The Wye River Team
Katie Santarelli
President
A recognized leader in the real estate and construction insurance industry, Katie Santarelli brings over 15 years of expertise in risk management, strategic brokering, and consulting services. As President of Wye River Insurance, she oversees day-to-day operations while crafting innovative risk solutions for a diverse portfolio of clients, including real estate owners, developers, property managers, equity partners, and construction firms.
Katie’s deep understanding of risk retention, transfer, and avoidance enables her to navigate complex insurance landscapes, particularly in layered controlled insurance programs, loss-sensitive structures, and contractual risk transfer. Before founding Wye River Insurance, she led the Real Estate and Construction Practice at RCM&D, one of the nation's top independent risk management firms. Her leadership there helped shape critical risk control strategies and placement of builders’ risk and subcontractor default insurance programs for large-scale multifamily and retail developments.
Recognized as one of the Top 5 Real Estate Insurance Brokers in the U.S. by Risk & Insurance Magazine in 2019, Katie remains at the forefront of the industry. She holds the Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation, is an Urban Land Institute and CREW Baltimore member, and is an alumna of the 2020 Greater Baltimore Leadership Program. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she further honed her expertise through studies at the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business in the Masters of Real Estate and Infrastructure (MREI) program.
Under Katie’s leadership, Wye River Insurance stands as a premier boutique brokerage, combining deep industry knowledge with a client-centric approach to deliver tailored risk management solutions that safeguard projects and drive long-term success.
Rick Mostyn
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO of Wye River Insurance, Rick Mostyn provides the Wye River Insurance team and clients with strategic counsel and guidance based on his more than 40 years of experience in apartment development, acquisition, homebuilding, property management, and construction. Prior to establishing Wye River Insurance, Mostyn held the role of Chief Operating Officer of The Bozzuto Group, one of the nation’s preeminent multifamily real estate companies which he co-founded in 1988. During his leadership of The Bozzuto Group, Mostyn gained a comprehensive understanding of the importance and complexity of insurance and risk management needs throughout the lifespan of a real estate project, whether the land development stage, construction phase with controllers, selection of insurance programs, or during a property management take over.
Mostyn concurrently maintains his invaluable role as Vice Chairman of The Bozzuto Group and is an active board member of Homes for America, a non-profit active in the development of affordable housing. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and has a master’s degree in Finance from Johns Hopkins University.
Danielle Harris
Director of Commercial Lines Marketing
Danielle joins Wye River with extensive experience supporting Clients in a variety of disciplines, including over twenty years in Insurance brokerage and Insurance underwriting, Government Contracting, Non-Profits, Technology, Manufacturing, and Professional Services. Throughout her career, she has been able to build strong and lifelong relationships with Clients.
Danielle graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing and holds a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Maryland University College.
In addition to her professional successes, Danielle enjoys cooking – she is a Certified Chef (Accredited by the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts (MA)) and is an avid golfer.
Sharie Helfand
Director of Personal Lines
Sharie, an experienced and dedicated Director of Personal Lines Insurance at Wye River, is renowned for her comprehensive understanding of insurance coverages, claims, and industry practices. With over a decade of experience working for companies such as State Farm and Allstate, she has a proven track record of building strong connections and successful teams. Sharie specializes in controlling insurance rates and maximizing coverage through well-designed insurance plans for individuals and families.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sharie is actively engaged in community service and is the mother of four beautiful children. With a background in business management and art history from Stevenson University and Rollins College, she possesses a diverse set of skills and interests.
Blair Mader
Director of Marketing Operations
Blair Mader strives to drive greater innovation, automation, and systems alignment for Wye River. Focusing on team efficiencies and user experience, she endeavors to eliminate friction points for both the company’s clients and employees.
In addition to advancing the company’s technologies, Blair oversees all of Wye River’s marketing efforts. She aims to create better brand awareness by promoting the teams' award-winning efforts and partnerships, along with Wye River’s unique view of approaching insurance with creativity and empathy.
Carrie Bowers
Claim Account Executive
With extensive experience in commercial insurance claims consulting and advocacy, Carrie is a trusted resource for clients navigating complex claims.
She specializes in claim reporting, investigations, reserve discussions, and reviews ensuring smooth and strategic claim resolution. Carrie holds multiple industry-leading certifications, including Certified Risk Manager (CRM), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), and Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR), along with a Property & Casualty Producer License.
Madison Kness, CISR
Senior Account Manager
Madison graduated from the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business with a degree in Risk Management and Insurance in 2019. Before joining Wye River in August 2020, Madison worked for Kastendike Insurance Group, gaining crucial industry experience.
She has brought her client servicing skills and insurance background to become our Senior Account Manager. During her time at Wye River, Madison has joined the Urban Land Institute and CREW Baltimore and has earned her Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation. She is currently continuing her education within the construction and real estate industries.
Tyler Smith
Client Executive
Tyler works closely with clients and carrier partners on strategy, implementation, and ongoing management of our insurance programs. He helps manage the Wye River portfolio of clients by offering comprehensive risk management strategies, maintaining accounts, and working to lower the total cost of risk.
With prior experience as a producer and risk advisor at a regional agency, Tyler designs client programs, builds comprehensive insurance solutions, and develops relationships. His experience is in the construction, manufacturing, and real estate industries.
Tyler holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Washington and Lee University. He holds his Property and Casualty and Life and Health licenses, has earned his CLCS designation, and is continuing his education with the pursuit of his CRIS designation. In the community, Tyler has held leadership roles and supports the Washington and Lee Alumni Association and Jacob's Well, an organization providing housing for Baltimore City's homeless population.
Laura Wasserman
Sr. Client Service Representative
Laura Wasserman is a seasoned real estate professional with over 27 years of processing and management experience.
Before joining Wye River, she spent 22 years in the mortgage industry and owned successful mortgage and loan processing companies in Reisterstown, Maryland. She brought her superior attention to detail and people skills to our Client Service Executive team supporting our clients.
Laura serves on the board of the Greater Chesapeake Foundation, a nonprofit representing insurance and finance industry professionals dedicated to improving the communities where they live and work.
Rachelle Felton
Associate Account Manager
Rachelle graduated from Towson University with a degree in Business Administration. She went on to work for Bozzuto Management Company, where she gained knowledge of the Real Estate and Property Management Industry in a customer support role for 3 years.
Rachelle joined the Wye River team in June of 2021 as a Client Service Representative, supporting the team and our clients in our daily operations. She is working to continue her education to expand her insurance industry knowledge.
Patrick Larkin
P&C Analyst
Patrick graduated from the University of Lynchburg with a degree in Business Administration in 2022. Before joining Wye River in March 2024, Patrick worked for Lockton Companies as a Property Analyst on their Real Estate Team.
He has brought his client servicing and data analytical skills to become our Property and Casualty Analyst. He is concurrently expanding his insurance and analytical knowledge to better serve clients.
Jade Mong
Client Services Representative, Personal Lines
A licensed insurance producer with 4.5 years of experience, Jade brings a strong work ethic and a passion for helping clients navigate the complexities of insurance.
Before joining Wye River, Jade spent four years at a State Farm office, where she worked closely with clients to find the right coverage for their needs. Her ability to simplify the insurance process and provide exceptional customer service makes her a valuable asset to our team.
Jade’s 20+ years of dance training have instilled in her discipline, adaptability, and creativity—skills that translate seamlessly into her work in insurance. A graduate of Western Oregon University with a degree in dance, she continues to pursue her passion as a member of a Baltimore-based dance company.