Thrivent CEO elected ACLI chair for 2026

Teresa (Terry) Rasmussen, president and CEO of Thrivent, was elected chair of the American Council of Life Insurers for 2026, succeeding Rich Bielen, president and CEO of Protective Life. Bielen will serve as ACLI Immediate Past Chair for the coming year.

ACLI members also elected Andrew McMahon, Chairman & CEO of Guardian as Chair-Elect. He will become ACLI Chair in October 2026. Jasmine Jirele, President & CEO of Allianz Life, was named Chair-Elect Designate and will serve as ACLI Chair beginning in October 2027.

The Chair and Board of Directors guide the association’s work to advance policies that address Americans’ financial and retirement security needs.

“Terry is a deeply respected voice in the industry and a long-time supporter of ACLI’s mission. We look forward to her leadership as we advocate on behalf of the 90 million families who look to the life insurance industry for their financial and retirement security needs,” said ACLI President and CEO David Chavern. “The life insurance industry stands alone in making long-term guarantees to millions of Americans, ensuring families and retirees can rely on us for financial and retirement security. With $8 trillion invested in the U.S. economy, our impact goes far beyond individual households—we help fuel growth and stability nationwide.”

“I’m honored to serve as ACLI Chair,” said Rasmussen. “As a Board, we’re committed to protecting families and strengthening retirement security for all Americans. By expanding access to our products, championing guaranteed lifetime income and closing protection gaps, we’ll help more people build confidence in their financial futures and ensure the health of our industry.”

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 Reinsurance;
•           Nick Lane, President, Equitable;
•           Virgil Miller, President, Aflac;
•           Laura Prieskorn, President & 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 Bhojwani, CEO, CNO Financial;
•          Scott Davison, Chairman, President & CEO, OneAmerica;
•          Caroline Feeney, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Retirement and Insurance, Prudential Financial;
•           Tim Gerend, Chairman, President & CEO, Northwestern Mutual;
•            Grant Kvalheim, CEO & President, Athene;
•            Heather Lavallee, CEO, Voya Financial;
•            Rick McKenney, President & CEO, Unum;
•             Zarifa Brown Reynolds, President & CEO, Royal Neighbors of America; and
•             Ramy Tadros, President, U.S. Business, MetLife.

    Serving on the ACLI Board of Directors through 2028 are:

• Roger Crandall, Chairman, President & CEO, MassMutual;
• Kourtney Gibson, CEO, Retirement Solutions, TIAA;
• Todd Gill, President & CEO, United Heritage Life Company;
• Allan Levine, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Global Atlantic Financial Group;
• Margaret Meister, President & CEO, Symetra Financial;
• Jeff Poulin, CEO, Canada Life Re;
• Imran Siddiqui, CEO, Talcott Financial Group;
• Neil Sprackling, CEO, Life & Health Re U.S. Swiss Re; and
• Deanna Strable, Chair, President & CEO, Principal Financial.