The Balaban Group, LLC,
is a leading independent life insurance, benefits, and estate planning firm in Los Angeles, CA, serving the affluent client base since 1986.
We work closely with the most respected Law Firms, Accounting Agencies, Business Managers, and Wealth Managers in the country.
Uniquely, as part of our proprietary method and at our own expense, we torture-test every scenario with our team of specialists to understand and address any possible risks and vulnerabilities.
Our method openly and effectively collaborates with a client's senior advisors to maintain their integrated and holistic client plans.
The results are high-quality and suitable solutions for ultra-sophisticated planning.
We work closely with the most respected Law Firms, Accounting Agencies, Business Managers, and Wealth Managers in the country.
Uniquely, as part of our proprietary method and at our own expense, we torture-test every scenario with our team of specialists to understand and address any possible risks and vulnerabilities.
Our method openly and effectively collaborates with a client's senior advisors to maintain their integrated and holistic client plans.
The results are high-quality and suitable solutions for ultra-sophisticated planning.
Meet the team
Mark Balaban
Founder and President
Mark Balaban, the founder and president of The Balaban Group, LLC, received his BA from the University Of California, Berkeley, in 1985. He began his career with Northwestern Mutual, where he was the first, second, and third-year leader for the entire company in the Western Region. After six years, he left the company and started his brokerage firm, focusing on estate planning (high net-worth individuals), specialty entertainment coverage/high-limit disability, and non-appearance markets. His firm represents some of the most highly visible people in the entertainment, business, and private sectors. Mark has received numerous awards from the insurance industry for his excellence and is in the top 1% of all insurance brokerages in the country. Mark has two grown children, is a motorcycle enthusiast, avid skier, traveler, and dabbles in guitar.
Zach Wolkstein
Broker and Benefits Specialist
Zach received his BA from The University of Arizona in 2017. Originally from New Jersey, Zach moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the technology industry. After several years working at Uber and with international startup companies, he joined The Balaban Group, LLC in 2021 as an Associate Broker. Zach works with athletes, entertainers, and business owners, providing complex life insurance solutions, high-limit disability strategies, and employee benefit solutions. Zach is a proud member of Provisors and the Young Professionals Network of ACG. In addition, in 2024, Zach was recognized as a Top-Trusted Advisor in the insurance industry in Southern California. Zach is a former athlete, the youngest of three brothers, and Mark's son-in-law. He enjoys traveling, staying active, and music. He is an avid film photographer.
Paul Galichia
Associate Broker
Paul received his BA from Stanford University in 1996. He was a four-year Tennis athlete and was part of the 1996 NCAA Champion Tennis Team. Paul has over a decade of experience developing startups and small companies. He began his career in entertainment, where he founded Tumbleweed Entertainment in 2006, producing animatic works and feature documentary films. 2015, he ventured into technology and founded Basil Street Pizza, a groundbreaking robotic pizza kiosk company. Since then, Paul has helped evolve several companies as a strategic board member and advisor. Paul joined The Balaban Group, LLC in 2022 as an Associate Broker. He is married with two children and enjoys traveling, skiing and surfing.
Kim Boyer
Director of Underwriting and Lead Risk Assessment Underwriter
Kim started her career in 1985 as an underwriter for American Fidelity Assurance, where she then moved to Interstate Assurance Company as a Senior Underwriter and Team leader. After years as a senior underwriter, she moved to Security Life of Denver, where she became Director of Underwriting (managing large case underwriting). Kim joined The Balaban group in 2014, where she is responsible for all medical underwriting (risk assessment), Forensic Underwriting, and managing the entire underwriting team.
Harrison Kidd
Product Design and Advanced Planning
Harisson has a BA from Tufts University. Harrison is a proud “Jumbo,” having played on the football team all 4 years. He holds his Series 6 and 63. Harrison began his career with Prudential, starting on the inbound sales desk and quickly being promoted to an Internal Wholesaler. He supported the top external wholesalers for the Edward Jones Advisor channel there. Harrison earned Pinnacle Honors as Prudential’s leading internal wholesaler for the entire country. Harrison joined The Balaban Group, LLC in 2018, where he specialized in product design and advanced planning.
Sean McNiff
Senior Sales Adviser and Brokerage Manager
Sean has been in the insurance industry for over a decade. Sean is responsible for designing and implementing high-limit disability, life, and non-appearance policies directly with our seat in London (Lloyd's of London) for our entertainment, sports, and high net-worth families and individuals.
Monica Rios
Office Manager and Benefits Manager
Monica has been in the insurance business since 2005. Monica is responsible for the day-to-day operations of The Balaban Group, LLC, overseeing the entire team with policy service, claims, client relationships, underwriting, and placement of coverage. Monica is also fluent in Spanish.
