Insurtech leader Kalepa appoints Japan industry leader Naohiko Oikawa to Advisory Board

Insurtech leader Kalepa appoints Japan industry leader Naohiko Oikawa to Advisory Board
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Kalepa announced today that Naohiko Oikawa has joined its Advisory Board, bringing decades of experience as CEO, corporate leader, and strategic advisor of leading Japanese and international firms.

Based in Tokyo, Mr. Oikawa is a Guest Professor of Digital Innovation at Waseda University Business School and has conducted cutting-edge research in utilizing data and advanced analytics to improve business decisions. Mr. Oikawa has previously served as CEO of Dentsu Consulting, advising many Japanese conglomerates on business strategy and innovation.  Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Head of Japan at Mastercard Advisors and at APT, as well as Director, CEO’s Office at SmartNews. Prior to that, Mr. Oikawa was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

“I have known Paul and Daniel for over a decade and I am very pleased to partner with them and the Kalepa team on this next chapter of their growth” commented Mr. Oikawa. “Japan has a long-standing tradition of insurance leadership and has brought forth several global leaders such as MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., Sompo Holdings Inc., and Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.  I see great potential for Kalepa to power improved underwriting in this key global market. Copilot’s power will allow insurers to improve efficiency and profitability, thereby strengthening their balance sheets” he added.

Paul Monasterio, Kalepa CEO, commented, “Oikawa-San is a true leader with deep expertise in bringing world class technologies to the Japanese market. I am thrilled to once again partner with him as we take Kalepa’s offering to the global stage. Kalepa continues to experience rapid growth with dozens of leading commercial P&C insurers transforming their underwriting and operations through Copilot.”

Daniel Hillman, Kalepa COO, added, “We are thrilled to partner with an industry leader in Oikawa-san and to continue to benefit from his expertise and knowledge in a formal capacity. With deep relationships throughout Japan and a proven ability to adapt global technologies to the local market, Oikawa-san will be tremendous asset to the Kalepa team and to our global clients.

About Kalepa

Founded in 2018 by technology veterans, Kalepa is dedicated to enhancing underwriting performance and driving profitable premium growth for the commercial insurance industry, enabling insurers to Bind with Confidence. Kalepa's Copilot underwriting workbench enables underwriters to focus their time on the highest ROI opportunities and to quickly evaluate and optimally select risk. Kalepa was named to the 2023 InsurTech 100 by FinTech Global and is backed by IA Ventures, Inspired Capital, and leaders in technology and financial services.

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