Mary Forrest, president and CEO of Munich Re North America (Life) has been elected chairwoman of the board of directors of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA), the industry group announced on Monday.
In her new role, Toronto-based Forrest becomes the first female executive to lead the national association representing Canada’s life and health insurance sector. She succeeds outgoing chairman of the board, Donald Guloien, president and CEO of Manulife Financial Corp.
Forrest oversees the two largest Life reinsurance business units within the Munich Re Group. She is responsible for Munich Re’s Life and Health reinsurance operations in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. The North American organization has over 400 employees, located in Canada and the United States.
“CLHIA member companies employ 155,000 people who are focused on the financial security of the vast majority of Canadians,” says Forrest, “and I’m honoured to play a leadership role in such a vital industry.”
“Mary has distinguished herself as a committed champion of the life and health insurance industry,” says Frank Swedlove, president and CEO of CLHIA. “We look forward to her leadership and guidance.”
Prior to being named chairwoman of the board of CLHIA, Forrest was chairwoman of the standing committee on government relations, as well as member of the standing committee on resources, the nominating committee, and committee on reinsurance.
Forrest also contributes globally to the Munich Re Group through her board leadership. She is the past chairwoman of the Atlanta-based Munich American Reassurance Company board and a past director of the Munich Reinsurance Company of Canada and Temple Insurance Company boards.