About LICONY

Laura Evangelista is the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY). She oversees the organization’s operations and works directly with the LICONY Board of Directors to develop and guide its strategic mission to create and maintain a legislative and regulatory environment in New York that encourages LICONY’s membership to conduct and grow their life insurance businesses.

Laura joined the association in September 2024 as the Managing Director of Regulatory Affairs, where she focused on regulatory issues of importance to the life insurance industry in New York. She was also responsible for regulatory advocacy and compliance issues involving the New York State Department of Financial Services. Laura has had a long relationship with LICONY, having previously served as its outside counsel and having worked closely with the association while at the Department.

Prior to joining LICONY, Laura was a Shareholder at the law firm Greenberg Traurig and focused her practice on insurance regulatory matters, serving as Global Co-Chair of its Insurance Regulatory & Transactions Practice Group.

Before joining Greenberg Traurig, Laura served as Executive Deputy Superintendent of Insurance at the New York State Department of Financial Services, where she led the Department’s Insurance Division. In her role at the Department, Laura supervised all substantive insurance matters. Laura also worked closely with regulated entities, trade associations, and consumer groups on policy initiatives, including the formulation of regulations and industry guidance.

Earlier in her career, Laura was a litigator at national and regional law firms, as well as legal counsel for a boutique international insurance broker. She is a graduate of Trinity College and Hofstra University School of Law.

Timothy Atkins is the Managing Director for Legislative Affairs and Counsel at LICONY. Tim’s primary responsibilities include drafting legislation and lobbying on the bills that make up LICONY’s legislative program, analyzing bills and regulations for their impact on our companies, drafting analysis and position memos, and representing LICONY and its member companies at meetings with legislators, Executive Chamber staff, and the Department of Financial Services. Tim provides general legal counsel to the organization and is also responsible for managing LICONY’s political action committee. 4

Tim came to LICONY with more than a decade of experience in positions working in and around New York State Government. Prior to LICONY, he served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Dormitory of the State of New York (DASNY). There, he worked directly with the President and senior management to develop DASNY’s legislative agenda including soliciting legislative sponsorship and support. Tim guided DASNY’s proposals through the legislative process and successfully lobbied for the passage of several pieces of legislation critical to the authority. He has held several positions inside the New York State Senate including Senior Counsel and Parliamentarian where he assisted in developing the daily Senate floor agenda and provided counsel to the acting President of the Senate relating to the Senate Rules, parliamentary procedure, and the customs of the house.

Tim is a board member of the Industry Education Council (IEC). He is a graduate of the University at Albany and Hofstra University School of Law. He also holds the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter by the American College of Financial Services. Tim and his wife, Babette, reside in Delmar, New York, with their two daughters, London and Lucille.

Marshal Bozzo is the Managing Director for Regulatory Affairs and Counsel at LICONY. He focuses on regulatory issues of importance to the life insurance industry in New York. He is also responsible for regulatory advocacy and compliance issues involving the New York State Department of Financial Services. Marshal has had a substantial relationship with LICONY, having previously served as its outside counsel, having worked closely with LICONY while at the Department, and having co-presented LICONY webinars.

Marshal is the primary contact for LICONY to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI). Marshal is principally responsible for most of the regulatory advocacy and compliance issues involving the New York State Department of Financial Services, including life insurance and annuity replacements (Regulation 60), life insurance and annuities best interest and suitability (Regulation 187), life insurance and annuity non-guaranteed elements (Regulation 210), actuarial and reserving issues, risk classification and underwriting, cybersecurity, the use of artificial intelligence systems and external consumer data and information sources, and holding company matters, including ERM/ORSA and risks related to climate change. Marshal is also primarily responsible for matters relating to company examinations and policy form filing matters.

Prior to joining LICONY, Marshal was Counsel at the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and focused his practice on U.S. and international insurance regulatory matters in the firm’s insurance regulatory and corporate insurance practice groups, with a particular focus on insurance and reinsurance entities doing business in New York and analyzing emerging issues relevant to the industry.

Before joining Debevoise, Marshal served as Deputy General Counsel for Insurance at the New York State Department of Financial Services, where he led the Department’s Office of General Counsel’s insurance team and provided legal advice to the Department’s leadership and business units. Previously, Marshal was Assistant Deputy Superintendent for Property, serving as second-in-command of the Department’s Property Bureau, where he supervised the Bureau’s regulatory work with a particular focus on financial and market conduct issues. In both roles, he worked closely with regulated entities, trade associations, and consumer groups on policy initiatives, including regulations and industry guidance.

Earlier in his career, Marshal worked at the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions, clerked for a Senior District Court Judge in the Southern District of New York, and was an insurance regulatory and corporate lawyer at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. He is a graduate of Binghamton University and the University of Virginia School of Law.

Leslie King is the Executive Assistant for President/CEO Laura Evangelista. She joined LICONY in 2025.

Previously, Leslie worked for over 30 years in the New York State Senate as the Executive Assistant for four succeeding Majority and Minority Leaders.

Leslie received her Bachelor of Science degree from Russell Sage College. She and her husband reside in Clifton Park, New York, and have two adult children.

Tonia Loveland is the Administrative Assistant for LICONY. She joined the association in September 2024 and provides administrative support. Tonia is responsible for scheduling meetings, maintaining the calendar, coordinating annual membership updates, and maintaining the database. Prior to joining LICONY, Tonia worked for 10 years as a Patent Legal Assistant at Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti.

Tonia lives in Rotterdam Junction, New York, with her husband, Tim.

Liz Maxwell is the Manager of External Affairs for LICONY. She joined the association in September 2022. In her role, she organizes external LICONY events, maintains LICONY’s PAC, focuses on stakeholder communication, and updates the organization’s website. Prior to joining LICONY, Liz worked in the publishing industry.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College. Liz and her husband reside in Guilderland, New York.

Linda Nusbaum is the Director for Operations for LICONY. She is responsible for supporting the President/Chief Executive Officer in planning efforts and managing the financial resources necessary for executing LICONY’s mission. She facilitates the annual financial audit process with an outside auditor, prepares the annual budget and periodic budget status reports in consultation with the President/CEO and manages LICONY dues calculations and assessment process.

She oversees the daily operations of LICONY and is responsible for accounting, bank relations, human resource administration, and directing office workflow. Prior to joining LICONY, she worked for the New York State Assembly.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Empire State College. Linda and her husband reside in East Greenbush, New York, with their two children.

Diane Stuto is the Regulatory Affairs Consultant for LICONY. She joined the association in 1990 as an Assistant Vice President. She was appointed to Vice President in 1995, Senior Vice President in 1999, and to Executive Vice President in 2003. She was appointed to the new position of Managing Director in 2016, focusing primarily on regulatory issues of importance to the life insurance industry of New York.

Before joining LICONY, Diane worked for several years in the New York State Senate, her last position as Legislative Director to the ranking member of the Senate Insurance Committee. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany. Diane and her husband reside in Albany, New York, and have adult children who are triplets.