A native of Delaware, Karen Weldin Stewart’s roots in the state trace back to the 1600's. Karen was elected to a four-year term as Insurance Commissioner in 2008. 

After a 22-year career as a retail executive and entrepreneur, Commissioner Stewart first came to work for the Insurance Department as a Deputy Receiver in 1989.  She served in this capacity until 1993.  Following her departure from the Insurance Department, Karen opened the Weldin Group, Inc., an insurance and reinsurance consulting company.  In 1997, Commissioner Stewart joined Reinsurance Solutions International, a subsidiary of Marsh McLennan, as Vice President on regulatory matters. 

In 1991, Commissioner Stewart co-founded IAIR (International Association of Insurance Receivers) and was elected three times as its president.  She received the distinction of Certified Insurance Receiver – Multi Lines in 1995. 

Commissioner Stewart has been actively serving with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for over 22 years as Regulatory Coordinator on the working group that created the original Receivers Handbook for Insurance Company Insolvencies, which is still offered by the NAIC. Commissioner Stewart has assisted in drafting model legislation for use in other states seeking accreditation.  She currently chairs the NAIC’s Receivership Reinsurance Recoverables (E) Working Group and is Vice Chair of Receivership and Insolvency (E) Task Force and the  IT Task Force. She is a member of the Supervisory College of Berkshire Hathaway and Swiss RE.

Commissioner Stewart serves on the State Employee Benefits Committee, Delaware Health Care Commission and on the Deferred Compensation Council.

Commissioner Stewart remains active in her local community by serving on a number of boards. She is currently serving on the Board of the Addictions Coalition of DE, Inc. and the Board of Equality Delaware.