Reinsurance Association of America Named New Leaders
The trade association appointed John Bender and Christopher Donelan to top board roles to oversee its operations.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in People
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The Reinsurance Association of America has named John Bender as Chairman and Christopher Donelan as Vice Chairman. These leadership changes follow the departure of former chairman Nic Berg, who moved to a new executive position at Sompo.
Why it matters
The board reshuffle follows Nic Berg's departure from SCOR US to lead Sompo's UK insurance business, impacting the strategic direction of the primary industry trade association for reinsurance providers in the U.S.
The trade association appointed two new leaders to its board effective September 23, 2026. This follows the transition of the former chairman from his prior role at SCOR US to a new role at Sompo.
The players
John Bender
Chairman of Reinsurance and Risk Management at Allied World Assurance Company.
Christopher Donelan
CEO of Global Reinsurance at Sompo International Holdings Ltd. since 2020.
Nic Berg
Former RAA chairman who left SCOR US to become CEO of Sompo's UK Insurance business.
Reinsurance Association of America
The primary national trade association representing the interests of reinsurance companies operating in the U.S.
The details
John Bender currently serves as the Chairman of Reinsurance and Risk Management at Allied World Assurance Company, while Christopher Donelan has been the CEO of Global Reinsurance at Sompo International Holdings Ltd. since March 2020. The association manages industry-level representation and risk management standards for member firms. Both incoming executives are alumni of St John's University, with Donelan holding an MBA in Insurance and Risk Management.
Timeline
October 2013: Christopher Donelan joined Sompo.
March 2020: Donelan became CEO of Global Reinsurance at Sompo.
September 23, 2026: Bender and Donelan were appointed to RAA board roles.
Market Landscape
These appointments follow the RAA leadership succession cycle common in the reinsurance industry. The shift reflects the broader trend of consolidation and movement among top executives across major global insurance carriers.
Operators should monitor the RAA's policy positions in the coming year, as new leadership often signals shifts in advocacy priorities for the industry. Firms should assess how changes at the board level might influence trade association support for pending regulatory changes.
The takeaway
The move underscores how executive talent mobility between major reinsurers directly shapes the governance of trade associations. Keep track of how these new board perspectives shift the organization's legislative and regulatory agenda in the next fiscal quarter.
Further reading
For more on executive transitions within the insurance industry, visit our People section.
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