# John Donohue

> John F. Donohue co-founded Quincy-based Arbella Insurance Group with Frank Bellotti in 1988 and served as CEO for 24 years before Paul Brady succeeded him on June 1, 2025. He remains chairman of Arbella’s board and CEO of the Arbella Insurance Foundation, with public commitments to independent insurance agents, education, immigrant communities, and Boston’s coastal resilience.

- **Role:** Chairman of the Board at Arbella Insurance Group; CEO of the Arbella Insurance Foundation
- **Organizations:** Arbella Insurance Group, Arbella Insurance Foundation, Boston Green Ribbon Commission, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology
- **Nationality:** American
- **Known for:** Co-founded Arbella in 1988 and served as its CEO for 24 years., During his tenure, Arbella grew to more than $1 billion in annual written premium, according to the March 2025 succession announcement., The Arbella Insurance Foundation reported more than $45 million donated over 20 years in March 2025.

## Career timeline

- **1988** — Co-founded Arbella with Frank Bellotti and became chairman of its board.
- **2001** — Became CEO of Arbella Insurance Group; the date is corroborated by the 24-year tenure stated in the 2025 succession announcement.
- **2005** — Arbella Insurance Foundation began its work, according to Donohue’s 2018 account and the 2025 retirement announcement.
- **2010** — Became a founding member of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission, the only insurance industry representative invited at its launch.
- **2017** — Received a Solas Award from the Irish International Immigrant Center, now Rian Immigrant Center.
- **2020** — Launched Arbella’s diversity and inclusion initiative with Gayle O’Connell.
- **2022** — Announced the foundation’s multi-year $300,000 grant to Franklin Cummings Tech.
- **2025-06-01** — Paul Brady succeeded him as Arbella CEO; Donohue remained board chairman and foundation CEO.
- **2026-04** — Named among the committee members for Franklin Cummings Tech’s Momentum Celebration, which raised more than $1 million.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Arbella in 1988 and served as its CEO for 24 years.
- During his tenure, Arbella grew to more than $1 billion in annual written premium, according to the March 2025 succession announcement.
- The Arbella Insurance Foundation reported more than $45 million donated over 20 years in March 2025.
- 2017 Solas Award recipient.
- Founding member of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — A BostonCMO-sponsored profile of Gayle O’Connell documented the diversity and inclusion initiative she and Donohue launched in 2020.
- **2026-04** — Franklin Cummings Tech named Donohue on the committee for its Momentum Celebration, which raised more than $1 million for scholarships.
- **2026-02** — AM Best’s Best’s Review reiterated the June 2025 CEO succession and his continuing chairman and foundation CEO roles.
- **2025-07** — Discussed coastal resilience financing and his continuing Green Ribbon Commission involvement.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/john-donohue
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14