Staff - InsuranceFraud.org

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Michelle Rafeld

Executive Director

Celeste Dodson, MBA, CPCU, FCLA

Director of Member Relations & Initiatives

Karen Montgomery

Head of Operations

Heidi Krumenauer

Director of Strategy, Transformation & Business Development

Joseph Matos

Head of Communications & Creative Services

Kendra Smith

Head of Member Services & Events

Brent J. Walker

Director of Government Relations

Kate Gordon

General Counsel

Executive Director

Michelle Rafeld

Michelle Rafeld is a seasoned insurance professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry, including extensive expertise in investigating insurance fraud across all lines of insurance.Michelle began her insurance career as an agent before transitioning to public service, where she spent 32 years with the State of Ohio. During her tenure as a public servant, Michelle held various roles with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and gained invaluable experience in claims, auditing, investigations, and leadership.

To expand her expertise beyond the workers’ compensation arena, Michelle joined the Fraud Enforcement Division of the Ohio Department of Insurance in 2005. While Michelle held various leadership roles within the division, she’s most notably known for serving as the agency’s Fraud Director, a position she held from 2007 until her retirement from state service in June 2023.

Throughout her career, Michelle built strong relationships with insurers, law enforcement agencies, consumer protection groups, and regulators. She was actively involved with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and served in advisory roles with the Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership, the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, and the Executive Committee of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.

In 2020, Michelle was appointed Public-Interest Co-Chair of the Coalition, and on January 1, 2024, she became the Coalition’s third Executive Director. In addition to her role as Executive Director of the Coalition, Michelle serves as an advisor to the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). She is also a Board Member for the Anti-Fraud Alliance (AFA) and the New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Dayton and earned her Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation (APIR) and Professional in Insurance Regulation (PIR) designations from the NAIC.

202-393-7333 | michelle@insurancefraud.org

Director of Member Relations & Initiatives

Celeste Dodson, MBA, CPCU, FCLA

As Director of Member Services and Initiatives for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud Celeste is focused on strengthening and growing the Coalition’s member relations, enhancing it’s presence, and expanding it’s influence within the insurance and fraud-fighting community. In addition she provides leadership and oversight of the Coalition’s numerous task forces and committees.

Prior to joining the Coalition, Celeste worked within the P&C Insurance Industry for over 30 years. Celeste built and led regional and national Special Investigation Unit (SIU) operations, as well as directed claims, underwriting, and project management initiatives for one of the largest P&C carriers within the United States. Her career reflects a steadfast commitment to innovation, integrity, and excellence in combating insurance fraud and advancing operational effectiveness.

Celeste is a recognized leader within the anti-fraud community, having served as President of the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU), Vice President of the Global Insurance Fraud Summit (GIFS), and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA). She has also contributed her expertise as an advisor to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) Board of Governors and the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud’s Executive Board.

A respected and engaging industry speaker, Celeste is frequently invited to share her insights on fraud prevention, leadership, and organizational strategy. She has earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Fraud Claim Law Associate (FCLA) designations, holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Florida State University, and a Master of Business Administration from Villanova University.

202-573-3435 | celeste@insurancefraud.org

Head of Operations

Karen Montgomery

Karen Montgomery is a business operations and continuous improvement professional with a proven track record of enhancing organizational efficiency through multifaceted strategic approaches. She brings over a decade of diverse experience spanning business operations, project management, and strategic leadership. Her methodologies encompass technological innovation, process optimization, and cultural transformation. Her most notable achievements include serving as Chief of Staff at Mantium, where she implemented a new employee onboarding initiative with a 95% satisfaction rate, and leading organizational change management efforts at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for a data collection system affecting over 1,700 regulated utilities.

With a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification and expertise in change management, Karen combines academic preparation from Miami University and Capital University Law School with practical, results-driven professional experience. Her versatile skill set spans roles in legal support, customer service, and project coordination, enabling her to deliver strategic operational enhancements through a holistic approach that integrates technological solutions, human-centered design, and systematic process improvement. Karen’s comprehensive expertise demonstrates her consistent commitment to organizational excellence and meaningful workplace transformation.

karen@insurancefraud.org

Director of Strategy, Transformation & Business Development

Heidi Krumenauer

Heidi is a corporate leader with proven ability to work effectively with peers and senior management to develop strategies related to critical issues. Proven skills in executive communication, strategic planning, project management, program implementation, team building, cross-divisional partnerships, expense management, budgeting, staffing, campaign finance and compliance. Heidi has held manager and director positions for 17 of the past 31 years of her career.

Heidi is an officer of the executive board of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, the country’s leading alliance of consumer groups, public interest organizations, government agencies, and insurers dedicated to preventing insurance fraud.

She has also authored 13 books and has contracted with various writing teams for compilation publications, contributing to 18 book projects. Heidi has published more than 1,200 articles for newspapers and national magazines. She is the owner of HJK Communications.

202-393-7331 | heidi@insurancefraud.org

Head of Communications & Creative Services

Joseph Matos

Joseph is a dynamic, multi-award-winning strategic executive who has transformed Fortune 100 companies with groundbreaking branding, marketing, and communications strategies. With a background in some of the world’s largest and prestigious ad agencies, he is a pioneer in the multicultural industry, excelling in both general and multicultural markets. Joseph lead strategic efforts across the U.S. and Latin America, managing multi-billion-dollar clients. He was later recruited as Chief Creative Director at UniWorld Group, where he worked with top-tier brands like HBO and Reebok to elevate their global branding efforts.

He later founded two advertising agencies, securing clients like Pep Boys while consulting for agencies worldwide. In 2002, he transitioned to Washington, D.C., serving as Chief Creative Officer for major advertising and media firms, directing branding for political campaigns and launching impactful initiatives such as the “Be A Hero” campaign for Donate Life Maryland. Expanding his expertise, Joseph led marketing and branding for various industries, trades and health organizations, enhancing messaging, outreach, and engagement. Once working exclusively with global Fortune 100 companies, his expertise is now sought after by Coalition members, providing leadership in branding, communications, DEI, and their internal strategic development.

In a unique career shift, Joseph has twice been recruited into law enforcement, most recently in 2022, just before being brought on board to successfully elevate the Coalition’s brand and communications.

202-250-3250 | joseph@insurancefraud.org

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Head of Member Services & Events

Kendra Smith

For nearly to two decades, Kendra has managed internal operations, member services and events for the Coalition. Her exceptional organizational skills ensure that the Midyear and Annual membership meetings, committee and task force meetings run efficiently and that our databases remain up-to-date. Kendra is dedicated to providing Coalition members with prompt and accurate responses to their inquiries.

Prior to joining the Coalition in 2007, Kendra supported the President & CEO and senior staff at the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, where she also served as a liaison to the Mayor of the District of Columbia and city council member assistants.

During her tenure at Suited for Change, Kendra managed over 100 job-training programs aimed at assisting economically disadvantaged women. She provided mentoring, skill development and organized volunteers to assist women in search of employment and professional attire.

At the Sanz School, Kendra arranged career expos, workshops and facilitated internships and employment opportunities for students.

In 2008, Kendra completed her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice at American InterContinental University.

202-393-7330 | Kendra@insurancefraud.org

Director of Government Relations

Brent J. Walker

Brent Walker serves as the Director of Government Relations for the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, where he leads the organization’s advocacy efforts nationwide. In this role, Brent also serves as the staff liaison for the Coalition’s Government Affairs, Legal Affairs, and Amicus Review Committees, along with the Property & Casualty Task Force. He also serves as the organization’s primary liaison to state and federal policymaking bodies, and regulatory associations, including having been appointed as a Consumer Representative to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Brent brings nearly 30 years of combined experience in law enforcement, insurance fraud investigations, and nonprofit leadership. His career began as a police detective and evolved into senior roles within special investigation units (SIUs) at two major insurance carriers. He has served as a major case investigator, regional SIU manager, and anti-fraud compliance director. In addition, Brent believes in the value of collaboration in the fight against insurance fraud and has been very active in the larger antifraud community for over two decades. He has had the opportunity to serve on the board of the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU), lead a local Texas chapter, chair numerous committees, get involved with advocacy in both regulatory and legislative arenas, plan antifraud educational events, manage a global publication, and participate in many other initiatives. Prior to joining the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, Brent co-chaired its Government Affairs Committee. Brent received a bachelor’s degree from East Texas A&M University in organizational leadership and holds the Senior Claim Law Associate designation from the American Educational Institute. He has been married for over 30 years, has three children, and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

301-821-6145 | brent@insurancefraud.org

General Counsel

Kate Gordon

Prior to coming to the Coalition, Kate was Associate General Counsel at American International Group (AIG) and was the principal legal support for Global Investigative Services of the Fraud and Recovery team. She managed a team of attorneys who supported the Claims and Operations Legal Group including Global Recovery matters, non-litigated bankruptcy issues, Regulatory inquiries and filings as well as contract drafting and interpretation. Prior to working at AIG, she was National Counsel for Special Investigations at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company overseeing a team of regional attorneys throughout the country. She worked collaboratively with investigators, attorneys and prosecutors to bring affirmative actions to recover funds and defend against claims if fraud was involved.

She brings a wealth of knowledge on insurance fraud related matters as well as an extensive litigation background. Kate has been active with the Coalition as a Board member and most recently, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. She was also a member of the APCIA fraud subcommittee and has presented at IASIU, RIMS and the Coalition on topics involving fraud matters.

202-384-7819 | Kate@insurancefraud.org