PRODCAT Leadership
Global Atlantic brings together leaders with deep experience at all levels of our organization – gained both at predecessor companies and throughout the industry.
Allan Levine
Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Allan Levine is Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Global Atlantic and a Partner at KKR. Over nearly two decades, his vision and strategic direction have influenced all phases of Global Atlantic’s progress since its founding as the Goldman Sachs Reinsurance Group (2004), separation from Goldman Sachs as an independent company (2013), and sale as a wholly-owned subsidiary of KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR). His leadership has been instrumental in shaping Global Atlantic’s culture and core values, focusing on integrity, teamwork, and the importance of building long-term client relationships. Prior to Global Atlantic, Allan was Co-Head of Firmwide Strategy at Goldman Sachs, where he became a Partner in 2006. Allan serves on the Board of the American Council of Life Insurers, Essent Group Ltd (NYSE: ESNT), and the Partnership for New York City.
Rob Arena
Co-President
Rob is Co-President of Global Atlantic and a Partner at KKR. As Co-President of Global Atlantic, Rob partners with Manu Sareen in supporting Chairman and CEO Allan Levine in operating the business and executing the company’s growth strategy. He also leads the company’s Individual Markets business, and also oversees operations and technology. He has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including leadership of The Hartford’s annuity business and President, Hartford Mutual Funds. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President for American Skandia/Prudential Annuities.
Manu Sareen
Co-President and Head of Institutional Markets
Manu is Co-President of Global Atlantic and a Partner at KKR. As Co-President of Global Atlantic, Manu partners with Rob Arena in supporting Chairman and CEO Allan Levine in operating the business and executing the company’s growth strategy. Manu is also responsible for the Institutional Markets business and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), driving company growth through reinsurance and block acquisitions. In this capacity he also oversees GA’s third-party capital franchise and fundraising initiatives. Since inception, the company has established a 20-year track record, successfully completing more than 40 transactions with nearly 30 clients, reinsuring more than $140 billion of assets and fundraising over $4 billion in third party capital, as of December 31, 2023. Prior to Global Atlantic's separation from Goldman Sachs, Manu was a Managing Director in the Goldman Sachs Reinsurance Group which he joined in 2006.
Jason Bickler
Co-Head of Individual Markets
Jason Bickler, Co-Head of Individual Markets, is responsible for leading all aspects of the Individual Markets business in partnership with Emily LeMay. Jason brings more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. Jason joined Global Atlantic in 2013 and most recently served as our Chief Distribution Officer. Jason began his career as an actuary at Allstate, assuming roles of increasing leadership responsibility including product design, relationship management, direct sales and sales leadership. Jason is a member of the firm’s Management Committee and is also part of the Executive Product Committee.
Billy Butcher
Chief Financial Officer
Billy Butcher joined Global Atlantic in 2024 as Chief Financial Officer. He is a Partner at KKR. In addition, Billy currently serves as Head of Strategy for KKR. Prior to his current roles, Billy has held a number of positions since joining KKR in 2004 including the Co-President of KKR's global real estate business, which he helped to establish in 2011; an investor in the firm's U.S. private equity business; and moving to Tokyo to help launch KKR’s Japan business in 2006. Prior to joining KKR, he was at Goldman, Sachs & Co. He holds an A.B., summa cum laude, from Princeton University, and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he was the Henry Ford II Scholar and an Arjay Miller Scholar. Billy is actively involved in a number of non-profit organizations and currently serves on the Board of Peer Forward, which is committed to enabling broader college access to U.S. high schoolers through positive peer influence.
Brian Dillard
Co-Chief Investment Officer
Brian Dillard joined Global Atlantic Financial Group in 2024 as Co-Chief Investment Officer. He is a Partner at KKR. Prior to joining Global Atlantic Financial Group, he held a number of positions since joining KKR in 2006 including serving as Head of Asia Credit beginning in 2018 where he led the establishment of the firm's credit business in the region. Prior to moving to Asia he held a number of roles across KKR’s private credit business in New York. Before joining the credit team, he was a member of KKR's Private Equity Team. In 2008 and 2009, Brian worked in Hong Kong assisting in the development of KKR's Asia PE business. Prior to joining KKR, he was at Morgan Stanley & Co. in its mergers and acquisitions investment banking group, where he was involved in a number of merger, acquisition, and financing transactions. Brian graduated from Harvard College and received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Padma Elmgart
Chief Technology Officer
Padma brings 20 years of experience leveraging technology across operational, digital and investment initiatives to her role as CTO. She has served as a senior Chief Information Officer at Deutsche Bank Americas and previously held various investment, risk and technology positions with Barclays Capital/Lehman Brothers, JP Morgan Securities and CitiGroup.
Darryl Herrick
Co-Head, Reinsurance
Darryl is Co-Head of the Reinsurance business at Global Atlantic, where he is responsible for helping to lead the Institutional Markets business across multiple key segments including Block and Flow reinsurance. Darryl is also responsible for expanding and broadening Global Atlantic’s institutional client base among the Top- 50 L&A insurance companies in the U.S., as well as with our partners globally. Darryl also helps to oversee the development of our Bermuda office and collaborating with key government, regulatory and industry relationships on the island. Prior to Global Atlantic, he worked as a Partner with C12 Capital Management, a Director at Barclays Capital and Vice President at Goldman Sachs.
Jason Kao
Co-Head, Reinsurance
Jason is Co-Head of the Reinsurance business at Global Atlantic, where he is responsible for helping to lead the Institutional Markets business across multiple key segments including Block and Flow reinsurance. He leads all efforts associated with Institutional Markets transaction structuring and execution, as well as pricing and underwriting. Jason also helps develop key institutional client relationships, including with insurance companies in the US and globally, as well as third party capital. Prior to Global Atlantic's separation from Goldman Sachs, Jason was part of the Goldman Sachs Reinsurance Group (GSRG) which he joined in 2008. Jason holds undergraduate degrees in Finance and Computer Science from New York University.
Emily LeMay
Co-Head of Individual Markets
Emily LeMay, Co-Head of Individual Markets, is responsible for leading all aspects of the Individual Markets business in partnership with Jason Bickler. Emily brings over 20 years of operations and shared services experience and has been with Global Atlantic since 2017, most recently as our Chief Operations Officer. Emily began her career as a call center representative at MetLife before rising through the ranks and holding various leadership roles, including Operations and Customer Experience Strategy for the U.S. and Latin America. Emily is a member of the firm’s Management Committee, executive sponsor of Global Atlantic’s Womens’ Business Network, and is also Vice-Chair of the Insured Retirement Institute’s (IRI’s) Digital First Initiative.
Paula Nelson
Head of Strategic Growth, Individual Markets
Paula joined Global Atlantic from Forethought. Previously, she had served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Transamerica Capital, Inc. and Managing Director for AEGON Financial Services Group, Inc., where she was responsible for business development with AEGON’s top institutional business partners in the United States. The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) named Paula the recipient of 2022 Industry Champion of Retirement Security award in recognition of her extensive work to enhance retirement security in the United States.
Dan O’Shea
Chief Administrative Officer
Dan is responsible for all of Human Resources at Global Atlantic inclusive of talent management and recruiting, compensation, benefits, performance management and all HR needs of the business. Additionally, he has responsibility for business resilience, real estate, corporate services, security, communication, branding and marketing. Prior to joining Global Atlantic, he spent 12 years in Human Resources at The Hartford in roles of increasing scope and responsibility. He earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology at Boston College and a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Connecticut. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Hartford Public Library.
Samuel Ramos
Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Secretary
Samuel is General Counsel and Secretary of Global Atlantic Financial Group Limited. He is responsible for Global Atlantic’s Legal, Compliance, Corporate Governance, Regulatory and Government Affairs departments. Prior to Global Atlantic, he worked with numerous businesses in Goldman Sachs’ Securities Division. He also served as law clerk to Judge C. Arlen Beam of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals before joining the New York law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell, where he specialized in securities law.
John M. Reed
Co-Chief Investment Officer
John M. Reed joined Global Atlantic Financial Group in 2024 and is Co-Chief Investment Officer. He previously served as Portfolio Manager of Liquid Assets. John is a Partner at KKR. Prior to joining Global Atlantic Financial Group, he was Head of Global Credit Trading for KKR since 2008 and helped lead the Leveraged Credit business during that time. He was an associate director at Bear Stearns & Co. in their institutional fixed income department before joining KKR. John received a B.A. from the University of South Carolina and a Global Professional MBA from the Fordham University School of Business Administration.
Global Atlantic board of directors
Our board of directors is composed of a diverse, experienced, and dedicated group of leaders who are committed to the ongoing success of Global Atlantic.
John Graf has served as a director of Global Atlantic since its acquisition of Forethought Financial Group, Inc. in January 2014. Prior to that, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forethought from 2006 to 2014. His 35 years of experience in the global financial services industry has included executive leadership positions at AIG, American General, Western National, and Conseco. Mr. Graf serves on the board of Everest Re, in addition to several private company boards, including ALM First in Dallas where he is Chairman, and the board of Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston. He recently served as a member of the global board of directors for QBE Insurance Group in Australia. Mr. Graf holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Illinois.
Robert Lewin has served as a director of Global Atlantic since February 2023. Mr. Lewin joined KKR in 2004 and is the Chief Financial Officer. Since joining KKR, Mr. Lewin has held a number of positions, including as an investor in private equity, co-leading KKR’s credit and capital markets businesses, serving as Treasurer and Head of Corporate Development and most recently as Head of Human Capital & Strategic Talent. From 2006 through 2010, Mr. Lewin resided in Hong Kong, helping to launch KKR’s Asia business. Mr. Lewin has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pennsylvania. He currently serves on the board of Answer the Call, a non-profit organization.
Scott Nuttall has served as a Director of Global Atlantic since February 2021. Mr. Nuttall joined KKR in 1996 and is its Co-Chief Executive Officer. Prior to his current position, he served as Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer from 2017 to 2021, and he has been a member of the board of directors since July 2017. Mr. Nuttall has had numerous leadership roles at KKR. He was the architect of the firm’s major strategic development initiatives, including leading KKR’s public listing, developing the firm’s balance sheet strategy, overseeing the development of KKR’s public markets businesses in the credit and hedge fund space as well as the creation of the firm’s capital markets, capital raising and insurance businesses. Mr. Nuttall serves on KKR’s Balance Sheet Committee and the firm’s Global Inclusion and Diversity Council. He has served on the boards of various non-profit institutions with a particular focus on education, most recently as Co-Chairman of Teach for America- New York.
Douglas Pauls has served as a director of Global Atlantic since August 2017. Mr. Pauls has over 30 years of experience in the areas of finance, accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting for public companies, including most recently senior roles with financial institutions. He served as Chief Financial Officer of BankUnited, Inc., a bank holding company, from 2009 until his retirement in 2013. From 2008 until 2009, Mr. Pauls served as Executive Vice President of finance for TD Bank, NA following TD Bank’s acquisition of Commerce Bancorp, Inc. in March 2008. Prior to that, he held several positions with Commerce, including serving as its CFO from 2002 until its acquisition by TD Bank and its chief accounting officer from 1995 to 2002. Earlier in his career, Mr. Pauls was a senior manager in the audit department of Ernst & Young in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is currently a director of BankUnited, Inc. and Essent Group Ltd. Mr. Pauls holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Dickinson College and serves on Dickinson's Board of Trustees.
Catherine Smith has served as a director of Global Atlantic since November 2019. Most recently, Ms. Smith was the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) from 2011 until early 2019. Prior to joining DECD, Ms. Smith served in several positions at ING, including as CEO of ING U.S. Retirement Services, Chief Operating Officer for ING U.S. and CEO of the U.S. Insurance businesses. She began her career at Aetna, where she held various management positions including Chief Financial Officer for Aetna Financial Services, investment officer, corporate strategy liaison, and head of investor relations. Ms. Smith graduated from Hampshire College and received a Master’s in Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Management. Ms. Smith is chair of the Board of Outward Bound USA and a member of the Board of Trustees of Hampshire College.
Richard Spencer has served as a director of Global Atlantic since February 2020 and previously served as a director of Global Atlantic from 2013 to 2017. Mr. Spencer served as Secretary of the Navy from 2017 to 2019. He is former Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), the leading electronic commodity futures exchange. Mr. Spencer also has extensive experience in financial services, working for various financial firms for over 16 years, including Goldman Sachs and DLJ. Mr. Spencer was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps and he graduated from Rollins College with a degree in Economics.
Sigal Zarmi has served as a director of Global Atlantic Financial Group Limited since February 2023. Ms. Zarmi has over 35 years of experience in large scale digital transformation, technology operations, strategic planning, leadership. and talent development. She is currently a senior advisor at the Boston Consulting Group, Inc., a global management consulting firm and a board member at ADT and Hashicorp. Prior to this she served as Morgan Stanley’s International CIO and Global Head of Transformation. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Ms. Zarmi was Vice Chairman - Global and US CIO of PwC. Before that, she was the CIO of GE Capital Americas, where she spent 18 years in various executive technology and operations leadership positions. Ms. Zarmi holds an MBA from Columbia University and a B.S. in Engineering from the Technion—Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel.