Board of Directors

Mr. Lacher is Kemper’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. In this role, he has a deep understanding of the Company’s business, industry, risk management processes, and strategic initiatives. He plays a critical role on Kemper’s Board in acting as a liaison between the Board and the members of the Company’s executive management and operational teams. Mr. Lacher is an experienced insurance industry executive and prior to joining Kemper, he served in leadership positions with Allstate and Travelers.

Mr. Lacher is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, a member of the Board of Directors for JDRF International and a Trustee of the Field Museum of Natural History.

Mr. Parker is an experienced senior executive and corporate leader in the insurance and financial services industry. He currently serves as the Lead Director of the Kemper Board. Mr. Parker retired as the chief executive officer of USAA, which provides insurance, financial and banking services to military members, veterans and their families. The Kemper Board values his hands-on knowledge in areas such as insurance operations, executive leadership, strategy development, and corporate governance.

While at USAA, Mr. Parker also served on the board of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, a CEO-led coalition that helps companies focus on social responsibility. The Board also values Mr. Parker’s military service in the U.S. Air Force and as a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Ms. Canida is a highly successful leader in the investment management industry. She has extensive experience in portfolio management and has served in senior leadership roles in the industry as co-founder, principal and president of a multi-billion dollar investment advisory firm. Ms. Canida’s extensive experience in investments, risk management and executive leadership provides Kemper with valuable insight in these areas. Ms. Canida has been recognized as a leader in the Latino/Hispanic business community and the Board values her extensive knowledge of the Company’s Latino/Hispanic consumer base. Additionally, Ms. Canida brings important expertise of the specialty auto insurance business from her tenure on the Infinity Board of Directors.

Ms. Canida serves as a member of the Investment Advisory Council of the Florida State Board of Administration.

Mr. Cochran is an experienced financial and investment professional, serving in senior leadership positions at several investment banking and securities firms. His knowledge of the insurance industry, corporate transactions, and corporate finance is a significant benefit to the Board. With this experience and expertise, Mr. Cochran provides the Board with valuable insight on executive development, corporate transactions, risk management, corporate governance, operational and strategic matters.

The Board also values Mr. Cochran’s commitment to boardroom excellence. He is a National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”) Governance Fellow and Board Leadership Fellow and has completed NACD’s comprehensive program of study for directors and corporate governance professionals.

Mr. Gorevic is the former chief executive officer of Teladoc Health, a global leader in virtual medical care. His knowledge and experience gained as a corporate leader and entrepreneur is of great value to the Kemper Board. He has executive experience in risk management, strategic planning, and corporate transactions. The Board believes his significant first-hand knowledge of leading and operating a technology-focused, consumer-facing business in a regulated industry is of great benefit to Kemper and its businesses.

Mr. Johnson is a senior attorney and public servant with wide experience in governmental and regulatory affairs. His knowledge of these matters, gained over his 30 years in legal practice, provides the Board with important insight on government relations at the state and federal levels. In addition, Mr. Johnson has provided focused insight on Kemper’s “act like owner” culture, its ESG practices, diversity considerations, and other social topics.

The Board also values Mr. Johnson’s distinguished public service and leadership. He is a trusted advisor to many leaders and members of the Congressional Black Caucus and is a Democratic National Committeeman. Mr. Johnson’s public service includes participation on the governing bodies of many civic and educational institutions, including roles with the Indiana University Foundation and the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University. He also served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Intelligence Reserves and as a Lieutenant Colonel and Deputy Superintendent for Support Services of the Indiana State Police.

Mr. Laderman is Executive Vice President, Finance of United Airlines and has significant business and executive management experience. From 2018 to September 2023, Mr. Laderman was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines. Mr. Laderman’s expertise in accounting, financial reporting, and business operations is particularly valuable to the Kemper Board. In addition, he brings important insight and experience on capital and operating budget planning, cost management, capital allocation, public company operations, and other key corporate functions, including enterprise risk management. His experience as the chief financial officer of a Fortune 100 Company is especially important, given his role as chair of the Kemper Audit Committee.

Mr. Laderman is the treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of ISTAT (International Society of  Transport Aircraft Traders), a not-for-profit organization for aviation professionals.

Dr. McKinney is an experienced public health executive and nationally recognized expert in emergency preparedness. 

Dr. McKinney currently serves as Principal & Director of Life Sciences at Sterling Bay Company, LLC, a real estate development company.  At Sterling Bay, she is responsible for relationships with the scientific, academic, corporate, tech and governmental sectors involved in the life science ecosystem. Prior to joining Sterling Bay in February 2021, she served since 2015 as the executive director of the Illinois Medical District. Prior to leading the Illinois Medical District, Dr. McKinney was a deputy commissioner with the Chicago Department of Public Health.  She holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.

Dr. McKinney brings to the Board extensive experience in executive leadership, public service and crisis management.  The Board also values her deep involvement with the Chicago business community and her many philanthropic commitments.  

Mr. Paracchini is a leader in the banking industry and the Chicago business community. He has extensive experience in the financial services industry, and in corporate finance and executive leadership. The Board and the Company will benefit from his experience in financial matters and his executive leadership gained with a public company operating in a highly regulated industry. His extensive business and executive management experience, understanding of the financial industry, and valuable knowledge of key governance matters will be a significant benefit to the Company and the Board. Mr. Paracchini has been recognized as a leader in the Latino/Hispanic business community and the Board values his extensive knowledge of the Company’s Latino/Hispanic consumer base.

Mr. Paracchini serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Chicago and Scale Link, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The Board values his dedicated leadership to the Chicago community.

Mr. Sarofim is a leader in the financial services and investment management industry. In addition to his leadership positions at FS&C, Mr. Sarofim is a co-manager of the mutual funds his company manages for BNY Mellon, and he is a portfolio manager for institutional and high net worth clients. His investment management expertise and executive leadership experience is valued and utilized by the Board. In addition, the Investment Committee of Kemper’s Board values Mr. Sarofim’s financial market and securities analysis expertise. In addition, the long-term relationship between the Company and Mr. Sarofim and FS&C, as large shareholders, is valuable to the Board.

Mr. Sarofim’s community and charitable commitments include serving on the Board of Trustees for The Brown Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine, a member of the Advisory Committee for MD Anderson Cancer Center and as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sarofim Foundation.

Ms. Whiting has extensive experience in various operational and executive leadership roles while at Nielsen, where she worked for 35 years. She has significant expertise in consumer behavior, information services and data analytics, and governmental and public affairs. This expertise provides the Board with important insight into Kemper’s strategy to enhance consumer loyalty and the customer experience. Ms. Whiting is an active volunteer leader and board member for educational and not-for-profit organizations, currently serving as the Chair of the National Women’s History Museum, as a trustee for the Chicago Academy of Sciences’ Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and as a trustee for Denison University and The Trust for Public Land.

The Kemper Board values Ms. Whiting’s extensive service on public company, private company and non-profit boards and believes her experience in these roles enhances Kemper’s corporate governance.