James Kerley
James kerley
Managing Partner, Clearview Partners
About James Kerley
Meet James Kerley—the strategic powerhouse behind Clearview Partners. With over four decades of seasoned experience, including nearly 25 impactful years at New England Financial (now MetLife) and leadership roles at LIMRA and LOMA, James doesn’t just understand industry transformation—he drives it.
As your Appleton-based equivalent of a top-tier strategic consultant, James brings all the bold thinking and outcome-focused grit you’d expect from Bain or PwC’s Strategy&, but wrapped in the nimble, personal approach of a boutique firm. He’s one part visionary strategist, one part executive coach—and all parts devoted to making your business more resilient, agile, and growth-ready.
Why James Kerley Stands Out?
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of InsurTech disruption, changing regulations, or shifting customer expectations, James is the partner you want in your corner. Here’s why:
- Trust that’s earned: As former Chief Membership Officer at LIMRA and LOMA, James served 450 U.S. and Canadian members, building deep insights into what makes executives tick.
- Real-world leadership: He’s not just a talker. His legacy includes pioneering the first-ever marketing relationships between New England Financial and banking institutions.
- Consulting with impact: At Clearview Partners, the aim is clear—”connect executives and ideas in transformative ways,” building strategies that are innovative and implementable.
Expertise & Specialties
James’s toolkit combines strategy, empathy, and proven leadership:
- Strategy & Distribution—From multi-channel distribution to segmentation and go-to-market strategies.
- Customer Engagement—Let’s transform how you connect with clients, not just reach them.
- Operations Optimization—Streamlining processes to deliver faster, smarter outcomes.
- Executive Coaching—Personalized guidance to help your leaders lead stronger.
- Keynote Speaking—Delivering bold, data-driven insights in a clear and compelling way.
James kerley
Speaking Engagements That Spark Strategy
James Kerley doesn’t just advise behind the scenes—he’s on the front lines of industry transformation, delivering keynote presentations, executive briefings, and breakout sessions that inspire real action. He’s been invited to speak at international conferences, national leadership forums, and private C-suite retreats—where insight, clarity, and a little humor go a long way.
Here’s just a snapshot of James’s impact as a speaker:
Shanghai, China – Global Regulatory Insight Conference
Invited by the Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission to present “Transformation: Lessons Learned = Ideas for the Future.” His keynote helped bridge the gap between Eastern and Western distribution strategies, providing actionable insights for modernization without cultural missteps.
São Paulo, Brazil – Executive Strategy Retreat
Facilitated cross-cultural strategy sessions for North and South American life insurers, helping align teams on innovation, customer segmentation, and leadership vision.
Orlando, FL – LIMRA Annual Conference
As Chief Membership Officer, James helped shape LIMRA’s global executive development offerings. His presentations connected macro trends to member-specific challenges—something attendees still reference years later.
Toronto, Canada – Distribution Innovation Summit
Shared stage with InsurTech innovators and traditional carriers, helping unify perspectives on how to evolve legacy models while maintaining trust with longstanding customers.
The Challenge:
A mid-sized company was struggling with declining agent performance and market share erosion in their core product lines.
What James Did:
James led a full-scale review of the client’s multi-channel distribution model, conducted agent focus groups, and co-developed a modernized segmentation and support strategy.
The Outcome:
- 17% improvement in agent retention over 18 months
- New compensation model rolled out without disruption
- Significant lift in new business from Tier 1 producers
"James helped us see what we couldn’t on our own. Our sales strategy is now not just competitive—but built for long-term growth." – Chief Distribution Officer
The Challenge:
A large fraternal organization was undergoing leadership change after decades of stability. Internal teams were anxious, and new leaders felt pressure to perform fast.
What James Did:
Provided one-on-one executive coaching for the incoming CEO and facilitated team-building workshops with the senior leadership team to align around purpose, communication, and accountability.
The Outcome:
- Successful leadership transition within 6 months
- 20% improvement in internal engagement survey scores
- Board confidence in leadership alignment and vision
“James gave me space to think, tools to lead, and the confidence to own the role authentically. I wasn’t just surviving—I was leading.” – CEO Client
The Challenge:
A traditional life insurer wanted to roll out a new e-application and underwriting platform but faced major resistance from long-time agents.
What James Did:
Designed and facilitated a change-management initiative that combined coaching, communication, and agent empathy training. Helped leadership engage agents as co-creators, not just end-users.
The Outcome:
- 85% platform adoption within first 9 months
- Boost in agent satisfaction scores
- Faster policy issuance and underwriting decisions
"We thought it was a tech problem. James showed us it was a people problem—and helped us solve it." – CIO, Carrier Client
Leaders Rave About James
Here’s what industry leaders say:
“Jim is one of those rare speakers who can convey complex data and trends in a compelling and easy‑to‑understand way… I walk away not only impressed, but much more informed.”
— Debra Jasper, Founder & CEO, Mindset Digital
That’s the kind of clarity and insight James delivers—clear thinking for complex times.
What Role Does James Play at Clearview Partners?
Simply put: James is the North Star.
He co-founded Clearview Partners to deliver game-changing consulting, coaching, and tech for executives. Whether you’re untangling distribution chaos, implementing InsurTech strategies, or transforming for tomorrow’s marketplace, James leads with insight and impact.
Clearview mission he champions:
- Connecting executives with transformative ideas.
- Delivering strategic insights for emerging InsurTech landscapes.
- Ensuring every client sees measurable, sustainable growth and transformation.
What You Gain by Working with James?
Your Challenge | How James Helps | Benefit |
Disoriented by InsurTech disruption | Custom strategies that embrace digital change | Resilience and competitive edge |
Scale without losing quality | Process-led, efficient operations design | Smarter scale, not just fast |
Leaders facing burnout | Executive coaching and clarity | Confidence and renewed focus |
Distant industry trends | Global insights, local application | Relevance where it counts |
Ready to Bring Clarity, Strategy & Leadership to the Table?
If you’re a carrier, fraternal society, or business leader seeking bold clarity, strategic confidence, and real, measurable progress, James is your partner of choice.
Whether you’re navigating transformation, entering a new market, rebuilding culture, or developing future-ready leaders, James Kerley brings wisdom, empathy, and strategic firepower to your side of the table. He delivers with intelligence, presence, and soul.
Let’s connect you with John.
For personalized consulting, insight-driven coaching, or keynote clarity—reach out via our website or message directly at jkerley@ClearviewPartnersUSA.com
Let’s co-create your next breakthrough.