Karen Gavan

Member, non-executive and independent
Born: 1961
Nationality: Canadian

Karen Gavan was elected to the Board of Directors of Swiss Re Ltd in 2018. She is a member of the Audit Committee. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Swiss Re America Holding Corporation.

Karen Gevan – Member, non-executive and independent (photo)

Professional experience

Karen Gavan started her career in finance roles at Prudential Insurance, Imperial Life and Canada Life. She joined Transamerica Life Canada in 1992 as Chief Financial Officer and added responsibilities over her tenure becoming Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2000 to 2002 of Transamerica Life Canada/AEGON Canada, and from 2003 to 2005 the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Until her retirement in November 2016, she served for five years as President and Chief Executive Officer at Economical Insurance, preparing the company for its initial public offering. During her leadership, the company also launched SONNET, Canada’s first fully digital insurer.

External appointments

Board member of Mackenzie Financial Corporation

Educational background

Honours Bachelor of Commerce, Lakehead University, Canada
Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, Canada