(Mindi Work, SVP and chief strategy officer, Symetra Life Insurance Company. Source: Business Wire.)

Symetra Life Insurance Company (Bellevue, Wash.) has announced the appointment of Mindi Work to SVP, chief of strategy, a new role for the organization. Work will lead the company’s corporate strategic planning process, working closely with members of the Symetra Leadership Team. She reports to Tommie Brooks, EVP and chief financial officer and is based in Symetra’s Bellevue headquarters.

“Symetra is intensely focused on realizing our vision to empower customers and partners by delivering the products, services and tools they’re looking for in a rapidly evolving world,” comments Margaret Meister, president and CEO, Symetra Financial Corporation. “This requires a deliberate, systematic approach to developing and executing our business strategy. The chief of strategy role will be a tremendous resource for seeing across our enterprise and driving a more holistic and effective strategic planning process. Mindi’s demonstrated leadership, business acumen, company insight and collaborative approach uniquely qualify her for this critical role.”

Work joined Symetra in 2006 from Ernst & Young. Since then she has played a key part in several significant corporate initiatives, including the articulation of Symetra’s long-term vision and strategic plan, according to a company statement. Most recently VP of Finance, Work had responsibility for aspects of financial reporting, accounting policy, management reporting, financial planning and analysis, financial operations, and investment operations, accounting and reporting. In this role, she led the company’s SEC reporting team during the its initial public offering in 2010 and was involved in the accounting for Symetra’s 2016 acquisition by Sumitomo Life.

Work earned a Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) from the University of Washington, and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Seattle University. She is a certified public accountant (CPA).

In addition to Work’s appointment, Symetra announced the promotions of three divisional executives to senior vice president:

Phil Bouvier, SVP, Sales and Marketing, Individual Life
Based in Symetra’s Waltham, Massachusetts office, Bouvier leads all sales and marketing activities for individual life insurance products and is responsible for driving the expansion of Symetra’s life distribution outlets, including brokerage general agencies and independent life professionals. Bouvier joined the company in July 2011 as VP, Life Insurance Sales. He previously served as national VP, Individual Insurance Division at Sun Life Financial in Boston, and spent 15 years at John Hancock Life Insurance Company in a variety of sales and management positions. Bouvier graduated from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a Bachelor of Arts in history.

Dennis Brewer, SVP and Senior Actuary, Benefits Division
Based in Symetra’s Enfield, Connecticut office, Brewer is responsible for actuarial, data management and analytics for the Benefits Division, as well as product for the group life, disability and voluntary business. He joined Symetra in 2014 as assistant VP, senior actuary, leading the group life and disability pricing team. Brewer’s 30-year insurance industry career spans positions in pricing, valuation, metrics and data management at The Hartford. He attended the University of Connecticut, from which he received a bachelor’s degree in actuarial sciences.

Andrew Farrell, SVP, Retirement Distribution

Based in Symetra’s Bellevue, Washington headquarters, Farrell was most recently VP, national sales manager, with responsibility for the Retirement Division’s internal and external sales teams, and the relationship management team. He also serves as president of Symetra Securities Inc., the company’s broker-dealer. Farrell joined Symetra in 2010 as assistant VP, director of Retirement Sales, and was promoted to VP in 2011. He joined Symetra from MassMutual Financial Group, where he had most recently been director of Retirement Sales. He is a graduate of Regis University in Denver, Colorado.

“Symetra is fortunate to have a strong, experienced bench of leaders who have consistently demonstrated an ability to grow and pivot with the needs of the company. These promotions recognize the significant contributions and expanded responsibilities of four seasoned leaders as we continue to advance Symetra’s goals and realize our strategic vision,” said comments Meister.

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