Corporate Governance

Christopher J. Swift is chairman and CEO of The Hartford, a national leader in property & casualty insurance (P&C), group benefits and mutual funds, founded in 1810.

Swift, who was named CEO in 2014, was the driving force in the company’s transformation, resulting in a more focused, disciplined leader in property and casualty, group benefits, and mutual funds. He expanded the company’s capabilities and geographic reach through organic growth and strategic investments, including the purchase of Aetna’s U.S. group life and disability business in 2017 and The Navigators Group, Inc., a specialty lines property and casualty business, in 2019. He also completed the company’s exit from the run-off life and annuity business, providing greater financial flexibility and improving The Hartford’s return on equity and earnings growth profile.

As a long-time advocate of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Swift is the foremost champion of The Hartford’s DEI initiatives, resulting in the company’s leading board diversity, improved executive representation, and top-ranked company culture. The company is a 2023 Catalyst Award winner, listed on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, and named as a 2022 Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. In addition to his leadership within The Hartford, Swift has promoted DEI within the broader business community as an early signatory to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge and serving on the Governing Committee for its Racial Equity Fellowship initiative. He is also a Catalyst CEO Champion for Change and has signed on to Paradigm for Parity, a coalition of business leaders committed to achieving gender parity at leadership levels by 2030.

Swift remains at the forefront of CEOs discussing the need for public-private partnerships to address mental health and addiction in the workplace. He continues to encourage business leaders to support public policy reforms and create open, inclusive work environments that dispel the stigma that inhibits treatment and recovery.

As The Hartford’s CEO, Swift is proud of our company’s legacy of making a positive impact in our communities and is strongly connected to the neighborhoods and businesses throughout our hometown. As a vocal advocate among the business community, he champions the City of Hartford’s revitalization and our company’s initiatives that advance equal economic, educational, and workplace opportunities for our neighbors.

In addition to his work at The Hartford, Swift is committed to making an impact on important issues, serving on many boards where he can make a difference. He serves on the board of directors for Citizen’s Financial Group, Inc., and the executive committee and the board of directors of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. He also is a member of The Business Council, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, Council on Foreign Relations, and The Geneva Association

Swift joined The Hartford in March 2010 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. In that position, he played a central role in the company’s strategic transformation to focus on the property & casualty, group benefits, and mutual funds businesses. He was also instrumental in strengthening the balance sheet through the sale of its individual life and retirement plans businesses and reducing debt.

Previously, Swift held senior leadership and finance roles at American International Group (AIG). He began his career as a certified public accountant at KPMG LLP focused on financial services and was eventually appointed head of the Global Insurance Industry Practice.

He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Marquette University, where he is also a trustee.

About The Hartford

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Conn. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice.

Director since February 2020
Board Committees: Audit Committee; Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee

Mr. De Shon retired in 2019 as president and chief executive officer of Avis Budget Group, Inc., a leading global provider of mobility solutions. He also served as a director of Avis Budget Group from 2015 to 2019. Mr. De Shon held roles of increasing responsibility since joining Avis Budget Group as executive vice president of operations in 2006. He was instrumental in reinventing the company to respond to changing consumer preferences and open up new revenue streams and business models through initiatives that include creating the first end-to-end digital car rental experience, migrating the platform to the cloud, and building one of the largest connected car fleets in the world. As president of Avis Budget Group International, De Shon oversaw the Avis, Budget, Zipcar, Payless, Maggiore and Apex businesses in Europe as well as businesses in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Prior to joining Avis, he had a 28-year career with United Airlines rising through the ranks to senior vice president of airport operations. In his most recent role with United Airlines, he was in charge of ground operations, logistics, safety, security, customer processing and service, product development and internal communications, leading an organization of 23,000 employees in 29 countries.

Mr. De Shon brings to the Board extensive leadership and corporate governance experience, deep operating skills and international expertise. He has successfully led organizations through times of disruption and global transformations, developed innovative solutions to strengthen his companies’ positions in the marketplace and modernized systems for better customer and employee experiences.

Director since February 2018
Board Committees: Compensation and Management Development; Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee

Mr. Dominguez is Vice-Chairman of the Board & Chief Evangelist, Sprinklr, a global, social-media-management company. Previously, he spent 22 years in a variety of roles at Cisco Systems, Inc., including establishing the New York office for Cisco and leading the efforts to enter strategic markets such as financial services, media and pharmaceuticals. In addition, he led the Service Provider vertical for Cisco, and for 7 years, he served as a technology representative for the chairman and CEO of Cisco. In this role, Mr. Dominguez engaged with senior executives in the Fortune 500 and government leaders worldwide, sharing insights on how to leverage technology to enhance and transform their business. Mr. Dominguez led the creation and implementation of Cisco’s Innovation Academy that delivered innovation content to Cisco employees globally. Before his time at Cisco, he held management positions at Timeplex, Inc., and New Jersey Bell/Bell Atlanticom. Mr. Dominguez serves on the boards of directors for Sprinklr and PROS Holdings, Inc.

Mr. Dominguez brings to the Board extensive and relevant digital expertise as the company focuses on data analytics and digital capabilities to continuously improve the way it operates and delivers value to customers.

Director since January 2007
Board Committees: Compensation and Management Development Committee; Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee

Mr. Fetter is a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, where he teaches leadership and corporate accountability. He served as President of Tenet Healthcare Corporation effective November 2002, was appointed chief executive officer in September 2003 and chairman in May 2015. He served as CEO and Chairman of Tenet Healthcare until October 2017. From March 2000 to November 2002, Mr. Fetter served as chairman and chief executive officer of Broadlane, Inc., a provider of technology solutions for the healthcare industry. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Fetter served as chief financial officer of Tenet Healthcare.

As the chief executive officer of a publicly-traded healthcare company, Mr. Fetter has demonstrated his ability to lead the management and operations of a complex, highly regulated organization. Mr. Fetter's experience has equipped him with skills and disciplines that are important to the oversight of the Company's business, including strategic planning, operational and risk management, regulatory affairs, leadership development and corporate governance. As the chief financial officer of a publicly-traded company, Mr. Fetter also gained experience in corporate finance, financial reporting and the capital markets, all of which are relevant to the oversight of the Company's operations and corporate finance activities.

Director since February 2021
Board Committees: Audit Committee; Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee; Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

Donna James is president and CEO of Lardon & Associates, a business-advisory firm specializing in corporate governance, new business development, strategy, and financial and risk management. She had a 25-year career with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, culminating in the role of president of strategic investments. Prior to that, she held a variety of positions, including chief administrative officer, chief human resources officer, assistant to the CEO and director of operations and treasury services. Ms. James is a certified public accountant (non-practicing) and began her career as an auditor with Coopers & Lybrand LLP. In October 2010, President Obama appointed Ms. James to be chairwoman of the National Women’s Business Council, a non-partisan advisory council to the president, Congress and the Small Business Administration. She held the position until June 2013. James also serves on the boards of American Electric Power Company, Boston Scientific Corporation and Victoria’s Secret & Co.

Ms. James brings to the Board extensive insurance-industry experience in a range of functions, including accounting, investing, operations, treasury and human resources. In addition, Ms. James has significant corporate governance experience by virtue of her service on several major public company boards, including as audit committee chair.

Director since October 2010
Board Committees: Audit Committee; Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee (Chairman)

Ms. Mikells currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Exxon Mobil. Previously, she served as Chief Financial Officer and a member of the board of directors of Diageo plc from November 2015 until July 2021. In this role, she was accountable for strategy, investor relations, supply chain, procurement and finance. Previously she was Chief Financial Officer at Xerox Corporation, ADT Security Services, Nalco Company and UAL Corporation, the parent company of United Airlines. During her time at United Airlines, Ms. Mikells also served as head of investor relations, vice president of financial planning and analysis, and treasurer.

Ms. Mikells has demonstrated the ability to lead the financial management of complex global organizations. Her extensive experience as a senior leader in corporate finance has provided her with skills in key management disciplines that are relevant to the oversight of The Hartford's business, including strategic planning, financial reporting, capital markets, investor relations, regulatory affairs, talent development and risk management.

Director effective October 2022
Board Committees: Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee; Audit Committee

Mr. Reese currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., a global fintech leader that helps clients transform their businesses with technology solutions that power trading, investor communications and corporate governance. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of American Express Company’s Global Consumer Services division. During this time, he played a key role in the success of the consumer business with responsibility across investments, M&A, product launches, contract negations, strategy, and operations. Prior to that he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Merrill Lynch & Co, Inc.’s US Advisory Group, and for Citigroup Smith Barney’s Corporate Client Group and Stock Plan Services. Mr. Reese serves as a board member of the President’s Advisory Committee at Clemson University.

Mr. Reese’s extensive senior leadership experience with several trusted and admired companies demonstrates his ability to lead the financial management of complex global organizations. His experience has equipped him with skills in areas that are relevant to the oversight of the company, including investments, financial reporting, strategic planning, operations, and product launches.

Director since April 2015
Board Committees: Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Chairman); Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee; Compensation and Management Development Committee

Ms. Roseborough currently serves as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of The Home Depot. Previously, she held several legal positions at MetLife, including senior chief counsel and deputy general counsel. Prior to joining MetLife, Ms. Roseborough was a partner with the law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP and a deputy assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice. She also served as a law clerk for Justice John Paul Stevens of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ms. Roseborough brings significant business, regulatory, compliance, risk management and corporate governance expertise to The Hartford’s board of directors. Her insurance background and government experience position her well to advise the board and management team on strategic, risk management and regulatory matters, strengthening The Hartford’s ability to innovate and grow its businesses while delivering value for shareholders.

Director since May 2013
Board Committees: Compensation and Management Development Committee; Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee; Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Virginia P. Ruesterholz was the Executive Vice President of Verizon Communications, responsible for overseeing key strategic initiatives, a position she assumed on Jan. 1, 2012 and held until her retirement in July 2012. From 2009 to 2011, she served as President of the former Verizon Services Operations (VSO), a $10 billion global shared-services business group with over 25,000 employees that operated Verizon’s wireline network as well as the finance operations, real estate and supply chain services that supported all Verizon companies. Ms. Ruesterholz joined New York Telephone as a manager in 1984. During her twenty-eight year career, she served in positions of increasing responsibility including serving as President of Verizon Telecom, where she was responsible for sales, customer service, operations and IT for the consumer, general business and domestic wholesale markets and President of Verizon Partner Solutions responsible for Verizon’s wholesale business. Ms. Ruesterholz serves on the board of trustees of Stevens Institute of Technology, where she is chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.

Ms. Ruesterholz’s extensive senior leadership experience at Verizon, a global and highly regulated organization, positions her well to advise the Board and senior management on a wide range of strategic, operational and financial matters. She is able to provide insights into many aspects of the Company’s business including sales, customer service, operational and risk management, and information technology, all essential to the Company’s growth strategy. Ms. Ruesterholz also brings to the Board substantial financial expertise acquired through her role as President of various divisions within Verizon and most recently as Chair of the Finance Committee and Member of the Audit Committee at Stevens Institute of Technology.

Director since February 2020
Board Committees: Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee; Compensation and Management Development Committee (Chairman)

Mr. Winter was president of The Allstate Corporation and CEO of Allstate Life Insurance Company until his retirement in February 2018. Mr. Winter led both the Allstate Personal Lines business, offering a wide range of property-casualty products, and the Allstate Life and Retirement business, offering life insurance and voluntary products, with both P&C and life product distribution through Allstate agents and independent agents. Winter joined Allstate in 2009 as the president of Allstate Financial and served in a variety of executive roles before being named president of Allstate Corporation in January 2015. Before joining Allstate, Mr. Winter held numerous senior executive positions at large insurance providers, including as vice chairman of American International Group, where he was responsible for a number of business units with global reach; and executive vice president at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, where he led the company's domestic insurance businesses.

Mr. Winter brings to the Board significant expertise in areas relevant to our business, including operations, distribution and risk management, gained from over 25 years as a senior leader in the insurance industry.

Director since December 2017
Board Committees: Audit Committee (Chairman); Finance, Investment and Risk Management Committee

Mr. Woodring served as president and chief executive officer of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA) from 1993 until his retirement in December 2016. During his tenure, RGA grew to become one of the world’s leading life reinsurers, with offices in 26 countries and annual revenues of more than $10 billion. Mr. Woodring serves as chairman of Wamberg Genomics Advisors, as well as the International Insurance Society, and is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Mr. Woodring brings significant and valuable insurance industry and leadership experience to the Board, demonstrated in his more than two decades leading RGA, a leading life reinsurer with global operations. Mr. Woodring has demonstrated skills in areas that are relevant to the oversight of the company, including risk management, finance, and operational expertise.