Christopher J. Swift, Chairman and CEO of The Hartford, Named “2026 Insurance Leader of the Year"

St. John’s University’s Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science, part of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, will honor The Hartford’s Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Swift as the “2026 Insurance Leader of the Year” at its 31st annual Insurance Leader of the Year Award Dinner. Mr. Swift will be introduced by Martin J. Sullivan OBE, and The Hartford’s President A. Morris “Mo” Tooker, who will join the ceremony as Honorary Dinner Chairpersons. The event will take place on Wednesday, February 3, 2027, at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. Proceeds from the dinner will support the University’s Greenberg School students and programs. 

“Having joined The Hartford at perhaps the most challenging time in the company’s 216-year history, Chris has led a simply remarkable turnaround, transformation, and growth of one of the most storied and important franchises in our industry,” said John W. Keogh, President and Chief Operating Officer, Chubb Group, Chairman of the Greenberg Board of Overseers. “The Hartford today is a result of Chris’ leadership over the last 16 years. Under Chris, it has become a bigger, stronger, more diversified, more respected, more relevant and, as I can certainly attest, a more formidable competitor. This award is about leadership in the insurance industry, and Chris has demonstrated over many years leadership that has delivered enormous benefits to his employees, his shareholders, to our industry, and to the communities in which The Hartford operates. Chris is more than deserving of this award and an evening for all of us in the insurance industry to acknowledge and honor Chris and The Hartford.”

“Few industries are as important to economic security and resilience as insurance, particularly when individuals, businesses and communities face moments of uncertainty,” said Maciek Nowak, Ph.D., Dean, and Joseph H. and Maria C. Schwartz Distinguished Chair, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. “Chris Swift’s leadership of The Hartford reflects both the responsibility and the opportunity that come with leading in this field. We are proud to recognize someone whose career demonstrates the vital role the insurance industry can play in helping people and organizations navigate change, recover from adversity and move forward with confidence.”

"The students, faculty, and administration of the Greenberg School are honoring Chris Swift for his commitment to excellence in leading The Hartford since 2014 and service to multiple insurance industry and community support organizations throughout his career,” said Hank Watkins, Executive Director of the Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science.  "The financial resources generated by our annual event, one of the largest of its kind in the global insurance industry, will directly benefit our students and the programs designed to set them up for success.”

The Award Selection Committee is chaired by Cynthia R. Shoss, Partner, former Cochair of the Global Board, and former Cohead of Global Insurance Group, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP.  The committee includes Robert P. Hartwig, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Finance and Director, Risk and Uncertainty Management Center, Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina; Laura J. Hay, Retired Global Head of Insurance of KPMG; John J. Hendrickson, Retired CEO, Concert Group; Michael J. Morrissey, Chairman of the Board, Protective Life Corporation; Patrick J. Shouvlin, Retired Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; and both Brandon Sweitzer, Dean Emeritus; and Ellen Thrower, Ph.D., Professor Emerita and Retired Executive Director, St. John's University’s Greenberg School.