Protective Life‘s Rich Bielen named ACLI Chair

WASHINGTON — The American Council of Life Insurers elected its new chair, officers and board of directors during the 2025 ACLI Annual Conference in Chicago, IL.

Rich Bielen, President & CEO of Protective Life Corporation, was elected ACLI Chair for 2025, succeeding Paul A. Quaranto, Jr., Chairman, CEO & President of Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Quaranto will serve as ACLI Immediate Past Chair for the coming year.

In addition, Teresa Rasmussen, President & CEO of Thrivent, was elected Chair-Elect and will become ACLI Chair in October 2025. Andrew McMahon, CEO & President of Guardian, was named Chair-Elect Designate and will serve as ACLI Chair starting in October 2026.

The Chair and Board of Directors guide the association’s efforts in support of policies that make certain all Americans can access the tools and information they need for financial certainty and peace of mind.

“Life insurers are there for people on their best days – when babies come home or a retirement is celebrated. And they are there on their worst days – when disability strikes or a loved one dies. Our promises are guaranteed,” said ACLI President and CEO Susan Neely. “This has been the industry’s mission for over 175 years and will be for 175 more. Thanks to Rich and our board’s leadership, ACLI will continue to support this mission and advocate for solutions that address consumers’ financial and retirement security needs.”

During the conference, David Chavern officially assumed his new role as ACLI President and CEO, succeeding Neely, who will continue to serve the association as CEO Emeritus until the end of the year.

“I look forward to working with Rich and our board in support of policies that make a positive difference in people’s lives,” said Chavern, who was named President and CEO in June. “Together, we will build on ACLI’s strong advocacy foundation and advance policies that help more people build financial certainty through all stages of life.”

Serving on the ACLI Board of Directors through 2025 are:

• Darryl Button, President & CEO, Pacific Life;
• Ellen Cooper, Chairman, President & CEO, Lincoln Financial;
• Craig DeSanto, Chair, President & CEO, New York Life;
• Marc-Andre Giguere, President & CEO, Munich Re U.S.;
• Daniel Houston, Chairman & CEO, Principal Financial;
• Jasmine Jirele, President & CEO, Allianz Life;
• Allan Levine, Chairman & CEO, Global Atlantic Financial Group;
• Eric Steigerwalt, President & CEO, Brighthouse Financial; and
• Brooks Tingle, President & CEO, John Hancock.

Serving on the ACLI Board of Directors through 2026 are:

• Gumer Alvero, President, RiverSource Insurance and Annuities, Ameriprise Financial;
• Mehran Assadi, Chair, CEO & President, National Life;
• Will Fuller, President & CEO, Transamerica;
• Ronald Herrmann, Executive Vice President & Head of RGA Americas, RGA;
• Nick Lane, President, Equitable;
• Laura Prieskorn, CEO, Jackson;
• Rob Reed, Jr., President & CEO, Physicians Life; and
• Peter Schaefer, President & CEO, Hannover Re.

Serving on the ACLI Board of Directors through 2027 are:

• Gary C. Bhojwani, CEO, CNO Financial;
• Scott Davison, Chairman, President & CEO, OneAmerica;
• Caroline Feeney, Executive Vice President, Head of U.S. Businesses, Prudential Financial;
• Tim Gerend, President, Northwestern Mutual;
• Grant Kvalheim, CEO & President, Athene USA;
• Heather Lavallee, CEO, Voya Financial;
• Richard McKenney, President & CEO, Unum;
• Zarifa Brown Reynolds, President & CEO, Royal Neighbors of America; and
• Ramy Tadros, President, U.S. Business, MetLife.