Axis Capital Appointed New Casualty Leadership
The firm expanded its wholesale casualty division with two key internal and external appointments.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People
Axis Capital has appointed Kyle Sternadori as head of U.S. excess casualty and Mike Flaherty as chief underwriting officer of wholesale casualty. Both executives will report directly to Anna Tan, who manages the company's wholesale casualty division.
Why it matters
These leadership changes represent a strategic realignment within the firm to bolster its expertise in the wholesale casualty market. By integrating both new and long-tenured leadership, the company aims to solidify its competitive standing in the sector.
The firm added two senior leaders to its wholesale casualty division to oversee U.S. excess and wholesale underwriting. This follows Kyle Sternadori joining Navigators in 2014 before his transition to this new role at Axis.
The players
Axis Capital
Axis Capital is a global provider of specialty insurance and reinsurance products that operates out of multiple locations including Short Hills and Alpharetta.
Kyle Sternadori
Kyle Sternadori is a seasoned insurance executive who previously served as the head of casualty at Navigators.
Mike Flaherty
Mike Flaherty is a long-standing employee at Axis Capital who previously managed the company's excess casualty business.
Anna Tan
Anna Tan serves as the manager of the wholesale casualty division at Axis Capital.
The details
Kyle Sternadori joins the company after previously serving as the head of casualty at Navigators, a role he held since 2014. Mike Flaherty, who is noted as one of the first employees at Axis, transitions to his new position after previously heading the firm's excess casualty business.
Timeline
Kyle Sternadori began his tenure at Navigators in 2014.
Axis Capital announced the new appointments on September 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
This reorganization follows a broader industry pattern of consolidating underwriting expertise to better manage complex risk portfolios. These appointments allow Axis Capital to align its internal leadership structure with the evolving demands of the wholesale casualty market.
These leadership changes are primarily organizational and do not currently impact the pricing or availability of casualty insurance products for the average client. Wholesale brokers and existing policyholders should continue to work with their established account managers.
The takeaway
Strategic internal hiring and leadership rotations serve as a common mechanism for established firms to refresh their underwriting approach. Clients benefit most when such transitions preserve continuity in service standards while introducing fresh expertise to complex risk segments.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational changes in the industry on the People section page.
