Join us as we sit down with Deanna Mulligan, CEO of Purposeful and former CEO of Guardian Life Insurance Company, to uncover her inspiring journey and unwavering passion for helping people. From the profound messages in her bestselling book "Higher Purpose" to the real-world lessons learned during Hurricane Sandy, Deanna reveals how preparing employees for technological changes through education and training is crucial for any business. Reflecting on how these experiences ensured a seamless transition during the COVID-19 pandemic, Deanna emphasizes the vital role of a skilled and motivated workforce ready to face unforeseen challenges.

Deanna also shares her insights on how AI and cloud-native software are set to revolutionize underwriting, product development, and policy administration. Discover the industry's ongoing efforts to reach underserved markets and the innovative approaches to making insurance more accessible and affordable. We also discuss the significant role of women in sales and the importance of fostering a culture of communication, retaining top talent, and encouraging diverse educational backgrounds.

Deanna M. Mulligan, CEO of PURPOSEFUL, draws on her extensive leadership background as former CEO and Chairman of Guardian Life Insurance. She serves as a trusted advisor leveraging her roles as Board Director at Vanguard and DuPont, and previously at ARCH Capital. Deanna also advises Guild Education and other private equity-funded start-ups. Recognized for her influence, she has been listed five times among Fortune's Most Powerful Women and is a noted best-selling author.

About Purposeful: An advisory firm for CEOs and C-level executives focusing on corporate governance, career development, and reskilling.

The What’s Your Ethos podcast is brought to you by Ethos Insurance and is hosted by Ethos’ CEO Peter Colis. In each episode, Peter sits down with some of the life insurance industry’s biggest movers and shakers. You’ll hear them talk through their biggest breakthroughs, business insights, and leadership challenges — and get to know them on a more personal level.

Founded in 2016, Ethos is a technology company providing access to instant, accessible life insurance online. Ethos’ mission is to help millions protect their families with access to simple, affordable life insurance. The company has redesigned the application process from start to finish to ensure the customer always comes first. Ethos offers flexible coverage options, access to valuable online tools, and a team of licensed agents ready to help you through it all. Ethos always puts the customer first.

Discussion points:

• Deanna Mulligan discusses her journey and values, Hurricane Sandy and COVID.
• Deanna's transition from consulting to life insurance industry leadership.
• Hurricane Sandy's wake-up call for tech preparedness.
• Future trends: AI, cloud-native software, and insurance industry transformation.
• Enhancing accessibility and affordability for underserved insurance markets.
• Diverse career paths in insurance, emphasizing women in sales.
• CEO's role in integrating external insights into company strategy.
• Importance of communication and one-on-one interactions for retaining talent.
• Deanna's hobbies and their impact on creativity.
• Final reflections on Deanna's leadership journey and future endeavors.

What if your life insurance policy could actually help you live a longer, healthier life? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Brooks Tingle, CEO of John Hancock, as he reveals how this 162-year-old company is using cutting-edge technology and wellness programs to revolutionize the insurance industry. From the emotional journeys of policyholders to the impact of significant historical events like 9-11, Brooks shares his personal experiences and the lessons that have shaped his mission-driven leadership approach.

Brooks emphasizes how digital adoption and regional diversification provide resilience and growth opportunities, especially in markets spanning the US, Canada, and Asia. He also touches on the revolutionary potential of AI and data in making life insurance more personalized and accessible. Brooks' candid reflections on leadership, innovation, and purpose offer valuable insights for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the evolving world of insurance.

Brooks Tingle is the President and Chief Executive Officer of John Hancock, the U.S. segment of Manulife Financial Corporation based in Toronto. Leading from Boston, he oversees one of the nation's largest life insurers, providing financial products to over ten million Americans, including life insurance and annuities. Mr. Tingle assumed his current role in 2023 after serving as President and CEO of John Hancock Insurance, where he pioneered the innovative John Hancock Vitality program. With a background in marketing, strategy, and operations, he has strengthened the company's capabilities in advanced analytics and customer service. Mr. Tingle holds an MBA from Boston University and a B.A. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire.

The What’s Your Ethos podcast is brought to you by Ethos Insurance and is hosted by Ethos’ CEO Peter Colis. In each episode, Peter sits down with some of the life insurance industry’s biggest movers and shakers. You’ll hear them talk through their biggest breakthroughs, business insights, and leadership challenges — and get to know them on a more personal level.

Founded in 2016, Ethos is a technology company providing access to instant, accessible life insurance online. Ethos’ mission is to help millions protect their families with access to simple, affordable life insurance. The company has redesigned the application process from start to finish to ensure the customer always comes first. Ethos offers flexible coverage options, access to valuable online tools, and a team of licensed agents ready to help you through it all. Ethos always puts the customer first.

Discussion points:

• John Hancock's CEO Brooks Tingle shares insights on modernizing life insurance, his personal journey, and the importance of real customer interactions.
• Integrating wellness incentives into life insurance policies aligns customer and company interests, promoting healthier behaviors.
• John Hancock innovates life insurance with advanced tests, GLP-1 medications, and the Vitality program for improved customer experience.
• Global leadership, digital adoption, diversification, AI, and data are key in driving growth and resilience.
• Vitality overcame skepticism by making data sharing voluntary, transparent, and beneficial, while also simplifying life insurance for underserved markets.
• Effective leadership in the insurance industry: mission, innovation, teamwork; finding meaning and making an impact; balancing ambition and practicality.
• John Hancock's Vitality program benefits policyholders and advisors, and Eth...

How can the traditional world of life insurance adapt and thrive using cutting-edge technology without losing the human touch that clients value?

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Christian Mitchell, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Northwestern Mutual. Christian shares the challenges and innovations reshaping the insurance industry today, along with Northwestern Mutual's efforts to modernize their data infrastructure, focusing on transitioning to a client-centered data model and cleaning up data debt. Acknowledging certain challenges such as change management, Christian emphasizes the importance of design thinking and upskilling employees and advisors.

Leadership and talent retention are critical themes as Christian offers insights into creating a respectful and enjoyable work environment while delivering solutions. He shares strategies for attracting top technology talent and advice for young professionals seeking to develop a broad skill set at the intersection of business and technology.

The What’s Your Ethos podcast is brought to you by Ethos Insurance and is hosted by Ethos’ CEO Peter Colis. In each episode, Peter sits down with some of the life insurance industry’s biggest movers and shakers. You’ll hear them talk through their biggest breakthroughs, business insights, and leadership challenges — and get to know them on a more personal level.

Founded in 2016, Ethos is a technology company providing access to instant, accessible life insurance online. Ethos’ mission is to help millions protect their families with access to simple, affordable life insurance. The company has redesigned the application process from start to finish to ensure the customer always comes first. Ethos offers flexible coverage options, access to valuable online tools, and a team of licensed agents ready to help you through it all. Ethos always puts the customer first.

Discussion points:

• Background and career path to Northwestern Mutual
• Looking into the future - AI will be ‘propulsive’
• Increases in longevity may require new value propositions for core products
• Protect and prosper
• Insurance data models need improvement
• Data debt, privacy, client concerns increasing
• Obstacles at Northwestern Mutual, change management
• Successes
• Talent acquisition - 3000 individuals recruited every year!
• Long-term care is vital coverage that needs development
• Christian’s day-to-day leadership focus
• Non-work topics and interests - vintage guitars, Lake Michigan summers, reading Lord of the Rings in French, advice

Resources:

Christian Mitchell LinkedIn

Northwestern Mutual

Peter Colis LinkedIn

Ethos Life Insurance