LendingTree Elevates Ian Smith and Laura Nelson to Key Leadership Roles

LendingTree Elevates Key Leadership Team

LendingTree, Inc., recognized as a leader in the online financial services marketplace, has made significant changes to its leadership team. On January 9, 2026, the company announced the promotion of Ian Smith to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Laura Nelson to Head of Insurance.

This leadership transition comes in the wake of a critical period for LendingTree, where the previous COO, Scott Peyree, was elevated to the CEO position after the unfortunate passing of founder Doug Lebda. Under the new leadership structure, both Smith and Nelson are expected to play pivotal roles in driving the company forward as it focuses on disciplined execution, operational scalability, and sustainable growth.

Ian Smith's New Role

As the newly appointed COO, Ian Smith brings a wealth of experience to his position. Smith had been working as the Senior Vice President of Insurance at LendingTree, where he played an integral role in shaping the company's insurance division. His previous experience includes transforming QuoteWizard, a startup he joined in 2005, into a prominent online insurance comparison platform in the United States.

His promotion to COO illustrates LendingTree's confidence in his operational expertise. In this capacity, Smith will oversee the daily functions across the company and implement the same rigorous operational standards that he successfully established within the insurance business. This shift in responsibilities not only aims to enhance the overall efficiency of LendingTree’s operations but also seeks to broaden the success that has been achieved in the insurance sector to other business verticals like lending.

Scott Peyree, LendingTree’s new CEO, has expressed his full support for Smith's promotion, stating, “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.”

Laura Nelson Takes the Helm of Insurance

Taking on the mantle of Head of Insurance, Laura Nelson steps into a critical position where she will leverage her substantial sales experience. Previously, Nelson served as the Senior Vice President of Sales, where she spearheaded initiatives that drove revenue growth and established high-performing sales teams. Her deep understanding of the company's partners and relationships position her well for the role.

In her new role, Nelson will be responsible for setting the strategic direction and executing initiatives that will further enhance LendingTree’s insurance marketplace. As the company continues to make strides in the insurtech industry, Nelson’s leadership will focus on fostering innovation and maximizing performance. “Laura has been a driving force behind our sales performance, and her leadership experience makes her the right choice to lead insurance into its next chapter,” Peyree remarked.

Fostering Internal Talent

These appointments signify LendingTree's commitment not only to internal talent development but also to a robust operational framework that supports scalable growth. Peyree highlighted the importance of leveraging existing talent within the organization: “These leadership changes reflect the strength of our internal talent and our commitment to building a scalable, high-performing organization.”

Both Ian Smith and Laura Nelson are known as proven leaders within the organization, and their expanded roles are seen as critical for positioning LendingTree for future success.

Company Overview

Founded with the mission of empowering consumers to achieve financial victories, LendingTree supports customers in obtaining favorable offers on loans, credit cards, and insurance through a broad network of financial partners. Established in Charlotte, North Carolina, LendingTree has become one of the nation's largest online financial platforms. With its innovative product offerings and personalized financial advice, LendingTree has successfully assisted millions of customers on their financial journeys.