Rideshare InsurTech Buckle appoints veteran Sharon Fernandez to Head of Insurance

By Pavithra R

Buckle, a provider of financial products and services to the shared economy, has announced the appointment of Sharon Fernandez to head of the company’s Insurance Division, reporting directly to Buckle’s co-founder and CEO, Marty Young.

Most recently, Sharon served as the President at Farmers Business Insurance, where shed led the firm to $2.1 bn in revenue from a full range of small and mid-market commercial insurance products. Prior to spending more than a decade at Farmers, Sharon served USAA for 18 years in various executive roles.

“Dustin Walsey (co-founder) and I are working to build a top-notch, top tier management team at Buckle, and we are thrilled that our team now includes Sharon Fernandez. Sharon’s background represents an ideal fit for this newly created position as Head of Buckle Insurance with her broad property and casualty (P&C) background in both consumer and commercial lines,” said Marty Young.

Sharon served as President of the Farmers’ Bristol West non-standard Insurance Division, a $1 bn gross written premium (GWP) personal lines, a non-standard auto insurer. She was also Head of Operations for Farmers Insurance Group, which includes the Farmers, Foremost, Bristol West, and 21st Century brands with management oversight of more than 3000 employees.

Prior to Farmers, Sharon was Head of Human Resources P&C at USAA and provided HR leadership and direction for the corporation’s P&C company. She was also Sales and Policy Service Executive and managed USAA’s P&C policy service, billing and sales team across a complex, multi-site call center environment.

“I look forward to working with the Buckle team to deliver innovative insurance solutions for people engaged in the gig economy,” said Sharon Fernandez.

Sharon holds master’s degrees from Texas A&M University and St. Mary’s University. She also received her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s and completed executive programs at University of Virginia Darden School of Business, the University of Texas at Austin and University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School.

Founded in 2017, Buckle offers a financial services platform that focuses on insurance, credit, and advocacy for the gig economy. The firm is reinventing the insurance model to more efficiently manage risk, supporting the full ecosystem of drivers, fleets, and transportation network platforms to help everyone achieve economic freedom.