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.
Janet Hopkins
Client Operations Manager
Janet joined the firm in 2013 and is a Client Operations Manager. In her role, she assists Account Managers with all aspects of account implementation and the annual marketplace review process. She mainly supports mid-size to large clients. Janet has 16 years of industry experience and holds a Life and Health License.
Christy Jamison, CBC
Assistant Vice President
Since 2004, Christy has been a major advocate, troubleshooter, and built very notable relationships with our clients and vendors as a partner and servant to their ever-changing needs. As Assistant Vice President, Christy is a subject matter expert in the self-funded marketplace and truly acts as an extension of her clients. Often, clients will share that they feel like Christy is part of their own team as her clients know that she personally cares about them and their business goals. She has worked tirelessly on all aspects of self-funded medical plans as well as the intricacies of pharmacy benefits and design to help mitigate client expense. Because of her extensive knowledge, she has created blueprints that serve as an example nationwide for our clients. The relationships Christy creates and fosters both on our team and externally are an example to us all.
Diana Johnson
Employee Benefits Consultant
Diana is a problem-solving Life/Health agent and Employee Benefits Consultant who has been in the insurance industry for 35+ years. As a student of this ever-changing industry Diana has earned multiple professional designations including Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) from the Wharton School of Business, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). Her Insurance Accolades include Past President of Eastern Shore Association of Health Underwriters (ESAHU), Past President of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - Chesapeake (NAIFA – Chesapeake), as well as a three-time winner of ESAHU’s “Insurance Person of the Year.”
Diana is a team player who partners well with other professionals to bring solutions to employers. She works with decision-makers to develop benefit strategies to meet their company’s financial goals as well as employees’ needs. As a Toastmaster “Competent Communicator,” Diana also enjoys leading employee meetings to explain available benefits and how to best use them.
Sam Kelsh
Account Manager
Samantha joined the firm in 2013 and is an Account Manager. She works primarily with large group clients. In her role, she assists account managers with all aspects of customer service, including proposals, audits, renewals, client collateral, open enrollment meetings and day-to-day support. She researches, reviews and resolves claim and enrollment issues promptly and offers valuable support for clients’ group administrators, the human resources department and is an advocate for the employees.
Samantha holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Salisbury 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.
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: Educational Webinar
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.
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
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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Employee Benefits
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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Legal Alert: IRS Issues Affordability Percentage Adjustment for 2026
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Rev. Proc. 2025-25, which contains the inflation adjusted amounts for 2026 used to determine whether employer-sponsored coverage is “affordable” for purposes of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer shared responsibility provisions and premium tax credit program.
July 23, 2025
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