John J. Kalamarides

About John J. Kalamarides

Today, I have a portfolio of professional activities focusing on transforming commercial and not-for-profit organizations and markets to achieve a more equitable, sustainable, and profitable outcome. Through my advisory firm, Bear North LLC, I provide strategy and consulting services for transformational business results to four client sectors: private equity, business services, financial services & not-for-profits. As a fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, I advocate for pragmatic solutions to advance the common good in retirement, financial wellness & paid family leave. As the Chairman of the Connecticut Catholic Foundation, I lead a rapidly growing community foundation. My career at Prudential Financial spanned significant leadership roles, including President of its Group Insurance business, Chairman & CEO of Prudential Bank & Trust, Head of the defined contribution and stable value businesses, & retirement CMO. Before Prudential, I held leadership positions at CIGNA, Accenture, and Coalition Greenwich. As President of the Group Insurance business, I led the 3rd largest U.S. group life and disability income insurance provider with over $5 Billion in policies, serving over 3500 clients and 20 million workers and their families. As head of Prudential\'s Defined Contribution Business, I led the 7th largest 401k/457/403b and Taft-Hartley defined contribution provider with more than $260B in AUA serving 300 clients with more than 3.5 million participants. In addition to being a nationally recognized thought-leader on Financial Wellness, I have done an extensive amount of work with consumer and industry press including: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNBC, Time and USAToday. I have also headlined presentations at The Aspen Institute, AARP, and US Chamber of Commerce forums.I have served as an executive director, independent director, and advisory member for numerous boards including Prudential Retirement & Insurance Annuity Company, Prudential Bank & Trust F.S.B, Global Portfolio Strategies, Inc, Prosperity Now, and I am the Chair of the Connecticut Catholic Foundation.My areas of expertise include:Strategy | Private Equity | Transformational Change | Public Relations | 401k | 457 | Pooled Employer Plans | Taft-Hartley | Disability Insurance | Paid Family Leave | Employee Benefits | Benefits Administration | Banking | Trust Services | Mergers & Acquisitions | Life Insurance | Stable Value | Institutional Investing | Due DiligencePosts are my own.

Experience

1. Fellow

   Bipartisan Policy Center

   Feb 2023 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   The Bipartisan Policy Center is a Washington, DC-based think tank that actively fosters bipartisanship by combining the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans.

Education

• UConn School of Public Policy

  Master of Public Administration - MPA, Public Policy Analysis

• The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

  MBA

  1992 — 1994

• Colgate University

  BA, Economics with Honors, Mathematics

  1985 — 1989