Karen Melchert serves as Regional Vice President, State Relations for The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI). ACLI is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association with approximately 290-member companies operating in the United States and abroad. ACLI advocates in federal, state, and international forums for public policy that supports the industry marketplace and the 75 million American families that rely on life insurers’ products for financial and retirement security. ACLI members offer life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care and disability income insurance, and reinsurance, representing more than 95 percent of industry assets and premiums. Ms. Melchert administers the legislative and regulatory relationships regarding the life insurance industry in Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Utah and is the ACLI lead advocate for the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). Ms. Melchert also works closely with ACLLI policy experts on the areas of algorithmic accountability, consumer data privacy and value-added service issues. Prior to her career at ACLI, Ms. Melchert worked for over 20 years at CNA Insurance Companies in a variety of roles within the Corporate Law Department, most notably as Assistant Vice President, Government Relations. Ms. Melchert received her B.A. in Communications from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame and her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. She resides in Oak Park, Illinois.