STRAUSS GLOBAL - Key Persons
Birdie has thirty plus years of legal experience in multiple areas of law. The last ten have been with The Strauss Law Firm focusing on corporate law, estate planning, asset protection and captive insurance. She studied at Germantown Community College in Maryland and Liberty University in Virginia. She is very active in her community and currently holds a position with the Hilton Head Legal Professionals for S.C.
Christine Vandenberghe joined our team as legal assistant in late 2021. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business from Randolph-Macon College, and her professional background includes experience in human resources, finance, and immigration, employment, and estate planning law.
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Christine moved to Hilton Head Island in 2012 after six years in Canada. She enjoys the beautiful beaches, water, and lack of snow the island offers.
Job Titles:
- Actuarial & Underwriting Manager
Garrett Ward is our Underwriting and Actuarial Manager. His focus is on developing and analyzing insurance programs that cater to our clients needs and properly protect their businesses from potential risks.
Garrett earned his Bachelor's degree form Stony Brook University with a major in Applied Mathematics & Statistics.
Job Titles:
- Senior Client Service Manager
Inga Brunette was born and raised in New York City. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. As a Senior Client Service Representative, her primary objective is to cultivate purposeful and trusting relationships with the clients Strauss Global serves. Inga's versatility and professional background allow her to assist our unique client-base in achieving their long-term goals.
She holds a private pilot license, real estate license and enjoys the numerous outdoor activities accessible on Hilton Head Island.
Jill Pina is our new Claims Manager. She recently came to us from Sony Pictures Entertainment where she worked as Department Coordinator in their Contract Administration/Legal Department in Culver City, California. She has over 25 years of legal experience in diverse areas of law.
Jill earned her Bachelor's Degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University. She continued her education at the University of West Los Angeles School of Paralegal Studies where she was an essay-scholarship recipient and completed her program with an ABA Paralegal Certificate in Litigation. Jill went on to earn her Juris Doctor Degree from Abraham Lincoln University, and years later earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Jodi L. Leto is a Client Service Manager at Strauss Global, she assists in the establishment of all Captive Insurance Companies and in all aspects of the administration process. Her professionalism and genuine desire to deliver "best in class" service to all clients make her an invaluable part of the team.
She has 15+ years of law office experience, including a number of years with well respected firms in Chicago IL, Miami FL, Austin TX, and Hilton Head Island SC. More broadly, she has a diverse background of customer service, most notably rising from a position of first mate on several charter yachts in the Caribbean to overseeing the entire business operation.
She is currently enrolled in the Associates in Captive Insurance (ACI) Program through the University of Vermont's International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE). Jodi has lived in the Hilton Head area for approximately 10 years and is the mother of three children, Niko (age 16), Lily (age 12), and Luke (age 8).
Leigh Reed earned her Bachelor Degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies with focuses in Business Administration and Childhood Pre-Education with minors in English - Professional Writing and Spanish from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Since joining the Strauss Global team, Leigh has assisted in a number of different departments.
Originally from New Jersey, she now resides on Hilton Head Island with her husband, son Henley, son Bryson and their golden retriever, Captain. Leigh and her family lead an active lifestyle and spend most of their time outdoors playing sports, at the beach, riding bikes and exploring all the Lowcountry has to offer. She also enjoys cooking/baking, reading and traveling.
Nathaniel C. Reed earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering Flight Operations from Ohio University, allowing him to expand his background in travel and flight logistics. He has over twenty years of experience and thousands of hours logged piloting aircraft. His expansive knowledge in aviation and travel logistics has allowed our team to be more efficient in a business environment that demands immediate action.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- Managing Member
Peter J. Strauss is the founder and managing member of The Strauss Law Firm, LLC, located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He is also the founder and CEO of Hamilton Captive Management, LLC, one of the most admired and respected management firms in the country, as well as numerous other insurance companies.
Job Titles:
- Data and Analytics Manager
Peter Richardson is our Data and Analytics Manager. His professional focus involves business analytics, data mining and project management. Peter's future career goals include pursuing his CPA and CISM designations for managing, developing and overseeing information security systems.
He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina Beaufort and majored in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development and Client Service
- Director of Marketing and Business Development
As the director of business development and client service at Strauss Global, Rebecca develops, coordinates, and implements plans designed to increase existing business and capture new opportunities. Her work creates long-term value for the organization and clients through meaningful relationships with partners, customers, employees, and the press.
Rebecca is a South Carolina native. Raised in Summerville, she earned her BS in Psychology and BA in communications from the College of Charleston. Rebecca continued her education at the University of Vermont's International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE), completing her Associates in Captive Insurance (ACI).
Today, Rebecca lives on Hilton Head Island with her two dogs. You can find her cooking for family and friends, travelling across the globe, or pursuing her athletic interests. In addition to yoga and hours spent at Cyclebar, she is an avid marathon runner. She set her personal best time at the 2017 New York Marathon.