Teachers Life, a fraternal insurer, announced April 6 that Kayte Fredrickson has been appointed chief executive officer. In this role, Fredrickson is responsible for leading Teachers Life, and its division nowly – “a new digital-first and purpose-driven life insurance offering,” says the organization. 

Fredrickson has more than 20 years’ experience in senior roles in the insurance industry, most recently as a VP of Insurance with the Ontario Medical Association. She also led an innovation-focused team at Munich Re, and has held positions with other insurance organizations, including Desjardins, Swiss Re and Manulife Financial.

“Kayte has extensive experience in areas that are integral to the CEO role at Teachers Life, including insurance, innovation, and member services — a background that will serve her well in her new role,” said Lori Foote, chairman of the board of directors for Teachers Life. “This is especially important as Teachers Life expands its offerings to include nowly, and to our mission to improve the health and well-being of our communities.” 

Fredrickson says that it’s an exciting time to join the insurer. “Teachers Life has long been invested in closing the life insurance gap by making life insurance accessible and easy for underserved communities across Canada. While the industry has made big strides in modernization over the past several years, very few incumbent insurers are willing to be disruptive. Teachers Life is an exception, as it has demonstrated with the launch of nowly.”