Boutique Insurance Brokerage

Complex Risk

Handled With Intention

Advising and placing risk solutions for executives, investors, and deal teams across transactions, leadership exposure, and hard-to-place risks.

Trusted by Industry Leaders

By referral only

Chesky Partners
CSP
Genesis Credit Partners
Founders Exit Group
White Oak Global Advisors
Greenberg

Meet our team

M&A Industry Award Winner
Marianne Halvorsen
LinkedIn

The advisor
behind
the strategy

With over 20 years navigating insurance markets across management liability, M&A transactions, and distressed situations, Marianne is the advisor executives turn to when placements are complex and the stakes are high.

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Years Navigating Complex Risk

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Core Strategic Areas of Focus

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Referral-Based Growth

About Marianne Halvorsen

Originally from Norway, Marianne brings more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, including over two decades in New York and California with some of the world's largest global brokerage firms. Now based in Florida, she founded Strategi Builder to bring that depth of experience to clients through a more personal, agile, and relationship-driven approach.

She specializes in complex commercial insurance and risk strategy, with particular expertise in management liability, M&A, private equity, and companies navigating growth and change.

She is also the founder of Kontaktsource, a professional community connecting leaders across the private equity and deal ecosystem. Beyond insurance, she is passionate about executive coaching, mentorship, and animal welfare.

Master's degrees from Macquarie University and Queensland University of Technology ยท Additional studies at Washington State University and BI Norwegian Business School.

Professional Accreditations & Recognition

CPCU

Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter

AIS

Associate in Insurance Services

Innovation Award

International Women's Day, 2023

10 Most Inspiring Women

Industry Era, 2021

Turnaround Award

Professional Service of the Year, The M&A Advisor, 2020

Excellence in Risk Management

International M&A Awards, USA, 2015

40 Under 40 Insurance Broker

Business Insurance Magazine, 2014

40 Under 40 Emerging Leader

The M&A Advisor, 2011

Strategic Wholesale Partners

Collaborating with specialized wholesale partners across D&O, cyber, and complex liability.

Thomas Anselmo

Thomas Anselmo

Management Liability & Complex Risk

LinkedIn
Rose Puerto

Rose Puerto

Management Liability

LinkedIn
Ian Fike

Ian Fike

Property

LinkedIn
Robert Davis

Robert Davis

Property & Casualty

LinkedIn
Selvin Green

Selvin Green

Cyber Security

LinkedIn

see more

What We Do

Six Areas of Focus
One Strategic Advisor

Accessing specialized markets and structuring solutions across D&O, transactional risk, and complex placements; optimizing coverage, pricing, and execution.

D&O & Management Liability
01

D&O & Management Liability

01

D&O & Management Liability

  • Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance for leadership.
  • Employment Practices Liability (EPLI) coverage.
  • Fiduciary Liability and E&O protection.
  • Lender and investor requirement compliance.
Transactional & Deal-Related Insurance
02

Transactional & Deal-Related Insurance

02

Transactional & Deal-Related Insurance

  • Representations & Warranties (R&W) Insurance.
  • Tail D&O for sellers and exiting management.
  • Transactional risk assessments.
  • Transaction-aligned coverage structuring.
Restructuring & Distressed Situations
03

Restructuring & Distressed Situations

03

Restructuring & Distressed Situations

  • D&O and liability for companies in transition.
  • Aligned with restructuring advisors and lenders.
  • Runoff, wind-down, and newco structuring.
  • Protecting leadership through uncertainty.
Complex & Non-Standard Risk
04

Complex & Non-Standard Risk

04

Complex & Non-Standard Risk

  • Non-standard risk analysis and advocacy.
  • Creative coverage structuring.
  • Specialized and alternative market access.
  • Deep market relationship leverage.
Risk Strategy & Advisory Support
05

Risk Strategy & Advisory Support

05

Risk Strategy & Advisory Support

  • Coverage structure and limit optimization.
  • Market positioning and timing strategy.
  • Lender & investor requirement management.
  • Risk profile evolution monitoring.
Claims Advocacy & Ongoing Support
06

Claims Advocacy & Ongoing Support

06

Claims Advocacy & Ongoing Support

  • Active support through the claims process.
  • Renewal management and renegotiation.
  • Ongoing risk and policy change monitoring.
  • Continuous client-side advocacy.
Our Approach

A proven approach to structuring complex risk & delivering results

We shape how the risk is presented to the market, refining financials, pitch materials, and narrative so the business is positioned clearly, credibly, and strategically.

1

Deep Understanding

We begin by spending time getting to know the client, the business, and the context behind the risk, including leadership priorities, financial dynamics & transaction timing.

2

Positioning & Preparation

We help shape how the risk is presented to insurance markets, reviewing pitch decks, financials, and narrative so the business is positioned accurately & compellingly.

3

Market Engagement

We engage directly with underwriters on behalf of the client presenting the risk thoughtfully, controlling the process, and managing all market dialogue.

4

Advocacy & Negotiation

We negotiate terms, structure, pricing, and conditions leveraging decades of experience and established carrier relationships to advocate for the best possible outcome.

5

Solution Structuring

We evaluate all available options and structure the optimal solution, balancing coverage, cost, flexibility, and long-term strategy.

6

Meet the Market

Following placement, we facilitate a direct introduction between client and underwriter, building long-term relationships and ensuring transparency beyond the transaction.

Solutions by Stage

Tailored for where
you are right now.

Every business presents a different risk profile. Select your stage below to explore customized solutions designed for your specific goals.

Build the right foundation from day one

We help early-stage companies establish the right insurance foundation as they begin to grow. This includes structuring management liability and core protections in a way that supports fundraising, board formation, and early governance without overbuilding or misaligning coverage.

Management liability structuring
Fundraising-ready coverage
Board formation support
Early governance solutions
What Clients Say

Voices from the leaders
who trust us to deliver
exceptional results

Scott Chesky

Scott Chesky

Managing Partner, Chesky Partners

Marianne is a trusted advisor to our firm and our clients during M&A transactions. Her expertise in tail D&O and Rep & Warranty insurance brings clarity and confidence to sellers navigating complex exits. She is responsive, strategic and a true partner in getting deals done.

Andre A. Hakkak

Andre A. Hakkak

Founder & CEO, White Oak Global Advisors

Marianne has been a trusted partner to us at White Oak Global Advisors for our business insurance needs and beyond. She brings a practical, thoughtful approach to lender diligence and has been especially helpful in working through complex D&O situations where coverage can be difficult to obtain.

Joerg Joergensen

Joerg Joergensen

International CFO Consultant

I've worked with Marianne on a number of international clients expanding into the U.S. market, including companies that transition from private to public. She has a strong understanding of cross-border insurance considerations and brings a practical, steady approach to navigating complexity as clients establish and grow their U.S. presence.

Selig D. Sacks

Selig D. Sacks

President, SDS Advisory, Inc.

Marianne brings deep insight and judgment to every engagement. Her thoughtful, steady approach has helped our clients navigate complex insurance challenges with confidence across both routine and highly bespoke placements.

Scott Chesky

Scott Chesky

Managing Partner, Chesky Partners

Marianne is a trusted advisor to our firm and our clients during M&A transactions. Her expertise in tail D&O and Rep & Warranty insurance brings clarity and confidence to sellers navigating complex exits. She is responsive, strategic and a true partner in getting deals done.

Andre A. Hakkak

Andre A. Hakkak

Founder & CEO, White Oak Global Advisors

Marianne has been a trusted partner to us at White Oak Global Advisors for our business insurance needs and beyond. She brings a practical, thoughtful approach to lender diligence and has been especially helpful in working through complex D&O situations where coverage can be difficult to obtain.

Joerg Joergensen

Joerg Joergensen

International CFO Consultant

I've worked with Marianne on a number of international clients expanding into the U.S. market, including companies that transition from private to public. She has a strong understanding of cross-border insurance considerations and brings a practical, steady approach to navigating complexity as clients establish and grow their U.S. presence.

Selig D. Sacks

Selig D. Sacks

President, SDS Advisory, Inc.

Marianne brings deep insight and judgment to every engagement. Her thoughtful, steady approach has helped our clients navigate complex insurance challenges with confidence across both routine and highly bespoke placements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know
about our services

We specialize in management and professional liability insurance including D&O, EPLI, E&O, Fiduciary Liability, transactional insurance (R&W, Tail D&O), and coverage for restructuring and distressed situations. Our expertise lies in complex, hard-to-place risks.
The timeline varies based on complexity and market conditions. Standard placements typically take 2-4 weeks, while complex or transactional placements can range from 3-6 weeks. We work efficiently while ensuring thorough market engagement and optimal coverage terms.
We provide comprehensive support including risk assessment, positioning strategy, market engagement, negotiation with carriers, policy structuring, and ongoing claims advocacy. We also facilitate direct "meet the market" conversations between clients and underwriters to build long-term relationships.
Absolutely. We remain engaged beyond placement to support clients through renewals, claims, policy changes, and evolving risk profiles. Advocacy continues when coverage is tested and support matters most.
We take confidentiality seriously. All clients sign comprehensive NDAs before we begin, and we maintain strict data security protocols. Your sensitive business information is never shared without explicit consent.
We combine deep carrier and wholesale relationships with modern AI-powered tools for efficiency. Our boutique approach means personalized advocacy, creative structuring for difficult placements, and a focus on long-term partnerships rather than transactional relationships.

Still have questions?

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Direct Contact & Support

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Expert Insurance Solutions

Navigating complex risk through trusted partnerships

Business Hours

Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST (Response within 2-4 hrs)