million of client assets in 2019, Dan completed a successful sale of the firm to employees.In 2014, Dan was elected to the board of directors of Delanco Bancorp, a publicly traded company that controls Delanco Federal Savings Bank. During his tenure on the board, the bank was successfully acquired by First Bank in a public transaction. Roccato is a graduate of Rutgers University, University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel University. Now, Dan is a clinical professor of finance at the University of San Diego School of Business, consistently ranking among the top of his peers. Previously, he was an adjunct professor of economics and finance at Rutgers University, where he was named Outstanding Adjunct Professor in 2012. Dan has also taught at Rowan College and lectured at Drexel University. He is a contributing author of the book “International Securities Lending,” published by Macmillan in 1992. Dan has also authored several articles related to investments, capital markets, real estate, and personal finance.Dan is a Fox News Contributor specializing in finance and economic analysis. He also appears regularly on News Nation and a variety of local media outlets.
Learn more

Insurify insurance agents

Insurify is a licensed insurance agency in all 50 states, and our editorial team works with a panel of seasoned insurance agents to help ensure the accuracy and simplicity of our content.

Our data scientists

Our data scientists hold advanced degrees in data science, economics, applied mathematics, machine learning, and computer science. They leverage their expertise to help our editorial team turn more than 400 million data points from 70 million-plus insurance quotes into meaningful, actionable content to help our readers make informed decisions about insurance.

Insurify contributors

Nearly 30 experienced personal finance writers contribute to Insurify’s editorial content each month. Our contributors have written for leading personal finance and insurance industry publications from Investopedia, Forbes, and the New York Times, to Business Insider, Bankrate, and Credit Karma.

Shakhzod Yuldoshboev
Shakhzod Yuldoshboev
A Georgetown University alumnus, Shakhzod holds a degree in Economics complemented by minors in Government and Mathematics. His rigorous academic training is aligned with his passion for producing fact-validated and data-driven journalistic work. A recipient of the prestigious Future Leaders Fellowship, he is currently pursuing MS in Economics at Tufts University. He is committed to leveraging data to decode the complex world around us.
Learn more
Cassidy Grom
Cassidy Grom
Cassidy Grom is a freelance journalist and web designer. Her work can be found in The Star-Ledger (NJ.com), The New York Daily News, and NJ Spotlight News, among others.
Learn more
Michelle Lambright Black
Michelle Lambright Black
Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert, freelance writer, and founder of CreditWriter.com. She has over 20 years of experience writing and speaking about credit and money, and focuses on helping families and small business owners make smart, informed decisions about their credit, money, and financial products (including insurance). Michelle's work has appeared in publications such as Yahoo! Finance, Reader's Digest, Parents, FICO, Forbes, Bankrate, The Seattle Times, MarketWatch, BuySide from Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more. She's also a three-time finalist for the best personal finance freelancer award from the Plutus Foundation. When she isn't writing or speaking about credit and money, Michelle loves to travel with her family or read a good book. You can connect with Michelle on Instagram or Twitter. 
Learn more
Mark Vallet
Mark Vallet
Mark is a freelance journalist and analyst with more than 15 years of experience covering the insurance industry. He has extensive experience creating and editing content on a variety of subjects with deep expertise in insurance and automotive writing.
Learn more
Christy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy
Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
Learn more
Dom DiFurio
Dom DiFurio
Dom DiFurio is a staff writer at Stacker covering money, the economy, business trends, real estate, and more. He previously wrote for The Dallas Morning News and his work has been published in The Washington Post, USA Today, and ESPN Magazine as well as local and regional newsrooms across the country. He has been recognized by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, and Columbia University.
Learn more
Courtney Washington
Courtney Washington
Courtney Washington is a Texas A&M University graduate. Her extensive knowledge and background in auto, home, and umbrella policies make her a one-stop shop for insurance advice and information. She loves to help her readers understand their insurance choices so they can make informed decisions about their coverage.
Learn more
Natalie McNeal
Natalie McNeal
Natalie P. McNeal is an award-winning digital journalist thriving at the intersection of personal finance and human interest. The Howard University graduate is the author of The Frugalista Files: How One Woman Got Out of Debt Without Giving Up the Fabulous Life. She enjoys delivering fresh, engaging perspectives that reliably and insightfully convey how developments in financial systems and products impact readers’ everyday lives. She has bylines in fast-paced, multi-platform news organizations such as The Washington Post, The Miami Herald, BET.com and TheRoot.com as well as media mentions on CNN, NPR, Forbes, The New York Times, Financial Times, and L.A. Times.
Learn more
Jessica Martel
Jessica Martel
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Learn more

Our editorial process

Insurify’s content goes through a rigorous editing and fact-checking process that includes reviews by insurance agents, data scientists, and multiple editors with years of experience in insurance and personal finance. We vet every article and report for:

  • Accuracy

  • Educational value

  • Objectivity

  • Enjoyability