I’m thrilled to sit down with Yandy Plasencia, the visionary founder of DataHaven Software, who brings a wealth of experience in insurance finance, data governance, and core systems architecture to the table. With the recent launch of the DataHaven Insurance Intelligence Layer, Yandy is tackling one of the most pressing challenges in the insurance industry—fragmented data systems that hinder efficiency and compliance. In this interview, we’ll dive into the inspiration behind DataHaven, the unique features of this innovative platform, the real-world impact of scattered data on carriers, and how this solution is poised to transform the industry for regional insurers and beyond.
Can you share a bit about your journey in the insurance industry and what sparked the idea to create DataHaven?
I’ve spent years working in insurance finance and data governance, often grappling with the messy reality of disconnected systems and conflicting reports. I saw firsthand how much time and money carriers were losing trying to reconcile data manually or patch together solutions. The tipping point for me was realizing that these issues weren’t just operational headaches—they were financial liabilities, especially with growing regulatory demands. I founded DataHaven to build a platform that could unify data and take the burden off internal teams, allowing carriers to focus on their core business rather than wrestling with infrastructure.
How would you describe the Insurance Intelligence Layer, and what makes it different from other data tools carriers might already have?
The Insurance Intelligence Layer is essentially a middleware platform designed specifically for insurance carriers. It acts as an invisible control layer that unifies fragmented data from across an organization—think core systems, departmental silos, and third-party feeds—into a single, reconciled source of truth. Unlike generic business intelligence tools or data warehouses that require heavy customization, our solution is purpose-built for insurance. It’s vertically integrated with pre-built pipelines and regulatory frameworks, so carriers get actionable insights without the usual IT overhead.
The industry is often described as ‘drowning in fragmented data.’ Can you help us visualize what that chaos looks like in everyday operations?
Absolutely. Imagine a Finance team preparing for a financial close while pulling numbers from one system, but the Claims team is working off a completely different dataset from another platform. They’re not just misaligned—they’re often contradictory. This leads to endless back-and-forth during audits, delays in executive reporting, and even missed opportunities because decisions are based on incomplete or outdated information. It’s not uncommon for teams to spend weeks manually reconciling data, which is both costly and error-prone.
Why is regulatory compliance such a critical focus for DataHaven, and how does the platform address these pressures?
Compliance is a make-or-break issue for carriers today because regulators, reinsurers, and rating bureaus are tightening their expectations around data accuracy and transparency. A single misstep in reporting can lead to fines, reputational damage, or operational restrictions. Our platform, through features like the Compliance Hub, offers built-in support for standards like those from NCCI and NAIC. It automates audit trails and reporting processes, so carriers can respond to regulatory demands quickly and confidently, without scrambling to pull data from multiple sources.
Can you walk us through how DataHaven’s features, like the Reporting App or Data Hub, benefit different teams within a carrier?
Sure. The Reporting App delivers tailored views and reports for departments like Finance, Claims, and Underwriting, so each team gets the exact insights they need without wading through irrelevant data. The Data Hub, on the other hand, acts as a governed central repository—think of it as a lakehouse where data lineage and transformations are managed seamlessly. It replaces clunky, outdated systems with a modern structure that ensures consistency. Each component is designed to streamline workflows, whether it’s executive decision-making or day-to-day data management.
DataHaven is marketed as a ‘fully managed’ solution. What does that mean for carriers who may not have robust IT resources?
Being fully managed means we handle the heavy lifting—setup, maintenance, orchestration—so carriers don’t need a large in-house IT team to make the platform work. Unlike other solutions where you’re left to figure out integration or updates on your own, we take care of the infrastructure and ensure everything runs smoothly. This lets smaller or regional carriers access enterprise-grade data capabilities without the burden of managing complex systems themselves, freeing up their staff to focus on strategic priorities.
Looking ahead, what’s your forecast for the future of data management in the insurance industry?
I believe we’re on the cusp of a major shift where data unification and automation will become non-negotiable for carriers of all sizes. As regulatory pressures grow and AI-driven decision-making becomes more mainstream, insurers will need platforms that not only centralize data but also make it instantly actionable. My forecast is that within the next five years, solutions like ours will be the backbone of the industry, enabling carriers to move from reactive data handling to proactive, insight-driven operations. It’s an exciting time to be part of this transformation.