Keynote Speaker: Mike Simonds

Chief Operating Officer, Unum Group

Unum is one of the world’s leading providers of workplace financial protection benefits. As Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Unum Group, Mike Simonds is responsible for all U.S. and International operations, working to ensure the company builds on its nearly 200 years in business, while adapting to customers’ changing needs.

Simonds was named COO of Unum Group in January 2020. Since beginning his career with Unum in 1994, Simonds has worked in leadership roles including President and CEO of Unum US, as well as chief operating officer and chief marketing officer for the business line. During his tenure, Simonds helped lead the company’s expansion into voluntary, dental and vision benefits.

While earning bachelor’s degrees in economics and anthropology from Bowdoin College, Simonds began his career at Unum. He worked in management positions in finance, marketing and sales before leaving the company to earn his master’s in business administration from Harvard Business School. He then advised a range of financial institutions as a consultant for McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, before returning to Unum in 2004. Simonds lives in Falmouth, Maine, with his wife, Ruby, and their four boys. He is active in several non-profit boards and is a member of LL Global’s Board of Directors.