Mary Forrest becomes first female executive to lead Canadian Life & Health Insurance Association Board of Directors

Mary Forrest, President and CEO of Munich Re North America (Life) has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA). In this role, Ms. Forrest becomes the first female executive to lead the national association representing Canada's life and health insurance sector. She succeeds outgoing Chair of the Board, Donald Guloien , President and CEO of Manulife.

Ms. Forrest oversees the two largest Life reinsurance business units within the Munich Re Group. She is responsible for Munich Re’s Life and Health reinsurance operations in the United States , Canada , and the Caribbean. The North American organization has over 400 employees, located in Canada and the United States.

"CLHIA member companies employ 155,000 people who are focused on the financial security of the vast majority of Canadians, and I’m honoured to play a leadership role in such a vital industry," said Ms. Forrest.

"Mary has distinguished herself as a committed champion of the life and health insurance industry," said Frank Swedlove , President and CEO of CLHIA. "We look forward to her leadership and guidance."

Prior to being named Chair of the Board of CLHIA, Ms. Forrest was Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Relations, as well as member of the Standing Committee on Resources, the Nominating Committee, and Committee on Reinsurance.

Ms. Forrest also contributes globally to the Munich Re Group through her Board leadership; Mary is the past Chairman of the Atlanta based Munich American Reassurance Company Board and a past Director of the Munich Reinsurance Company of Canada and Temple Insurance Company Boards.

Munich Re stands for exceptional solution-based expertise, consistent risk management, financial stability and client proximity.

This is how Munich Re creates value for clients, shareholders and staff. In the financial year 2014, the Group – which combines primary insurance and reinsurance under one roof – achieved a profit of €3.2bn on premium income of over €48bn. It operates in all lines of insurance, with over 43,000 employees throughout the world. With premium income of around €27bn from reinsurance alone, it is one of the world’s leading reinsurers