Brian Durkin Appointed as Chief Data Officer at Pacific Life

Pacific Life, has recently announced the appointment of Brian Durkin as their Chief Data Officer. Brian Durkin brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, having worked in the technology and data analytics field for over 25 years. For over a century and a half, Pacific Life has been a trusted provider of life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, and investment solutions for individuals, businesses, and pension plans.

In a recent statement, Durkin expressed his excitement about joining the Pacific Life team while acknowledging his valuable experiences at USAA. His previous role at USAA, as the Data and Information Solutions Leader for Property and Casualty, showcased his capabilities as the primary IT executive responsible for delivering and supporting data and analytic solutions. His contributions included spearheading large-scale, mission-critical data modernization programs that transformed how USAA served its members.

At USAA, Durkin was also an IT Executive Sponsor for significant data-driven initiatives, providing deep technical expertise and thought leadership across various aspects of Data Management, including innovation, strategy, architecture, design, development, security, and governance. His efforts aimed to enhance data literacy and establish differentiating data capabilities within the organization.

An advocate for fostering diversity and inclusion, Brian Durkin served as a core Leadership Team Member for USAA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion resource groups, with a focus on advancing Women in Technology. He also played a crucial role as a Technology Board Member for financial services firms, advising on data, technology, and innovation.

Durkin’s commitment to knowledge sharing extended beyond the organization, as he was a regular speaker at Data Science and Technology conferences, where he emphasized leveraging data to make a difference. Additionally, he took on the role of driving the future of the Data and Machine Learning Engineer Profession at USAA.

Prior to his tenure at USAA, Brian Durkin worked with The Hartford as VP – Chief Data Architect, where he executed an organizational transformation to optimize, mature, and grow teams. His role also involved guiding the architecture of a Customer 360 solution across multiple business segments and directing a data ecosystem modernization from on-premises appliances to hybrid cloud services.

Durkin’s journey in the field of data and technology began at Progressive Insurance, where he held various positions, including Innovation Strategist, Solution Architect, and Enterprise Architecture Consultant. His contributions ranged from guiding strategy for Progressive’s Business Innovation Garage to overseeing the architecture of a Customer 360 solution. Durkin was instrumental in establishing the Modern Data Delivery approach, integrating big data, cloud, and data virtualization capabilities.

His career also included roles at InfoCision Management Corporation and the University of Dayton, where he honed his skills and made significant contributions to data management and technology.

As the newly appointed Chief Data Officer at Pacific Life, Brian Durkin is expected to bring his extensive experience and visionary leadership to further strengthen the company’s data and analytics capabilities. His track record of driving technology and organizational transformation using data and analytics makes him a valuable addition to the Pacific Life team.

Durkin’s appointment comes at a time when data-driven insights and technologies play a crucial role in the insurance and financial services industry. His expertise is likely to contribute to Pacific Life’s strategic initiatives and its mission to provide innovative life insurance and retirement solutions.

Pacific Life’s decision to bring Brian Durkin on board reflects the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry by harnessing the power of data and analytics in serving its customers.