NAAIA names Omari Aarons executive director

Washington, DC – The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) announces the appointment of Omari Jahi Aarons as its Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. Effective October 1^st, Aarons is responsible for the strategic development and execution of the organization’s goals and objectives. Most recently, Aarons was hired by NAAIA as its National Program Director to manage national office functions following the vacancy created by the organization’s former executive director,  Margaret Redd’s, departure.

Over the last two years, Aarons has worked as an independent management consultant specializing in workplace equity and inclusion.

Prior, Aarons served as Employee Enablement Strategy Leader for Liberty Mutual’s Global Retail Markets U.S. Division. In that role, Aarons led a rewards and recognition team and an employee culture team that targeted specific interactions in the employee experience to accelerate and deepen customer-centric efforts. Aarons also served as an advisor to senior leaders on workplace inclusion strategies as the national co-chair of the African descent employee resource group where he is credited as a key influencer in crafting the company’s conversation on race and race relations.

Aarons also spent 10 years at Macy’s after completing their executive development program in the credit and customer service division and progressing to senior manager and director roles in stores learning and development, leadership development and human resources.

“Omari has a deep sense of commitment to every aspect of NAAIA’s operations and our mission to diversify the insurance industry,” said George Woods, NAAIA National Board Chair. “He has been a partner liaison, corporate advocate, chapter charter member, and a chapter president - all experiences that will inform his vision, leadership and execution of this role.” 

“For over 25 years, NAAIA has been a significant presence in the insurance industry with our coalition of partners and members advocating and leading change,” remarks Aarons. “I’m honored to protect and preserve NAAIA’s legacy while guiding us into an even brighter future that meets the demands of this moment.”

Aarons, who resides in Boston, was recognized for his corporate leadership and community service by Insurance Business America as a 2020 Leader of Change and Rising Star, with additional recent recognitions from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Business Equality Magazine. He is a licensed minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Aarons is a graduate of Xavier University (Ohio) and is pursuing his Master of Divinity at Boston University School of Theology.

Margaret Redd announced her retirement internally to corporate partners and organizational leaders in May. Redd started her career with the Saint Paul Companies in 1977 and held senior roles with CNA and MetLife in distribution, marketing, and channel management before joining NAAIA in 2015. NAAIA thanks Margaret Redd for her passion, commitment, and significant contributions to NAAIA and the insurance industry.