Securian Financial Announces Leadership Promotions and Transitions

Securian Financial today announced several leadership promotions and transitions to further its strategic priorities.

The company’s three solutions groups—Individual Solutions, Affinity Solutions and Institutional Investors Solutions—have become four, with a new Employee Benefits Solutions group growing out of Affinity Solutions.

Bruce Shay, a 37-year Securian Financial veteran and previously executive vice president of Affinity Solutions, is now executive vice president of Employee Benefits Solutions, and continues reporting to Chris Hilger, chairman, president and CEO. In his new role, Shay leads Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions—the two businesses that comprise the new solutions group—as Securian Financial seeks to advance its market share in the competitive and growing workplace benefits industry.

Sid Gandhi was named senior vice president of Employee Benefits Solutions, reporting to Shay. Previously chief strategy and enterprise technology officer, Gandhi now oversees Group Benefits, the company’s largest business. Since joining Securian Financial in 2010, he has led several major initiatives—including multiple acquisitions and investments in technology, data and analytics that have enabled the company to continue meeting changing customer expectations.

Pete Berlute has been promoted to senior vice president of Enterprise Technology, reporting to Hilger. Currently in his 16^th year with Securian Financial, Berlute has excelled in various finance, operations and technology leadership roles and led several strategic initiatives across the company, most recently as vice president for Enterprise Technology. Berlute now leads all technology and data areas in the company.

Bill Gould has been promoted to executive vice president of Affinity Solutions, reporting to Hilger. Gould’s leadership responsibilities within Securian Financial have grown steadily in his 26 years with the company. He most recently served as senior vice president of Securian Financial’s financial institution and group life businesses. This experience positions him to drive growth in a retooled Affinity Solutions, which serves financial institutions and associations throughout the United States and Canada.

Mark Geldernick has been named vice president of Affinity Solutions, reporting to Gould. Geldernick joined Securian Financial in 2007 and has served as chief risk officer the past three years. He previously provided legal counsel to the company’s financial institution business. Geldernick’s broad knowledge, risk and legal expertise and acquisition experience are instrumental as Securian Financial continues its rapid growth in the North American financial institution and association markets.

Finally, Meagan Phillips has been promoted to chief risk officer, reporting to Warren Zaccaro, Securian Financial executive vice president and chief financial officer. Another 16-year veteran of the company, Phillips led risk and product development projects before transitioning to the company’s corporate actuarial team, where she oversaw asset liability management and product risk for six years. For the past three years, she served as assistant chief risk officer and as a key contributor to Securian Financial’s enterprise risk management governance.

“I am excited about the future of Securian Financial and how these personnel changes position us for success in 2022 and beyond,” said Hilger. “I thank Bruce, Sid, Pete, Bill, Mark and Meagan for their contributions to our company and congratulate them on their new roles.”

ABOUT SECURIAN FINANCIAL

At Securian Financial, we’re here for family. And we’re here because of it. We’re guided by our purpose: helping customers build secure tomorrows. Since 1880, we’ve been building a uniquely diversified company that has outlasted economic ups and downs while staying true to our customers. We’re committed to the markets we serve, providing insurance, investment and retirement solutions that give families the confidence to focus on what’s truly valuable: banking memories with those who matter most.

Securian Financial is the marketing name for Securian Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Insurance products are issued by its subsidiary insurance companies, including Minnesota Life Insurance Company and Securian Life Insurance Company, a New York authorized insurer. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.

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