Meet Our Leadership Team.

Chief Executive Officer

Jim Cusumano

As Chief Executive Officer, Jim Cusumano is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business, financial planning and analysis, business performance reporting, human resources, and risk management functions. He led ownership/debt reorganizations and oversaw efficiency reviews that led to savings of $3 million yearly. Revenue almost tripled during his time at the company.

Previously Jim served as Chief Financial Officer of National Healthcare Resources, a startup episode management company focused on managing care for work-related injuries on behalf of property and casualty insurers. During his tenure, the company developed a specialty preferred provider group, built a telephonic case management strategy to manage episodes, and hit $170 million in annual revenue before being sold to Concentra Managed Care. Jim began his career at Deloitte and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and the New York State Society of CPAs.

Jim has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pace University.

President, Labor and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

Michelle Zettergren

As President of Labor and Public Sector as well as Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Michelle Zettergren and her team work tirelessly to deliver personalized service and custom-fit solutions that prioritize the needs of her clients and members. Michelle joined the company in 2017 because of her desire to renew her career-long commitment to Labor with a trusted company that appreciates the value of delivering on its promise to its Labor clients.

Michelle brings more than 20 years of experience in the health insurance industry, most recently as Chief Sales Officer at HPOne and Senior Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for ConnectiCare, a subsidiary of EmblemHealth. Michelle led ConnectiCare’s efforts in the commercial and Medicare segments, with ownership of sales, account management, product, underwriting, group reporting, marketing, communications, and public relations. Prior to ConnectiCare, she spent nearly 14 years at Anthem BCBS in various leadership roles in sales and underwriting focused on Labor.

Michelle completed Labor Relations training with the University of Connecticut’s Office of Labor Relations. She is a certified Mediator and has consulted in numerous Labor negotiations, and has served as an expert witness for Labor in several arbitration and mediation disputes.

Chief People Officer

Julie Bank

Julie is an influential human resources leader with more than 20 years’ experience managing all aspects of HR for growing businesses. Since joining the company, Julie has continually developed and implemented strategic approaches to recruiting, hiring, and retaining career-oriented, talented people. She is regarded as a valued strategic advisor to the executive leadership and operational leadership teams.

In prior roles, Julie served as a consultant, managing all aspects of human resources for hundreds of employees in multiple locations.

VP, Total Quality Management and Process Improvement

Madhu Belagoor

As Vice President of Total Quality Management and Process Improvement, Madhu Belagoor and his team ensure quality is controlled and sustained in the services offered to the company’s clients, whether call center performance or claims processing outcomes. At the same time, his team identifies potential opportunities where their input can help improve workflow to achieve more efficient results.

Madhu has had broad experience across the company’s operations. After joining in 2015, he formed and managed the Quality team until 2019, at which point he went to work on the IT side before returning to Quality in 2022. Whether in IT or operations, Madhu has been fortunate to work with an excellent collaborative team.

Madhu came to the United States from India in 2011 as a liaison manager for TriZetto (now Cognizant) and became Director of Quality & Business Planning. Formerly of Westbury, Long Island, Madhu lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and son.

Chief Information Officer

Arun Bhatia

Arun Bhatia, Chief Information Officer, leads the company’s technology operations and infrastructure management. He is responsible for setting the technology vision and introducing new technologies that improve the customer and member experience. By introducing new technology and platforms, Arun has gained efficiencies while improving the customer and member experience.

In prior roles, Arun served as Senior Vice President of Information Systems for MagnaCare and Chief Information Officer at Healthfirst.

Vice President of Enrollment and Eligibility

Wiljanda Boatwright

Wiljanda Boatwright is the Vice President of Enrollment and Eligibility at the company. She oversees the Enrollment-Eligibility Operations and Employer Services for various clients, leading a team that works hard to ensure that members are enrolled efficiently and have seamless access to their entitled benefits. Her team also supports the day-to-day management needs of Employer Services.

Wiljanda joined the team in September 2020 to lead the new enrollment and eligibility division. She has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in managing the operational side of complex healthcare products. She focuses on implementing process improvement strategies, staff development, maximizing workflow system efficiencies, and technology automation.

Before joining the company, Wiljanda worked at 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds, where she directed department operations in administering comprehensive benefits to over 400,000 working and retired healthcare industry workers. With over 20 years of industry experience, Wiljanda has held various leadership roles at managed care plans, including ArchCare and Fidelis Care New York. Additionally, she held senior positions in Health Information Management with major hospital systems in the New York City metropolitan area.

Wiljanda is passionate about fostering a positive workplace culture and facilitating employee development. She is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee charter member. In 2023, Crain's New York Business recognized her as a notable black leader and executive.

Wiljanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and a Master of Public Administration. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Health Data Management, a Registered Health Information Administrator, and certified in Healthcare Privacy.

In her spare time, Wiljanda volunteers for a nonprofit she started called PAKK (Promoting Awareness, Knowledge, and Kindness). Her advocacy work helps senior citizens in the community with information to maximize their education in Medicare enrollment for a healthy future.

Senior Vice President, Sales & Account Management

Nick Bonaldo

Nicholas Bonaldo joined the company in 2022 as Senior Vice President of Sales & Account Management in the fields of Labor and Trust, Public-Sector, Third-Party Administration, Health Plan Administration, Claims Administration, Trust Fund Administration, 401(k) Pensions, Annuities, Health, Technology, and Wellness Engagement programs.

Nick has more than 15 years of serving the Labor, Public Sector, and Commercial markets in various executive-level positions. He brings a wealth of experience in client relationship management, pre- and post-merger integration, sales and coaching, business continuity, continuous process improvement, health plan/TPA operations, and team building, working with both regional and national health plans as well as TPAs.

Client loyalty and retention are hallmarks of Nick’s philosophy, along with his unbridled commitment and dedication to excellence. As a leader, Nick coaches and mentors teams to provide best-in-class client and future client experiences. Equally as important is the drive to create and foster a positive and collaborative workplace culture. Nick takes workplace culture and inclusivity very seriously, along with the dedication to create high-performing client-focused teams. His collaborative approach results in long-term client trust and loyalty.

Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing as well as a Master of Science in Management (MSM) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). He currently holds a Life, Accident and Health license and a Green Belt of Six Sigma Methodology.

General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer

Joseph Brennan

Joseph Brennan, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, is responsible for the operations of the company’s Law and Compliance Department. He provides strategic advice to company executives on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. He joined the company in 2012.

Previously Joe served as an Assistant Commissioner in the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, where he established and supervised a staff of more than 100 who were responsible for the investigation of civil insurance fraud. In private practice, Joe represented both private and municipal entities specializing in government, labor, and employment law.

Joe earned his law degree while serving in a major law enforcement agency, working up through the ranks to various executive positions. He is a member in good standing of the New York, New Jersey, and District of Columbia bars. Joe graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law and also holds an MPA in Public Administration and a master’s degree in criminal justice from the City University of New York.

SVP Network Strategy and Contracting

Sean Burns

Sean Burns has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. As SVP Network Strategy and Contracting for BHPS, his team focuses on the development and execution of the provider network for BHPS members.

Prior to joining BHPS, Sean was the Chief Network Officer for Carelon Behavioral Health, worked as Vice President of Value Based Reimbursement and Network Design at Highmark Health, led a consulting practice at Optum, and held several different roles with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. His expertise includes provider contracting strategies, innovative payment solutions, high-performing network strategies, and directing the management and operational business units and large projects across many healthcare segments. Sean is also adept at communicating the impact of initiatives with internal stakeholders, as well as with state and federal legislators, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, employer groups, and consulting houses.

Sean earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

Senior Vice President, Network Solutions

Jennifer Cancellieri

Vice President of Marketing

Rosemary Chowallur

Rosemary Chowallur, Vice President of Marketing, uses her deep understanding of the healthcare consumer and customer and deploys integrated communications strategies to drive brand awareness, member engagement and client retention. Rosemary oversees brand, creative, PR and communications to clients, members, and providers.

In prior roles, Rosemary served as the Content & Value Proposition Lead at American Express Global Business Travel, where she built and executed global marketing plans for new product, service, and partner launches targeting small to mid-sized businesses. As a Strategic Consultant at Humana, Rosemary built Humana’s large group employer wellness positioning and led multi-channel, go-to-market campaigns for new wellness product acquisitions and innovations. Rosemary earned her Bachelors in Biology and Anthropology as well as her Masters in Healthcare Management from Union College, and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

Vice President, Claims

Tamara Fuller

In her role as Vice President of Claims, Tamara Fuller and her team manage claim operations and client services, processing claims for the company’s self-insured clients. She has the all-important purpose of ensuring that claims are processed quickly and accurately for members and providers while meeting quality measures and adhering to clients’ benefit design.

Previously Tamara worked in the finance industry for JP Morgan Chase and Axa Advisors. During her more than 20 years here, she managed customer service, then jointly customer service and claims, before arriving at her current position. She loves the culture, the open-door policy, and access to individuals of all levels, as well as the support and the opportunity to grow.

A former Army reservist, Tamara lives in Queens. She likes to spend time with family and friends, read, shop, and attend church activities.

Vice President of Digital Strategy and Business Development

Dina Jordan

As Vice President of Digital Strategy and Business Development, Dina Jordan’s responsibility is to shape what a prospective client sees when they first approach the company. Over the past five years, she and her team have successfully created the company’s multifaceted digital marketing strategy from scratch with the goal of expanding the brand as a nationwide third party administrator.

Dina’s wide-ranging experience shaped her into the marketer she is today. She started her career in retail before moving into the publishing world, where she worked with a literary agent who had represented luminaries including Jack Kerouac and Ken Kesey. Next she took on a position in publicity for Penguin Putnam before becoming Director of Marketing and Publicity at M. Evans. She also served as Director of Online Marketing for EBSCO, where she transformed marketing and analytic strategies across 40 brands and 26 divisions. Prior to arriving at MagnaCare, Dina spent two years at Argyle Executive Forums, where she honed her skills in public relations and event creation for companies ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to startups.

Dina resides in Manhattan—the best place in the world to live, as far as she is concerned—with her son. She is an avid tennis player and foodie.

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Nancy Klotz

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Nancy Klotz is responsible for all medical affairs and related operations, as well as clinical strategies across various business segments. Dr. Klotz provides oversight of our company’s clinical programs and strategy while addressing client-specific needs.

Dr. Klotz has an impressive background in managed care. Prior to joining the company in October 2021, she served as Chief Clinical Officer and held a dual clinical leadership role in managed care and direct care domains at HealthCare Partners and Heritage NY Medical, PC. During her 11-year tenure, she led efforts in areas of utilization management, high-risk case management and disease management, quality and risk adjustment program development, clinical analytics and data management, provider education, contracting support, peer review, and credentialing. Along with 10 years of private practice experience, Dr. Klotz also developed and managed a successful healthcare information technology company, Clinical Data Technologies. She has spent more than 23 years in various clinical roles at managed care organizations, including Oxford Health Plans/UnitedHealthcare and Fidelis Care New York.

Dr. Klotz is a board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine, and her training includes bachelor’s degree in biology at New York University, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa; a Doctor of Medicine from Albert Einstein College of Medicine; and a residency in Internal Medicine at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Klotz also holds a Master of Business Administration with a healthcare concentration from Quinnipiac University and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

President, Casualty Solutions

Steve Kokulak

President of Casualty Solutions Steve Kokulak is a seasoned insurance executive who spent the first half of his career as a litigator before moving into healthcare management. He joined this company in 2007 as Director of Workers’ Compensation and No-Fault.

Steve’s primary responsibilities include driving new business growth, overall retention of existing business, and regulatory oversight of the company’s Casualty business. He leads a team of individuals who focus on helping injured workers return to work more promptly while curtailing costs for employers and insurers. Steve maintains close working relationships with clients and is extremely responsive when they call him with problems.

Steve previously served as Senior Trial Counsel for Liberty Mutual and is a member of the Workers’ Compensation Committee at SIIA. He earned a JD from Brooklyn Law and is a member of the New York State Bar.

Vice President of Sales

Tom Malczewski

As Vice President of Sales, Tom Malczewski focuses on the expansion and business development of the company’s plan products. He enjoys the flexibility of the products we sell, which give him the ability to meet with clients, understand their specific challenges, and offer a custom-built solution for their needs. Tom especially likes the idea that he is helping provide services to Labor organizations and hospital systems that are trying to better the healthcare experience for their employees and members.

Coming from a sales environment—his father owns a small hardware store in Buffalo—the act of selling is a natural one for Tom. Previously he was National Accounts Director at HealthPlan One, where his focus was providing outsourcing (agents, marketing services, call centers) that helped Medicare companies serve their members.

Tom lives in Fairfield, Connecticut, with his wife and daughter. He played football at the University of Rochester and loves all things sports, especially the Buffalo Bills.

Vice President, Labor Relations & Business Development

Joseph Morrone, Jr.

Joseph Morrone has held the role of Vice President of Labor Relations Business Development, since early 2019. He provides strategic labor relations consultation and support to leaders of union-represented employees. As a seasoned member of our sales team for more than 12 years, Joe offers in-depth insight into the needs of Taft-Hartley Funds. His strengths include building solid and reliable relationships, strategic planning, account management, network development, and benefits administration.

Previously Joe was employed by Aetna as a Sales Vice President. He also worked at ULLICO as a Regional Sales Executive.

Chief Operating Officer

Brian Murray

Chief Operating Officer Brian Murray has direct oversight and accountability for the company’s day-to-day operations and is responsible for the growth, health, and financial initiatives of daily operations across all lines of business. He ensures that our team delivers solutions that significantly reduce healthcare costs while improving quality. Brian is charged with successfully executing the company’s mission and short- and long-term strategies.

Prior to joining this company, Brian served as Chief Operating Officer of Anthem’s Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus Plan in New York, where he oversaw operations for a $2 billion Medicaid plan in New York that represented 460,000+ members. From 2012 to 2014, he ran statewide operations representing more than $600 million in annual revenue as Chief Operating Officer for Anthem’s Amerigroup Community Health Plan of New Jersey. Brian also served as Senior Market Director at WellCare Health Plan of New York. Additional experience includes The Brooklyn Hospital Center, New York Presbyterian Health System, and Creative Health Concepts. Brian graduated from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in speech.

Vice President, Product & Portfolio Delivery

Shibu Nair

Vice President of IT

Ashan Nilaweera

Assistant Vice President, RFPs and Proposals

Maura Parsons

Maura has led Brighton’s high-performing RFP and Proposals team since 2018. She is an experienced proposal management professional who is passionate about delivering compelling, customer-focused proposals. With an ongoing focus on quality and results, Maura and her team expertly manage all company RFPs and finalist presentations. Having over two decades of healthcare and employee benefits proposal experience, Maura brings to her role extensive industry knowledge, a collaborative mindset, and enthusiasm to support new customer opportunities. Maura and her skilled team are proud to contribute to the company’s continued growth nationwide.

Prior to joining Brighton, Maura served as Supervisor of Proposal Writing at Horizon BCBSNJ and held several positions within the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (now Elevance Health) Proposals department, including Proposal Development Director, Health and Wellness Content Manager, and Lead Proposal Development Consultant.

Maura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Fairfield University. She is a proud member of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) and Proposal Industry Experts (PIE). Maura achieved RFP and executive summary training certification from Shipley Associates and previously received Project Management Professional certification. She is also the recipient of Brighton’s Raising the Bar Award for integrity in 2019.

Senior Vice President, Account Management

Lavender Rouzier

Lavender Rouzier, who serves as Senior Vice President of Account Management, has extensive experience providing high-touch service to clients. Lavender is highly regarded in the industry for her Labor expertise, sound advice, and accessibility to her groups. She is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of health plan/third-party administration experience and an extensive background in managing all aspects of Taft-Hartley and Labor plans. Lavender is a trusted Labor expert in the tri-state area and will continuously advocate for her clients.

Chief Financial Officer

Jeremy Schoettle

Before arriving at Brighton, Jeremy Schoettle worked for a decade at Anthem before serving for nine years as CEO of specialty benefits at United Health Care. Jeremy loves that at Brighton —unlike the larger corporations at which he was employed — he is involved in an all-around CFO role that includes cash management, meeting with bankers, and even closing the books. He also appreciates the entrepreneurial spirit at the company, which allows him to put his extensive experience in the healthcare business to good use as he and his team members rally around an issue or a task that needs to be solved or addressed. Recognizing that each customer has individual needs, Brighton is also very flexible in the solutions they provide to each one, which Jeremy feels bodes well for the company’s continued growth and success.

Jeremy, who has an MBA from Butler University, was born and raised in Indianapolis, where his home office is located. He has a wife, three children, and a dog named Minnie, and is an avid Pacers, Colts, and Hoosiers fan. In his spare time, Jeremy loves to golf and spend time with family at their lake house.

Senior Vice President of IT

Rajneesh Sethi

As Senior Vice President of IT, Rajneesh Sethi manages multiple teams: the design development and solution architecting for Create®, medical management, and data warehousing and electronic data interchanges to vendors and partners. Rajneesh’s teams aid in the critical task of keeping unified experience for clients, members, and providers by providing features like ID cards, eligibility and benefits, precertification, claims, accumulators, spend, cost transparency, machine readable files, and provider directories that aid members in finding providers within their network. Ultimately the goal is to help members find most information through self-service.

In his role, Rajneesh must understand the data from different systems and departments and connect everything to provide software as a service (SaaS) solution and self-service platform. Having worked here for more than two decades, Rajneesh loves that the company encourages an entrepreneurial spirit and gives him independent decision-making power.

Rajneesh has had diverse experience, both geographically and professionally. He has worked in Denver in the automotive industry and Ohio in the energy sector, and other jobs have taken him to New York, California, and Georgia. He is currently based out of Long Island.

Rajneesh has bachelor’s degree in computer science from Delhi University.

Senior Vice President, Account Management

Michael Tufo

Michael Tufo, Senior Vice President of Account Management, is an industry veteran who first joined the company in 1999. He has a comprehensive understanding of all elements of the healthcare industry. He has experience supporting some our largest, most complex accounts. Throughout his tenured career in healthcare, Michael has held management positions in project management, process improvement, operations management, account management, and sales. He has experience implementing complex TPA groups, as well as vast operations expertise to ensure a smooth implementation process and ongoing account performance.

Senior Vice President, Analytics

Daniel Vaughan

Senior Vice President of Analytics with the company since 2021, Daniel Vaughan is an accomplished insurance professional with 25 years’ experience within our industry. Daniel is responsible for the company’s risk structure, managing client Stop-Loss programs and custom-designing reports for our clients. His team of actuaries and analysts delivers member and trend analysis, assesses risk, and generates strategic monthly and annual reports. This information supports the advice we offer clients on plan performance, financial risk, and benefits strategy.

Previously Daniel served as the Vice President of Underwriting, Sales Operations and Implementation at EmblemHealth, where he was responsible for large case underwriting of fully insured and self-insured clients, as well as supporting sales functions, including revenue forecasting, developing automated reporting and underwriting tools, and forming new Stop-Loss partnership programs. Daniel also worked as the Director of Sales Strategy and Development at ConnectiCare and held several roles over a 13-year span with Anthem, including Manager of Underwriting, Business Change Manager, and Data Analyst.

Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Western New England University.