10 CHROs in Insurance
Insurance CHROs and chief people officers here range from two whose five shown roles all sit at one carrier, Selective and Amerisure, to others whose records include HR work at GE, Verizon and Accenture. Three are based outside the US, in the UK, Tokyo and Hong Kong, so the group fits an insurer weighing a reward redesign, a technology-driven reshaping of its workforce, or HR for operations in Asia.
Professionals to explore
Claudette Byers
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Manulife
Based in Tokyo, Claudette Byers has been Chief Human Resources Officer at Manulife since September 2021, following Executive Officer and Head of Human Resources at AXA (2020-2021). Earlier titles include Regional Senior Director, Human Resources Japan, Korea and Micronesia at Hilton (2019-2020), Director, Statutory Executive Officer and Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Japan at MetLife Japan (2012-2019), and Member of The Board, Chief Operating Officer, Japan at The Hartford (2008-2012). Claudette is the pick for HR at insurers in Japan.
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Cyndi Bennett, CCP, SPHR
LinkedInExperience: EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer · Selective Insurance
Cyndi Bennett, CCP, SPHR has been EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer at Selective Insurance since November 2020, after VP, Compensation, Benefits, and HRIS (2013-2020), VP, Compensation & Benefits (2012-2013), VP, Compensation (2009-2012) and AVP, Compensation (2006-2009) there. Cyndi describes over 30 years of HR work in insurance. That compensation background suits questions on pay structures for underwriting and claims roles.
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Denise Lowsley
LinkedInExperience: EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer · The Hanover Insurance Group
Denise Lowsley holds EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer at The Hanover Insurance Group (since October 2019) and was Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Navigators, a Brand of The Hartford, from 2009 to 2019. Earlier, Denise Lowsley was International Vice President at New York Life (2007-2009) and held two Liberty Mutual Insurance HR manager roles, International Human Resource Manager (2003-2007) and Human Resource Manager, Liberty Surety (2001-2003). Two CHRO roles at carriers make Denise a fit for questions on the job itself.
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Erin Buddie, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Amerisure Insurance
Erin Buddie, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, has been Chief Human Resources Officer at Amerisure Insurance since November 2023, and all five shown roles are there: Vice President Human Resources (2020-2023), Assistant Vice President, Human Resources (2018-2020), Director, Human Resources Operations (2016-2018) and Manager, Human Resources Consulting & Recruiting (2015-2016). Erin fits questions on HR operations and recruiting inside a single carrier.
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Jane Storm
LinkedInExperience: Chief People Officer · Aviva
Jane Storm moved from Chief People Officer at Direct Line Group (January to September 2025) to the same title at Aviva in October 2025. Earlier, Jane Storm was Group People Director at easyJet (2023-2024), Group Chief People Officer at Saga plc. (2019-2023) and Chief People Officer at Connect Group PLC (2017-2019), and Jane describes working with executive teams and Plc boards across insurance, travel and retail. Jane fits questions on the people agenda at a UK insurer.
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Jennifer Palmieri
LinkedInExperience: Former EVP, Chief People Officer · Westfield Insurance
Jennifer Palmieri was EVP, Chief People Officer at Westfield Insurance from 2020 to 2026 and has been Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Transamerica since June 2026. At The Cigna Group, Jennifer Palmieri was Senior Vice President & Human Resources Officer (Multiple Leadership Roles) from 2004 to 2020 and Talent Acquisition Specialist from 1998 to 2000, with Sr. Management Consultant at ManpowerGroup (2000-2004). Jennifer describes advising CEOs and boards in highly regulated organizations, which fits board and governance questions.
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Jenny Chan
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · Mercury Insurance
Jenny Chan is Chief Human Resources Officer at Mercury Insurance (since January 2026), following Chief People Officer at Arctera (2024-2025). Earlier Accenture titles were Chief Human Resources Officer Managing Director (2016-2022), Global Head of Health and Well-being Managing Director (2022-2024) and Global HR Transformation Change Management Lead Managing Director (2023-2024). The HR transformation and well-being titles make Jenny useful for an insurer modernizing its HR operating model.
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Julie Chow
LinkedInExperience: Group Chief Human Resources Officer · FWD Insurance
In Hong Kong, Julie Chow is Group Chief Human Resources Officer at FWD Insurance (since March 2023), following Group Chief Total Rewards and HR Operations Officer (2022-2023) and Group Head of Rewards & HR Solutions (2017-2021) at FWD. Earlier, Julie Chow was Regional Head of Performance Management and Reward, APAC at Zurich Insurance (2013-2017) and Reward Technical Partner at RBS (2006-2013). Julie suits questions on reward design for an insurer across Asia.
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Karyn Stetz
LinkedInExperience: Chief Human Resources Officer · GEICO
Chief Human Resources Officer at GEICO since January 2025, Karyn Stetz describes driving people strategy and culture through GEICO's business and technology transformation in partnership with the CEO and COO. Earlier Verizon titles were SVP, Human Resources - Verizon Business Group (2018-2024), VP roles for Global Network Technology (2016-2018) and Consumer Business (2012-2016), and Executive Director - Total Rewards (2007-2012). Karyn suits questions on reshaping an insurer's workforce during a technology overhaul.
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Kelly Doran Lafnitzegger
LinkedInExperience: Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources & Diversity Officer · AIG
Kelly Doran Lafnitzegger has been Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources & Diversity Officer at AIG since June 2024, following Business Separation Leader at GE (2022-2024). Earlier GE titles include HR Leader, GE Gas Power (2019-2022), HR Leader, GE Power (2014-2018) and HR Leader, GE Transportation (2013-2014). The separation role makes Kelly a fit for people questions when an insurer splits off or sells a business.
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Choose the right perspective
For pay and rewards design, Cyndi Bennett and Julie Chow have compensation and rewards titles on their records, and Karyn Stetz held a total rewards role at Verizon. Karyn Stetz and Kelly Doran Lafnitzegger fit transformation and separation questions, Claudette Byers, Julie Chow and Jane Storm cover markets outside the US, and Denise Lowsley and Erin Buddie suit questions on the CHRO seat at a US carrier. Jennifer Palmieri left Westfield Insurance in 2026, so treat what Jennifer says about Westfield as past practice.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you build pay and career paths that keep underwriters and claims staff from leaving for competitors?
- 02What changes in the HR plan when an insurer moves claims and policy work onto new technology?
- 03How does running HR for an insurer in Japan or Hong Kong differ from running it in the US or UK?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.