Our Team
Heather Sanderson, Dean
Heather Schwartz Sanderson is a nationally recognized legal expert in Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Compliance. With over 15 years of experience, she provides cutting-edge legal expertise, practical analysis, and expert technical guidance to the Property & Casualty Insurance market and legal communities. In 2021, Heather founded Sanderson Firm PLLC, committed to MSP compliance solutions and service excellence. Previously, she served as Chief Legal Officer for Franco Signor and contributed to MSP legislative reform in Washington D.C.
Brendon De souza, Assistant Dean
Brendon De Souza, a licensed attorney and Certified Medicare Secondary Payer Professional (CMSP), joined Sanderson Firm in 2021. With experience as in-house compliance counsel, he advises clients on MSP legal compliance, including lien resolution and litigation defense. Brendon has argued cases before Administrative Law Judges and advocated for legislation like the PAID Act in Congress. His legal background includes insurance and re-insurance law, and he served on the Stetson Law Review.
During his twenty-two years with Liberty Mutual, Brian has held roles in both the Liability and Workers Compensation organizations, with expertise in complex high exposure claims. His roles have included Complex Technical Claims Specialist and Manager of a Critical Strategies Unit. For the last fourteen years, Brian has worked within the Medicare Compliance Department. Currently, Brian is responsible for the Conditional Payment program, provides settlement consultation, and develops training. Brian has a degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, Associate in Claims (AIC), Medicare-Set Aside Consultant Certified (MSCC), Certified Medicare Secondary Payer Professional Fellow (CMSP-F) and is a member of the Medicare Secondary Payer Network (MSPN).
Brian Macallister, Faculty
Kayla Pigeon, Faculty
Kayla Pigeon joined Sanderson Firm in January 2023 as the Recovery Department Director. She started her MSP compliance career in 2016 at Liberty Mutual Insurance, specializing in Conditional Payment handling. Kayla's expertise includes 1st-level contractor disputes, Department of Treasury liens, 3rd-level Medicare appeals, and Section 111 reporting. She also mentored and trained a team of 20 at Liberty Mutual and recently graduated from Syracuse University College of Law, becoming a licensed attorney. Kayla's focus remains on MSP Compliance with an emphasis on Conditional Payment Services.
John Kane, Faculty
John is the Senior Vice President of Strategy at Ametros. With over 30 years of experience in a variety of workers’ compensation and liability claims positions, he leads the strategic direction for Ametros’ workers’ compensation and liability programs, including the implementation of professional administration. His extensive background in Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) compliance makes him an expert in leading the adoption of high performing programs that protect both clients and the injured individual with professional administration.
Prior to Ametros, John had a successful career with Liberty Mutual Insurance company, working in various positions including Regional Claims Manager for Integrated Disability Management, Loss Portfolio Risk Manager, and AVP & Director of Medicare Compliance Program.
John is both a leader and educator in the workers’ compensation industry. He has a Business Management degree and holds an Associate in Claims (AIC), Medicare Set-Aside Consultant Certified (MSCC) designation, and Certified MSP Professional (CMSP). He is also a leader with The Medicare Secondary Payer Network (MSPN) and an active member of the Medicare Advocacy Recovery Coalition (MARC), instructing the Certified Medicare Set-Aside program.
Kristina Bonnano, Faculty
Kristina Bonanno joined Sanderson Firm in 2022 with years of MSP compliance experience. She started her Medicare Compliance career in 2016 as an attorney at a major MSP compliance provider. She later managed quality assurance and CMS submission teams at Franco Signor and directed a team of attorneys and paralegals at Verisk. Kristina is a licensed attorney and a Medicare Set-Aside Certified Consultant (MSCC). She specializes in advising clients on various MSP compliance issues, including CMS submission processes, re-reviews, and amended reviews. Kristina holds a Juris Doctor from New England Law Boston and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida.
Heather Traxler, Faculty
Heather started her career at ExamWorks Compliance Solutions in 2003, where her detail-oriented approach and customer service skills led to her success as Client Services Manager. She excelled in mentoring, client relations, and process implementation. In 2013, she became Senior MMSEA Compliance Manager, gaining expertise in Section 111 Mandatory Insurer Reporting and Non-Group Health Plans. In September 2023, she joined Sanderson Firm as Client Services Director, bringing 20 years of experience in Medicare Secondary Payer Compliance and Section 111 Mandatory Insurer Reporting (MIR). In 2024 Heather was promoted to Director of Medicare Reporting, assisting clients with Section 111 Mandatory Insurer Reporting.
Neha pellegrino, Faculty
Neha Pellegrino has a comprehensive background in Medicare Secondary Payer compliance, Workers’ Compensation, and client relations. As a licensed attorney and a Medicare Set-Aside Certified Consultant, Neha has been in the compliance field since 2010. Before joining Sanderson Firm, she served as Assistant Director of MSA Services at Verisk Analytics. Neha excels in understanding her client's diverse needs and strives for optimal claim outcomes. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Connecticut and her Juris Doctor cum laude from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, making her a member of the Massachusetts Bar.