Winged Keel Group Appoints Tricia Michaels, CFO, Expanding Leadership Team to Drive Accelerated Growth Strategy

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Winged Keel Group (“Winged Keel”) today announced the appointment of Tricia Michaels to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Michaels, who is based in Winged Keel’s Boston office, brings extensive CFO experience across high-growth businesses and will be instrumental as the firm continues to scale its business and enhance operational excellence.

“We are excited to welcome Tricia to Winged Keel and to continue building out an experienced leadership team focused on driving meaningful growth,” said Eric Naison-Phillips, Winged Keel’s Chief Executive Officer. “Tricia has led finance teams in rapidly expanding companies, and she will be an outstanding resource for our stakeholders as she builds from a solid foundation to enhance our finance infrastructure and guide our investments in people and technology.”

Michaels joins Winged Keel from 3Step Sports, a youth sports operator backed by private equity, where she served as CFO. She has also served as CFO at Ignite Fitness Holdings, Advanced Dental Management, VetCor, and M|C Communications.

“Tricia is a seasoned CFO with deep experience leading finance functions at firms working to accelerate growth,” said Sean O’Reilly, Winged Keel’s Chief Operating Officer. “Her hands-on, solutions-oriented approach, combined with proven success in financial operations, reporting, team development, M&A, and post-acquisition integration, will be essential to executing our growth strategy. I look forward to partnering with Tricia to continue building upon the rapid growth path at Winged Keel.”

“I am thrilled to join Winged Keel Group and leverage my experience and capabilities to elevate the firm’s finance function and long-term performance,” said Michaels. “Winged Keel has an impressive history of success and a strong, performance-driven culture. I look forward to working with our talented team to capitalize on new opportunities and advance the firm’s dynamic growth strategy.”

Kirk Smith, a Managing Director at GTCR, Winged Keel’s strategic partner, added: “This is an exciting addition and an important investment in Winged Keel’s strategic finance function. Tricia’s insights, particularly on M&A, organic growth, and platform expansion, align well with Winged Keel priorities and will help to solidify the firm’s position as the nation’s premier high-end life insurance platform.”

Joining Michaels’ team and further strengthening Winged Keel’s Finance function are Finance Associates John Bouts and Varun Mago. Bouts, who comes to Winged Keel from BNY, and Mago, who was previously at Broadridge, join the firm today.

Winged Keel is excited to welcome Tricia, John, and Varun to the team and looks forward to the expertise and value each will bring as the firm continues to expand. Winged Keel remains committed to investing in people and platforms to support its national growth strategy following its 2025 partnership with GTCR.

About Winged Keel Group

Winged Keel Group is the premier national platform for the structuring, implementation, and administration of high-end life insurance solutions. With coverage teams across 15 markets nationally, the firm specializes in Traditional Life Insurance, Business Continuation Insurance, Private Placement Life Insurance and Annuities, and Corporate-Owned Life Insurance portfolios. For more information on Winged Keel Group, please visit www.wingedkeel.com.

Securities offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Winged Keel Group is independently owned and operated. #4932174