LendingTree Announces Promotion of Ian Smith to Chief Operating Officer and Laura Nelson to Head of Insurance
Rhea-AI Summary
LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) announced on January 9, 2026 that Ian Smith was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Laura Nelson was named Head of Insurance. The move follows Scott Peyree's appointment as CEO after the passing of founder Doug Lebda.
As COO, Smith will oversee day-to-day operations and extend the operating rigor he established in the insurance business across lending and the broader company. Nelson will lead the insurance marketplace, focusing on strategy, execution, carrier relationships, and sales performance.
Company leadership framed the changes as reinforcing disciplined execution, operational scale, and long-term growth.
Positive
- Internal promotions preserve leadership continuity after founder's passing
- COO role expands operational rigor companywide
- Head of Insurance appointment supports insurance marketplace momentum
Negative
- Leadership transition may create short-term execution or integration risk
- Loss of founder could cause strategic uncertainty among stakeholders
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, TREE declined 6.50%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +9.2% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 15 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $61M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $880M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Laura Nelson will step into the Head of Insurance role following Smith's transition. The leadership appointments reflect LendingTree's continued focus on disciplined execution, operational scale, and long-term growth.
As Chief Operating Officer, Smith will oversee day-to-day operations across LendingTree, bringing the operating rigor and discipline he established within the company's insurance business to lending and the broader organization. Nelson will lead LendingTree's insurance marketplace, building on its momentum and continuing to drive performance, innovation, and partner success.
"Ian has built a strong operating system within our insurance business, and this move allows him to bring that same discipline and expertise across lending and the broader organization," said Scott Peyree, CEO of LendingTree. "Laura has been a driving force behind our sales performance, and her leadership experience and deep understanding of our partners make her the right choice to lead insurance into its next chapter."
Smith most recently served as Senior Vice President of Insurance at LendingTree, where he led the company's insurance business, driving strategy, operations and growth across its insurance marketplace. He joined QuoteWizard in 2005 and helped transform the business from a fast-growing startup into one of the leading online insurance comparison platforms in the
Nelson has served as Senior Vice President of Sales, where she led revenue growth initiatives and built high-performing sales teams across the company. As Head of Insurance, she will be responsible for the overall strategy, execution and performance of LendingTree's insurance marketplace, continuing to strengthen relationships with carriers and deliver value to consumers.
"These leadership changes reflect the strength of our internal talent and our commitment to building a scalable, high-performing organization," Peyree added. "Ian and Laura are proven leaders, and their expanded roles position us well for continued growth."
About LendingTree, Inc.
LendingTree, Inc. is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC (collectively, "LendingTree").
LendingTree is one of the nation's largest, most experienced online financial platforms, created to give consumers the power to win financially. LendingTree provides customers with access to the best offers on loans, credit cards, insurance, and more through its network of approximately 430 financial partners. Since its founding, LendingTree has helped millions of customers obtain financing, save money, and improve their financial and credit health in their personal journeys. With a portfolio of innovative products and tools and personalized financial recommendations, LendingTree helps customers achieve everyday financial wins. LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in
For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com.
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SOURCE LendingTree, Inc.
FAQ
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