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Panelist Biography

Guest Speaker Biographies - Elizabeth Rowe Costle

Last Updated: October 29, 2010

Elizabeth Rowe Costle is Director of the Consumer and State Affairs Team for AARP’s Public Policy Institute. The Public Policy Institute informs and stimulates public debate on the issues faced by the older population.  Through research, analysis and dialogue with the nation’s leading experts, PPI promotes development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care and quality of life.  She directs a staff that conducts research and policy analysis in the areas of financial services, energy, telecommunications, and legal and personal rights and brings together thought leaders to develop and advance AARP’s consumer protection agenda.

For over a decade (1992-2003), she served as Vermont Commissioner of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration, the state agency responsible for overseeing insurance companies, banks, and securities firms in Vermont. She implemented the Gramm-Leach-Bliley law provisions and expanded Vermont’s captive insurance industry to the 3rd largest captive domicile in the world. She also carried out pioneering health care reforms and oversaw hospital spending.  She was named one of the 100 Leading Women in Insurance by Business Insurance and held leadership positions with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). She previously served as the Department’s General Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Securities. 

She held the position of Senior Consultant for health insurance policy for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and worked as a consultant to governments, corporations, associations and nonprofits on financial services and health care matters including annuities, long terms care, health insurance, and the impact of climate change on the insurance industry.

She is a magna cum laude graduate of Georgetown Law School and received a M.A. Degree with distinction in Public Administration from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.A. cum laude from Harvard University, Radcliffe College.  She is a member of the District of Columbia bar.