# Margaret Meister

> Margaret Meister is president and CEO of Symetra Financial Corporation, a Bellevue-based provider of retirement solutions, life insurance and employee benefits. She joined its Safeco predecessor in 1988, became CFO in 2006 and CEO in 2018, and has also led technology and brand functions. Her public leadership emphasizes broader access to financial freedom, employee opportunity and community partnerships.

- **Role:** President and Chief Executive Officer at Symetra Financial Corporation
- **Organizations:** Symetra Financial Corporation, Sumitomo Life Insurance Group, Society of Actuaries, American Academy of Actuaries, American Council of Life Insurers, Washington Roundtable, Henry Art Gallery
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.A. in Mathematics, Whitman College, Graduate studies in mathematics; no degree recorded, Washington State University
- **Known for:** First female president and CEO of Symetra., 2015 Puget Sound Business Journal CFO Leadership Award., 2018 Puget Sound Business Journal Women of Influence honoree.

## Career timeline

- **1988** — Joined the Safeco business that later became Symetra as an actuarial student.
- **2004** — Became chief actuary and helped with the separation of Safeco’s life and investments business.
- **2006** — Appointed chief financial officer in February.
- **2010** — Played a principal role in Symetra’s IPO.
- **2014-2016** — Also served as chief information officer during a data-center transition.
- **2015** — Received the Puget Sound Business Journal CFO Leadership Award.
- **2016** — Played a principal role in the acquisition of Symetra by Sumitomo Life.
- **2018** — Became Symetra’s first female president and CEO in February.
- **2019** — Introduced Symetra Empowers; company announced Seattle Storm and NHL Seattle partnerships.
- **2022** — Symetra Social Impact launched in March.
- **2026** — Named among the Puget Sound Business Journal Most Admired CEOs honorees.

## Achievements

- First female president and CEO of Symetra.
- 2015 Puget Sound Business Journal CFO Leadership Award.
- 2018 Puget Sound Business Journal Women of Influence honoree.
- 2026 Puget Sound Business Journal Most Admired CEOs honoree.
- Helped guide Symetra through its separation from Safeco, IPO and acquisition by Sumitomo Life.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Named a Puget Sound Business Journal Most Admired CEOs honoree; the announcement was published June 18, 2026.

## Links

- Website: https://investors.symetra.com/management/margaret-meister
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-meister-b3a60010

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/margaret-meister
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22