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Joshua Hershman was nominated by Gov. Ned Lamont to serve as Connecticut’s 34th Insurance Commissioner, leading a department with regulatory oversight of one of the largest and most complex insurance markets in the nation.

Interim Commissioner Hershman brings a combination of regulatory leadership, carrier-building experience, and data-driven policy expertise to the role. He previously served as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Immigrant Life Insurance Company of America, a Connecticut-domiciled and wholly owned subsidiary of IDT Corporation, where he helped build an admitted-market life insurance carrier designed to close coverage gaps for immigrant families.

Interim Commissioner Hershman also served as executive director of openIDL, a Linux Foundation project focused on modernizing insurance data exchange through the development of open data standards. In that role, he worked closely with regulators, insurers, and technology organizations to advance secure, transparent, and efficient regulatory data infrastructure. He has additionally advised organizations across the insurance sector on regulatory compliance, legal risk, and operational strategy, and has been invited to speak nationally on the intersection of insurance and artificial intelligence (AI). 

From 2019 to 2022, Interim Commissioner Hershman served as Deputy Commissioner and chief operating officer (COO) of the Connecticut Insurance Department, where he led efforts to modernize internal operations, strengthen regulatory processes, and support responsible innovation within the insurance market. His work during this period focused on improving execution discipline, expanding the department’s analytical capabilities, and positioning the agency to supervise increasingly complex insurance products and business models. 

Earlier in his career, Interim Commissioner Hershman practiced law with a focus on complex business planning and litigation, advising clients operating in highly regulated environments. 

Interim Commissioner Hershman is a long-serving member of the Guilford Fire Commission.