Penn Mutual bolsters leadership team

The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company has announced the expansion of its enterprise leadership team with key appointments in operations, distribution, and 1847Financial, the company’s national organization for affiliated financial professionals.

Stephen Kennedy (pictured above, left) has joined Penn Mutual as chief operating officer. Kennedy will oversee Penn Mutual operations, including service and underwriting, to enhance services for financial professionals and policyholders.

He comes from Thrivent, where he was COO and led initiatives to improve client and financial professional satisfaction. Kennedy has over three decades of experience in the financial sector, including senior roles at Allianz and AIG American General.

“It’s clear that Penn Mutual has a strong customer service orientation, rooted in core values of acting with integrity, building relationships and delivering on promises. These values will guide our teams in our continued focus on achieving operational excellence,” Kennedy said.

See LinkedIn post here.

Jennifer Dorfmeister (pictured above, center), meanwhile, has been promoted to chief distribution officer. She will continue to lead the Independence Financial Network and will now oversee the complete marketing and distribution of Penn Mutual life insurance and annuity products to independent financial professionals.

Dorfmeister has over 20 years of experience in the life insurance industry and has been with Penn Mutual for the past eight years. Her efforts have strengthened strategic distribution relationships and expanded the national advanced sales support team, the company claimed.

Finally, Heather Nagengast (pictured above, right) has been promoted to the enterprise leadership team as president of 1847Financial. 1847Financial offers affiliated financial professionals a range of solutions and services in life insurance and wealth management, along with resources in business and sales development, practice management, and marketing.

Nagengast’s responsibilities now include the alignment of Hornor, Townsend & Kent (HTK) within 1847Financial. She joined Penn Mutual in 2022 and has since helped transform the affiliated distribution model.

Dave O’Malley, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Penn Mutual, welcomed the new appointments.

“With top-notch leadership across our enterprise, we are well-positioned for continued success in delivering the products and services to best support our financial professionals and policyholders,” O’Malley said.

What are your thoughts on this story? Please feel free to share your comments below.