Leadership

Transamerica was founded on the premise that everyone deserves the opportunity to create a secure future. How to build it has evolved over our 100-plus years of history, as have we. Today, we believe that smart financial planning and a healthy lifestyle are essential in preparing for an active and meaningful retirement, and we’re focused on helping our customers discover what this means for them.

I am passionate about the outdoors, spending quality time with my family and friends, and pretending that I have a golf game. I am fully committed to the idea that well-being should be looked at holistically … that all aspects of our lives must be taken into account when we are planning for an active and meaningful retirement.

Favorite quote:

“It’s not the time in your life, it’s the life in your time.” – Bruce Springsteen

Mr. Mullin is a past Chair of the Board of the American Council of Life Insurers and a Trustee for Loyola University Baltimore.

Mark Mullin stepped down as President and CEO of Transamerica in April 2021. He worked for Aegon and Transamerica for over 30 years, serving in various management positions in the U.S. and Europe. He was appointed President and CEO of one of Aegon’s subsidiaries, Diversified Investment Advisors, in 2002 and has also led Transamerica’s annuity and mutual fund businesses. In 2009, he was named President of Aegon Americas and he became President and CEO of Transamerica and a member of the Management Board of Aegon one year later. Before joining Aegon, Mr. Mullin worked for Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company as an investment analyst.

He has a master’s degree in finance from Loyola University and a bachelor’s degree from LaSalle University and the University of Fribourg (Switzerland).

What I noticed as soon as I started with the company was the dedication to our purpose of helping people achieve a lifetime of financial security. This purpose is alive for our employees, as is the intersection of Wealth + Health. Financial security isn’t just about wealth. There are many factors that go into that equation – including a healthy lifestyle. We offer our customers resources and tools to support their health that are outside the traditional definition of financial services.

For me, a healthy lifestyle includes spending time with my family and taking the time to appreciate contemporary art and music.

Favorite quote:

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African proverb

Lard Friese was appointed CEO of Aegon NV on May 15, 2020.

Mr. Friese has more than 30 years of financial services experience, most recently as CEO at NN Group NV and previously as Vice Chairman of ING Insurance, both based in the Netherlands. During his tenure at NN Group NV, he led a wide range of businesses in Europe and Asia. His background also includes a prior engagement with Aegon (from 1993 to 2003), as a member of the Board of Directors of Aegon Leven NV, and as Senior Vice President of Aegon in Japan. Mr. Friese has extensive expertise in the areas of insurance, investment management, customer-centricity, mergers and acquisitions, and business transformation.

He holds a Master of Science in law from Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

Will Fuller joined Transamerica as President and CEO in March 2021. He has nearly 30 years of experience in financial services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement plans and wealth management. Prior to joining Transamerica, Mr. Fuller served as Executive Vice President of Lincoln Financial Group. His responsibilities included leading growth strategies, product and distribution innovation, and governance — as well as engaging in select public policy issues affecting the industry. His previous experience also includes Merrill Lynch, where he was responsible for product and distribution for Wealth Management in the Americas.

He has a bachelor’s degree in business from The Citadel.

For over 100 years, Transamerica has helped people create a secure financial future. I’m proud to be part of this long history, and the important contributions we make — not only to our customers’ peace of mind but also to society. We believe that careful financial planning, along with a healthy lifestyle, can lead to the kind of active and fulfilling life that we all strive for. 

I’m an outdoors enthusiast. Depending on the time of year, I enjoy skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and golf. My favorite way to learn is through experiences, like traveling to and discovering new places and cultures. And of course, time with my daughters and family is precious. I’m committed to a life well lived, and to meaningful work that makes a difference in people’s lives.

Favorite quote:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by,
 and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

Mr. Fuller has been actively engaged in the financial services industry, most recently in forming the Alliance for Lifetime Income. He is a member of the Board of the American Council of Life Insurers and formerly served as board member of LL Global, Inc. (LIMRA/LOMA), Forum for Investor Advice, Money Management Institute, and Insured Retirement Institute — which honored him with its 2019 Industry Champion of Financial Security Award as well as its 2014 Leadership Award. These honors reflect his work to enhance retirement security through advocacy, communication and education that helps Americans plan for and protect their retirement income.

He serves on the board of the Academy of Notre Dame De Namur and is a past board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton, New Jersey.

Transamerica’s emphasis on the intersection of Wealth + Health^SM addresses two of the most significant concerns for Americans. The company has positioned itself to meet the needs of millennials and older generations through digital transformation and hands-on advice and service.

I am deeply gratified by my many years of work with the YMCA, Junior Achievement, and California Lutheran University. In addition to supporting my community, I maintain my health with bike riding, golf, reading, and time with my granddaughters.

Favorite quote:

“Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.” – Milton Friedman

Mr. Kane is on the Board (and Chair of the Audit Committee) for The Travelers Companies, Inc., on the Board of Managers for the North Valley YMCA, and on the Board of the Chatsworth Kiwanis Club.

Bill Kane worked for Ernst & Young for 35 years, including 25 years as an audit partner with broad experience and a specialization in financial services. Clients included public and private insurance companies, asset management firms and commercial/industrial companies. His leadership responsibilities included profitability, staffing and new business activity. Mr. Kane also served as a member of the National Insurance Committee for E&Y.

He has an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School), a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from California Lutheran University.

I am especially excited about the transformation Transamerica has completed, which enables it to provide broader and more relevant services to customers.

I am honored to have served my country for almost three decades and have found that the lessons I learned in the military have transferred well to the business sector. I’ve continued my support of the armed forces as a board member for Operation Homefront, which provides a wide array of services to active duty service members, veterans and their families.

I stay balanced by exercising, reading, and spending time with my extended family.

Favorite quote:

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

Linda Medler (Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force, Retired) is founder, President and CEO of L A Medler & Associates, LLC, which provides cyber strategy and operational consulting to companies, profit and non-profit boards, the U.S. Department of Defense, and academic institutions. She previously served as the Chief Information Security/Director of IT Security at Raytheon Missile Systems. General Medler retired from the Air Force in 2014. Her 27-year military career included command responsibilities in Afghanistan and delivering humanitarian relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, as well as serving as Director of Capability and Resource for U.S. Cyber Command, Chief Information Officer of the Joint Staff and Chief, Program Management Office, White House Communications Agency.

She has an MBA from the University of Arizona (Eller College of Management), a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas.

I am continually impressed with the quality and depth of the management talent at Transamerica. I admire the way they aggressively implement the business plan while simultaneously evolving into a more modern digital platform.

I’ve been a long-time supporter of the Special Olympics as coordinator of a fund-raising bicycle ride from New York to Vermont. This aligns with my enjoyment of road cycling, golf, skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. Giving back, regular exercise, and reading are my secrets to well-being.

Favorite quote:

“When the phone don’t ring, you’ll know it’s me.” – Warren Buffett, paraphrasing Jimmy Buffett

Mr. Schapiro is a member of the Board of Directors (and Chair of the Compensation Committee) of Molina Healthcare and President of the Sunningdale Country Club.

Dick Schapiro has more than 35 years of investment banking experience, providing capital raising and advisory services to a variety of financial institutions and healthcare companies. He worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch for 15 years until he retired as Managing Director, Health Care Group, in 2014. Mr. Schapiro began his career at Salomon Brothers, where he held positions of increasing responsibility for almost 20 years, covering financial institutions and healthcare companies.

He has an MBA in taxation from the Zicklin School of Business, a Juris Doctor from New York Law School, and a bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University.

What stands out to me is Transamerica’s commitment to serving its customers and preparing them for retirement. The company is always striving for new and innovative ways to better meet customer needs with products and its dedication to helping improve the overall well-being of the people it serves.

I recognize the importance of maintaining good health in my own life, and am committed to at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity.

My well-being is also tied to giving back to my community. I chair a task force of leaders who are creating a plan to revitalize downtown, and I’m actively involved with a homeless shelter for women in Washington, D.C.

Favorite quote:

“Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Ms. Dorgan is Chair of the Board of the Bipartisan Policy Center Action, member of the Board of the Bipartisan Policy Center, Advisory Council Member for the Stanford Center on Longevity, and Chair of the Fairfax County Task Force on McLean CBC.

Kim Dorgan has spent more than 30 years helping companies and organizations understand and navigate the regulatory, legislative, and political environment in Washington, D.C. She spent 16 years at the American Council of Life Insurers, where she became the second-ranking executive responsible for the association’s overall direction, including reputational risk and brand management. Ms. Dorgan also served as a Managing Director at Signal Group, a government relations, public affairs, and communications firm.

She has a master’s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University.

As someone with actuarial training, I’m very familiar with the statistics that correlate poor health habits with life expectancy. So I find Transamerica’s focus on the connection between financial and physical well-being intuitive. By offering insights and tools to support not only financial planning but also a healthy lifestyle, our value proposition is relevant for anyone pursuing an active and meaningful retirement.

To maintain my own health, I find running to be relaxing and invigorating. I also enjoy golf and trap shooting, which keeps my eye-hand coordination well-tuned. And, of course, time with my wife and sons is the best boost to well-being.

Favorite quote:
"A good laugh and a long run are the two best cures for anything." – Unknown

Mr. Rider is Chair of the European Insurance CFO Forum, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Matt Rider, who has over 25 years of experience in financial services in the U.S. and the Netherlands, was appointed as Group CFO and a Member of the Executive and Management Boards of Aegon NV in 2017.

Prior to joining Aegon, Mr. Rider was Chief Administration Officer at ING, where he was responsible for finance and risk for ING’s insurance and asset management operations, and where he gained extensive insights into the insurance industry in the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Mr. Rider’s appointment as Aegon’s CFO marked a return to the Aegon Group, as he managed Reinsurance Valuation at Transamerica from 1992 to 1994.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and economics from Brown University.

Phil Eckman is responsible for Transamerica’s Workplace Solutions division, which consists of retirement, employee benefits, stable value solutions, and advice businesses. He joined the company in 1996.

Phil has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Gustavus Adolphus College and a juris doctor degree from the William Mitchell College of Law.

Will Fuller joined Transamerica as President and CEO in March 2021. He has nearly 30 years of experience in financial services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement plans and wealth management. Prior to joining Transamerica, Mr. Fuller served as Executive Vice President of Lincoln Financial Group. His responsibilities included leading growth strategies, product and distribution innovation, and governance — as well as engaging in select public policy issues affecting the industry. His previous experience also includes Merrill Lynch, where he was responsible for product and distribution for Wealth Management in the Americas.

He has a bachelor’s degree in business from The Citadel.

For over 100 years, Transamerica has helped people create a secure financial future. I’m proud to be part of this long history, and the important contributions we make — not only to our customers’ peace of mind but also to society. We believe that careful financial planning, along with a healthy lifestyle, can lead to the kind of active and fulfilling life that we all strive for. 

I’m an outdoors enthusiast. Depending on the time of year, I enjoy skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and golf. My favorite way to learn is through experiences, like traveling to and discovering new places and cultures. And of course, time with my daughters and family is precious. I’m committed to a life well lived, and to meaningful work that makes a difference in people’s lives.

Favorite quote:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by,
 and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

Mr. Fuller has been actively engaged in the financial services industry, most recently in forming the Alliance for Lifetime Income. He is a member of the Board of the American Council of Life Insurers and formerly served as board member of LL Global, Inc. (LIMRA/LOMA), Forum for Investor Advice, Money Management Institute, and Insured Retirement Institute — which honored him with its 2019 Industry Champion of Financial Security Award as well as its 2014 Leadership Award. These honors reflect his work to enhance retirement security through advocacy, communication and education that helps Americans plan for and protect their retirement income.

He serves on the board of the Academy of Notre Dame De Namur and is a past board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Trenton, New Jersey.

Bonnie Gerst is responsible for optimizing Transamerica’s inforce and closed business blocks. She joined the company in 2000 and has more than 25 years of experience in finance, regulatory, and international capital requirements.

She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Coe College. 

Chris Giovanni is responsible for strategic planning, competitive intelligence and corporate development. His focus is on developing strategies to drive organic and inorganic growth opportunities that optimize our competitive advantages for the benefit of customers, employees, and our key external stakeholders. He joined the company in November 2021. 

Chris has almost two decades of experience in financial services. His prior leadership roles include Corporate Treasurer, head of investor relations and strategic planning, and research analyst. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a focus on finance, from Loyola University Maryland.

Tom Haus joined Transamerica in 2018 as Head of Architecture Engineering & Strategy and was appointed Chief Technology Officer in May 2021. He has more than 30 years of experience and is responsible for technology strategy and implementation, as well as controls and vendor management, production support, and the agile and architecture teams.  

Tom has a bachelor’s degree from Creighton University.

Matt Keppler is responsible for leadership of Transamerica’s financial practices, which include accounting, actuarial, asset-liability management, hedging, and financial analysis. He joined the company in June 2021 and has 25 years of industry experience in finance, risk management, investor relations, and product development and pricing for life and long term care insurance and fixed and variable annuities.
 
He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Jamie Ohl is responsible for Transamerica’s Individual Solutions businesses, consisting of annuity and life insurance solutions. She leads distribution teams for life insurance, annuities, and mutual funds through Transamerica’s wholesale and retail networks, including the affiliated networks of World Financial Group, Transamerica Agency Network, and Transamerica Financial Advisors. Jamie joined Transamerica in 2022 and has more than 30 years of financial services experience.

She has a bachelor’s degree from LeTourneau University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska.

Julie Spore is responsible for assessing and advising on risks to business strategy and processes using a variety of risk and control frameworks. She joined Transamerica in 1994.

She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and is a Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst, an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Holly rejoined Transamerica as Chief People Officer in 2020 after having previously worked for the company for more than 20 years. She leads Human Resources, which includes talent management, compensation and benefits, HR systems, and the HR business partner teams.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Spalding University, a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation through Wharton Executive Education, and an advanced certification through the Society of Human Resources Management.

Andy Williams leads Transamerica’s Legal & Compliance organization. He and his team advise the business on legal and compliance issues and provide strategic partnership to help accelerate growth while managing risk. 

Andy has more than 25 years of industry legal experience, representing life, health, disability, and property and casualty insurers. After joining Transamerica from private practice in 2016, he served in several leadership roles, including Head of Litigation, Interim General Counsel, and General Counsel for Transamerica’s Individual Solutions Division. He was named General Counsel in September 2022. Andy has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a law degree from Southwestern University School of Law.