(Image source: CNO Financial Group website.)
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (Carmel, Ind.) has announced the appointment of Karen DeToro as president, Worksite Division and Jeremy Williams as chief actuary, effective January 1, 2024. DeToro and Williams will report to Gary C. Bhojwani, CEO.
Gary C. Bhojwani, CEO, CNO Financial Group.
DeToro, currently CNO’s chief actuary, is a seasoned insurance and financial services industry leader with nearly 30 years of experience in strategy, individual and group insurance product management, technology enablement, actuarial and finance, a CNO statement notes. She succeeds Michael Byers, who is retiring from CNO early next year.
“In the past several years, CNO expanded our Worksite offerings as a comprehensive provider of personalized employee benefits solutions,” comments Bhojwani. “Karen’s appointment to lead our Worksite Division reflects her strong leadership, deep knowledge of CNO’s businesses and strong understanding of the employee benefits and voluntary benefits space. As we continue to evolve our Worksite business, Karen’s track record of solid execution and supporting profitable growth will position us to further advance our strategic Worksite priorities.”
Michael B. Byers, President, Worksite Division, CNO Financial Group.
“I thank Mike for his many contributions to CNO,” adds Bhojwani. “He has played a significant role in unifying our Worksite capabilities and successfully launching our Optavise brand in 2022. CNO’s Worksite business remains well-positioned to support our national and regional employers, brokers and career agents. We wish Mike continued success in retirement.”
Williams, who joined CNO in 2003, has held several actuarial senior leadership roles during his nearly 20-year career with the company. He was most recently the company’s senior vice president of valuation.
Deep Understanding of CNO’s Products and Customers
“Jeremy brings a deep understanding of CNO’s products and customers to the chief actuary role, including significant experience in our life, health and annuity lines of business,” comments Bhojwani. “His nearly 25 years of well-rounded actuarial experience and strong business acumen will only enhance our robust capabilities to deliver products and solutions designed especially for our middle-income consumers and worksite clients.”
Karen DeToro, Chief Actuary, CNO Financial Group.
In his new role, Williams will become part of the company’s Executive Leadership Group. DeToro has been a member since joining CNO in 2019.
DeToro has served as CNO’s chief actuary since 2019. She has nearly 30 years of experience in insurance, financial services and consulting, having previously held roles at New York Life, Deloitte Consulting, Allstate Financial and EY. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and English literature from Butler University and her MBA with a concentration in finance, managerial economics, strategy and organizational behavior from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
Williams, currently CNO’s senior vice president of valuation, joined CNO in 2003. During his time with the company, he has held several roles of increasing responsibility, including vice president of life and annuity valuation and vice president of health valuation and projection. He began his career in 1999 as an actuary with American General Finance. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from the University of Southern Indiana. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), a member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA) and a Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst (CERA).