Risk Management: Brick by Brick

Innovation & AI: Real-Time Asset Intelligence with Eliron Ekstein

In this episode of Risk Management: Brick by Brick, host Jason Reichl sits down with Eliron Ekstein, co-founder and CEO of Raven.AI, to discuss the transformation of vehicle inspections through advanced computer vision. From a "lucky coincidence" in a Shell energy lab to becoming a critical partner for the world’s largest rental car fleets like Avis and Hertz, Eliron shares how Raven.AI built a redundant, data-rich system that outperforms traditional human assessments. Discover why the industry is shifting toward an 80/20 automation model, how 360-degree documentation solves the "trust gap" in AI, and why real-world experience is the ultimate prerequisite for solving the industry's most expensive problems. Whether you are navigating rising claim costs or looking to implement self-service claims, this conversation reveals how transparency and high-fidelity data are reshaping the physical world. To find out how TrustLayer manages risk so that people can build the physical world around us, head to TrustLayer.io.. Podcast Host: Jason Reichl Executive Producer: Don HalliwellEpisode Highlights:00:29 – The Shell Energy Lab: The Unlikely Origin of Raven.AI01:38 – Leveraging Fleet Data: The Avis and Hertz Coincidence02:27 – Shrinking Cycle Times: Self-Service Scans for Policyholders03:26 – Why AI Failed in the Past: The Problem with Bad Data04:27 – The 360-Degree Advantage: Why Humans Miss Damage AI Catches05:33 – The 80/20 Rule: Predicting the Future of Claims Automation06:31 – Rising Severity: Why Claim Costs are Through the Roof07:46 – Solving the Trust Gap: The Role of Transparency in AI10:20 – Immediate ROI: Reducing Cycle Times by 50%11:37 – Beyond Cars: Expanding to Commercial Trucks and Forklifts14:00 – Career Advice: Why You Must Understand the Problem to Fix It Episode Resources:Eliron Ekstein’s LinkedInRaven.AI Official WebsiteTrustLayerIf you enjoyed this episode, please (with a cherry on top):Subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple PodcastsFollow TRS on SpotifyTell a friend!Risk Management: Brick by Brick is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soPrevious guests include: Seth Hausman of Kraus-Anderson Insurance, Matthew Meyer of The Horton Group, Diana Rich of Foundation Building Materials, Christy McHenry of Suffolk Construction, Mark Rieder of NFP, and Cory Mangum of Primoris Services Corporation. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: Managing Your Risk Portfolio with Seth HausmanFocusing on Specialization with Matthew MeyerRisk Management is Everywhere with Diana RichIf you are interested in being a guest on Risk Management: Brick by Brick, please complete this form: fame.so/trs-guest

Beyond the Estimate: How AI is Humanizing the Claims Experience with Bill Brower

We're coming to you LIVE from ITC! In this episode of Risk Management: Brick by Brick, host Jason Reichl sits down with Bill Brower, Senior Vice President of Claims for Solera, to discuss the radical transformation of the claims process. With over 35 years in the industry—ranging from his father's body shop to executive roles at Nationwide and Liberty Mutual—Bill offers a masterclass in how technology is making the claims process more customer-friendly.Bill dives into the mechanics of AI-powered estimating, the shift toward instant digital payouts, and why the biggest barrier to innovation isn't the software, but the culture of legacy processes. Discover why Bill believes AI makes claims professionals "superhuman" and what a truly seamless, virtual claim journey will look like by 2030.Whether you're a young professional entering the industry or a carrier rethinking your digital strategy, this conversation highlights why test-and-learn mindsets are essential for survival in a digital-first world.To find out how TrustLayer manages risk so that people can build the physical world around us, head to TrustLayer.io.Podcast Host: Jason ReichlExecutive Producer: Don HalliwellEpisode Highlights:00:54 - Meet Bill Brower: From the Shop Floor to Global Claims Leadership01:28 - Instant Payouts & Smarter Decisions: Defining the Future of Claims02:23 - Why Now? How Perfected Software is Finally Meeting Industry Needs03:16 - The Superhuman Claims Professional: AI as an Efficiency Tool04:00 - Test and Learn: Balancing Speed, Accuracy, and Empathy05:05 - Real-World Impact: How Body Shops are Leveraging AI to Eliminate Bottlenecks07:14 - Distinguishing Buzz from Reality: The Importance of Robust Data Sets08:40 - Transparency in AI: Should Customers Know it's Machine-Driven?10:01 - Predictions for 2030: Virtual Handling and the 24-Hour Claim12:09 - Standardizing the Industry: The Role of SECA in Data Quality14:07 - Advice for the Next Generation: Adopting Automation as a Career DifferentiatorEpisode Resources:Bill Brower’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-brower-mba-9426b51Solera: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soleraTrustLayer: https://www.trustlayer.ioIf you enjoyed this episode, please (with a cherry on top):Subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple PodcastsFollow TRS on SpotifyTell a friend!Risk Management: Brick by Brick is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soPrevious guests include: Seth Hausman of Kraus-Anderson Insurance, Matthew Meyer of The Horton Group, Diana Rich of Foundation Building Materials, Christy McHenry of Suffolk Construction, Mark Rieder of NFP, and Cory Mangum of Primoris Services Corporation. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: Managing Your Risk Portfolio with Seth HausmanFocusing on Specialization with Matthew MeyerRisk Management is Everywhere with Diana RichIf you are interested in being a guest on Risk Management: Brick by Brick, please complete this form: fame.so/trs-guest

Innovation & AI: Reimagining Insurance Risk with Ashish Srivastava

We're coming to you LIVE from ITC 2025! In this new, limited series of Risk Management: Brick by Brick, host Jason Reichl sits down with Ashish Srivastava, Head of North America, Insurance & Risk Management for Blackstone Real Estate, to explore the massive gap between what insurance customers need and what the market actually delivers. With experience spanning McKinsey & Company, Zurich Insurance, and now managing one of the largest real estate insurance portfolios in the world, Ashish reveals why InsurTechs are positioned to bridge this gap and how AI will transform risk from a cost center into a strategic value-add.Discover how portfolio scale creates competitive advantages, why innovation should trump brand names when selecting partners, and what it takes for insurance carriers and brokers to keep pace with evolving customer expectations. Whether you are a risk manager at a global enterprise or a carrier trying to modernize, this conversation reveals why intellectual curiosity and innovation are the only ways to survive the shifting landscape.To find out how TrustLayer manages risk so that people can build the physical world around us, head to TrustLayer.io.Podcast Host: Jason ReichlExecutive Producer: Don HalliwellEpisode Highlights:00:00 - Intro: Welcome to Risk Management Brick by Brick00:25 - From McKinsey to Blackstone: Ashish's Journey into Insurance01:25 - Scale as Strategy: Managing Risk Across Portfolio Companies02:45 - The Customer Report Card: What Buyers Need vs. What They Get03:55 - AI's Role in Transforming Risk Management05:05 - From Reactive to Proactive: Preventing Claims Before They Happen06:37 - Practical AI Applications: Sensors, Cameras, and Pattern Recognition07:07 - How AI Will Reshape Insurance Carriers and Brokers08:35 - The "Three in a Box" Model: Building Effective AI Teams10:23 - Why Risk Managers Must Be Part of AI Conversations12:06 - Leadership and the Innovation Gap in Insurance14:17 - Innovation vs. Brand Names: Selecting the Right Partners16:06 - Advice for Risk Managers: Curiosity and Influence17:17 - Getting Started in Insurance: Resources for Young Professionals19:27 - Why Insurance Affects Everything in the WorldEpisode Resources:Ashish Srivastava’s LinkedInRevantage, A Blackstone Portfolio CompanyTrustLayerIf you enjoyed this episode, please (with a cherry on top):Subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple PodcastsFollow TRS on SpotifyTell a friend!Risk Management: Brick by Brick is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soPrevious guests include: Seth Hausman of Kraus-Anderson Insurance, Matthew Meyer of The Horton Group, Diana Rich of Foundation Building Materials, Christy McHenry of Suffolk Construction, Mark Rieder of NFP, and Cory Mangum of Primoris Services Corporation. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: Managing Your Risk Portfolio with Seth HausmanFocusing on Specialization with Matthew MeyerRisk Management is Everywhere with Diana RichIf you are interested in being a guest on Risk Management: Brick by Brick, please complete this form: fame.so/trs-guest

Sniffing Out Fraud: The Future of AI in Investigations with Marci De Vries

In this limited series of Risk Management: Brick by Brick, host Jason Reichl sits down with Marci De Vries, CEO of Fraud Sniffr, for Episode 4 of ‘Documentation & Organization’ for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of social media, AI, and insurance fraud investigations. As a serial entrepreneur and investigative expert, Marci shares how her company ties investigative data to tangible reductions in claims awards and timelines, turning investigation from a "waste of money" into a clear ROI.Discover how fraudsters are becoming more "analog" to avoid digital detection, why generative AI cannot be trusted for official reports but is invaluable as an investigative tool, and the alarming rise of social media communities that coach people on how to get bigger settlements. Learn why ethical investigators must remain neutral and what advice Marci gives her clients for positioning themselves for the next set of fraud—investigate everyone.To find out how TrustLayer manages risk so that people can build the physical world around us, head to TrustLayer.io.Podcast Host: Jason ReichlExecutive Producer: Don HalliwellEpisode Highlights:00:00 - Intro: Welcome to Risk Management Brick by Brick00:38 - Marci's Journey: From Novelist to CEO of Fraud Sniffr02:58 - The Business Model: Tying Investigation Data to Revenue 05:00 - The Evolving Fraudster: Why Analog Methods are Trending 06:33 - Accidental vs. Intentional Fraudsters and Their Cover-Ups 08:16 - The AI Problem: Why Carriers Don't Want Generative AI in Reporting 10:59 - Crime Rings: Using Data Mining to Find Connected Claims 12:21 - The Social Media Communities That Coach Fraud 14:52 - Ethics of Investigation: Our Heart is in Truth, Not Sides 17:39 - Preparing for the Next Fraud: Investigate Every Player 19:31 - Risky or Too Risky: Al, Profiling, and Whistleblowers27:20 - Final Thoughts: The Best Career Advice Is to Trust YourselfEpisode Resources:Marci DeVries’s LinkedInFraud SniffrTrustLayerIf you enjoyed this episode, please (with a cherry on top):Subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple PodcastsFollow TRS on SpotifyTell a friend!Risk Management: Brick by Brick is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soPrevious guests include: Seth Hausman of Kraus-Anderson Insurance, Matthew Meyer of The Horton Group, Diana Rich of Foundation Building Materials, Christy McHenry of Suffolk Construction, Mark Rieder of NFP, and Cory Mangum of Primoris Services Corporation. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: Managing Your Risk Portfolio with Seth HausmanFocusing on Specialization with Matthew MeyerRisk Management is Everywhere with Diana RichIf you are interested in being a guest on Risk Management: Brick by Brick, please complete this form: fame.so/trs-guest

AI Revolution: Transforming Construction Risk Management with Sai Kothapalli

In this limited series of Risk Management: Brick by Brick, host Jason Reichl sits down with Sai Kothapalli, Technical Program Manager at Accenture for Episode 3 of ‘Documentation & Organization,’ to explore how artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming construction risk management. With over eight years in construction and expertise in AI implementation, Sai reveals how the industry is shifting from reactive firefighting to predictive, data-driven strategies that are revolutionizing project success.Discover how AI-powered progress monitoring achieves 94% accuracy compared to 78% with manual methods, why cultural resistance remains the biggest implementation challenge, and what regulatory frameworks will be needed as autonomous equipment becomes reality. Learn practical strategies for integrating AI into your construction operations and why companies that don't embrace this technology face existential risk.To find out how TrustLayer manages risk so that people can build the physical world around us, head to TrustLayer.io.Podcast Host: Jason ReichlExecutive Producer: Don HalliwellEpisode Highlights:00:00 - Intro: Welcome to Risk Management Brick by Brick01:28 - From Reactive to Predictive: Why Construction Risk Had to Change03:13 - The $1.2M Difference: An AI Progress Monitoring Case Study04:52 - Overcoming the Biggest Hurdle: Cultural Resistance to AI05:53 - The Next Frontier: Computer Vision and Real-Time Safety Alerts07:49 - New Hybrid Roles: The Emergence of the Construction Data Scientist10:16 - Advantage: Why Existing Companies Are Best Positioned for AI Success13:29 - The Layer of Opportunity: AI Attracting Tech Talent to Construction16:40 - Policy & Liability: Why AI Transparency is Not a Black Box20:45 - Risky or Too Risky: When Can AI Replace Human Decisions?25:46 - The Autonomous Jobsite: How AI Prevents Dangerous WorkEpisode Resources:Sai Kothapalli’s LinkedInAccentureTrustLayerIf you enjoyed this episode, please (with a cherry on top):Subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple PodcastsFollow TRS on SpotifyTell a friend!Risk Management: Brick by Brick is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soPrevious guests include: Seth Hausman of Kraus-Anderson Insurance, Matthew Meyer of The Horton Group, Diana Rich of Foundation Building Materials, Christy McHenry of Suffolk Construction, Mark Rieder of NFP, and Cory Mangum of Primoris Services Corporation. Check out the three most downloaded episodes: Managing Your Risk Portfolio with Seth HausmanFocusing on Specialization with Matthew MeyerRisk Management is Everywhere with Diana RichIf you are interested in being a guest on Risk Management: Brick by Brick, please complete this form: fame.so/trs-guest