Bridge Specialty Group Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Bridge Specialty Group has 7 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, information technology, property and casualty underwriting, regional operations, and specialty lines management.

Focused on delivering independent insurance solutions, Bridge Specialty Group prioritizes client needs through a commitment to personal service and specialized market access across global territories.

Leadership Roles at Bridge Specialty Group

  • Chief Financial Officer - Mary MacDonnell
  • Regional President, Bsib Property & Casualty - John Vedder
  • Regional President, Mid-Atlantic - Jason Haupt
  • Regional President - David O'Keeffe
  • Regional President, Specialty Lines - Karl Snearer
  • Regional President, Northeast - Thomas Rhodes
  • Chief Information Officer - Steven Emmons
  • Mary MacDonnell - Chief Financial Officer

    Mary MacDonnell, the Chief Financial Officer at Bridge Specialty Group, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Chief Financial Officer ensures rigorous compliance with international insurance regulations while optimizing cash flow across global operations. This leadership role involves managing complex reinsurance accounting and providing the Board with precise data for long-term investment decisions. By streamlining internal audit processes, Mary MacDonnell directly impacts the operational efficiency of the firm. MacDonnell secures the financial stability required to maintain the independent, employee-owned status of the business. Through careful oversight of fiscal reporting, the Chief Financial Officer supports the expansion of market capacity in London and other premier insurance hubs. This executive maintains a focus on sustainable growth, ensuring that financial resources align with the broader mission of providing specialized underwriting access to clients in over 70 countries.

    John Vedder - Regional President, Bsib Property & Casualty

    John Vedder, the Regional President, Bsib Property & Casualty at Bridge Specialty Group, manages the underwriting strategy for complex property and casualty risks. Overseeing the development of specialized insurance products, the Regional President, Bsib Property & Casualty ensures that the firm meets the diverse needs of a global client base. This leadership role involves coordinating with underwriters in London to secure capacity for high-value assets. By analyzing market trends, John Vedder directly impacts the profitability of the property and casualty portfolio. Vedder drives growth by identifying emerging risks and tailoring coverage solutions that set the company apart from competitors. Through the management of regional underwriting teams, the Regional President, Bsib Property & Casualty maintains high standards of service excellence. This executive fosters strong relationships with brokers and clients, ensuring that the firm remains a leader in the insurance market while delivering the personal attention characteristic of an independent, employee-owned business.

    Jason Haupt - Regional President, Mid-Atlantic

    Jason Haupt, the Regional President, Mid-Atlantic at Bridge Specialty Group, directs all brokerage operations and client acquisition strategies throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Overseeing the expansion of the firm's footprint, the Regional President, Mid-Atlantic ensures that local clients receive access to the same premier London insurance markets that define the company's global reach. This leadership role involves building partnerships with regional underwriters and managing a diverse portfolio of insurance products. By optimizing service delivery, Jason Haupt directly impacts the retention and satisfaction of the client base. Haupt drives revenue growth by identifying unique market opportunities within the region. Through the implementation of strategic sales initiatives, the Regional President, Mid-Atlantic strengthens the firm's competitive position. This executive maintains a focus on the company's core mission of providing personal service, ensuring that every client interaction reflects the passion and independence that distinguish the organization from larger, less agile competitors.

    David O'Keeffe - Regional President

    David O'Keeffe, the Regional President at Bridge Specialty Group, manages the operational performance and strategic direction of the firm's broader regional divisions. Overseeing the alignment of regional goals with the company's global mission, the Regional President ensures that the firm provides consistent, high-quality insurance brokerage services. This leadership role involves mentoring regional teams and fostering a culture of excellence that supports the company's independent, employee-owned structure. By streamlining cross-regional communication, David O'Keeffe directly impacts the efficiency of the firm's global operations. O'Keeffe drives the execution of corporate strategy, ensuring that regional offices maintain access to the premier insurance capacity found in London. Through the oversight of regional performance metrics, the Regional President supports the firm's commitment to personal service. This executive focuses on scaling the business while preserving the unique, client-first approach that has defined the company since its inception in 1977, ensuring long-term success across diverse international markets.

    Karl Snearer - Regional President, Specialty Lines

    Karl Snearer, the Regional President, Specialty Lines at Bridge Specialty Group, directs the development and placement of niche insurance products for complex risk profiles. Overseeing the specialty lines division, the Regional President, Specialty Lines ensures that the firm provides access to unique underwriting capacity that is unavailable through standard brokerage channels. This leadership role involves deep engagement with specialist underwriters in London to craft bespoke coverage solutions. By leveraging technical expertise, Karl Snearer directly impacts the firm's ability to handle high-complexity risks. Snearer drives the growth of the specialty portfolio by identifying emerging market needs and responding with innovative insurance products. Through the management of specialized underwriting teams, the Regional President, Specialty Lines maintains the firm's reputation for excellence. This executive ensures that the company's commitment to personal service remains at the forefront of every specialty placement, reinforcing the firm's status as a premier independent broker in the global insurance market.

    Thomas Rhodes - Regional President, Northeast

    Thomas Rhodes, the Regional President, Northeast at Bridge Specialty Group, manages the brokerage operations and client relationships across the Northeast region. Overseeing the delivery of insurance and reinsurance solutions, the Regional President, Northeast ensures that clients benefit from the firm's direct access to premier London markets. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional underwriters to provide tailored coverage for complex business needs. By fostering strong local partnerships, Thomas Rhodes directly impacts the firm's market penetration in the region. Rhodes drives the implementation of service-oriented strategies that align with the company's independent, employee-owned business model. Through the oversight of regional sales and service teams, the Regional President, Northeast maintains the high standards of personal service that set the firm apart. This executive focuses on sustainable growth, ensuring that the company's unique value proposition reaches a broad client base while upholding the firm's long-standing commitment to excellence in the insurance industry.

    Steven Emmons - Chief Information Officer

    Steven Emmons, the Chief Information Officer at Bridge Specialty Group, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for seamless insurance and reinsurance brokerage. Overseeing the integration of advanced data analytics, the Chief Information Officer ensures that the firm maintains a competitive edge in the premier London insurance market. This leadership role involves securing sensitive client information and implementing scalable cloud solutions that support global operations across 70 countries. By modernizing legacy systems, Steven Emmons directly impacts the speed and accuracy of underwriting capacity delivery. Emmons drives the digital transformation strategy, enabling the company to work differently than traditional brokers. Through the deployment of robust cybersecurity frameworks, the Chief Information Officer protects the integrity of the independent business model. This executive manages the technological roadmap, ensuring that digital tools empower the team to provide the personal service and specialized market access that define the company's reputation in the global insurance sector.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Insurance

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Bridge Specialty Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Bridge Specialty Group?
    Bridge Specialty Group is led by Mary MacDonnell (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as John Vedder (Regional President, Bsib Property & Casualty) and Jason Haupt (Regional President, Mid-Atlantic).
    Who is part of Bridge Specialty Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of Bridge Specialty Group includes leaders such as Mary MacDonnell (Chief Financial Officer), John Vedder (Regional President, Bsib Property & Casualty), Jason Haupt (Regional President, Mid-Atlantic) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Bridge Specialty Group have?
    Bridge Specialty Group has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Bridge Specialty Group’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Bridge Specialty Group includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Regional President, Bsib Property & Casualty, Regional President, Mid-Atlantic, Regional President, Regional President, Specialty Lines.