Donald A. Guloien: Manulife Chief

Donald A. Guloien graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Donald joined Manulife Financial, one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world, in 1981 as a research analyst. His talent enabled him to quickly move through a number of strategic and marketing positions in both the Canadian and U.S. Divisions.

Donald became Vice President, US Individual Business in 1990. He was responsible for the operations of Manulife’s individual insurance and annuity business in the United States. From 1994 to 2001, he headed the company’s Business Development unit. Donald led a number of key acquisitions, divestures and strategic initiatives, including: the merger of Manulife with North American Life Assurance Company; sale o f Manulife’s U.K. business; Manulife’s conversion from a mutual life insurance company to a publicly traded stock company; and its entry into Japan.

Donald rose further through the ranks and became the Chief Investment Officer from 2001 to 2009. He became the CEO in 2009 under very tough economic and business conditions. Donald took the controversial actions of going to the market for $2.5 billion in common equity in November, 2009 and slashed the dividend in half in August, 2009.

A true leader, Donald took the painful but necessary actions to keep Manulife healthy and continue to experience solid returns.