2025 Beacon Award: Lori Wing-Heier

When special circumstances warrant, AHHA's staff has the opportunity to give the Beacon Award in recognition of an individual or a team whose work has made a notable impact by shedding light on an issue, or by helping to address a significant need within Alaska's healthcare delivery system. This year we are honored to present Lori Wing-Heier, the former Director of the State of Alaska's Division of Insurance with the Beacon Award.

Lori Wing-Heier retired from her role as Director of Insurance with the State of Alaska in July 2025 after 11 years. With more than 45 years of experience in the insurance industry, Lori brought deep knowledge and an unwavering commitment to putting Alaskan consumers first. She lived the division’s mission—“Regulate the insurance industry to protect Alaskan consumers”—and became a trusted, steady resource to legislators, stakeholders, and the public. Lori spent countless hours answering lawmakers’ questions and earned broad respect for her expertise and candor.

One of Lori’s most significant accomplishments was leading the effort to stabilize Alaska’s individual health insurance market. When the market dropped to a single carrier in 2017 and massive rate hikes loomed, Lori led the charge to design a state reinsurance program using the Affordable Care Act’s Section 1332 waiver authority. Lori tirelessly met with legislators, warning of the market’s impending collapse and urging action. HB 374 passed in a special session with an initial $55 million state appropriation, and the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services made Alaska the first state in the nation with a federally approved reinsurance program. To date, this program has brought in over $800 million to stabilize Alaska’s individual market.

That same problem-solving spirit defined Lori’s leadership throughout her tenure. She championed reforms such as AHHA’s prior authorization bill in 2025, and has been a steadfast defender against proposals that could have destabilized Alaska’s health care markets.

Lori also invested in her team, consistently promoting from within and fostering a culture of trust and excellence. Lori set high expectations, but she led by example—always taking time to share knowledge, answer questions, and personally assist Alaskans who came to her with concerns about claims, storm damage, auto coverage, or prior authorizations.

Beyond Alaska, Lori’s influence has extended nationally and internationally. She devoted significant energy to ensuring Alaska’s resource producers could access insurance despite global pressures from ESG investment trends. Representing the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Lori held the NAIC seat on the United Nations Sustainable Insurance Forum and was invited to share her expertise in Europe, Bermuda, California, and beyond.

Through it all, Lori Wing-Heier distinguished herself as a tireless advocate for Alaskans, a trusted advisor to policymakers, and a leader who combined vision with pragmatism to solve some of the most complex challenges facing Alaska’s insurance markets.