About Us
Our History
Since 1975, GCG Financial, LLC, has been a trusted partner for our clients. Our mission has been to enhance the financial security of the businesses and families we serve through exceptional employee benefits, risk management, and wealth management solutions.
In 2017, GCG Financial 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 2022, 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.
Our Team
Trusted. Smart. Passionate.
Our team has a sincere commitment to the long- term success of our clients. With an emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, we create unique solutions that fit the distinct needs of each client. We are passionate about doing what is right for every client, driven by the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, integrity, character, fairness, trust, and confidence.
Our Presence
Our clients benefit from the expertise and resources of a large national firm, while still maintaining the advantages of local service and relationships. We leverage powerful relationships, industry experience, and resources with the goal of supporting our clients’ business strategies and elevating the experience of working with us.
Above all, our firm believes in empowering people – our clients, our team, and the individuals in the communities where we live and work.
We are headquartered in Deerfield, IL, with offices throughout Illinois and Colorado, along with more than 150 Alera Group locations across the country. Wherever you are, we can meet your needs.
Investment advisory services offered through Alera Investment Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
Meet Our Team
Dawn Lauret
Vice President, Benefits Consulting | Employee Benefits
Dawn Lauret joined the firm in 1998 and became Vice President of Benefits Consulting in 2005. She brings a consultative approach to the sale and retention of small group employee benefit packages with her background in both the sales and service aspects of the business. Her role is to partner with firm brokers to identify employee benefit opportunities on existing clients as well as new prospects. Many of the national health carriers have tapped Dawn for advisory boards, and she has been instrumental in designing benefit plans and providing feedback on plan strengths and weaknesses for small groups.
Before joining the firm, Dawn was an account manager for a small benefits agency in the employee benefit division.
Dawn enjoys spending her free time with her family and friends. She also enjoys playing volleyball, golfing, walking, biking, crafting, and traveling.
Education: B.S., Workforce Education and Development, Southern Illinois University.
David Lehenbauer, CPFA®
Associate Wealth Advisor
As a member of the team supporting John Fisher, CFP®, CPFA® (Vice President, Wealth Services), David provides client service and assists in life insurance needs.
David graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in finance, and a minor in Nonprofit Management. During his time at Indiana, he discovered his passion for helping people through the financial services industry.
Outside of the office, David has a wide range of interests. He's an avid music enthusiast, often attending concerts and exploring new genres. On weekends, you can find him on the golf course, enjoying a run or watching a baseball game.
David currently holds his Illinois Life and Health insurance licenses.
Investment advisory services offered through Alera Investment Advisors, LLC. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
Jordan Levitz
Risk Management Consultant
Jordan Levitz is the Director of Personal Risk Management at the firm and a third-generation insurance professional.
Jordan is a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, a Florham Business Scholar and played Division III College Lacrosse.
He came to the firm after working in the insurance industry for three years as an underwriter with CHUBB, where he managed a $32M+ book of business and underwrote risks for agencies in Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio.
Jordan is a member of the Alera Personal Lines Committee and has overseen the Chicago office double in size during his first three years as director.
In his free time, Jordan is typically with his family, Kelly, Mia, and Max, or on the golf course when his family allows.
Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Southern California
Cameron Lewis
Risk Management Consultant | Property & Casualty
Cameron is a second-generation insurance professional with a background in wealth management, specializing in the education and advisement of the benefits and value found in today’s high-net worth insurance market.
Prior to joining Alera Group, Cameron worked at HUB International, running the day-to-day operations of the new client interaction team and creating specialized packages for insureds with each premier insurance carrier.
Cameron listens and learns about clients’ personal protection goals, uncovering any risks that may have been overlooked in the past. Working in conjunction with their asset management team, Cameron can personalize a client’s insurance package to appropriately protect all assets in their portfolio and provide peace of mind for the long-haul.
Resources
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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Property and Casualty
Top Cyber Threats of 2026 – and How to Mitigate Them
Cybercriminals have a new playbook—your business could be next.
February 17, 2026 at 01:00 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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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Property and Casualty
AI-Powered Cyber Attacks, Why Yesterday’s Defenses Aren’t Enough.
The widespread availability of AI technology, combined with the ease of manipulating video calls, makes phone and Zoom calls susceptible to exploitation by threat actors.
February 2, 2026
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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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Property and Casualty
Are you prepared for 2026? Property and Casualty Trends Uncovered
The sixth annual Property and Casualty Market Outlook from Alera Group sets the stage for how organizations can recalibrate their risk strategies in 2026. Built on thousands of data points — including a nationwide survey of insurance company partners and wholesale intermediaries — this report delivers actionable insights for insurance buyers, risk managers and business leaders.
December 17, 2025
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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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