Leading Executives in Life Insurance Carriers
Michel A. Khalaf
President & Chief Executive Officer, MetLife, Inc.
Since becoming CEO on May 1, 2019, Michel Khalaf has driven MetLife’s multi‑year strategies (Next Horizon → New Frontier) to simplify the portfolio and target double‑digit EPS growth with 15–17% adjusted ROE, while reinforcing the company’s leadership in group benefits and retirement solutions.
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Andrew Sullivan
Chief Executive Officer, Prudential Financial, Inc.
Named CEO effective March 31, 2025, Andrew Sullivan previously led Prudential’s International Businesses and PGIM; he’s charged with accelerating the firm’s transformation to a higher‑growth, more capital‑efficient insurer‑investor platform as it marks 150 years.
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Craig L. DeSanto
Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, New York Life Insurance Company
A 25+ year company veteran, Craig DeSanto became New York Life’s 19th CEO in April 2022 and Chair in 2023; he led the landmark acquisition of Cigna’s Group Life & Disability business, bolstering the nation’s largest mutual life insurer.
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Timothy J. Gerend
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Northwestern Mutual
Tim Gerend became CEO on January 1, 2025 and was named Chairman on February 1, 2025, steering the industry’s dividend leader and largest direct writer of individual life in the U.S. with a plan to redefine comprehensive financial security.
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Roger W. Crandall
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual)
Roger Crandall, a career MassMutual leader, has served as Chairman, President & CEO for over a decade—overseeing steady mutual‑company growth, strong capital positions, and strategic portfolio actions across protection and asset management.
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Phil (Philip) Witherington
President & Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Financial (parent of John Hancock in the U.S.)
Phil Witherington became Manulife’s CEO on May 9, 2025 after leading Manulife Asia and serving as global CFO; he is focused on disciplined capital, IFRS 17 execution, and Asia‑led growth.
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Brooks Tingle
President & Chief Executive Officer, John Hancock (U.S. division of Manulife)
A longtime innovator, Brooks Tingle became John Hancock CEO in 2023; he’s best known for scaling the behavioral‑insurance Vitality program, aligning life insurance with healthier lifestyles.
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Lee Yuan Siong
Group Chief Executive & President, AIA Group Limited
Lee Yuan Siong has led AIA since June 1, 2020, advancing the pan‑Asian life leader’s organic growth and brand (including a new Hong Kong HQ reopening in 2024) around its ‘Healthier, Longer, Better Lives’ purpose.
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Thomas Buberl
Chief Executive Officer, AXA
CEO since 2016, Thomas Buberl executed AXA’s strategic refocus toward core insurance and reduced market‑sensitivity, with the Board signaling intent in 2025 to renew his mandate at the 2026 AGM.
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Jasmine Jirele
President & Chief Executive Officer, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Jasmine Jirele leads Allianz Life’s U.S. franchise, championing product innovation (especially RILAs) and a values‑driven culture recognized by Fortune and Ethisphere in 2024–2025.
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Kevin D. Strain
President & Chief Executive Officer, Sun Life Financial
Kevin Strain, CEO since August 2021, has emphasized Asia expansion and health‑benefits adjacencies while strengthening leadership succession in the U.S. franchise.
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Ellen G. Cooper
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Lincoln Financial Group
Ellen Cooper became Lincoln’s first female CEO in 2022 and now serves as Chair, President & CEO, guiding balance‑sheet strengthening and a customer‑first culture underscored in the company’s Code of Conduct.
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Deanna Strable
Chair, President & Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial Group
Deanna Strable became President & CEO in 2025 and was elected Chair effective September 2, 2025—continuing Principal’s strategy of focused growth across retirement, benefits & protection, and asset management.
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Andrew J. McMahon
Chief Executive Officer & President, Guardian Life
Andrew McMahon took over as CEO in 2021, bringing insurtech chops and a digital‑first agenda to the mutual carrier’s life, disability and group‑benefits businesses.
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Darryl Button
President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Life
With deep actuarial and finance roots, Darryl Button became CEO on April 1, 2022, guiding Pacific Life’s pivot toward institutional solutions alongside core life and annuity offerings.
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Grant Kvalheim
Chief Executive Officer, Athene (an Apollo company)
A company builder since 2011, Grant Kvalheim was appointed CEO effective July 1, 2025; he previously ran Athene’s U.S. operations and helped scale it to the No. 1 retail annuity seller in the U.S. in 2024.
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Will Fuller
President & Chief Executive Officer, Transamerica (Aegon Group)
Will Fuller, CEO since March 31, 2021, is leading a strategic and financial transformation to focus Transamerica on the middle market across life, annuities, retirement, and benefits.
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Heather Lavallee
Chief Executive Officer, Voya Financial
Heather Lavallee became CEO in 2023 and continues to unify Voya’s health and wealth ecosystems, earning sustained recognition for ethics and purpose‑driven culture.
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Mark Pearson
Chief Executive Officer, Equitable Holdings
Mark Pearson leads Equitable Holdings (Equitable + AllianceBernstein), steering product, distribution and reinsurance moves since its IPO era with a focus on client advice, protection and lifetime income.
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(Peer reference: enterprise leader) Michel A. Khalaf
President & CEO (Enterprise) – U.S. impact noted here too), MetLife (U.S. Business)
As head of MetLife U.S. previously and now CEO of the enterprise, Michel Khalaf has been a prominent advocate for scaled group benefits and retirement platforms that serve employers and individuals at massive reach.
Bio | LinkedIn | Press/Media
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