“Generally speaking, the biggest challenge we face as an industry is not just staying relevant, but producing cutting-edge innovation in an industry that is built on managing risk.”
Name:
Donna Kinnaird
Company: Reinsurance Group Of America Job:
Senior executive vice president and chief operating officer
Timeline: 2012—Joined Reinsurance Group Of America
Donna Kinnaird is senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of Reinsurance Group of America (RGA). She leads RGA’s global and corporate functions, and is also responsible for initiatives aimed at new expansion opportunities. She is a member of RGA’s Executive Council. Kinnaird, who joined RGA in April 2012, has more than two decades of strategic leadership experience with major global life insurance organisations as well as a strong background in life insurance acquisitions. Before coming to RGA, she was president of Swiss Re Life and Health America and president and chief executive officer of its Reassure America Life Insurance Company. She has also held chief financial officer and chief operating officer roles in life insurance companies She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana State University, and an MBA from Butler University. Active with industry associations, Kinnaird has served on the board of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and was chairman of the ACLI’s Executive Round Table and chairman of the ACLI’s Governance Committee. She was also a member of various ACLI CEO steering committees. She currently serves on the board of LL Global (LIMRA/LOMA) and is chairman of LL Global’s Audit Committee. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Why did you choose to work in this industry initially? The word “choose” suggests a much more deliberate path than many of us probably have taken in our careers. However, in my situation, I started auditing life insurance companies right out of college and that experience eventually led me to working in financial services, an industry that serves consumers, society at large and attracts a very talented group of people. What that
www.intelligentinsurer.com
means is I have the opportunity to lead and work with some of the best and brightest people, who are always challenging themselves and often challenging me.
What has been the highlight of your career so far? I don’t know there’s one particular “highlight”—but rather several of them, all building on one another. I am very fortunate to lead a team of outstanding people, all of whom are focused on creatively serving the current needs of our clients and working to help define what our industry will look like in the future.
What has been the biggest challenge you have
encountered? Generally speaking, the biggest challenge we face as an industry is not just staying relevant, but producing cutting-edge innovation in an industry that is built on managing risk. The key is having the ability to stay laser-focused on the current needs of our clients, and at the same time anticipating what protection insurance will look like in the future and how we can draw upon our core expertise to help create that future.
If you had chosen a different professional career path, what would it have been? Back in business school, there were times I wished the performing arts provided better career stability. But kidding aside, had I chosen a different path, I hope I would have realised that I enjoy working with and leading smart, energetic people who want to make some kind of difference. Good people doing meaningful work—down deep, isn’t that what we all want?
2015 | INTELLIGENT INSURER | 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109