Newly created role will develop integrated operations strategy to support growth.
MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, announced that Stephen Kennedy has joined the organization as senior vice president and chief operations officer.
In this newly created leadership position, Kennedy will be responsible for developing an integrated operations strategy to support Thrivent’s growth and ongoing transformation.
With over two decades of experience in financial service operations, Kennedy brings deep expertise working across multiple distribution models to deliver business results. He was previously at Allianz Life, serving as the head of operations for all product lines, focused on building relationships across the organization and developing teams to improve the customer experience. During his tenure there, he delivered successful automation initiatives and created operational efficiencies and solutions to improve service.
“Stephen is a wonderful addition to Thrivent and we’re excited to have him on board,” said Mary Jane Fortin, chief commercial officer at Thrivent. “He is a deeply experienced operations executive with a proven track record of collaborating across organizations to leverage emerging technologies and platforms to enhance the customer and financial advisor experience.”
Before joining Allianz Life, Kennedy held progressive leadership roles at American General, AIG’s U.S. life insurance business.
Kennedy received his bachelor’s degree from Monmouth College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois.
About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. It offers its more than 2 million clients a broad range of financial products, services and guidance. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs over the phone, online as well as through financial professionals and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $152 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/19). Thrivent carries an A++ (Superior) rating from AM Best, a credit rating agency; this is the highest of the agency’s 16 ratings categories and was affirmed in June of 2020. For more information, visit
Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.