As Director of Strategy at Accelerant, Spencer Hylen plays a key role in supporting capital partnerships, M&A activity, and long-term strategic planning. His work is project-based and changes week to week — from closing new initiatives and supporting reinsurance partnerships to preparing for strategy sessions and investor meetings. At the heart of it all is collaboration, which gives Spencer the opportunity to work across teams and connect with people throughout the organization.
We caught up with Spencer to hear more about his journey, what he values in Accelerant’s remote culture, and why crossing the Golden Gate Bridge never gets old.
Fast Facts with Spencer
Favorite music genres: A mix of alt-pop and EDM. AJR, Martin Garrix, Glass Animals, and Kygo are on heavy rotation.
Favorite travel destination: Japan. From the food to the natural beauty, it’s hard to beat.
Can’t-live-without item: Not a gadget, but a favorite jacket. It’s versatile, lightly waterproof, and perfect for biking around the city.
First job: Rapid response analyst at a cybersecurity company, solving short-term malware issues while long-term fixes were in progress.
Preferred way to stay active: Long runs through San Francisco, especially across the Golden Gate Bridge. Even on colder days, there’s usually sunshine waiting on the other side.
Digging Deeper: Spencer’s Perspective
What makes Accelerant’s culture unique?
It’s rare to see such a strong culture in a fully remote environment. At Accelerant, we don’t just assume culture will happen because people share an office. We intentionally build it. We also know when in-person time matters and we invest in getting teams together when it counts. That balance helps us bring in great talent from around the world while still maintaining meaningful connection.
What excites you most about your work?
Thinking long term. I love working on our strategy and identifying the milestones that will get us where we want to go. It’s wild to think that just five years ago, Accelerant was just getting started. Now we’re thinking just as ambitiously about the next five. Being part of that journey is incredibly energizing.
A standout team memory?
The 2025 Global All-Hands was a great experience. Connecting in person with colleagues from around the world added a new layer to the relationships we’ve built virtually. A highlight was seeing some incredibly talented teammates perform at the dueling piano bar. Definitely a core memory.
What advice would you give someone exploring career opportunities?
Talk to as many people as you can — not just peers, but mentors and even mentees. Early in my career, I thought I understood all the roles out there. I quickly realized there were far more paths than I expected. Those conversations helped me discover opportunities I wouldn’t have known existed.