Insurance
10 group benefits sales experts
These ten insurance professionals have sold group benefits to employers or led group benefits sales teams in their own roles at insurance carriers. A reader can learn from them how group benefits sales teams are built and run.
Professionals to explore
01—10Brett Gruss
LinkedInExperience: National Sales Director · Unum
National Sales Director at Unum since January 2024 and former Senior Account Executive, National Client Group Practice Leader there (2007–2024). The profile describes helping large employers and their advisors improve benefit program cost, effectiveness, compliance and overall value in Unum's National Client Group, which supports companies with over 5,000 employees.
Deanna Guyder
LinkedInExperience: Group Benefits - Director of Sales · Humana
Group Benefits - Director of Sales at Humana since January 2025; the profile says the role leads a field-based team that sells ancillary solutions to clients of all sizes within an assigned group market. Former Director, Large Group Sales (2021–2025) and Large Group Sales Executive (2007–2013) at Humana.
Don Desjardins
LinkedInExperience: Senior Group Market Manager · Sun Life
Senior Group Market Manager at Sun Life since 2024 and Group Market Manager there since 2016; the profile describes coaching and developing a team of group sales representatives in the Mid-Atlantic and Florida regions toward their sales goals through relationships with broker partners. Former Sales Manager at Assurant Employee Benefits (now Sun Life Financial) (2006–2014).
Donald McLeod Jr.
LinkedInExperience: Senior Market Manager · Unum
Former Senior Market Manager at Unum (2003–2014), where the profile describes accountability for profitable revenue growth in employee benefits, including corporate life, LTD, STD, dental and voluntary worksite benefits, through employee benefit consultants, insurance brokers and financial consultants. Former Director of Specialty Business for OH & WI at Anthem, Inc. (2017–2023).
Greg Palazzo
LinkedInExperience: Vice President - Group Life and Disability Sales · Transamerica Employee Benefits
Former Vice President - Group Life and Disability Sales at Transamerica Employee Benefits (2021–2023) and Group Sales Manager at Aflac Broker Channel since July 2023. The profile also lists Vice President - National Accounts at Allstate Benefits (2018–2021), Senior Group Sales - National Accounts at Aflac (2015–2018) and Senior Sales Rep at Lincoln Financial (2005–2015).
Heather J. Boylan, CEBS
LinkedInExperience: Regional Director, Group Benefit Sales at MetLife · MetLife
Former Regional Director, Group Benefit Sales at MetLife (2021–2025), a role the profile tags in the sales department at director level. The profile also lists Assistant Vice President, Small Business Sales (2020–2021) and Senior Account Executive, National Accounts (2010–2015) at MetLife, and Senior Group Market Manager at Sun Life since July 2025.
Jessica Boldyga
LinkedInExperience: AVP, Senior Group Market Manager · Sun Life
AVP, Senior Group Market Manager at Sun Life since October 2022; the profile describes the role as sales manager for Sun Life's group products in the New England and Greater New York territories. Former Director, Associate Group Market Manager at Sun Life (2021–2022) and former Regional Account Executive, Group Benefits at The Hartford (2005–2021).
John Crowley
LinkedInExperience: Head of Field Sales, Group Benefits · Guardian Group Benefits
Former Head of Field Sales, Group Benefits at Guardian Group Benefits (2022–2025); the profile also lists Divisional Vice President, North Division (2019–2025) and Regional Vice President, Central Region (2015–2025) at Guardian, and Regional Vice President, Central Region at The Hartford (2007–2015). Vice President of Sales and Service at OneAmerica Financial since April 2025.
Mike McDermott
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President - MetLife National Accounts · MetLife
Senior Vice President - MetLife National Accounts at MetLife since September 2024 and former Vice President - National Accounts there (2013–2024). The profile describes leading a sales team for MetLife's National Accounts that manages the Group Benefits portfolio for organizations with 5000+ employees, and developing strategic distribution plans to drive revenue growth.
Patrick Casten
LinkedInExperience: Regional Vice President, North Group Benefits · Humana
Regional Vice President, North Group Benefits at Humana since January 2022; the profile describes leading sales and client management for dental, vision, life and disability for the $600M Humana Ancillary business across 26 states, spanning the 2-99, 100-999 and 1000+ market segments. Former Regional Director, DC & Carolinas at Guardian (2020–2021) and former Group Sales Representative at Unum (2014–2017).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's market segment to yours, since selling to small employers through local brokers differs from competing for national accounts with large consulting firms involved. Also consider whether you need a field seller who works cases directly or a sales leader who manages a team or region.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you earn and keep the attention of the brokers and consultants who control employer benefits decisions?
- 02Which products do you lead with to win a new employer case, and how do you add more lines after the first sale?
- 03How do you set goals and measure performance for a group benefits sales team?
Reaching group benefits sales experts
How can I contact one of these group benefits sales experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 6 companies, including Unum, Humana and Sun Life, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach group benefits sales experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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