National Life Group has named Kristin Cook as its new chief underwriting officer. She succeeds Bill Whitsell, who will retire at the end of August.
In her new role, Cook will manage all underwriting and Life New Business teams. Cook joined National Life 20 years ago and has held positions of increasing responsibility in new business and underwriting, first being named chief underwriting officer in 2020. In 2022, she transitioned to a leadership role in distribution, with responsibility for approximately half of the affiliated channel production.
“We didn’t have to look far to find a perfectly suited successor to Bill,” Executive Vice President of Customer Innovation Group Achim Schwetlick said. “The outside-in perspective of working with Affiliated agents and agencies provided Kristin with a transformative experience that will greatly benefit her and the operations team as she returns to her roots in underwriting.
Cook is a graduate of the University of Vermont and recently completed the LIMRA and LOMA Strategic Leadership Experience program, in partnership with Wharton Executive Education.