Lael Chappell is the VP of Strategic Growth at Mission US. Mission provides the platform and infrastructure to launch and grow specialist insurance programs. Lael brings two decades of global experience across commercial insurance and insurtech. His expertise spans underwriting, distribution strategy, program administration, and MGA innovation. He specializes in modernizing traditional risk products with data-driven, tech-enabled solutions. Lael spoke at a past InsurTechNY event.
Lael joined Mission US in 2025 to lead strategic growth. He connects underwriting talent with agents and brokers seeking tailored solutions. Within the Mission group, he has also led American Eagle Underwriting Managers. He served as fractional Chief Commercial Officer of Tribute Specialty, a digitally enabled program administrator.
Before Mission, Lael was Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Desq. Desq is a commercial insurance incubator that helps underwriters launch tech-enabled MGAs and programs. That role put him at the center of the specialty program ecosystem.
Lael is also an active startup advisor and angel investor. He has supported early-stage companies since 2018. His focus is building the future of insurance.
Lael earned a BBA in Finance, Risk Management, and Insurance from the University of Georgia. He also holds an EMBA from a global program run by Columbia, London Business School, and the University of Hong Kong. He completed the Program for Leadership Development at Harvard Business School.
