The Hartford Brings In Two Senior Leaders to Strengthen Tech and Operations

The Hartford has made two major leadership changes to strengthen its technology and operations. The company announced that Shekar Pannala will take over as Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Jeffery Hawkins will become the Chief Data, AI, and Operations Officer. These changes are part of the company’s efforts to accelerate its digital transformation and improve operational efficiency.

Both leaders bring decades of experience in their fields and will report directly to Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift. Their appointments come as Deepa Soni, the previous Chief Information and Operations Officer, steps down to pursue an external opportunity. Soni will support the transition to ensure things move smoothly.

“Over the past several years, we have made tremendous progress on our Technology and Operations strategy, including digitizing processes, modernizing foundational technology infrastructure, and investing in cloud, data, and AI,” Swift said. “Our new structure enables us to focus more deeply on our critical technology and operations​​ priorities and build on our competitive advantages.”

Shekar Pannala

Shekar Pannala is a seasoned technology executive with over 30 years of experience. Before joining The Hartford, he was the Global CIO at Chubb, leading large-scale technology programs across different business units and geographies. His leadership there focused on driving innovation and improving system performance at scale.

Before Chubb, Shekar held top roles at S&P Global and BNY Mellon. At BNY Mellon, he was Executive Vice President and Divisional CIO, responsible for asset servicing technology. He focused on simplifying legacy systems, introducing modern platforms, and delivering measurable outcomes. His work often involved aligning IT strategy with broader business goals, especially in regulated environments.

Shekar has the ability to lead complex global teams, manage change at scale, and bring fresh thinking to traditional sectors like insurance and finance. His approach combines deep technical knowledge with a sharp focus on customer needs.

What He Will Do at The Hartford

As CIO, Shekar will lead technology strategy for the entire organization. This includes overseeing cybersecurity, infrastructure, and cloud modernization. His job is not just to maintain systems but to make them faster, safer, and more flexible so The Hartford can respond quickly to customer and business needs.

A big part of his role will be to help modernize legacy platforms and introduce newer cloud-based systems. He will also play a key role in ensuring that all technology decisions align with long-term company goals. His leadership is expected to drive innovation across departments and bring a more agile, tech-forward mindset to the company.

Jeffery Hawkins

Jeffery Hawkins is a leader with over 25 years of experience in technology and operations. He recently served as Chief Information Officer at CVS Health, leading major digital and IT transformations. His focus was on improving customer and employee experiences through innovative technology use.

Before CVS, Jeff spent nearly two decades at Humana, holding various leadership roles in IT and operations. He helped the company adopt digital tools, personalize customer services, and streamline internal workflows. His work centered around using data and AI to solve real-world business problems.

What He Will Do at The Hartford

In his new role as Chief Data, AI, and Operations Officer, Jeff will be responsible for integrating advanced data analytics and AI into day-to-day operations. He’ll examine how The Hartford collects, manages, and uses data, from customer interactions to internal process optimization.

His job is to make sure data and AI tools are used in a way that supports decision-making, improves speed, and reduces costs. He will also oversee parts of the company’s operations, focusing on efficiency, automation, and service quality. His work is expected to cut through red tape, remove manual work, and ensure teams have the tools to deliver better results.

“Shekar has shaped the technology strategy for our property-and-casualty business units, and with his invaluable industry experience, he is uniquely suited for this newly created role,” Swift said. “Jeff brings strong technical expertise and strategic leadership skills, making him ideal for this new role, embedding data, analytics, and AI into Operations and across the enterprise. I look forward to working closely with Shekar and Jeff as we continue to advance our technological capabilities to enhance the experience we deliver to our customers and distribution partners.”

Strengthening Leadership

Until now, The Hartford had a single executive overseeing both technology and operations. Technology and operations are now treated as two distinct priorities, one led by Shekar and the other by Jeff.