Wendy Simon-Pearson | Senior Associate |Eversheds Sutherland

Mariya Coleman brings over 15 years of experience in the energy industry as Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s insurance and claims leader. She was responsible for the insurance placement, program management, and claims management of over $140 billion of assets including her management of just over $46 billion of renewable energy assets for one of the nation’s largest independent power producing renewables companies. With an MBA in Finance and industry designations including CPCU, ARM, and AIC, Mariya is also an active contributor to insurance advisory boards and legislative initiatives in the energy sector. She is the leading expert in the US renewable energy sector and intimately understands all functions of both the development, ownership, and operation of renewable technology. Mariya partners with clients in the US to navigate all functions of the business to ultimately ensure the insurance solution is specifically tailored to each client's individual and unique business needs. Her reputation in the industry has followed her to the insurance market allowing her to gain intimate trust with senior executive management ensuring the most innovative and competitive terms, pricing, and program structure for her clients. 

Ashley brings over 15 years of specialized experience in first-party claims, with deep expertise across conventional and renewable power generation, public utilities, oil and gas transportation and refining and the broader energy sector. Her career spans both adjusting and broking roles, giving her a well-rounded perspective on complex claims management, risk mitigation, and client advocacy.

Throughout her career, Ashley has worked closely with major utilities, independent power producers, renewable energy developers, and oil and gas companies navigating intricate claims involving property damage, business interruption, and machinery breakdown. Her dual experience in claims adjusting and broking enables her to bridge technical analysis with strategic negotiation, ensuring optimal outcomes for clients.  Prior to joining the insurance industry Ashley worked as forensic accounting consultant preparing “but for” scenario calculations making her uniquely qualified to understand and assist in the resolution of complex business interruption claims.

In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant, Ashley holds degrees from Texas Christian University and the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas, providing her with a strong foundation in finance, accounting, insurance, and business strategy. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, analytical rigor, and commitment to mentoring emerging professionals in the energy insurance space.

Melissa currently serves as Third Party Claims Lead for the Natural Resources Group at Howden US, where she oversees complex claims and drives best practices for risk mitigation and client service.

Previously, as Partner and Shareholder at Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff, PC, Melissa spearheaded the launch of a new Florida-based insurance defense practice, managing all aspects of firm establishment, operations, and business development. She is recognized for her expertise in first-party insurance defense litigation, coverage analysis, and emerging risks trend analysis, consistently delivering favorable results for clients across multiple insurance lines.

Melissa also served as Senior Claims Attorney at Energy Insurance Mutual Limited, managing catastrophic disputes and leading initiatives that improved workflow efficiency and reduced financial exposure. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in her creation of industry benchmarks and annual assessments for continued growth.

Her career includes significant litigation experience at Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP, where she led corporate representative depositions, litigated property coverage, and contributed to legal precedent in Florida statutes. Melissa’s early roles in law and claims consulting provided a strong foundation in policy interpretation, fraud investigation, and training development.

Melissa holds a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Florida.