Fast-growing World Insurance Associates LLC appointed Andrea Haan as its new chief human resources officer, the Iselin-based firm announced recently. Haan succeeds Diane Dooley, a World representative told NJBIZ. 

Haan brings more than 25 years of HR leadership experience in the insurance, financial services and data and analytics industries to World. In her new position, effective Feb. 6, Haan is responsible for developing human capital strategies, evolving merger and acquisition integration processes, managing and improving HR operations and infrastructure, and elevating the company’s change management initiatives. 

“As we further solidify World as a destination of choice for the industry’s best talent, having a leader like Andrea focused on our overall HR operations will be instrumental as we continue to execute our organic and acquisition growth strategies,” World CEO Rich Eknoian said in a statement. “Her expertise in developing and executing strategic innovation and automation will significantly improve our HR and post-merger processes, leading to an improved experience for our new and existing employees.” 

Most recently, the company announced the addition of TW Group Inc. of Westmont, Ill., on Dec. 31, 2023.

Since its founding in 2011, World has completed more than 200 acquisitions. That’s a jump from earlier in 2023, when the company marked its 185th addition. World now serves customers from more than 250 offices across the U.S. 

A return to the industry

Haan joins World from global market research firm Circana, where she was senior vice president of global talent. She also held HR positions with IRI and Allstate, according to her LinkedIn profile. 

“I am thrilled to get back to the insurance space and join a fast-growing brokerage like World with its impressive private equity investors,” Haan said. “I look forward to delivering on World’s internal mission of establishing a flexible culture grounded in diversity and inclusion, learning and development and an operational center of excellence.” 

Haan, who is based in Chicago, earned a master’s in labor and industrial relations and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification from HRCI.

To help it “aggressively execute” its growth plan, World Insurance Associates – a 2022 NJBIZ Company to Watch – announced in August 2023 that funds advised by Goldman Sachs Asset Management entered into a definitive agreement to make a more than $1 billion investment in the firm.