FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
November 29, 2022 naaia.office@gmail.com
NAAIA National Welcomes
New Executive Board Committee
George Woods promoted to chair; Jones, Johnson and Nnaji assume new leadership roles.
Washington, DC – The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) announces the election of George Woods to a two-year term as National Board Chair. Woods previously served as National Board Vice Chair and 2022 Conference Planning Chair.
Woods is the Head of US Property & Casualty Broker Sales Management at Swiss Re where he leads the development and execution of the broker engagement and sales strategy for all client segments across all lines of P&C business. Previously, he was Senior Vice President, Global Strategic Advisory at Guy Carpenter and had roles at Aon and Hartford Steam Boiler, an AIG Company. Woods served in various leadership roles in NAAIA’s New York Tri-State Chapter, including as president, before joining the national board of directors in 2014. In addition to various committee assignments, Woods previously served as Treasurer and Chapter Development Committee Chair.
Woods succeeds Janet Jordan-Foster, Executive Vice President and Head of US Primary Casualty at Axis Insurance. Jordan-Foster will serve as Immediate Past Chair in an advisory capacity for one year.
“I thank Janet for the great job she has done as the Chair during the last two years. NAAIA is in a prime position to continue to support the DEI strategies and initiatives of our partners, and further advance the success of our members through our programing, professional development, and our network of talented industry professionals and entrepreneurs,” said Woods. “It is an incredible honor for me to lead NAAIA. We are excited about our growth and look forward to continuing to have a positive impact on the insurance industry and the communities served by our chapters across the country.”
Additionally, the Board elected Ricky C. Jones as Vice Chair, Ngozi Nnaji as Secretary and Susan Johnson as Treasurer. NAAIA Founder Jerald L. Tillman maintains his role as a tie-breaking board member and executive committee advisor.
Jones is Regional President of Enterprise Distribution Management in the Metro Region at Travelers Insurance. Previously, Jones’s prior positions with Travelers include Claim Vice President Engagement Strategies, New Jersey Claim Center Vice President, and Field Vice President. Prior to joining Travelers, Jones held several technical claim professional and leadership roles with Northbrook Insurance Company and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. Prior to his election as vice chair, Jones served as Treasurer and co-chair for the Emerging Leaders Committee.
Nnaji is the Principal at Ako Brokerage Services, LLC, and Ako Insurance Consulting LLC. Prior, Nnaji served as the Northeast Healthcare Zone Leader for CNA Insurance Company, with additional roles at Willis Towers Watson and the St. Paul Companies. Nnaji was the inaugural president of NAAIA’s Greater Hartford Chapter and was elected to the national board in 2019 where she served as the Board’s Agent Engagement and Development Chair.
Johnson is Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at The Hartford. Prior to joining The Hartford, Johnson led global talent, diversity and HR functions at Pitney Bowes Inc. and held a variety of human resource management positions at Pepsi-Cola and Campbell Soup Company. Johnson previously served two terms as the national Board Secretary and as the Programming Committee Chair.
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ABOUT NAAIA
The National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) was organized to create a network among people of color and others employed in or affiliated with the insurance industry. The association currently has 1,700 members and 22 chapters, with others in development, throughout the nation and its members represent every sector of the industry. NAAIA’s focus is the professional development and personal empowerment of its members, and to serve as a gateway to diverse talent at every level of the industry. Visit www.naaia.org to learn more.
