Meet the Faculty
Heather Sanderson, Dean
CEO, Sanderson Firm
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.
Brenda joined Sanderson Firm in 2024, bringing over 30 years of workers' compensation experience, with the last 20 focused on MSP compliance. Her journey began at a workers' compensation insurance carrier, rising to Claim Supervisor before transitioning to work at a large Medicare Set-Aside and Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) organization where she spent nearly 20 years immersed in MSP compliance operations, eventually specializing in clinical mitigation and quality control as Associate Director of Clinical Services.
Throughout her career, Brenda has excelled in managing high-performing teams, implementing new programs, and optimizing operational frameworks. Her analytical prowess, attention to detail, and communication skills have consistently delivered operational growth and client satisfaction. As Operations Lead at Sanderson Firm, Brenda's expertise in process improvement and quality assurance ensures efficient, high-quality outcomes for clients. She holds certifications as a Medicare Set-Aside Certified Planner (MSACP), Medicare Set-Aside Certified Consultant (MSCC) and has achieved Medicare Secondary Payer Accreditation (MSPA).
Brenda Smith, Assistant Dean
COO, Sanderson Firm
John Kane, Faculty
SVP of Strategy, Ametros
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.
Brendon De Souza, Faculty
CLO, Sanderson Firm
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.
Christian Kolb, Faculty
AVP Excess WC Claims, Safety National
Christian Kolb serves as an Assistant Vice President of Excess Workers’ Compensation Claims at Safety National. He oversees claims that relate to the Excess Workers’ Compensation line of business. Christian joined Safety National in 2007. He formerly served in multiple claims oversight and management roles before being promoted to Assistant Vice President in 2024. Prior to joining Safety National, Christian held various claims related positions for a nationwide third-party administrator where he began his career in 1998.
Deanna Lawrence, Faculty
AVP Clinical Services, Sanderson Firm
Deanna joined Sanderson Firm in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in the Workers’ Compensation industry. She began allocating various types of files and has advanced to Supervisor of Clinical Services. During her career in the industry, she has overseen multiple clinical departments, provided employee trainings and education workshops for clients, assisted with sales and marketing, as well as a clinical point of contact for complex files and high-profile cases. Deanna is known for her attention to detail and lifelong passion for helping others. She values the importance of quality work and enjoys working with her team to ensure superior products. Deanna is a licensed nurse and a Medicare Set-Aside Certified Consultant (MSCC). She is grateful to work with some of the most talented people in the industry. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, boating, and gardening.
Kristina Bonnano, Faculty
Associate Attorney, Sanderson Firm
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.
Budge Cutrera, Faculty
Senior Clinical Specialist, Sanderson Firm
Budge joined Sanderson firm in 2024 with 20 years of experience in the Workers’ Compensation industry. During his career, he worked in both the Clinical Services and Lien Recovery Departments. In Clinical Services, Budge was involved in employee training and quality assurance. In the Recovery Department, he specialized in lien recovery and dispute resolution for class action cases. Budge enjoys sharing his knowledge and assisting other employees on how to navigate the Medicare Set-aside process. Motivating others to succeed is his passion. Budge enjoys the outdoors, camping, and hiking in his spare time.
Greg Gitter, Faculty
President, Legacy Claims Solutions
Greg Gitter is the President of Legacy Claim Solutions, an organization specializing in negotiating the resolution of High-Exposure Workers’ Compensation claims for excess carriers, employers and insurance companies across the country. Greg has been involved in the Workers’ Compensation arena for over 25 years in various capacities and in numerous jurisdictions, both at the State and Federal levels. He has gained extensive knowledge and experience related to the interaction between Medicare and the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Statute relative to Workers’ Compensation. In addition, Greg currently serves as an Expert Witness in various Workers’ Compensation litigation matters.
Johanna Owens LPN , Faculty
Medicare Set-Aside Specialist, Sanderson Firm
Johanna is a licensed nurse that holds MSPA and MSCC certifications. Johanna joined Sanderson Firm in 2023 with almost 10 years of experience in the Workers’ Compensation industry. She has experience allocating various types of files and navigating through multiple conditional payments processes. During Johanna’s career, she has overseen multiple clinical departments, provided employee training and education, and assisted with streamlining workflows and processes to provide quality products. Johanna is known for her hard work, dedication, and teamwork and values the effects each of these on providing the highest quality products and building comradery. Outside of work she enjoys fishing, baseball, and making memories with family and friends.
Jayme Madonna, Faculty
Clinical Support Supervisor, Sanderson Firm
Jayme joined Sanderson Firm in 2023, bringing with her over 20 years of extensive experience in the Medicare Set-Aside industry. Her career spans various roles, including Intake, Cost Analyst, assisting nurses with medical record reviews, and CMS submissions. Jayme has also led both a cost analyst team and a submission team, demonstrating her versatility and leadership in the field.
Known for her adept training skills and innovative ideas, Jayme is passionate about helping others and values collaboration. Her commitment to ensuring the best possible outcomes for our clients is evident in her work, as she consistently strives to enhance team performance and deliver top-quality results.
Jayme is grateful to be a part of the Sanderson family, appreciating the supportive and dynamic environment that our team provides. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, jiu jitsu, gardening, and reading.