Baltimore, MD

    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.

    Jennifer Angelilli

    Senior Account Coordinator
    Jennifer Angelilli

    Jennifer joined the firm in September 2021 as an Account Coordinator. In her role, she works closely with the Account Management team in all aspects of customer service including claims resolution, answering employee benefit inquiries, audits, proposals, open enrollment and day-to-day support. Jennifer has been working in the insurance industry for twenty plus years and began her career working on the carrier side of the business, with both domestic and international insurance and then gained experience working on the TPA side of the business for both fully insured and self-insured TPAs.

    Theresa Antkowiak-Tassone

    Senior Account Coordinator
    Theresa Antkowiak-Tassone

    Theresa joined the firm in 2019 and is a Senior Account Coordinator. In her role she assists the Self-Funded Department with all aspects of customer service, including proposals, audits, renewals, client collateral and day-to-day support. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Economics from Goucher College as well as a Health and Life license.

    Kelli Argo

    Senior Account Coordinator
    Kelli Argo

    Kelli joined the firm in 2022 as a Senior Account Coordinator. In her role 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 Ashdown

    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.

    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.

    Photo of SIG team

    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

    SIG during christmas

    EXPERT EDUCATION

    Events and Webinars

    Employee Benefits

    Q4 Compliance Update

    Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.

    December 3, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Webinar - Legal Graphic

    Employee Benefits

    Setting Your Strategy for the New Year: Alera Group's 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook

    Our experts will highlight key results from Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook Report and explain how these trends can impact your benefits program this year.

    January 16, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

    Sign Up
    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage

    Wealth Services

    State of the Markets

    Join us as we unveil the factors that drive the nation's financial pulse and how they may impact your personal finances.

    January 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    State of the Markets

    THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

    Insights

    Employee Benefits

    Avoiding an Employee Lawsuit Over a Tobacco Surcharge Claim

    Tobacco surcharges on health insurance premiums for employees who use tobacco products are attractive options for employers looking to keep their workforce healthy while lowering their organization’s healthcare costs. But surcharges can go too far, and many employers may be unaware of the limitations. Alera Group's new whitepaper on tobacco surcharges is designed to assist employers in complying with federal regulations.

    November 19, 2024

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    Employee Benefits

    Q4 Considerations: New HIPAA Privacy Considerations

    Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule titled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy.

    November 15, 2024

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    Employee Benefits

    Spotlight on 2025 Benefit Limits

    The IRS has released the 2025 benefit plan limits. The following chart shows some of the key limits for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 tax years.

    November 15, 2024

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    Employee Benefits

    Courts Ablaze with Tobacco Surcharge Class Action Lawsuits

    Tobacco surcharges, or an increase in premiums for employees who use tobacco products, are attractive to employers looking to keep their employee population healthy and lower their healthcare costs. But they can go too far, and many employers might not be aware of the limitations.

    November 15, 2024

    Find out more