Everest Group announced the appointment of Laura Hay as an independent, non-executive member of its board of directors.
Board chair John Graf said Hay’s appointment brings extensive experience in risk, regulatory, capital market, and accounting issues relevant to a global insurance platform. He added that she will play an important role in the Board’s engagement with management as the company continues to advance under the leadership of President and CEO Jim Williamson.
Hay (pictured above) retired in 2023 after more than three decades in insurance, financial services, and advisory roles. She was most recently global head of insurance at KPMG LLP, where she became the first woman to hold that role at a Big Four accounting firm. In that position, she led a team of 10,000 professionals in 90 countries and oversaw KPMG’s fastest-growing financial services sector.
During her 30-year tenure at KPMG, Hay held senior leadership roles across audit, advisory, and actuarial services, and served on the firm’s Corporate and Foundation Boards.
Williamson said Hay’s technical knowledge, industry experience, and international perspective will add depth to the Board as Everest responds to an evolving risk environment and pursues growth opportunities.
Hay currently serves on the Boards of MetLife, Inc. and the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley, is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
Hay’s appointment reflects a broader trend in the insurance industry of strengthening boards with directors who have advisory, audit, and actuarial expertise. Insurers face growing scrutiny from regulators and rating agencies, making board-level oversight of risk management, accounting standards, and capital adequacy increasingly important.
Independent directors with backgrounds in global advisory firms often bring a perspective that combines technical knowledge with international market awareness.
For Everest, the addition of a director with actuarial credentials and experience across multiple areas of financial services could enhance its governance framework, particularly as the company expands in property, casualty, and specialty reinsurance.
The move also highlighted the continued emphasis within the sector on diversifying board experience and skillsets, as insurers look to navigate emerging risks such as climate-related exposures, accounting reforms, and evolving capital requirements.
