'Empower, execute, respect and create'

Working at Michigan-based Jackson Financial for over 35 years has given president and CEO Laura Prieskorn a unique advantage: serving in several different roles across the company’s IT and operations divisions.

“This wide array of experiences and responsibilities has proven valuable in my role as CEO, as I can understand how each team and business unit contribute to the success of the whole enterprise,” she wrote in an email to InvestmentNews.

When asked what she’s learned over the course of her career, she’s always taken to heart to not be afraid to embrace lateral moves to learn as much as possible, as opposed to always pursuing vertical growth in one area.

“Moving laterally can unlock significant growth opportunities by providing exposure to several different functions in the same industry or organization,” she said.

Under Prieskorn’s leadership, Jackson associates thrive in a culture centered on core values of empower, execute, respect and create. In the view of associates, her humility, mentorship, curiosity and genuine care for Jackson’s success make her a strong leader.

Last year was a great year of progress and execution for Jackson, Prieskorn noted. The firm continued to build momentum, deliver value to all stakeholders, all while positioning the firm for success in the years ahead.

Prieskorn is being recognized for her leadership at Jackson as an InvestmentNews Awards 2024 Excellence Awardee, with the winners announced on June 20 at 583 Park Avenue, New York City in a glitzy, red carpet ceremony. Click here to register to attend.

Prieskorn’s strategy for success includes fostering Jackson’s collaborative culture, trusting their strong leadership across the organization and seeking feedback for continuous improvement.

For more details about the InvestmentNews Awards, including a list of all finalists and details of how to attend, follow this link.