Clear Path Analysis
Register to Attend

DECEMBER 5, 2024 | NEW YORK CITY, NY

The confirmed speaker line-up for the Insurance Investor Live | North America 2024 summit is coming soon.

If you would like to enrol your interest in speaking at a future event, please contact Maya Sibul at mayasibul@clearpathanalysis.com

Adam Gileski

ADAM GILESKI

Director, Public Fixed Income, Swiss Re

Adam Gileski is deputy head for public spread product for Swiss Re's asset-management division, with particular responsibility for overseeing North America-focused, predominantly externally managed mandates in corporates, municipals and non-agency securitized products. Armed with a two-decade background in debt origination and credit analysis, Adam ran insurance portfolios at Goldman Sachs Asset Management and the New York State Insurance Fund for eight years before joining Swiss Re in 2022. Adam lived in London for more than ten years of his professional life and holds dual citizenship (US/UK).

My session title:

  • ASSET ALLOCATION & INVESTMENT STRATEGY - PANEL DISCUSSION: Are we seeing a market rotation in response to the market landscape: time to invest in risk assets or is it a period to sit on the side lines – what is the data telling us? : 2:55 PM - 3:35 PM
Amit Agrawal

AMIT AGRAWAL

Head of Fixed Income, AXA XL

Mr. Agrawal is currently the Head of Fixed Income & Alternatives overseeing AXA XL’s $40 billion Fixed Income portfolio.  He joined AXA XL (formerly called XL Catlin) in November 2016 as a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for AXA XL’s overall duration strategy and oversight of their government and emerging market investments. 

Before joining AXA XL, Mr. Agrawal worked at PineBridge Investments from 2002-2016 as a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Fixed Income group, responsible for managing government/credit bond funds, inflation funds and preferred equity portfolios.  Prior to PineBridge, Mr. Agrawal worked with MetLife as a Portfolio Manager and Corporate Bond Strategist. His responsibilities included developing quantitative and relative value tools, portfolio strategy, credit derivatives, and risk management.  Prior to that, he was an Economist at Moody's Investors Service. 

Mr. Agrawal received an MBA in Finance from City University of New York and a BE in Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology in India.

My session title:

  • TREASURY, CAPITAL, & LIQUIDITY RISK - PANEL DISCUSSION: How are global insurers exposed to multiple currencies and rapidly changing rates maintaining liquidity, risk and stability : 2:55 PM - 3:35 PM
Angie Cantillon

ANGIE CANTILLON

Vice President, Investments and Corporate Treasury, The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

Angela Cantillon is currently Vice President, Investments and Enterprise Treasury for Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, a Canadian P&C company. She is responsible for co-leading the management of $7 billion of enterprise-wide invested assets in addition to leading the enterprise-wide Treasury function. Prior to joining Wawanesa, she was an Associate Partner at Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting. While at Aon, she managed the Chicago hedge fund team and was responsible for working with a number of large institutional clients on the construction of direct hedge fund portfolios. Prior to Aon Hewitt, Angela held a number of roles as both a consultant and allocator.

She holds a MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a B.S. degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University. She is a CFA charter holder, a CAIA charter holder, and is a member of the CFA Society of Chicago. Additionally, she volunteers her time with the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, is an active volunteer at her son’s primary school and has held various volunteer roles in community organizations on the Northwest side of Chicago.

My session title:

  • ASSET ALLOCATION & INVESTMENT STRATEGY - FIRESIDE CHAT: How climate change is affecting decisions made by insurers : 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM
Brian Butchko

BRIAN BUTCHKO

Senior Vice President, Head of Global Portfolio Management, Reinsurance Group of America

My session title:

  • ASSET ALLOCATION & INVESTMENT STRATEGY - PANEL DISCUSSION: Are we seeing a market rotation in response to the market landscape: time to invest in risk assets or is it a period to sit on the side lines – what is the data telling us? : 2:55 PM - 3:35 PM
Brian Manczak

BRIAN MANCZAK

Senior Managing Director, Portfolio Manager and Head of Insurance Solutions, Jackson National Life Insurance Company

Brian Manczak is a senior managing director, portfolio manager and head of insurance solutions on the fixed income team at PPM America, Inc. (PPM). He is responsible for overseeing the management of Jackson National Life Insurance Company’s general account and is responsible for asset allocation, capital management, risk management and the evaluation of new asset classes for the general account. Additionally, Brian is a portfolio manager for the Jackson National Life Insurance Company’s investment grade corporate bond portfolio. Previously, he was a senior member of PPM’s investment grade private credit team.
Prior to joining PPM in 2008, Brian worked in the investment banking department at Lehman Brothers and began his career at
Arthur Andersen. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Miami University (Ohio). He is a CFA® charterholder.

My session title:

  • ASSET ALLOCATION & INVESTMENT STRATEGY - PANEL DISCUSSION: Are we seeing a market rotation in response to the market landscape: time to invest in risk assets or is it a period to sit on the side lines – what is the data telling us? : 2:55 PM - 3:35 PM
Chris Brown

CHRIS BROWN

Head of the Securitized Products, Portfolio Manager, T. Rowe Price

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Looking ahead to 2024: How insurance investment strategies are adapting against the backdrop of conflicting macro versus micro data, and the state of the commercial real estate debt and equity space and geopolitical trends impacting emerging market investments : 4:30 PM - 5:10 PM
Craig Dewling

CRAIG DEWLING

Managing Director & Co-Chief Investment Officer, PGIM Fixed Income

Craig Dewling is a Managing Director and Co-Chief Investment Officer of PGIM Fixed Income. In this role, Mr. Dewling has oversight of Credit, Developed Market Rates, Agency MBS, Money Markets, Securities Lending, Insurance Strategies, and Portfolio Management within PGIM Investment Management of Japan. Prior to this role, Mr. Dewling was the Deputy Chief Investment Officer at PGIM Fixed Income. He has specialized in mortgage-backed securities since 1991. Earlier, he was a taxable bond generalist for the Firm's proprietary accounts, specializing in U.S. Treasuries and agencies. Mr. Dewling joined the Firm in 1987 in the Securities Systems Group. He received a BS in Quantitative Business Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University and an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University.

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Exposure management: How insurers are steering their portfolios in the face of multiple, concurrent market, and economic challenges : 9:50 AM - 10:35 AM
Daniel Schmidt, CFA

DANIEL SCHMIDT, CFA

Director, Investment Product Specialist, MFS Investment Management

Daniel Schmidt, CFA, is a director and investment product specialist for MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In this role, he communicates investment policy, strategy and tactics; performs portfolio analysis; and leads product development.

Daniel joined the firm in 2019 in his current role. He previously worked at Fidelity Investments for seven years, most recently as a vice president, managing the fixed income and real estate product team and covering the institutional High Income strategies. Prior to that, he served as a senior associate at State Street for two years and as an asset management analyst at John Hancock for three years. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2008.

Daniel earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance from Bryant University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Society Boston

My session title:

  • TALKING TABLE WORKSHOPS - Workshop led by MFS Investment Management on 'Emerging Market Debt Investing for Insurers' : 11:55 AM - 1:20 PM
George Fikaris

GEORGE FIKARIS

Managing Director, EnTrust Global

George Fikaris is a Managing Director at EnTrust Global and serves as an Investment Analyst for the firm’s Blue Ocean strategy. Mr. Fikaris joined the firm as a Managing Director in May 2019 and has 18 years of experience in the industry. Before joining the firm, Mr. Fikaris was a Vice President of Finance at Gener8 Maritime Inc., where he was responsible for investor relations and business development. Mr. Fikaris also worked at Jefferies as an investment banker covering the maritime industry, and at CIT Bank, where he helped build the maritime loan portfolio. Mr. Fikaris holds an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and a BS in Business Administration from The College of New Jersey.

My session title:

  • TALKING TABLE WORKSHOPS - Workshop led by Entrust Global on Maritime Finance : 11:55 AM - 1:20 PM
Justin Muzinich

JUSTIN MUZINICH

Former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, United States of America, Chief Executive Officer, Muzinich & Co.

Justin Muzinich served as the US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury from 2018-2021, with broad responsibility for US economic policy. While Deputy Secretary, Justin was also responsible for the roles of Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial. 

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Exposure management: How insurers are steering their portfolios in the face of multiple, concurrent market, and economic challenges : 9:50 AM - 10:35 AM
Laura Sarlo

LAURA SARLO

Emerging Markets Portfolio Manager, Liberty Mutual Insurance

Laura Sarlo is the Emerging Markets Portfolio Manager at Liberty Mutual Investments (LMI), managing hard currency emerging markets bond portfolios as well as local currency portfolios supporting Liberty’s global operations. Laura joined LMI from Loomis, Sayles & Company, where she worked on global portfolios as a sovereign analyst, managed a multi-asset portfolio, and served as a senior member of the firm’s macro strategies team. Laura began her career as a trader and analyst on the foreign exchange and Treasury open market desks at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Laura is active in investment and insurance industry groups and currently serves as US Chair of the Executive Board for the Insurance Women’s Investment Network. She holds a BA from Drew University, a Master’s degree from the Harvard Kennedy School, and is a CFA charterholder.

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Looking ahead to 2024: How insurance investment strategies are adapting against the backdrop of conflicting macro versus micro data, and the state of the commercial real estate debt and equity space and geopolitical trends impacting emerging market investments : 4:30 PM - 5:10 PM
Michael Hackmann

MICHAEL HACKMANN

VP of Fixed Income, Shelter Insurance

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Looking ahead to 2024: How insurance investment strategies are adapting against the backdrop of conflicting macro versus micro data, and the state of the commercial real estate debt and equity space and geopolitical trends impacting emerging market investments : 4:30 PM - 5:10 PM
Mike Huff

MIKE HUFF

Senior Portfolio Management & Asset Allocation, TIAA

Mike is a Portfolio Manager for TIAA’s $300 Billion General Account investment portfolio.  His responsibilities include portfolio management, asset allocation, management of derivatives and hedging programs, currency risk management, and portfolio ALM.  Mike also leads TIAA’s capital markets activities including spread lending programs and debt management.

Before joining TIAA, Mike was an Investment Risk Manager at Genworth Financial where he was responsible for asset/liability management, derivatives risk oversight and counterparty credit risk.  At Genworth, Mike was also a derivative trader responsible for developing hedging strategies and trading interest rate swaps, futures, and equity options.  Prior to Genworth, Mike worked for Principal Financial Group and managed a portfolio of structured products and derivatives.

Mike holds a BS in industrial engineering from University of Michigan and an MBA in finance from University of Illinois.  He is a CFA Charterholder and a Professional Risk Manager (PRM).

My session title:

  • ASSET ALLOCATION & INVESTMENT STRATEGY - PANEL DISCUSSION: Are we seeing a market rotation in response to the market landscape: time to invest in risk assets or is it a period to sit on the side lines – what is the data telling us? : 2:55 PM - 3:35 PM
Milla Tonkonogy

MILLA TONKONOGY

Chief Investment Officer, General Insurance (P&C) North America, AIG

Milla Tonkonogy is the Chief Investment Officer for General Insurance North America at AIG, a global  multinational insurance corporation. Milla joined AIG in 2014 and is responsible for allocation strategies and manager oversight for ~$60B of fixed income, alternative and equity investments for the AIG Property and Casualty insurance companies located in the US, Bermuda and Canada. Milla is an officer and the Deputy CIO of 16 GI US insurance companies and sits on several investment committees at AIG. 

Prior to joining AIG, Milla was responsible for global asset strategies and manager oversight for a ~$6B portfolio of fixed income investments for American Express and was part of the core team responsible for developing the Federal Reserve macroeconomic stress testing program for the investment portfolio.  

Milla began her career in consulting and holds a BA in Economics from The Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon.  

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Exposure management: How insurers are steering their portfolios in the face of multiple, concurrent market, and economic challenges : 9:50 AM - 10:35 AM
  • ASSET ALLOCATION & INVESTMENT STRATEGY - FIRESIDE CHAT: How climate change is affecting decisions made by insurers : 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM (Moderator)
Moshe Lichtenstein

MOSHE LICHTENSTEIN

Chief Investment Officer, Converge US

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Looking ahead to 2024: How insurance investment strategies are adapting against the backdrop of conflicting macro versus micro data, and the state of the commercial real estate debt and equity space and geopolitical trends impacting emerging market investments : 4:30 PM - 5:10 PM
Nelson A. Pereira

NELSON A. PEREIRA

Investment Director, Insurance, Mercer

Nelson Pereira is a Principal at Mercer in the GBS Wealth Alternatives group.  As an Investment Director for alternatives; he services Mercer’s discretionary and advisory U.S. insurance client base, providing private market research and guidance across alternative asset classes.  He holds a BA in Economics from the University of Connecticut and a MS in Finance from Georgetown University.

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Exposure management: How insurers are steering their portfolios in the face of multiple, concurrent market, and economic challenges : 9:50 AM - 10:35 AM (Moderator)
  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Looking ahead to 2024: How insurance investment strategies are adapting against the backdrop of conflicting macro versus micro data, and the state of the commercial real estate debt and equity space and geopolitical trends impacting emerging market investments : 4:30 PM - 5:10 PM (Moderator)
Pooja Rahman

POOJA RAHMAN

Chief Risk Officer, Transamerica

My session title:

  • TREASURY, CAPITAL, & LIQUIDITY RISK - FIRESIDE CHAT: As risks continue to rise for insurers, how are they positioning themselves to take on the challenges on the horizon? : 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM
Ralph Berkien

RALPH BERKIEN

Client Portfolio Manager and Head, Fixed Income Investment Specialists, Robeco

Ralph Berkien is a Quant Fixed Income Client Portfolio Manager at Robeco. Previously, he held positions of Product Manager, Marketing Director and Investment Advisor within the same company. Ralph started his career in the investment industry in 2002. He holds a master's degree in investment management from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, a bachelor's degree in international business administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam and he is a certified European financial analyst.

My session title:

  • KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Factor investing in credit investing: achieving capital efficiency and style diversification : 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM
Rich Jacobson

RICH JACOBSON

Managing Director, Golub Capital

Mr. Jacobson joined Golub Capital in 2014 and is a Managing Director in the Business Development group. He is responsible for managing existing and new client relationships across all investment offerings for the Firm. Prior to joining Golub Capital, Mr. Jacobson worked at Stern Capital, a private investment firm, where he led the firm's expansion into private debt and equity transactions. Prior to this position, Mr. Jacobson served as a Managing Director and one of four partners overseeing Indosuez Capital’s Merchant Banking group, where he was a member of the Investment Committee and oversaw the group’s origination and structuring of senior loans, mezzanine debt and private equity co-investments. Prior to that, Mr. Jacobson was an Associate in the law firm of Jacobs, Persinger and Parker, where he drafted documents relating to acquisitions, joint ventures, private placements, leveraged buyouts and debt financings. Mr. Jacobson earned his BA degree cum laude in English and Sociology from Tulane University. He received an MBA from the Columbia Business School and a JD from American University’s Washington College of Law.

My session title:

  • ASSET ALLOCATION & INVESTMENT STRATEGY - KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Opportunities in Private Credit: The Case for Middle Market Lending : 2:25 PM - 2:55 PM
Robert Burke

ROBERT BURKE

Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, MacKay Shields

Bob joined MacKay Shields in July 2017. Before joining the firm, Bob held various leadership roles in Capital Markets over the last 30 years, spending the majority of his time in the Municipal Markets. In his last role working for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, he managed the Global Futures, Derivative Clearing, and Foreign Exchange Prime Brokerage businesses for the Bank. Prior to that, Bob ran Credit Hedge Fund Sales, the group that was responsible for marketing credit & interest rate derivatives, as well as CLOs and structured products to institutional investors. He also worked in the firm’s private equity group, raising capital for LBO and venture capital funds. Bob started his career at BofA Merrill Lynch in the municipal bond department covering insurance, hedge fund, and asset management clients. Bob holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Gabelli School at Fordham University, and a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in Economics from Colgate University. He is a CFA Charterholder. He has been in the financial services industry since 1985.

My session title:

  • TALKING TABLE WORKSHOPS - Workshop led by MacKay Shields on 'The Case For Public Fixed Income for Insurers' : 11:55 AM - 1:20 PM
Sean Barnes

SEAN BARNES

VP of Finance, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Investment Officer, United Educators

Sean Barnes provides financial and administrative leadership to United Educators (UE), optimizing investment returns, providing financial insights, and ensuring UE retains its standing as a top workplace. 

Sean oversees UE’s investment portfolio, finance, accounting, treasury, human resources, and facility management. He also co-leads the company’s strategic planning to drive organizational efficiencies. 

Prior to joining UE in 2018, Sean was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Assure Holding Corporation. In that role, he modernized and transitioned all finance and accounting functions to the headquarters office and supported the company’s capital raising activities. 

Sean draws from a wealth of experience in corporate finance and accounting. His previous roles across diverse industries included responsibility for SEC reporting, consolidations, general accounting, and mergers and acquisitions. He began his career at Johnson Lambert & Co. LLP, specializing in the audits of property casualty insurance companies. 

In addition, Sean serves on the legislative committee of the Vermont Captive Insurance Association. 

Sean has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from James Madison University and a master’s in business administration from George Mason University. He is a certified public accountant in Virginia and has completed The Institutes’ Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance program. 

The married father of two lives in Vienna, Va., and enjoys running, golfing, and spending time at the beach. 

My session title:

  • TREASURY, CAPITAL, & LIQUIDITY RISK - PANEL DISCUSSION: How are global insurers exposed to multiple currencies and rapidly changing rates maintaining liquidity, risk and stability : 2:55 PM - 3:35 PM
Stephanie Thomes

STEPHANIE THOMES

Senior Investment Consultant, Insurance Practice, Mercer

Stephanie Thomes is a Senior Investment Consultant within the U.S. Insurance Practice at Mercer.  Her expertise includes investment and risk strategy, alternatives, asset allocation, and capital efficient investing for general accounts. Prior to joining Mercer in 2023, Stephanie was the Head of Investment Strategy and the Head of Alternative Investments for Allianz Investment Management across a $150b GA. She formerly worked in asset management for companies including AB Carval Investors and Black River Asset Management, and was a Controller for a technology start-up company. Stephanie currently serves on the Foundation Board and Investment Committee for the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota, and was a prior member of the Advisory Board for OWNS; an impact ETF focused on equality in minority home ownership.

Stephanie received her B.S. in finance and economics from St. Cloud University and her MBA in finance from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School. 

My session title:

  • ASSET ALLOCATION & INVESTMENT STRATEGY - PANEL DISCUSSION: Are we seeing a market rotation in response to the market landscape: time to invest in risk assets or is it a period to sit on the side lines – what is the data telling us? : 2:55 PM - 3:35 PM (Moderator)
Thomas Hoenig

THOMAS HOENIG

Distinguished Senior Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University & former-President, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Thomas Hoenig is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Prior to joining the Mercatus Center, Mr. Hoenig served as Vice Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from 2012 until 2018. In that capacity, he oversaw FDIC operations and policy related to deposit insurance pricing, bank supervision, and financial stability and bank resolution. He served as Director of NeighborWorks America, which was established by Congress in 1978 to address housing issues nationwide. He also served as a member of the International Association of Deposit Insurers’ board from 2012 to 2017, and as the President and Chairman from October 2015 to October 2017.


Previously, Mr. Hoenig was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and a member of the Federal Reserve System's Federal Open Market Committee from 1991 to 2011. Mr. Hoenig was with the Federal Reserve for 38 years, beginning as an economist and then as a senior officer in banking supervision. As President and Chief Executive Officer, he led the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City during the Great Recession and the banking crisis of 2008 and 2009.


During his time with the Federal Reserve, Mr. Hoenig chaired several key committees including the Conference of Presidents, the Committee on Bank Supervision, Regulation and Legislation, and the Information Technology Oversight Committee. Also, during his tenure Mr. Hoenig organized and hosted the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Jackson Hole economic symposium for global central bankers. 


Mr. Hoenig is from Fort Madison, Iowa and received a doctorate in economics from Iowa State University.

My session title:

  • KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Monetary and Fiscal Policies: Short and Long Run Outlook : 9:05 AM - 9:50 AM
Thomas Holzheu

THOMAS HOLZHEU

Chief Economist, Americas, Swiss Re

As Chief Economist for the Americas, Thomas is responsible for the Swiss Re Institute’s economic and insurance market research for the Americas. This includes the sigma studies — Swiss Re’s research series on the insurance industry. Thomas and his team support Swiss Re’s strategic planning on market developments, the economic environment, innovation and regulatory factors affecting insurance and reinsurance markets in the Americas. His research focuses on the relationships between the general economy, capital markets and the insurance and reinsurance markets. Thomas is the author of many research studies on trends in the worldwide insurance industries, covering a broad range of topics including resilience and protection gaps, innovation and insurability, insurance cycles, the impact of inflation on insurance, liability claims drivers, etc. He publishes and speaks frequently on economic, insurance and risk-related topics. Thomas joined the Swiss Re Group in 1990 and has worked in Germany and Switzerland and the US. Prior experiences include marketing services, treaty underwriting, corporate development and competitor analysis. Thomas graduated from the University of Munich with a M.S. and a Ph.D. in economics.

My session title:

  • KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Making sense of headlines: The Fed, geopolitics, the economy, and more… : 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Victor Palacios

VICTOR PALACIOS

Senior Manager, Investments & Treasury, EY

Victor Palacios is a Senior Manager within EY’s Investment and Treasury Services practice.  He advises financial services organizations on a variety of topics surrounding Treasury, including operations, cash management and forecasting, liquidity management, bank management, and treasury system design and implementation. 

Since joining EY, Victor has focused on providing strategic support to Insurance companies in improving cash operations, forecasting processes and methodology, automation, and resource management.  In this role he has assisted many life and P&C insurance firms in automating its treasury function with a focus on unlocking trapped cash and improving visibility into available cash.

Prior to joining EY in 2019, Victor spent over 10 years working for various life and P&C insurance companies focused on Treasury.

My session title:

  • TREASURY, CAPITAL, & LIQUIDITY RISK - KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Accessing liquidity in a market where cash is drying up : 2:25 PM - 2:55 PM
  • TREASURY, CAPITAL, & LIQUIDITY RISK - PANEL DISCUSSION: How are global insurers exposed to multiple currencies and rapidly changing rates maintaining liquidity, risk and stability : 2:55 PM - 3:35 PM (Moderator)
Xiaowei Han

XIAOWEI HAN

Vice President, Head of ALM , TIAA

Xiaowei Han joined TIAA as the Head of ALM in Feb 2019. She leads the Asset Liability Management function and the construction of economic capital framework. Before joining TIAA, Xiaowei had worked in Transamerica since 2008 with experience in variable annuities, fixed annuities, universal life, retirement & pension, and institutional business. During her time in Transamerica, Xiaowei led the universal life valuation and modelling function. She also headed the Enterprise ALM function which focuses on holistic hedging/ALM management, General Account asset and derivative modelling, and aggregated ALM reporting across all lines of business. Prior to this role, she was a Financial Risk Manager who was responsible for identifying financial risk in ALM/Hedging strategies, modelling and pricing to the annuities, retirement, and institutional business. Her other experience included managing General Account ALM for annuities, retirement, and institutional business, designing and building Variable Annuity hedge strategies as well as Variable and Fixed Annuity Statutory Reporting.

Xiaowei holds a Master of Science degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa, a Master of Science degree in Physical Chemistry from Nanjing University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Nanjing University. She holds the following designations: Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), Chartered Financial Analyst

(CFA®) charter holder, and Member of American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).

My session title:

  • PANEL DISCUSSION: Exposure management: How insurers are steering their portfolios in the face of multiple, concurrent market, and economic challenges : 9:50 AM - 10:35 AM
Zach Goodman

ZACH GOODMAN

Partner, EY

Zach Goodman is a Partner in the Financial Accounting Advisory Services practice of Ernst & Young LLP.  He advises clients on complex financial instruments (e.g., derivatives and hedging tools, investment instruments) including developing hedging and risk management frameworks and the associated accounting and reporting of such instruments. Zach also leads the operationalization of derivatives and investment products for the firm.

Since joining EY, Zach has specialized in evaluating complex transactions involving derivatives and hedging and other financial instrument topics such as investments relevant to financial institution clients.

Prior to joining EY, Zach was a member of the technical staff at the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, the standard-setting body for GAAP for U.S. state and local governmental entities.

Zach has advised multiple banks, asset managers and insurance companies on operationalizing the use of derivative instruments and other investment products (e.g., fixed income, equities) across people, processes and technology and helps lead the firm’s offerings around derivatives and investment products.

Zach led the LIBOR transition project at a global asset manager across all major workstreams including working with the front office portfolio managers to define and execute on remediation plans and consider impacts across new and existing processes, technology, and operations.

Zach serves as a subject matter advisor for a significant banking industry organization related to derivatives and hedging and financial institution practice issues including investments and fair value.

Zach provides structuring, transaction, and accounting assistance to a wide range of financial institution clients in the derivatives and hedging and investments space, including evaluating complex derivative transactions such as futures, forwards, options, swaptions, credit default swaps, interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps, and total return swaps.

Zach led an enterprise risk and derivatives assessment at a large insurance company across the front, middle and back office. This included assessing the company’s existing enterprise risk management framework and how derivatives fit into it and considering the infrastructure to support interest rate and foreign-currency hedging across the front, middle and back office.

My session title:

  • TREASURY, CAPITAL, & LIQUIDITY RISK - FIRESIDE CHAT: As risks continue to rise for insurers, how are they positioning themselves to take on the challenges on the horizon? : 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM (Moderator)