Zurich names Head of Life Sciences for U.S. Middle Market

Zurich North America has promoted Leah Rastiello to Head of Life Sciences for its U.S. Middle Market (USMM) business, where she will lead a team of underwriters with specialized knowledge and experience in areas such as biological products, medtech and medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development (R&D) and contract research organizations (CROs).

She will report to Stan Bernard, Head of U.S. Middle Market Industry Practices.

Rastiello most recently served as Assistant Vice President and Life Sciences Underwriter within Zurich’s USMM business. The Life Sciences practice provides a range of insurance coverages for pharma, medtech, R&D and other life sciences companies with revenues up to $1 billion. Most recently, the practice added Primary Products Liability coverage to its suite of solutions tailored to the complex risks faced by companies in the life sciences sphere.

“With her extensive experience in Life Sciences, Leah understands the unique risks that these businesses face as they work to develop innovative offerings to support human health,” Bernard said. “Leah’s technical knowledge and strong relationships have played a key role in the launch and the growth of our Life Sciences practice over the past three years, and these qualities position her well for the next phase of growth.”

Prior to Zurich, Rastiello was an Executive Life Science Underwriter at Markel, where she helped establish and lead that area of their business. She previously held similar underwriting and medical research roles at Chubb, AmTrust North America and Massachusetts General Hospital. Her new role is effective immediately.

Rastiello’s predecessor as Head of Life Sciences, Linda Schultz, is taking a global assignment with Zurich Insurance Group in Commercial Insurance.

Rastiello resides in the Boston area. She holds a graduate certificate in entrepreneurial innovation and FDA regulation from Tufts University and a bachelor’s degree in clinical science from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Following four years of double-digit growth, the U.S. Middle Market business continues to invest in expansion, which includes plans to hire an additional 100 underwriters. USMM provides a range of Property, Casualty, Financial Lines and Specialties coverages tailored to industry verticals that include construction, technology, manufacturing, life sciences, financial and professional services, and other sectors.