About Us
Since 1999, SIG, an employee benefits firm, has been dedicated to partnering with our clients and providing exceptional customer service. The inspirational basis for our operating business principles is: “If you take care of Baltimore, Baltimore will take care of you.” This philosophy has instilled itself in our culture and practice of all employees. SIG has years of industry experience, which has given us an edge over the competition in the vast wealth of knowledge and resources we have gathered. Our employees are passionate about helping and forming long-lasting relationships with others, and when you partner with us, we become a true extension of your company.
In 2017, SIG and 23 other like-minded, entrepreneurial firms came together to form Alera Group. Since then, Alera Group has grown to become the 11th largest independent insurance and financial services firm in the nation with over 4,000 employees, 180 firms, and thousands of clients across the country.
In 2023, we officially began embracing the Alera Group brand. What remains consistent is holding our clients at the core of our business; we focus on bringing personalized solutions, expanding our capabilities, and deepening our resources nationally.
Mission
We go the extra mile to help navigate the healthcare system and marketplace for our clients in order to advise them on the creation of comprehensive benefits plans that align with their core values to maximize their investment while controlling their costs. Our team-oriented approach allows us to become an extension of our clients’ HR departments. Through our vast knowledge and resource base, we keep our clients educated and well informed with the ever-changing healthcare regulations and marketplace.
Core Values
In order to create the organizational culture we desire, we embrace and embody the following core values:
- Partnership
- Integrity
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Passion
- Collaboration
- Excellence
Meet Our Team
People you can count on. People you can trust.
Kelli Argo
Manager of Implementation & Client Services
Kelli joined the firm in 2022. In her role she as Manager of Implementation & Client Services, she assists Account Managers by helping clients with claim issues, open enrollment, renewals, and basically anything that falls within the scope of customer service and day-to-day support. She truly loves helping people and has worked in many areas of the insurance business over the last 12 years, including State Farm Insurance where she helped individuals with their insurance needs. Kelli then worked for a TPA in both the benefits and payroll divisions before switching over to the broker side of group benefits in 2017.
She earned a BA in English from the University of Delaware, where she also minored in Spanish, and she holds her P&C and L&H licenses.
Kat Ashdown
Senior Communications Specialist
Kat joined the firm in 2013 and is the Senior Communications Specialist for the Self-Funded team. Previously a Senior Account Coordinator, she now offers valuable support to large group clients in all areas of employee communications. She is responsible for the development and customization of open enrollment materials, flyers, personalized benefit brochures, wellness campaigns, and a variety of other employee communication pieces. Kat serves on the Culture Committee, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Eastern University, as well as a Life and Health license.
Caitlin Beale
Benefits Technology Analyst
Caitlin joined the firm in 2015 and is a Benefits Technology Analyst. She provides comprehensive support to account teams and brokers at multiple levels, with a focus on client service, technology solutions, and administrative functions for both small and large, multi-site groups. Brings deep expertise in HR technology platforms, including Employee Navigator, ADP, and Paylocity. Current responsibilities include the end-to-end configuration, testing, and maintenance of client sites within Employee Navigator, as well as leading carrier and payroll integration initiatives to ensure seamless system integration and client satisfaction. Cait earned her Life and Health license in 2017.
Annie Block
Senior Benefits Consultant
Annie is responsible for providing analytic expertise using data science methods to identify actionable insights that help business leaders reduce health costs and improve outcomes. Annie creates, analyzes and manages reports using various methods to measure and evaluate current and future benefit design initiatives, client-specific plan performance, and population health management strategies.
Annie Block has almost two decades of experience in the Health Benefits field. She has worked with SIG providing strategic consultation with a focus on HR metrics and data analytics. She participates in the National Data Analytics Peer Group for the Benefit Advisors Network and annually updates their benchmarking reporting. Annie managed the benefits and workers compensation of a large Cleveland company, was a large group underwriter for Kaiser Permanente and has additional consulting experience specific to unions and national organizations.
Annie holds her Group Benefits Associate certification through IFEBP, she is a Certified PPACA Professional and has her Ohio Life, Accident & Health license.
Annie has a Bachelor of Psychology degree from Case Western University and a Master of Business Administration from Bowling Green State University.
Community Service
Paying it Forward is a core component at our firm. Our culture thrives on community involvement where we proudly support our clients, employees and the communities in which we live and work.
We empower our employees to “pay it forward” by fostering a sense of purpose and providing opportunities for impact in our community. One way we do this is by supporting causes and initiatives proposed by our team and providing opportunities to serve the
We empower our employees to “pay it forward” by fostering a sense of purpose and providing opportunities for impact in our community. One way we do this is by supporting causes and initiatives proposed by our team and providing opportunities to serve the wider world. We believe having a culture that encourages serving and giving is a significant contributor to life and career fulfillment, which enhances our overall wellbeing. With the help from our Culture Committee, we have the opportunity to serve our community together with multiple planned events each year.
We strive to creating lasting relationships with our clients. We are proud to support our clients and friends of the firm in their mission and their organizations that help create meaningful, lasting change in our community. Interested in us serving your
We strive to creating lasting relationships with our clients. We are proud to support our clients and friends of the firm in their mission and their organizations that help create meaningful, lasting change in our community.
Interested in us serving your non-profit or organization? Reach out and let us know! Email us here
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Navigating Medicare
The knowledgeable team at Alera Group is here to help you navigate your Medicare options to ensure you feel confident in your post-65 healthcare coverage.
February 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Designing Benefits for Mid - to Late-Career Employees
In our three-part webinar series, Designing Benefits That Work – A Data-Driven, Multigenerational Focus, we’ll explore multigenerational workforce insights, debunk generational myths, share early- and late-career benefit strategies, review legal and compliance trends, and provide actionable tools and resources.
February 18, 2026 at 10:00 am CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Specialty Rx Control: Why One Category Is Breaking Budgets — and How to Bend the Curve
Where specialty cost escalates (channel, site of care, waste, poor pathways).
February 19, 2026 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
IRS Releases Guidance Related to Recent HSA Changes
The IRS recently released Notice 2026-5, which provides guidance and answers to common questions related to the expanded availability of health savings accounts (“HSA”) under the Reconciliation Act (previously named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) passed into law earlier this year.
December 30, 2025
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Employee Benefits
Legal Alert: Agencies Clarify How Certain Fertility Benefits May be Treated as Excepted Benefits
This alert is of interest to all employers that offer fertility benefits or may be interested in offering fertility benefits in the future.
November 4, 2025
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Legal Alert: IRS Adjusts Health Flexible Spending Account and Other Benefit Limits for 2026
This alert is of interest to all employers that sponsor health FSAs and qualified transit plans, among others.
October 10, 2025
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2025 Leave Report: Insights to Guide 2026 Leave Planning
Explore Alera Group’s 2025 Leave Report. Benchmark PTO, parental leave, and holiday policies to strengthen employee retention and recruitment as you plan for 2026 and beyond.
October 1, 2025
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