With a strong science and technology background and for over two decades, John Cummins has led a diverse range of innovative initiatives in collaboration with universities and companies. In 2015, he co-founded the Legal Technology Laboratory in the US to bring lawyers and computer scientists together on cutting-edge legal tech projects. John is an Honorary Research Fellow in UCL's Computer Science Department and has been working with the members of the Financial Computing and Analytics Group since 2018 to develop a deeper understanding of computable contracting approaches in the financial services sector. In 2020, he co-founded Axiome Partners, an insurtech start-up with the objective of establishing computable contracting approaches in the commercial insurance sector. John has a Masters Degree in Engineering from Brunel University in the UK and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in Germany.

Denise Matthews brings more than 30 years of insurance regulatory experience spanning a broad and diverse range of areas including technology, policy, data analytics, and property and casualty regulatory systems and practices, and has in-depth experience with various regulatory frameworks in place both in the US states and territories and at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In that capacity, she spent a majority of her career working closely with insurance commissioners and insurance department staff from all over the country as well as international supervisors including the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and its Fintech Forum. Ms. Matthews has developed, facilitated, and presented at numerous events on behalf of the NAIC and its members in her capacity as an executive leader at the Association. Most recently, she staffed the NAIC’s Innovation and Technology committees and has hosted numerous events related to insurtech, bringing together various stakeholders from that community, including technology companies, entrepreneurs, startups, insurers, and producers, with members of the regulatory community to promote understanding of the technology and associated benefits and risks. These efforts were also designed to remove regulatory obstacles from the path of new and innovative products and services to the marketplace and insurance consumers. Earlier in her career, Ms. Matthews was the Information Technology Director over NAIC Financial Solvency and Market Regulatory systems as well as e-commerce and enterprise services systems at the NAIC. Ms. Matthews has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Kansas State University.

Michael S. Pieciak is former commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. He was first appointed by Gov. Peter Shumlin and reappointed by Gov. Phil Scott.

Commissioner Pieciak served as the chief regulator of Vermont’s financial services sector, including the insurance, captive insurance, banking and securities industries. Commissioner Pieciak previously served as deputy commissioner of the Department’s Securities Division, where he led the Division’s investigation into the Jay Peak EB-5 projects. Commissioner Pieciak is the past president of the North American Securities Administrators Association, a member of the SEC Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies and former member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Prior to his service with the Department, Commissioner Pieciak practiced law in New York City at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group, gaining experience in commercial transactions, corporate governance and investment and financing transactions. Commissioner Pieciak also previously practiced at Downs Rachlin Martin in Burlington in the Business Law Group.

Commissioner Pieciak grew up in Brattleboro and graduated cum laude from Union College with a degree in political science. He received his law degree summa cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law where he served as editor-in-chief of the “Miami Law Review.” Commissioner Pieciak is also a former member of the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees and currently resides in Winooski, VT.