RLI leadership changes announced on October 9, 2026, promoted four executives with immediate effect. The specialty insurer named Kathleen Taylor vice president, controller and treasurer; Katie Kappes chief administrative officer; Amy Braet vice president of human resources; and Ross Edwards vice president of claim counsel.
Key Takeaways
- Taylor’s expanded remit covers financial, reinsurance and tax accounting, along with treasury.
- Kappes takes responsibility for corporate support functions, while Braet leads human resources.
- Edwards assumes executive oversight of company claim-related litigation.
Table of Contents
- RLI leadership changes expand accounting and treasury oversight
- Kappes and Braet take distinct administrative roles
- Edwards takes executive responsibility for claims litigation
- Conclusion
RLI leadership changes expand accounting and treasury oversight
RLI’s October 9 leadership announcement made all four promotions effective immediately. The appointments elevate existing employees rather than bring in outside executives.
Taylor moves from vice president of accounting and branch operations to vice president, controller and treasurer. Her expanded responsibilities cover the Financial Accounting, Reinsurance Accounting, Tax Accounting and Treasury teams.
The new title brings treasury explicitly into Taylor’s remit alongside the accounting functions. She has held several accounting and operations leadership positions since joining RLI as a reinsurance administrator.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Kathleen Taylor | Joined RLI in 2002; 30 years of accounting, finance and insurance experience. |
| Katie Kappes | Joined RLI in 2006; 24 years of human resources and insurance experience. |
| Amy Braet | Joined RLI in 2005; 21 years of human resources and insurance experience. |
| Ross Edwards | Joined RLI in 2017; 18 years of law and insurance claims experience. |
Kappes and Braet take distinct administrative roles
Kappes, previously vice president of human resources, becomes chief administrative officer. She will provide strategic leadership for Human Resources, Branch Operations, Facilities, Print & Mail and Corporate Secretary functions.
Braet moves from assistant vice president of talent management to vice president of human resources. She will lead the HR organization, with responsibility for talent strategy, organizational development and the employee experience.
The appointments give Kappes a broader corporate-support portfolio while placing leadership of the HR organization with Braet. Both executives progressed through internal roles: Kappes began as a compensation and benefits accountant, and Braet joined as an intern.
Edwards takes executive responsibility for claims litigation
Edwards advances from assistant vice president to vice president of claim counsel, taking executive leadership responsibility for and oversight of RLI’s claim-related litigation. His earlier positions at the company include claim manager, claim director and assistant vice president of claim.
President and Chief Executive Officer Craig Kliethermes described the promotions as part of RLI’s tradition of developing employees for greater responsibility. He cited the four executives’ expertise and understanding of the company’s business and culture.
RLI serves niche property, casualty and surety markets. The appointments concern its internal leadership responsibilities, rather than a change to its insurance product portfolio.
Conclusion
All four promotions took effect on October 9, leaving no future transition date in the announcement. The executives now hold the expanded responsibilities across RLI’s finance, corporate support, HR and claims-litigation functions.
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