Profile
Crystal Kaustinen is a respected insurance professional with over 17 years of experience in the Ontario brokerage industry, recognized for her strategic leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to advancing the broker profession. She currently serves as office and commercial manager at KRGinsure, where she oversees commercial operations, team leadership, and complex risk placement strategies while continuing to support the growth of mid-market commercial clients across Ontario.
Kaustinen’s career spans senior operational leadership, commercial production, mentorship, and brokerage management roles, giving her a unique ability to bridge high-level strategy with hands-on execution. Her expertise includes commercial insurance operations, carrier and MGA relationships, workflow optimization, regulatory compliance, systems implementation, and team development. Combined with a strong client-first sales philosophy, she is known for delivering customized risk solutions while driving operational excellence and long-term organizational growth.
Highly engaged within the insurance industry, Kaustinen serves as a board member of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario, an observer for the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada Board, and a liaison for the Young Brokers Council. She is also a former president of the St. Thomas Elgin Insurance Brokers Association. Through these leadership roles, she actively contributes to advocacy, education, professional development, and the future growth of the broker channel across Canada.
Kaustinen is widely recognized for her integrity, adaptability, and ability to lead through periods of growth and change. Passionate about mentorship, collaboration, and innovation, she is committed to building a modern, relationship-driven insurance industry while supporting the next generation of brokers and leaders.
551 Ridgecrest Dr, Madison, MS 39110
888 823 3567
casmith@higginbotham.net
linkedin.com/in/calebsmith2
higginbotham.com
Crystal Kaustinen
Commercial Manager and Office Manager
KRGinsure
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Bio
Milestones
2016–2018
2018–2023
2024
2024–2026
2022–present
Financial Analyst, Worldwide Commercial Operations and Global Marketing at Align Technology: developed business cases and financial models for new products and global marketing initiatives; helped launch the Advantage Doctor Loyalty Program; managed a $60M marketing budget with less than 2% variance
2016–2018
Vice President, Corporate Development at Refuge Group: led portfolio restructuring, including 12 acquisitions and divestitures; enhanced profitability and stability; structured strategic partnership with Higginbotham
2018–2023
Director, Program Development at Higginbotham: created Fortress Affinity Management, Higginbotham’s affinity distribution and program platform
2024
Managing Director, Program Development at Fortress Affinity Management (Higginbotham): scaled specialty insurance platforms through proprietary distribution, technology, and product development; founding board member of via by Higginbotham
2024–2026
Managing Director at Euclid Transactional
2022–present
Milestones
“By focusing on doing the best possible job for every client, they naturally tell their friends and family. That organic growth has been very rewarding”
Alan Borthwick,
DUX Financial Services
“Our goal is not to speed up transactions but to slow down where it matters, taking the time to truly understand each client’s situation and deliver thoughtful, personalised guidance”
Alan Borthwick,
DUX Financial Services
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