Profile
Rebecca Yates is a licensed health insurance consultant, insurance broker, and founder and CEO of Ark Insurance Solutions.
Her entry into the health insurance industry was shaped by both conviction and crisis. Early in her career, Yates was working in lifesaving medical equipment sales – work she deeply believed in – when she was offered a position at a health insurance brokerage during a career transition. She hesitated to accept it. “I didn’t feel comfortable selling something I didn’t truly believe in,” she explains.
At the same time, a close family member found himself temporarily uninsured and facing what was expected to be more than $1 million in medical bills – a financial burden Yates feared she may ultimately have to shoulder herself. When insurance ultimately stepped in and covered the vast majority of the costs, her perspective shifted overnight. Skepticism turned into conviction, and she accepted the role, committing her career to helping others avoid the same uncertainty and financial exposure.
In 2010, she started Ark Insurance Solutions with a clear mission: to help individuals, families, and businesses secure coverage that genuinely protects their financial and personal well-being.
Yates excels at partnering with employers to design customized insurance solutions that meet their unique needs. “When a company sees health insurance premiums rise 25% one year and an additional 30% the next, the consequences can be severe – it can come down to layoffs or employees losing access to coverage altogether,” she explains.
“Finding a workable solution often requires extensive research and creative problem-solving, evaluating hundreds – sometimes thousands – of plan options to uncover the right fit.”
Yates strategizes coverage options for large, partially self-funded groups and small, fully insured groups and loves to find unique, long-term solutions that are customized to each client.
In many cases, the solution that best serves employers and their employees isn’t the most profitable for her brokerage, but Yates says making money isn’t the firm’s top priority. “Our mantra is ‘people first, profit second,’” she says. “When we put our clients’ best interests first, long-term success follows.”
Yates is widely recognized for her commitment to health insurance education and advocacy. When she’s not working directly with clients, you might find her speaking about health care policy or explaining the ins and outs of healthcare compliance to business owners. Through the Utah Rare Disease Advocacy Council, she champions better access to care for those who need it most. She’s also become a familiar face at the Utah State Capitol, participating in legislative discussions about healthcare reform, where she brings both expert knowledge and real-life stories to the table. Through her work with NABIP’s legislative team, she represents health insurance brokers nationwide and provides Congress with guidance during the rulemaking process.
She’s also deeply involved in improving the health insurance system overall. Since 2017, Yates has participated in a working group for Healthcare.gov, leveraging her frontline experience to help make health insurance more accessible for everyone. “Health insurance shouldn’t be a puzzle that only experts can solve,” she says. “We can and should make it simpler and more affordable for companies to provide quality insurance coverage for their employees.”
655 E 4500 S #210, Salt Lake City, UT 84107
801 901 7800
rebecca@ark-ins.com
linkedin.com/in/rebeccayates
ark-ins.com
Rebecca Yates
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ark Insurance Solutions
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Bio
Milestones
2010–present
2017–present
2023–present
2024–present
Present
Founder and CEO at Ark Insurance Solutions, a health insurance brokerage that helps individuals, families, and businesses secure quality coverage
2010–present
Member at CMS Agent & Broker Advisory Group, Healthcare.gov
Broker at Utah Dept. of Health Ryan White Program
2017–present
Board Member at Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC)
2023–present
Partner at Max Method, an All-In-One Platform (CRM) designed for health and life insurance agencies
2024–present
Serves as a frequent industry speaker and thought leader on property insurance trends
Present
Milestones
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
A significant part of his focus today is staying ahead of regulatory change while maintaining a seamless client experience. He tracks updates from regulators and lenders closely and works with his teams to adjust systems as needed.
“My approach to my role and my career has always been rooted in passion, focus, and a relentless pursuit of excellence,” he says. “I’ve never been driven solely by profit or business metrics. I believe in hiring great talent, trusting them, and pushing boundaries because innovation doesn’t come from playing it safe.”
His experience isn’t limited to Canada. Ibrahim has worked in the US and UAE, which shaped his global perspective and comfort with adapting to different markets. He thrives on risk, viewing setbacks as stepping stones to progress.
“I’ve always believed that if you love what you do, you’ll never settle, and that attitude has guided every decision I’ve made,” he adds.
That outlook continues to guide his work and reflects his broader goal of helping move the industry forward. Through his brokerage, lending company, and legal services, Ibrahim is focused on creating long-term value for his clients, his teams, and others working in the field.