The Darwin McCallian Executive Leadership Forum is designed to bring influential business leaders (e.g., C-suite and senior executives) to the Scott College of Business to share their leadership philosophy, expertise, professional experiences, and career journey with students, faculty, and the university community. The first forum will feature ISU alumnus, Frederick J. Crawford, former President of Aflac Incorporated and Indiana State University alumnus, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in University Hall Theater.
Crawford joined Aflac in 2015 as chief financial officer. With nearly three decades of financial and leadership experience, he was promoted to president and chief operating officer of Aflac Incorporated in January 2020. In this expanded role, he was responsible for leading a number of areas that are pivotal to Aflac Incorporated’s growth and long-term success, including executing enterprise growth initiatives; transforming the enterprise by leveraging digital growth and efficiency initiatives; driving sustainability initiatives across the enterprise; delivering on key strategic initiatives that achieve expected returns on investment; and ensuring the financial stability and strength of Aflac Incorporated, with oversight of the U.S. businesses, enterprise finance, risk, investments, as well as corporate technology and human resource operations.
Before joining Aflac, Crawford served most recently as executive vice president and chief financial officer of CNO Financial Group. Prior to that, he worked for more than a decade at the Lincoln Financial Group in roles of progressive responsibility, including executive vice president and chief financial officer, in addition to leading Corporate Development and Investments. Before joining the Lincoln Financial Group, Fred held leadership positions at Bank One Corporation.
Crawford has recently announced his retirement effective September 2024 from Aflac and is currently serving in the capacity of executive vice president of Aflac, consulting with its leadership team on transition and select key initiatives.
Crawford completed his Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing from Indiana State University in 1985.