Katie Santarelli named a Woman of Influence by i95 Business
Wye River Insurance was built to stand apart. "We are a boutique insurance brokerage," says Katherine Santarelli, now the firm’s president. "In today's M&A driven insurance landscape, we remain independent and laser-focused on real estate, construction, owner-operators, and the vendors that serve this space." While the firm is affiliated with Bozzuto, Santarelli emphasizes that 70% of Wye River’s clients are non-Bozzuto related. The firm places approximately $70 million in Gross Written Premium annually, working with clients across the real estate and construction sectors.
Wye River Insurance brings specialized knowledge to every stage of a development project. “We understand how to work with the various consultants involved in successful construction projects — engineers, architects, surveyors, and legal teams. Each phase of development comes with different insurance considerations, and we navigate those complexities for our clients,” Santarelli explains.
With a ten-person team operating out of three Maryland offices, Wye River Insurance is gearing up for expansion. "Our main office is now at The Quarry," Santarelli shares. "We just moved in two months ago and are excited to host a grand opening this spring." The firm, licensed in all 50 U.S. states, is also preparing to expand into Florida within the next year, supporting existing clients with projects in the region. Beyond geographic growth, Santarelli is equally committed to strengthening the team. "I truly believe in the power of a strong team. We will always prioritize hiring the right people — those who share our core values, work ethic, and commitment to client success."
Wye River Insurance isn’t just about policies — it’s about partnerships. "We set high standards — for ourselves, our carrier partners, and our clients," Santarelli explains. "Our goal is to elevate the insurance brokering experience by being actively engaged in our clients' businesses and truly partnering with them." That dedication extends beyond their client base. Earlier this year, Wye River Insurance stepped up to support those affected by the Southern California wildfires, offering free consulting to help policyholders navigate the claims process.
A Towson native, Santarelli earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and was a candidate in the master’s program from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. She now lives in Baltimore’s Greenspring neighborhood with her two daughters, balancing her career with weekends spent at field hockey and lacrosse tournaments — sports she once played herself at the collegiate level.
As Wye River Insurance continues to grow, Santarelli remains focused on expansion, excellence, and building a firm that values relationships as much as results. “We can teach the business, but we can’t teach passion and dedication. That’s why we invest in people who align with our culture and values — because, at the end of the day, it’s our people who make Wye River Insurance exceptional.” I95 Content Marketing
What do you try to teach your daughters about being an outstanding teammate?
“I think that playing on a team and learning how to be a good teammate teaches invaluable lessons on leadership. Teammates bring different skill sets to the field and an outstanding teammate understands this and respects this. The coaches and team captains create a culture with clear expectations to ensure that individual goals are aligned with the team’s goals and hard work is rewarded. An outstanding teammate is a leader who works harder today than they did the day before, is willing to put in the work when no one is watching, puts the success of the team first before themselves and works to turn their weaknesses into strengths.”