Featured IRES Member: Wesley Christensen

Tell us about yourself. 

I am a Product & Compliance Supervisor at Vermont Mutual Insurance Group, with fifteen years of experience in the insurance industry. I lead our Compliance Department, where my team is involved with monitoring statutory and regulatory developments across our territory. I work closely with our underwriting, actuarial, claims, legal, and IT teams to ensure regulatory compliance, oversee state filings, respond to data calls, and work on a variety of projects and initiatives to continuously update and enhance our insurance products.

In 2024, I moved from Vermont to New York after my wife accepted a professor position at Columbia University, where she focuses her research on soil science. My role shifted to fully remote, allowing me to continue working closely with my colleagues at Vermont Mutual while at the same time starting a new chapter for our family.

Tell us about your involvement with IRES. What made you decide to join?

I recently became a member of IRES at the end of 2025. I decided to join IRES after speaking with many industry colleagues who highly recommend IRES as an excellent way to access educational resources and network with other industry professionals and regulators. One of my main goals in joining IRES is to work on and complete the Market Conduct Management (MCM) designation, as well as to attend IRES sponsored events.

Do you have any wise words/tips for those that are new to insurance regulation?

When I was growing up, I never imagined working in the insurance industry. Like many people in insurance, I fell into it. I started right after college as an entry-level underwriter and gradually worked my way to the compliance leadership role that I have today. During this time, I have had the great fortune to work with some incredible people.

In my experience, many of the successful people in insurance are not just smart but are extremely energetic and hardworking. Working long hours and getting very little sleep doesn’t seem to deplete their energy levels.

My advice for those new to insurance regulation is to be energetic and hardworking. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and always seek to understand the “why” behind everything. These habits will serve you well in your career and in life.

When you are not working, what are your passions/hobbies?

I am a trained classical clarinetist, and when I am not spending my time focused on insurance, music is my passion. I enjoy playing, listening, and exploring new repertoire, particularly with my wife, who also shares a love of classical music. Beyond music, we enjoy traveling. In the past couple of years, we have had the opportunity to travel to Austria, China, Japan, Kenya, Portugal, Spain and Hawaii. Experiencing new cultures, tasting new cuisines, and visiting historical and culture sites make life truly rewarding.

What do you see as your biggest accomplishment?

Professionally, one of my biggest accomplishments is building a career in insurance from an entry-level underwriter to my current role as Product & Compliance Supervisor at Vermont Mutual. Along the way, I’ve earned multiple industry designations, worked on some interesting and challenging projects, and have learned a great deal from working alongside smart, hardworking people.

Personally, one of my proudest achievements is my musical career. As a trained classical clarinetist, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to perform at venues like Carnegie Hall, which has been very inspiring. Balancing my professional responsibilities with my passion for music and building a life with my wife has made these accomplishments even more meaningful.

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