Insurance: 20 Executives to Watch in 2023

Jan 19, 2023

As the job market continues to fluctuate, companies must remain competitive. How so? By building teams that are prepared to take on any challenge. As executive search professionals, we know how quickly demand can change– and we’ve learned a lot about how winning teams stay ahead.

The insurance industry experienced dramatic shifts in demand during the pandemic, creating an increased need for leaders that make a difference. Through a diversity of experiences and perspectives, these executives are effectively transforming the industry. We are proud to celebrate these 20 newly appointed individuals who have constantly moved the needle for their employers and teams:

Dame Vivian Hunt, Chief Innovation Officer, UnitedHealth Group

Hunt joined UnitedHealth Group this month after a 28 year run at McKinsey & Company– most recently as a senior partner in the UK and Ireland. She has also provided consulting services to many organizations, with a focus on strategy, innovation, and performance transformation.

Monica Caldas, EVP and Chief Information Officer, Liberty Mutual

Caldas will begin her role as Liberty Mutual’s EVP and CIO this month. She was promoted to deputy CIO in March and took charge of the organization’s three business groups technological roadmaps. Prior to Liberty Mutual, She served as GRM’s senior vice president and global CIO.

David Lovely, EVP and Chief Claims Officer, The Hanover Insurance Group

Appointed this month, Lovely will be responsible for the oversight and execution of Hanover Group’s claims experience. Previously, he held senior roles at PwC and the Aviva Group. Lovely brings over 35+ years of Industry experience, leading at companies such as Chubb, Allianz, and Liberty Mutual.

Teresa Black, EVP and COO Commercial Surety, Chubb NA

Black will continue at Chubb under her new role as COO of Commercial Surety. She is responsible for the underwriting, strategy and profitable growth of Commercial and Construction Surety business in North America. Black is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Spencer Educational Foundation.

Rich Stock, Chief Underwriting Officer of Casualty & Surety, Arch Insurance

Stock oversees E&S casualty and alternative markets together with the middle market and large accounts casualty and surety units already reporting to him. He has served various roles at Arch Insurance in 12 years, first joining as Vice President of Construction in 2005.

Eric Terwilliger, VP of Human Resources, Boston Mutual Life Insurance

Appointed in December, Terwilliger is responsible for enhancing staffing and onboarding experiences to support strategic growth. He brings over 15 years of HR and talent acquisition experience– previously serving as HR Business Partner at Moneycorp and HR Manager at Chadwick Martin Bailey.

Mary Beth Eckert, EVP and Chief Information & Digital Officer, Pacific Life

Eckert joined Pacific Life in December from USAA, where she served as SVP Chief Information Officer for corporate & insurance services and oversaw an IT organization of 1,800+ employees and 6,000 contractors. Eckert also held roles at PwC and Travelers Group, where she served as VP of eBusiness technology.

Todd Jones, EVP and Chief Financial Officer, Northwestern Mutual

Jones joined Northwestern Mutual’s leadership team last month, where he leads the Finance and Risk function. He joined the company in 2003 and served in various leadership roles within the finance and risk teams prior to his current role.

Mike Gosselin, Global Leader for Energy & Transition Risk, Liberty Mutual

Gosselin is building an underwriting team that helps energy companies solve their unique exposures and supports all companies as they manage risk. He brings 25+ years of global underwriting experience in the energy sector, including 21 years at Liberty Specialty Markets.

Kelly Wolf, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hippo Insurance

Wolf leads Hippo’s HR team and is responsible for critical people-centered functions. She brings 20+ years of HR experience, most recently for online retailer Zulily where she was VP of People. Wolf also lead people-centric teams for Amazon and Shopbop.com.

Darryl Page, Chief Culture Officer, Chubb

Page oversees culture and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) strategy at Chubb, where he returned after retiring in July 2022. He has 35+ years of experience in the insurance industry. Most recently, he led Chubb’s International Personal Lines business from 2012 to 2022.

Amanda Winkle, Chief Operating Officer, International Medical Group

As COO, Winkle oversees the commercial, IT, and operations functions of IMG, and serves as the primary driver of the company’s growth initiatives. She previously served as Chief Commercial Officer where she was key to the creation of IMG’s assistance services products.

Sandeep Dadlani, EVP and Chief Digital & Technology Officer, UnitedHealth Group

Dadlani is responsible for leading technology and digital strategies across the enterprise to drive innovation and deliver exceptional experiences in health care. Before joining the company, Dadlani spent five years leading enterprise digital transformation efforts at Mars, Inc., where he served as global chief digital officer.

Ratna Subrahmanyam, CIO of Corporate Systems, MetLife

Subrahmanyam support solutions and platforms for critical business functions in finance, HR, legal, audit and employee experiences. She has 24+ years of experience in technology strategy, leading previous roles at GE Core Technology and Cyber. She also led the Women’s Network and Asia Pacific Forum.

Zulfi Jeevanjee, EVP and Chief Information Officer, Allstate

Jeevanjee rejoined Allstate in November. He oversees all business- and consumer-facing technology. He also oversees software architecture, engineering, and the technology used for products, investments, and internal shared services. Previously, he was the Chief Technology Officer at CVS.

Adora Whitaker, EVP and Head of Corporate Development, MetLife

Whitaker is leading a team focused on identifying strategic transactions that are accretive to MetLife’s businesses and financial performance. In her previous role at PJT Partners, she provided solutions to insurance companies across M&A and capital structure advisory.

John Banta, VP of National Employee Benefits Administration and Blue Venture Fund, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Banta began his new role for Blue Cross Blue Shield in August. He is responsible for the development & implementation of investments in employee benefits and healthcare investments. He has been with the company since 2014.

Jess Merten, Chief Financial Officer, Allstate

Merten has served as CFO of Allstate since September. He joined the company in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer, Allstate Financial, and subsequently held the roles of Treasurer, Chief Risk Officer and President, Allstate Financial.

Jen Ughetta, Chief People Officer, Liberty Mutual Insurance

Since July, Ughetta has been responsible for all talent-focused teams at Liberty Mutual. She has been at the company since 2018, most recently as EVP and chief talent officer of global retail markets. She also spent 20 years at Munich Reinsurance in human resources.

Tomas Kunzmann, CEO, Allianz Partners

Kunzmann has served as CEO since July. He first joined the Allianz Group in 2009, holding various leadership positions. Beginning in 2020, Kunzmann has lead the Mobility & Assistance Line of Business as a CEO and Board Member.

Our executive search team has spent over a decade beating the rapidly changing demands of the market. We recognize what it takes to be an outstanding leader. Our President David McInnis says it best, “Every day, we work together with great resilience, to deliver for each other, and our clients.” 

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About

David McInnis

President & Founding Partner

David has two decades of global recruitment experience and is Founding Partner of Willard Powell. Prior to founding Willard Powell, David worked with Leathwaite International, a global executive search firm. Before his employment with Leathwaite, David worked for Wachovia Securities (now Wells Fargo Securities) supporting the firm’s Investment Banking & Capital Markets Technology group. David is a graduate of Lasell College in Newton, MA, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Management Information Systems. David also serves as a Trustee on Lasell’s Board.