Symetra Financial Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company, designated former CEO of REI and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell as chair of the company’s Board of Directors, effective August 24. Jewell joined Symetra’s Board in March 2018. She succeeds Thomas Marra, who recently resigned after serving as chair since 2017.
“We are extremely pleased to have a leader of Sally Jewell’s caliber chair Symetra’s board of directors. Since joining the board in 2018, her extensive business and financial background have been important assets in Symetra’s evolution as a leading player in the life insurance industry. Her leadership will help ensure Symetra’s continued success and growth going forward,” said Kensei Kawaguchi, managing executive officer of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company and Symetra Financial Corporation board member.
“Symetra has clearly established itself as a force in the life insurance industry with a seasoned CEO and leadership team. The company’s vision to create a world where more people have access to financial freedom and commitment to its Value, Transparency and Sustainability (VTS) guiding principles are resonating with customers and business partners. I see tremendous opportunity ahead for Symetra and look forward to working with my board colleagues, Margaret and the executive team to build on our momentum,” said Jewell.
During her tenure as president and CEO of REI from 2005 to 2013, the outdoor retailer experienced strong growth and was named to Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in the U.S.,” achieving a Top 10 ranking three times. Before REI, Jewell spent nineteen years in the banking industry in various executive roles, preceded by her early career as an engineer in the energy sector.
Jewell has served on the boards of numerous corporate, nonprofit and civic organizations. In addition to Symetra, she serves on Costco Wholesale, Green Diamond Resource Company and The Nature Conservancy boards. She was named a 2022 Director of the Year by the Puget Sound Business Journal in its annual recognition of board directors “who have made outstanding contributions to a range of companies and organizations across the Puget Sound region.”
Jewell also served as the interim CEO of The Nature Conservancy from 2019 to 2020 and as the Edward V. Fritzky Endowed Chair in Leadership at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business for the 2021/22 academic year.
Photo courtesy of Symetra
