Board of Directors

Rodney O. Martin, Jr., is executive chairman of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), which helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings — to get ready to retire better.

Martin is a veteran of the retirement, insurance and financial services industries with more than 40 years of high-profile experience. He joined Voya as CEO in 2011 and served as the company’s chairman and CEO for more than a decade before assuming the role of executive chairman.

As Voya’s CEO, Martin advanced a significant financial, operational and cultural transformation and evolved the business portfolio to one focused on delivering health, wealth and investment solutions that enable Voya’s approximately 14.8 million individual, workplace and institutional clients to achieve their financial wellness goals with confidence. 

Under Martin’s leadership, Voya successfully completed the necessary preparations for an initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange in May 2013 – one of the top performing IPOs of that year. He led Voya in the achievement of several notable financial and operational accomplishments, including generating strong organic growth across all of its businesses; taking Voya from bottom-quartile to top-quartile financial performance, including strong adjusted operating earnings per share growth; executing an enterprise transformation that has exceeded its goals in terms of savings – more than $300 million – and organizational health; and returning more than $7.5 billion in excess capital to shareholders during his time as CEO.

Martin also advanced Voya’s culture while defining the character of the Voya brand. Under his leadership, Voya earned recognition as a leader in important areas such as corporate responsibility; diversity, equity and inclusion; environmental, social and governance; and purpose – earning numerous accolades, including: Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies in its first year eligible; World’s Most Ethical Companies each year eligible; and Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index each year since its creation.

Prior to joining Voya, Martin held several leadership roles of increasing responsibility during a 10-year tenure at AIG. He served as COO of AIG Worldwide Life Insurance; chairman and CEO of American Life Insurance Company (Alico); chairman of American International Assurance (AIA); and chairman of AIG’s international life and retirement services businesses. Martin previously was president and CEO of American General Life Companies prior to its acquisition by AIG in 2001. He began his career in 1975 as an agent with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, where he served more than 20 years, ultimately becoming president of Connecticut Mutual Insurance Services.

Martin earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Alfred University. He is a recognized thought leader on a range of business topics, including board diversity and inclusivity for people with disabilities and special needs. Martin is a fellow, Life Underwriter Training Council. He serves on the board of Junior Achievement USA and is a founding partner of the National Down Syndrome Society CEO Commission for Disability Employment.  Martin previously served on the boards of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA).

Heather Lavallee is chief executive officer, and a board member, of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), which helps Americans become well planned, well invested and well protected.

With 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Lavallee is a collaborative leader who excels in building high-performing businesses. Prior to assuming her current roles, Lavallee served as the company’s president and CEO-elect, overseeing Voya’s Workplace Solutions and Investment Management businesses, as well as Voya’s technology and data organizations, strategy and risk teams.

Previously at Voya, Lavallee served as CEO of Voya’s Wealth Solutions business where she led its customer experience and profitable growth — delivering planning, investing and protection solutions to and through the workplace to help individuals and employers from “hire through retire.” As part of the company’s focus on health and wealth solutions, Lavallee oversaw all aspects of Voya’s retirement offerings, including Tax-Exempt and Corporate Markets, which comprise the company’s workplace and individual retirement businesses, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans. She also oversaw Operations Services, which supports Voya’s Workplace Solutions business.

Lavallee also served as the president of the company’s Tax-Exempt Markets business, and was responsible for all aspects of that business, including product, distribution, financial management, strategy and operational performance. Under her leadership, Voya’s Tax-Exempt Markets business achieved significant client growth, including Voya becoming the largest retirement plan provider in the government market in 2020. Earlier, Lavallee was president of Employee Benefits (now Health Solutions), where she oversaw all aspects of the group and voluntary insurance business — including strategy, product development, underwriting, actuarial, distribution and marketing.

Before joining the company, Lavallee worked at Mutual of Omaha as a regional vice president of the Group Insurance Division for their Western Region, and at Sun Life New York Insurance and Annuity Company, where she was responsible for marketing group life, short-term and long-term disability, and medical stop-loss insurance through insurance brokers and third-party administrators.

Lavallee’s achievements have been recognized through her receipt of the Hartford Business Journal’s “Top 25 Women in Business” award in 2022 and a 2012 Women in Insurance Leadership award by Insurance Networking News. In addition, she serves on the boards of the National Down Syndrome Society and Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, Inc.

Lavallee holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colby College and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business. She serves as one of the executive sponsors for Voya’s employee-led Environmental Stewardship Council and participates in Menttium’s Momentum cross-company mentoring program — which matches diverse, high-performing professionals with executives from other organizations.

David Zwiener was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in 2013. Mr. Zwiener serves as our Lead Director. Since March 2016, Mr. Zwiener has been engaged as an Operating Executive of The Carlyle Group. From January 25, 2015 to March 18, 2016, Mr. Zwiener was Interim CEO at PartnerRe Ltd. Since 2010, Mr. Zwiener has been a Principal in Dowling Capital Partners. Prior to joining Dowling Capital Partners, Mr. Zwiener was Chief Financial Officer of Wachovia Corporation. From 2007 to 2008, he was Managing Director and Co-Head of the Financial Institutions Group at The Carlyle Group. From 1995 to 2007, Mr. Zwiener served in increasingly responsible positions at The Hartford, rising to President and Chief Operating Officer – Property & Casualty. Mr. Zwiener is currently a director of the Hartford Hospital, and he is a trustee of the New Britain Museum of American Art. He previously served as a director of The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited, PartnerRe, Ltd., CNO Financial Group, The Hartford, and Sheridan Healthcare, Inc. Mr. Zwiener received an A.B. degree from Duke University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Jane P. Chwick was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in May 2014. Ms. Chwick serves as Chairperson of our Technology, Innovation and Operations Committee. Ms. Chwick was the Co-Chief Operating Officer of technology for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. when she retired in 2013, where she was employed in increasingly senior positions since 1983. Ms. Chwick serves on the boards of Essent Group, People's United Bank, N.A., MarketAxess Holdings, Inc. and, the Queens College Foundation. Ms. Chwick holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Queen’s College and a Masters of Business Administration in Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods from St. John’s University.

Kathleen DeRose was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in October 2019. Ms. DeRose is an Associate Clinical Professor of Finance at the New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business, where she leads the FinTech curriculum and is the Fubon FinTech Director. Ms. DeRose was the Managing Director, Head of Business Strategy and Solutions, Investment Strategy and Research at Credit Suisse Group AG, from 2013 to 2015, and the Managing Director, Head of Global Investment Process, Asset Management at Credit Suisse from 2010 to 2013. Prior to that, Ms. DeRose was the Managing Partner, Head of Portfolio Management and Research at Hagin Investment Management from 2006 to 2010, and the Managing Director, Head of Large Cap Equities at Bessemer Trust from 2003 to 2006. Ms. DeRose is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a B.A. from Princeton University, an M.B.A. from the NYU Stern, Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Paris (HEC), and the London School of Economics combined (TRIUM) programme and an M.Sc. from the University of Oxford.

Ruth Ann Gillis was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in July 2015. Ms. Gillis serves as Chairperson of our Compensation and Benefits Committee. Ms. Gills retired in 2014 as the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Exelon Corporation and President of Exelon Business Services Company. She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Exelon Corporation. Prior to joining Exelon in 1997, Ms. Gillis was vice president, treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of University of Chicago Hospitals and Health Systems as well as senior vice president and Chief Financial Officer of American National Bank, a subsidiary of First Chicago Corporation. She also serves on the boards of KeyCorp and Snap-on Incorporated. Ms. Gillis holds a B.S. from Smith College and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Byron Pollitt was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in July 2015. Mr.Pollitt serves as Chairperson of our Audit Committee. Mr. Pollitt served as Chief Financial Officer of Visa Inc. from 2007 to 2015. From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Pollitt served as executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer of Gap Inc. From 1990 to 2003, he held a number of senior leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company, including serving as executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts from 1999 to 2003. In 2012, he was selected as one of the 25 Best S&P 500 CFOs by The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Pollitt holds a B.S. from the University of California-Riverside and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Joseph V. Tripodi was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in April 2015. Mr. Tripodi is the former Chief Marketing Officer of the Subway Corporation since December 2015. Mr. Tripodi was the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer for The Coca-Cola Company until February 2015. Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company in 2007, Mr. Tripodi served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Allstate Insurance Company from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Tripodi also previously served as Chief Marketing Officer for the Bank of New York in 2002 and Seagram Spirits & Wine from 1999 to 2002. Prior to joining Seagram, Mr. Tripodi held several marketing roles at MasterCard International, including serving as its Executive Vice President, Global Marketing, Products and Services from 1989 to 1998. Mr. Tripodi received a master’s degree in management and industrial relations from The London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard College.

Mr. Lewis served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Potbelly Corporation, a franchisor of quick service restaurants, from June 2008 until his retirement in November 2017. From September 2005 to February 2008, Mr. Lewis was President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears Holdings Corporation, a nationwide retailer. Prior to being named Chief Executive Officer of Sears, Mr. Lewis was President of Sears Holdings and Chief Executive Officer of KMart and Sears Retail following Sears’ acquisition of Kmart Holding Corporation in March 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Lewis had been President and Chief Executive Officer of KMart since October 2004. Mr. Lewis was Chief Multi-Branding and Operating Officer of YUM! Brands, Inc., a franchisor and licensor of quick service restaurants including KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and A&W, from 2003 until October 2004, Chief Operating Officer of YUM! Brands from 2000 until 2003 and Chief Operating Officer of Pizza Hut from 1996 to 1997. He currently serves on the board of directors of Marriott International, Inc. and previously served on the board of directors of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., The Walt Disney Company and Starwood Hotels.

Yvette Butler was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in April 2021. Ms. Butler is the founder and CEO of Hive Wealth, a community-driven mobile app aimed at helping people build financial wealth.  Ms. Butler was president of SVB Private Bank & Wealth Management from June 2018 to May 2022. Prior to joining SVB in June 2018, Ms. Butler served as executive vice president of Capital One Investing since April 2013. Before joining Capital One, she was managing director for Wells Fargo Advisors, heading up the direct business teams, including WFA Solutions and WellsTrade. Ms. Butler also previously led investor marketing for E*Trade and, at Merrill Lynch, launched the firm’s financial advisory center, which later became Merrill Edge. Ms. Butler’s early career included roles at Charles Schwab and McKinsey & Company. Ms. Butler was named to the Washingtonian’s prestigious list of Most Powerful Women in Washington in 2017 and was named to Savoy magazine’s 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America in 2020. She received an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in finance and management information systems from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce. She is a board member and treasurer of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.

Ms. Biggar served as a director of Voya Financial, Inc. from 2014 to 2021 and was re-appointed as a director in March 2022. Ms. Biggar served as the Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer of Visa Inc. prior to her retirement in March 2022. Prior to joining Visa in February 2016, Ms. Biggar was the Executive Vice President of Consumer Marketing + Revenue at Time Inc. since November 2013. Prior to that, Ms. Biggar served as Executive Vice President & General Manager of International Card Products + Experiences for American Express beginning in January 2012 and was a member of the company’s Global Management Team. From August 2009 to January 2012, Ms. Biggar served as Executive Vice President & General Manager of the Membership Rewards and Strategic Card Services group at American Express. Prior to that, Ms. Biggar led American Express’ consumer travel business from January 2005 to July 2009. Before joining American Express in 1992, Ms. Biggar held various positions in international strategy and marketing.

Stephen Bowman was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in March 2023. Mr. Bowman served as Chief Financial Officer of The Northern Trust Corporation from 2014 until his retirement in 2020. As CFO, Bowman was responsible for the Company’s Global Finance function including Controller’s group, Financial Planning and Analysis, Tax, Investor Relations, Treasury, Capital Adequacy, Business Unit Finance, Corporate Real Estate, Procurement, Fee Billing and Finance Technology. Prior to his CFO role, Mr. Bowman served in various leadership positions at The Northern Trust Corporation, including Chief Human Resources Officer and CEO or Northern Trust’s European and North American region. Mr. Bowman is a National Trustee of Miami University and serves as the Chair of the Investment Subcommittee. Mr. Bowman has also served as the Chairman of the Lincoln Park Zoo and Glenwood Academy. Mr. Bowman is a graduate of Miami University and earned a MBA from DePaul University.

Hikmet Ersek was appointed a director of Voya Financial, Inc. in March 2023. Mr. Ersek has more than 38 years of executive experience in Global Financial Services. Mr. Ersek is currently a Supervisory Board Member of Erste Bank Holding (EBS.VI). With his investment vehicle, Ersek Enterprises LLC, he is also advising and investing in privately held companies. Additionally, since 2015 he has been serving as the Austrian Honorary Consul in the USA, responsible for Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico. Mr. Ersek began his global career in financial services in Europe when he joined Europay/MasterCard in Austria in 1986. A decade later in 1996, he joined General Electric (GE) Capital as Business Development executive, he also represented the GE Corporation as the National Executive for Austria and Slovenia. Ersek joined Western Union in 1999 and until 2010 he was responsible for international expansion of Western Union in Europe, Africa, and Asia. From 2010-2021 he was the CEO and Director of the company (NYSE: WU). Founded more than 170 years ago, Western Union has become under Ersek’ s leadership one of the world’s most global companies, serving more than 150 million customers in 200 countries, 12000 employees speaking more than 75 languages. Hikmet Ersek successfully diversified and evolved Western Unions business portfolio to become a global digital payments company.