Guardian's Deanna Mulligan First Woman Elected ACLI Chair

Washington, D.C. (October 12, 2015) — The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), whose member companies provide financial and retirement security to 75 million American families, elected its 2016 Chair, officers and new members of the Board of Directors at its Annual Conference.

Elected as Chair was Deanna Mulligan, President and CEO of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian). Ms. Mulligan is the first woman to lead ACLI’s board. She succeeds Roger Crandall, Chairman, President and CEO of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), who will serve as ACLI Immediate Past Chairman.

“Deanna is a strong and respected industry leader and the ideal choice to lead our board,” said ACLI President and CEO Dirk Kempthorne. “She has a solid understanding of the issues affecting companies and consumers that will serve ACLI and our member companies well. I look forward to working with her and our board in the year ahead.”

ACLI also elected Pete Schaefer, President and CEO of Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America to its Chairman-Elect position. Mr. Schaefer will assume the chairmanship during the Annual Conference in October 2016. ACLI’s Chairman-Elect Designate post was awarded to Mark Mullin, President and CEO of Transamerica Corporation. Mr. Mullin will become chairman in October 2017.

The Chairman and Board of Directors set policy and guide the actions of the association, which represents the life insurance industry in Washington, D.C., the states and internationally.

Serving on ACLI’s Board through 2018:

• Craig Bromley, President, John Hancock Financial Services;
• Brandon Carter, Chairman & President, USAA Life Insurance Company;
• Dennis R. Glass, President & CEO, Lincoln Financial Group;
• Kevin Hogan, CEO, Consumer Insurance, AIG;
• Fred Jonske, President & CEO, M Life Insurance Company;
• Jeff Poulin, President, London Life Reinsurance Company;
• José Suquet, Chairman of the Board, President & CEO, Pan-American Life Insurance Group;
• Walter White, President & CEO, Allianz Life;
• Matt Winter, President, Allstate.

Serving on ACLI’s Board through 2017:

• Steven A. Kandarian, Chairman, President & CEO, MetLife;
• Thomas M. Marra, President & CEO, Symetra Life Insurance Company;
• Ted Mathas, Chairman & CEO, New York Life;
• Thomas McInerney, President & CEO, Genworth Financial;
• James T. Morris, Chairman & CEO, Pacific Life Insurance Company;  
• Mark Pearson, Chairman & CEO, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company;
• Steve Pelletier, Executive Vice President and COO, U.S. Businesses, Prudential Financial;
• James Rousey, President, UTG, Inc.;
• John Schlifske, Chairman & CEO, The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Serving on ACLI’s Board through 2016:

• John F. Barrett, Chairman, President & CEO, Western & Southern Financial Group;
• Jerry “Chip” Davis, Chairman & CEO, National Farm Life Insurance Company;
• Esfand Dinshaw, Chairman & CEO, Sammons Financial Group;
• Roger Ferguson, Jr., President & CEO, TIAA-CREF;
• Daniel J. Houston, President & CEO, Principal Financial Group;
• Joseph Monk, Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Life & VP, Health & Mutual Funds, State Farm Insurance Companies;
• J. Eric Smith, President & CEO, Swiss Re Americas;
• Kirt A. Walker, President & COO, Nationwide Financial;
• John R. Woerner, President, Insurance and Annuities, Chief Strategy Officer, Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

“Today, 75 million families rely on our industry’s products for their financial and retirement security. Every day, life insurers pay out $1.5 billion that help people cope financially after the loss of a loved one, ensure retirees have a reliable stream of income, and help people age with dignity and comfort. And life insurers’ investments in the U.S. economy, which totaled $5.8 trillion in 2014, create jobs and help drive the country’s economic engine.

“In 2016, with the strong leadership of Deanna and our Board of Directors, ACLI is well-positioned to continue its mission in support of the life insurance industry and the important role it plays in Americans’ lives and the nation’s economy,” Kempthorne said.