Custom House Risk Advisors (CHRA) takes an experienced and customized approach to helping you understand and manage your individualized risks, while working toward mitigating your potential costs.
As your outsourced risk management and insurance advisory team, we provide expert advice and assistance guided by our integrity. Our clients benefit from the control and security surrounding the protection, procedures, and insurance in place for their operation.
CHRA is led by a team of dedicated professionals who collectively have over 130 years of industry experience. We specialize in numerous aspects of the real estate industry. Our clients are owners, developers, contractors, and operators of a wide array of asset classes across the nuanced real estate sector. While our focus is the real estate and development industry, we have expertise in other arenas including non-profit and financial institutions. We focus on the appropriate transfer of liability, using techniques specific to the particular composition of each client’s portfolio.
This approach can yield cost savings through customized and strategic insurance placement, as well as alternative risk transfer solutions. Unknown to many, insurance products are highly negotiable from a cost, coverage, and compliance standpoint. With both national and international expertise, CHRA aggregates the exposures, premiums, and industry relationships for the benefit of our clients.
We offer independent risk management and insurance advisory services, free of conflict from other areas within the insurance procurement world. Our compensation is neither a function nor a derivative of an insurance premium or sale, therefore any potential conflict of interest is removed.
CHRA takes pride in our reputation for a high level of expertise, attention to detail, collaborative nature, and transparency. We help our clients navigate the complexities of the insurance and risk management world while eliminating the burden of becoming an insurance expert. Insurance and risk management is our core business and we want to afford our clients the time and comfort to focus on theirs. Custom House Risk Advisors believes the proper risk management and consulting team belongs in every client relationship.
The basic concepts of risk management and the necessity for attention to detail transcend all industries. At CHRA we customize our approach to the particulars of each client. CHRA has a niche and substantive level of expertise in the following:
Real Estate and Development:
We represent owners, operators, managers, investors, lenders, developers, and contractors alike on all things real estate including:
Non-Profit and Human Services
Financial Institutions
President
Elizabeth has over a decade of experience in the risk management industry. After graduating from Suffolk Law School in Boston, Elizabeth joined Robert M. Currey & Associates as a Senior Risk Manager focusing on large complex real estate accounts with a niche in construction and development. As a licensed insurance advisor (LIA), Elizabeth has advised and provided consulting services to clients, projects and portfolios on an international scale, totaling billions of dollars under management with diverse asset classes ranging from hospitality, retail, residential, development, office to warehouse and storage. She has participated as a speaker on a variety of different industry conference panels, most recently at the Texas Bar Association conference to discuss insurance and risk management nuances of construction projects from an owner/developer perspective.
Elizabeth has established a reputation in the industry for being able to see the overall picture while having the expertise and attention to detail to insulate her clients from liability by implementing both insurance and non-insurance related solutions. A cum laude graduate of both the University of Delaware and Suffolk Law School, where she served as a member of the Moot Court, Elizabeth is also a member of the Federal and Massachusetts Bar Associations.
Email: Elowe@customhouserisk.com
Connect on LinkedIn
Executive Risk Management Consultant
Geoffrey came to Custom House Risk Advisors with a background as a policyholder-side insurance coverage attorney. After graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he was an Associate Editor of the Connecticut Law Review, Geoffrey worked as a risk manager and attorney primarily focused on New York construction and cyber risk management.
In his legal practice, Geoffrey worked as a risk manager overseeing contracts and insurance for large construction projects in New York City and represented real estate developers, investors, hotel owners, and contractors in litigation. Geoffrey also specializes in cyber risk management, having worked with a variety of construction, utility, and service-industry companies, to minimize and insure cyber risks in addition to representing and advising those companies when cyber losses occur.
Geoffrey has spoken at a variety of conferences on risk transfer and cyber risk issues, having most recently spoken on the topic of Insurance and Risk Management for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Technology at the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation Annual Conference.
Email: Gmiller@customhouserisk.com
Risk Management Associate
Janine has over 20 years of experience in the risk management industry and has mainly focused on commercial real estate. With her strict attention to detail, Janine is able to better assist with her clients’ overall goals by implementing risk management practices and appropriate insurance coverages. She was previously employed as an Associate Consultant with KFDA Risk Advisors and as a Senior Risk Management Associate at Robert M. Currey and Associates.
Janine is a graduate of Aquinas College and has completed several continuing education courses at Bentley College and the Boston Insurance Library.
Email: Jstewart@customhouserisk.com
Connect on LinkedIn
Executive Risk Management Consultant
Lisa collaborates with her real estate clients on their risk management strategies and insurance needs. Most often this is as a risk manager to commercial real estate owners, investors, and developers with occupancies in retail, lab/office, warehouse, and distribution, habitational, and commercial condominiums. She provides contract review support and policy procurement services to her clients. Lisa also works with real estate developers on construction-related insurance decisions, including builders’ risk property coverage and construction liability programs.
Before joining CHRA, Lisa was a Managing Director and Account Executive for Crystal and Company, a leading strategic risk and insurance brokerage. Lisa also worked as a Vice President and Risk Manager for CWCapital Asset Management. There Lisa was heavily involved in the insurance procurement for the firm’s foreclosed real estate owned (REO) portfolio with total insured values in excess of $16 billion dollars. In particular, Lisa led the insurance risk review for hospitality/resort and habitational occupancies.
Lisa spent 11 years in claims management for Amica Mutual Insurance Company, focusing on coverage review, claims adjustment, audits, and litigated claim strategy. As a licensed insurance advisor, she has also been involved in advising her clients on financial lines of insurance such as management liability, cyber/network security, professional liability, and other insurance procurement touching all lines of insurance business.
Lisa holds various Insurance Designations: Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, Associate in Risk Management, Associate in Insurance, and Associate in Claims.
Email: Lmyrberg@customhouserisk.com
Senior Risk Management Consultant
Molly works on a variety of large real estate portfolios at the firm to address the daily risk management and insurance needs of property owners, developers, managers, and commercial lenders. Previously, Molly advised her real estate clients on all lines of coverage, claims management, and risk mitigation while a Risk Management Associate at Robert M. Currey & Associates. Molly graduated Magna Cum Laude from Endicott College with a major in marketing communications. She is a licensed insurance advisor (LIA) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Senior Risk Management Associate
Jennifer has over 15 years of experience in commercial real estate risk management and operational procedures. Her experience includes a focus on client insurance programs with a strong emphasis on Emergency Response Protocols and Risk Management initiatives, ensuring compliance and consistency throughout the portfolio. Jennifer enjoys using technology to develop processes that optimize client service and efficiency. She has coordinated the establishment and management of custom insurance programs for clients, including database development and management, and tracking of claims, certificates, and other program details. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and was previously employed as Business Systems Manager and Senior Technical Assistant at Robert M. Currey and Associates.
Email: JBerlane@Customhouserisk.com
Risk Management Consultant
Lee has over 20 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. She works on a variety of large real estate portfolios to address the coverage, claims and risk management needs of property owners, developers, managers and commercial lenders.
Before joining Custom House Risk Advisors in 2019, she was previously employed as a Claims Examiner with Amica Mutual Insurance Company where her focus was compliance, coverage analysis and complex casualty claims.
A graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, Lee is a licensed insurance advisor (LIA) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and holds Associate in General Insurance (AINS) and Associate in Claims (AIC) designations.
Senior Risk Management Consultant
Chelsey works on a variety of large real estate portfolios at the firm to address the daily risk management and insurance needs of property owners, developers, managers, and commercial lenders. Previously, Chelsey advised her real estate clients on all lines of coverage, claims management, and risk mitigation, while a Risk Management Associate at Robert M. Currey & Associates. She received her BA in Journalism from Temple University and is a Cum Laude graduate of Suffolk University Law School, where she was a member of the Moot Court and Journal of Trial and Appellate Advocacy. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. Chelsey is a licensed insurance advisor (LIA) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Email: Cturner@customhouserisk.com
Senior Risk Management Consultant
Tom advises a diverse mix of real estate clients (inclusive of developers, lenders, and hospitality, industrial, and residential owners) on their risk management and insurance needs. Tom brings an expert legal lens to contractual review, insurance coverage audits, and risk analysis. Prior to joining Custom House Risk Advisors, Tom worked as a Risk Management Consultant at Robert M. Currey & Associates where he provided advice to private equity real estate clients on large transactions with respect to risk transfer strategy, with a particular focus on construction exposures, lease and loan compliance, and cyber insurance. Tom earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School where he graduated magna cum laude and served as Chief Competitions Editor for the Transnational Law Review. He has authored a number of articles and spoken to industry groups about cyber risks in the commercial real estate sector. He is a licensed attorney in Massachusetts, the District of Massachusetts (Federal), New York, and Maine. He is also a licensed insurance advisor (LIA) in Massachusetts and a Certified Information Privacy Professional for the United States (CIPP-US).
Email: THunt@customhouserisk.com
Executive Risk Management Consultant
Kathy has more than 30 years of experience in commercial risk management and insurance advisory services. She is the owner of Managed Risk, LLC and is a former strategic partner at Fort Hill Risk Management and a former Senior Vice President at Robert M. Currey & Associates. As a licensed insurance advisor (LIA), Kathy has provided property and casualty consulting services to a host of clients over the years, both in the U.S. and internationally, and is a known and respected professional within the industry for her expertise talent, integrity and accomplishments.
Kathy is a graduate of Aquinas College and has participated on multiple panels and groups as an industry-related risk management and insurance expert, spanning topics from terrorism and climate change to the importance of contract transfer and more. Although she specializes in real estate and development across all areas within the industry, she has also touched and advised on other industries, including financial, non-profit, and manufacturing.
Senior Risk Management Associate
Chet provides and services Risk Management and Insurance Consulting for the Real Estate and Construction markets. His knowledge of this area allows him to easily navigate client’s needs and offer solutions to their exposure concerns. Before joining CHRA, Chet worked as an account specialist at Aon in Boston, where he focused on managing large contractor and construction accounts on a national level. His previous position has also enabled him to work as a broker for his clients, a skill that he plans on utilizing in his current role. Chet graduated from Boston University with a major in Business and comes from a family of insurance Producers. He is currently a licensed Insurance Producer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is working toward furthering his licensure and designations.
Email: Cpatvary@customhouserisk.com
Risk Management Consultant
Monique joins CHRA with over 10 years of risk management experience. She began her career in the transportation industry, focusing on safety/compliance, insurance, and contract. She continued to work on her risk management portfolio at Robert M Currey & Associates, where she supported the insurance placements and risk transfer for large investors and developers. As the Director of Operations for RFX, Inc., Monique gained experience in process improvement, employee development, and administrative management.
Monique graduated from the Honors Program at Providence College, then earned her Master of Urban Affairs degree from Boston University. She is looking forward to expanding her licensure and designations within the insurance industry.
Email: Mdevoe@customhouserisk.com
Senior Risk Management Consultant
Heather has over seven years of experience in the risk management and insurance consulting industry with a primary focus on commercial real estate portfolios and development projects. She brings her broad knowledge of the industry, across all lines of coverage to address the daily risk management and insurance needs of her clients. Prior to joining Custom House Risk Advisors, Heather worked as a Risk Management Consultant at Robert M. Currey & Associates, where she advised public and private real estate owners, operators, and developers on their individual insurance needs and best strategies for risk mitigation. Heather graduated Magna Cum Laude from Plymouth State University with a major in business administration and a minor in creative writing. She is a Licensed Insurance Advisor (LIA) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Email: Hraffle@CustomHouseRisk.com
Risk Management Associate
Megan joined the CHRA team in April 2022 to work with clients in the Real Estate and Construction industries. Prior to joining Custom House, Megan worked as a Risk Analyst for the commercial real estate company, CBRE. Soon after graduating with a degree in Wildlife Biology from Auburn University, Megan began her career in insurance and risk management at AssuredPartners, where she was responsible for the office’s largest commercial accounts. Her previous experience includes managing global commercial insurance programs, reviewing contracts and leases, quoting and marketing coverage, tracking certificates, and handling policy audits. Megan is a licensed Insurance Producer in the state of Connecticut and is currently working on obtaining her ARM designation. She is also a graduate of the Willis Towers Watson Risk Leadership Academy.
Email: MPiper@Customhouserisk.com
Senior Risk Management Consultant
Samantha Oliveira, Esq., Senior Risk Management Consultant, comes to Custom House as an attorney who has focused her career on insurance coverage and risk management. In her previous litigation practice, Samantha advocated on behalf of policyholders on issues involving all lines of coverage. Most notably, she co-authored an appellate brief that ultimately led to a critical policyholder’s favorable decision, which was a victory for construction industry policyholders in the State of Connecticut. This made property damage to a construction project caused by defective work be considered an “occurrence” under the law.
Samantha is an asset to the Custom House team; she focuses on providing clients with the most current and practical perspective on the risk management issues they encounter. She also has extensive experience in developing and rewriting insurance procurement language to meet the changing demands of the insurance and construction industries and to help clients procure airtight contractual risk transfer provisions in their policies.
She obtained her bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut, and her J.D., cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut, New York, the U.S. District Court, the District of Connecticut, and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.
Samantha regularly contributes to the Construction Law Handbook, Chapter 17, which discusses construction wrap-up insurance policies.
Email: SOliveirs@customhouserisk.com
Sara joined Custom House Risk Advisors in August 2022 to work on the lending team. Prior to joining CHRA, Sara worked for the State of Rhode Island, Department of Children, Youth and Families in the Contract and Compliance Unit, with her primary responsibilities being contracts; procurement, indemnification, liability, and management. She obtained her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, at Plymouth State University and her J.D. from Roger Williams School of Law. Sara is currently working toward furthering her licensure and designations in the insurance industry.
CHRA offers a superior consulting experience. Unlike other risk management consulting firms, we take pride in our ability to work with your existing broker relationships, to identify and introduce you to other brokers and carriers where warranted, and to manage and/or collaborate in the broker competitive process. Overall, we customize our services to your business, bringing our leverage, expertise, and sophistication to the table for the benefit of our client.