Mike Brennan
President & CEO
612-221-1299 | MikeBrennan@cefli.org
Mike Brennan joined the Compliance and Ethics Forum for Life Insurers (CEFLI) in March 2026 as its President and Chief Executive Officer. He is a seasoned compliance executive and lawyer with almost three decades of experience in the life insurance and financial services industries.
As a compliance professional, Mike served as Chief Compliance Officer for Allianz Life, RiverSource Life, Woodbury Financial Services, and various affiliates of these companies. He has led complex compliance programs across a diverse range of disciplines, and he also served as a member of Allianz SE’s global compliance standards committee.
As a lawyer, Mike has worked as a securities regulator, securities litigator, and in-house counsel. Within the insurance industry, Mike was Deputy General Counsel with Corebridge Financial, Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President with Fortitude Life and Annuity Solutions, and Associate Counsel with Woodbury Financial Services. His practice areas have included insurance, broker/dealer, third party administrator, artificial intelligence, technology contracts, corporate contracts, real estate, divestitures and acquisitions, and various other areas relating to running a business.
Over the years, Mike has served on numerous not-for-profit Boards and Advisory Councils and led various projects in service of these organizations.
Mike lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and two teenage boys. When he’s not working or with family, you can probably find him on his bike, in his garden, or listening to live music.
Carla Strauch
Senior Vice President – Compliance & Ethics
920-585-1719 | CarlaStrauch@cefli.org
Carla Strauch serves as CEFLI’s Senior Vice President—Compliance & Ethics. Carla previously served as a Senior Insurance Examiner with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance prior to serving for over two decades as a Compliance Director at a large life insurance company.
In her role at CEFLI, Carla assists with the design, management and implementation of CEFLI’s Compliance and Ethics programming, including Educational Webinars, benchmarking studies and CEFLI meetings and events.
Carla holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Wisconsin—Whitewater and a Master of Science (MS) degree in Project Management from the University of Wisconsin—Platteville. She also holds the AMCM, AIE, AIRC and FLMI designations.
De Keimach
Vice President – Compliance & Ethics
617-960-7465 | DeKeimach@cefli.org
De Keimach serves as CEFLI’s Vice President—Compliance & Ethics. De has over thirty years of experience in the life and annuity insurance industry and has served in a number of compliance roles.
In her role at CEFLI, De assists with the implementation of CEFLI’s Compliance and Ethics programming and events, Educational Webinars, and other CEFLI Membership and industry activities.
De holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also holds the ALMI, ACS, AAPA, and AIRC designations.
Mallory Hart
Director of Member Relations, Communications and Meetings
850-541-6703 | MalloryHart@cefli.org
Mallory Hart serves as CEFLI’s Director of Member Relations, Communications and Meetings. Mallory served previously as the Marketing and Senior Event Coordinator with Meetings in Motion; CEFLI’s meetings management firm. Mallory’s background also includes professional sales experience.
In her role at CEFLI, Mallory serves as CEFLI’s primary contact for inquiries from member companies and Affiliate Member Organizations and assists CEFLI’s staff in organizing CEFLI meetings and issuing various communications related to CEFLI activities. Mallory also manages CEFLI’s Clearinghouse service and serves as the primary contact for Clearinghouse-related inquiries.
Mallory received her BA in Public Relations with a minor in Business from Auburn University.
Nancy Perez
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
240-463-1761 | NancyPerez@cefli.org
Nancy Perez serves as CEFLI’s Executive Assistant and Office Manager where she provides staff support for CEFLI management and organizes and monitors day-to-day office activities. Nancy brings to CEFLI over 30 years of life insurance industry trade association experience.