Only the fourth person to hold the position
The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation recently announced the formal gubernatorial appointment of Christine Brown as Deputy Commissioner of its Captive Insurance Division, solidifying a role in which she has served in an acting capacity since the start of the year. Brown’s appointment confirms Vermont’s long-standing reputation as a trusted, well-regulated domicile in an increasingly complex global risk environment.
DFR leadership is grateful for Brown’s willingness to serve. Commissioner Kaj Samsom applauded her contributions to the Department for over 20 years and said they were instrumental in maintaining continual, effective Division operations.
“Vermont is a globally renowned powerhouse in the captive industry, so the responsibilities of leadership are significant,” Commissioner Samsom added. “The need for a leader with excellent communication and presentation skills is essential, and it is not every day you find someone who possesses that, as well as the deep subject matter expertise. We have that combo in Christine, who has spent most of her career in captive regulation.”
Brown is just the fourth person to hold the position since 1981, when Vermont passed the Special Insurer Act, showing Vermont’s stability as a domicile throughout time. “I am grateful for the three remarkable deputies I was privileged to work so closely with – their leadership and wisdom have helped shape not only my professional growth but the way I lead today,” Brown said, reflecting on her experience in the Division. Brown’s appointment last week by Gov. Phil Scott continues a long tradition of leadership consistency and diligent succession planning in the Department.
A long-time Department employee with decades of experience in the captive industry, Deputy Commissioner Brown joined the Captive Insurance Division in 2003 as an examiner, with numerous promotions throughout the years until 2022, when she became the Division director and was responsible for, among other duties, strategic leadership, operations and regulatory policy.
Widely recognized within the industry for her knowledge and expertise, Brown was listed in Captive International’s 2024 inaugural edition of Influential Women in Captive Insurance. As part Vermont leadership, she has been recognized for her role in helping Vermont maintain its position as a top global captive domicile, including during recent record-setting growth years.
“I am honored to have been selected to lead our exceptional team of dedicated captive insurance professionals. DFR’s decades of regulatory expertise, its globally respected reputation within the industry, and our strong partnership with industry stakeholders underscores the strength of Vermont’s foundation,” Deputy Commissioner Brown said. “As we look to the future, I am excited to continue our commitment to consistent oversight, responsiveness, and innovation. This consistency is a key factor in Vermont’s continued position as a preferred domicile for companies across the globe.”
In addition to her work at DFR, since 2018, she has served as principal staff to the chair of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Risk Retention Group Task Force. Prior to joining State government, she worked as an auditor at Ernst & Young and Johnson Lambert. A graduate of Northeastern University, Brown holds a master’s in business administration and a master’s in accounting. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Regis College in Massachusetts.
