Members of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) have elected new leadership during their Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Teresa (Terry) Rasmussen, President and CEO of Thrivent, was chosen as ACLI Chair for 2026. She succeeds Rich Bielen, President and CEO of Protective Life, who will serve as Immediate Past Chair for the coming year.
Andrew McMahon, Chairman and CEO of Guardian, was elected as Chair-Elect and is set to become ACLI Chair in October 2026. Jasmine Jirele, President and CEO of Allianz Life, was named Chair-Elect Designate and will take on the chair role in October 2027.
The new leadership and Board of Directors are tasked with guiding the association’s work to address the financial and retirement security needs of Americans. The life insurance industry provides products and services to 90 million families across the country.
“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.”
The ACLI Board of Directors includes executives from various life insurance and financial companies. Those serving through 2026 are Gumer Alvero (RiverSource Insurance and Annuities, Ameriprise Financial), Mehran Assadi (National Life), Will Fuller (Transamerica), Ronald Herrmann (RGA Reinsurance), Nick Lane (Equitable), Virgil Miller (Aflac), Laura Prieskorn (Jackson), Rob Reed, Jr. (Physicians Life), and Peter Schaefer (Hannover Re). Board members serving through 2027 are Gary Bhojwani (CNO Financial), Scott Davison (OneAmerica), Caroline Feeney (Prudential Financial), Tim Gerend (Northwestern Mutual), Grant Kvalheim (Athene), Heather Lavallee (Voya Financial), Rick McKenney (Unum), Zarifa Brown Reynolds (Royal Neighbors of America), and Ramy Tadros (MetLife). Serving through 2028 are Roger Crandall (MassMutual), Kourtney Gibson (TIAA), Todd Gill (United Heritage Life Company), Allan Levine (Global Atlantic Financial Group), Margaret Meister (Symetra Financial), Jeff Poulin (Canada Life Re), Imran Siddiqui (Talcott Financial Group), Neil Sprackling (Swiss Re), and Deanna Strable (Principal Financial).
ACLI is a trade association representing 275 member companies, accounting for 93 percent of life insurance industry assets in the United States. Its member companies offer a range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and supplemental benefits.
