About Us The Alaska Division of Insurance is a regulatory agency headed by the Director of Insurance. Our most important function is consumer protection, which includes oversight of the financial conditions of insurers. The division participates in drafting insurance laws and regulations and analyzes market data to develop more effective insurance regulation in Alaska. Executive Team Lori Wing-Heier, Director Lori Wing-Heier was appointed Director of the Division of Insurance in February 2014. Director Wing-Heier has approximately 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, including as a broker and agent. She most recently served as Director of Risk Management at a large Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporation where she designed and implemented a comprehensive enterprise-wide risk management program. She also served as senior vice-president at a national brokerage, working with Alaskan entities throughout the state, and as president of the Alaska Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers, Inc. Heather Carpenter, Deputy Director Heather Carpenter joined the Division of Insurance as Deputy Director in June 2023. Prior to joining the Division, Heather spent five years as the Health Care Policy advisor to the Commissioner of Health and Social Services. As chief advisor on Medicaid policy, behavioral health system reform, and special projects, she focused on building relationships with stakeholders, providers, policymakers, and consumers in order to build consensus and buy in for departmental priorities. Heather also spent six years as a legislative staffer including two years as the Chief of Staff to the Senate President. She developed and carried successful legislation for Senator Pete Kelly including a large Medicaid reform package estimated to save $400 million over six years and financing a $35 million patient housing facility at Alaska Native Medical Center. Heather is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. Molly Nollette, Chief Market Regulator Molly Nollette joined the Division of Insurance as Chief Market Regulator in April 2024. She has over 12 years of experience as an insurance regulator. Molly most recently served as the Deputy Commissioner for Rates, Forms, and Provider Networks for the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner, a position she held for 10 years. In that position she had oversight of the review and approval of insurance products across all lines of business and built the Provider Network Oversight program which reviewed healthcare provider contracts, network access, and healthcare benefit manager contracts, such as Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Molly earned her B.A. from Reed College and a J.D. from Tulane University School of Law. Consumer Services and Investigations We investigate consumer inquiries and complaints against insurance companies and agents to help ensure fair treatment. We also work to ensure consumers have the tools to evaluate and purchase insurance products that are appropriate for their needs. Investigators look for potentially fraudulent activity, including claimant, agent, insurer, medical care provider, and workers' compensation fraud, leading to civil administrative actions and criminal convictions. Policy Forms and Rates We monitor the policy forms that insurers use for conformity with statutory standards, to confirm that policy language properly reflects the benefits under the policy and is not deceptive or misleading. We evaluate premium rates to confirm that premiums are not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. Licensing, Compliance, and Financial Oversight We license companies and agents to conduct business in Alaska and monitor their compliance with insurance laws and regulations. We monitor the solvency of insurers operating in Alaska to ensure they are able to pay claims. Participation in the NAIC Alaska participates in a state-based national insurance regulatory framework designed to protect policyholders and to serve the greater public interest through the effective regulation of the US insurance marketplace. Through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), state insurance regulators establish national standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate their regulatory oversight to better protect the interests of consumers while ensuring a strong and viable insurance marketplace. Insurance regulators also participate in the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) on major standard-setting initiatives, including working with fellow regulators from around the world to better supervise cross-border insurers, identifying systemic risk in the insurance sector, and creating international best practices.