Meet the Leadership Team
Diana Steinhoff, LMHC
President and Chief Executive Officer
Diana is a highly accomplished business leader with over two decades of experience leading business strategies to drive digital transformations, optimizing operational practices, and delivering exceptional customer experiences while growing revenue. Diana joined Renaissance in 2023 with over 20 years in the insurance industry, having operated in various roles throughout her career. Beginning her career as a licensed clinician, Diana transitioned to Aetna in 2002 to develop their case management plans to align with plan and policy provisions. She has since remained in the insurance sector, serving in progressive leadership roles within Aetna, Zurich, Benefit Harbor Insurance Services, and most recently with Aflac as their SVP, Aflac Group Dental & Vision.
Jeff Kolesar
Chief Operating Officer
Jeff joined Renaissance in 2013 with nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance and employee benefits industry. His responsibilities include overseeing the national group sales and account management teams as well as developing sales and marketing plans to achieve new business objectives. Jeff also oversees Renaissance operations including actuarial, underwriting and call center administration. Previously, he spent more than 12 years with Guardian Life Insurance. Jeff’s extensive experience includes strategic product development, growth and planning for numerous dental and vision products on a national scale.
Earl Shaw
Chief Information Officer
Earl brings more than 25 years of technology experience with leadership roles in IT, Business Relationship Management, Vendor Management, and Facilities Management. He spent 14 years at Protective Insurance. In his last role at Protective as Vice President of IT Operations, he managed an $18 million operation with a team of 55 individuals. During 2019, he also served as interim CIO. Shaw has a strong track record of transforming technology groups into principle-driven, customer-focused teams that help create efficiency. He is a graduate of Indiana University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and Marketing.
Jessica Kenworthy
Chief Financial Officer
Jessica joined Renaissance as Vice President, Finance and Accounting in January 2020. Jessica brings nearly 20 years of Finance and Accounting experience to the company, having held leadership roles in risk management, strategy, financial planning and analysis, and corporate accounting. Prior to joining Renaissance, she was Vice President of Finance at Genesys, a technology company, and spent nearly 15 years in the life and health industry prior to her time there. Jessica is a graduate of Indiana University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and a Master’s degree in Accounting.
Chris Adams
Sr. Vice President, Marketing, Customer Experience & Brand
Chris is responsible for ensuring effective marketing communications for both group and individual sales divisions as well as overseeing the philanthropic initiatives of the Renaissance Family Foundation. As a marketing communications expert, Chris excels at finding creative solutions to business challenges. Chris has a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Michigan State University and is experienced with a variety of industries for both B2B and B2C channels. He has worked in the insurance industry for the past 13 years and previously was employed as a Senior Account Executive at Campbell-Ewald Advertising Agency.
Emma Howard
Sr. Vice President, Operations
Emma Howard is a seasoned insurance and benefits expert with more than 20 years of hands-on experience in Life, Disability, and Absence Management. Her expertise includes leading and overseeing teams, devising innovative solutions, and consistently surpassing client needs. She thrives on mentoring and sponsoring others and actively engages in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives. She is a driven leader who is deeply committed to empowering others to achieve their goals.
She holds certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Professional (ACP), and Six Sigma Green Belt.
John Feeney
Vice President, Group Sales & Market Development
As the Vice President of Group Sales & Market Development, John is responsible for sales growth. With more than 30 years of sales and training experience in New York and Washington, D.C., John has a robust background in marketing employee benefits programs for organizations of all sizes. His mentoring, coaching and development of new and experienced sales professionals is also a focal point of his role at Renaissance. John received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from William Paterson College, and has worked for Guardian Life Insurance Company in New York City. He participated in Maryland Health Underwriters and was a member of GWAHU (Greater Washington Area Health Underwriters) and joined Prospect Street Consulting as the Vice President of Business Development. Throughout his career, John has received numerous awards and designations as a national sales leader.
Donald Smith
Vice President, Information Technologies
Donald has a background in both group and individual insurance and has worked in various insurance and information technology roles. His 30 years of insurance experience includes: Operations, Compliance, Product Development, Claims, Underwriting, Reinsurance and Financial Reporting. Donald also has managed and developed systems that support group and individual insurance. Donald received an undergraduate degree in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration with a Concentration in Management Information Systems from the State University of New York.