Talent is the foundation of industry success. Our Shin Research Emerging Talent Trends, funded by Kyobo Life Insurance Company,
provides a global perspective on workforce evolution across the insurance sector. The study highlights shifting employment patterns,
projected role growth, and the critical skills required to sustain the industry’s future in an era defined by digital transformation
and demographic change.
The insurance industry stands at a pivotal inflection point. While overall employment is expected to grow over the next decade,
traditional functions are projected to contract, and advances in AI and automation will have the most profound impact on the
industry’s trajectory and evolving skill set requirements. To build a future-ready workforce, organizations face mounting pressure
to manage talent more strategically amid the convergence of technological disruption, socio-economic shifts, and changing employee
expectations. Leading companies are leveraging advanced people analytics to better understand engagement drivers and to cultivate
workplace cultures that attract, retain, and inspire top talent.
At the same time, boardrooms are redefining their view of talent management. Once centered primarily on CEO succession, boards now
view workforce strategy as integral to organizational resilience, innovation, and inclusion. Through the lens of executive experts,
this content explores leadership and workforce priorities—building a culture of leadership and accountability, recruiting the next
generation of talent, retaining and engaging employees across both traditional and emerging roles, upskilling and reskilling for a
digital, data-driven future, and cultivating mentorship and purpose-driven leadership.
Together, these insights will help guide boards and executives in shaping a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive insurance
workforce for the future.
Senior Vice President of Executive Search and Business Development
The Jacobson Group
Jeff Blair is the Senior Vice President of Executive Search and Business Development for The Jacobson Group. In this role,
Jeff provides leadership and strategic direction to the firm’s executive search practice, which provides executive search and
selection consulting for insurance leadership positions across all disciplines. Jeff is also an integral part of Jacobson’s Senior
Leadership Team and is accountable for directing corporate-wide initiatives to generate the continued growth and development of the
entire organization.
Jeff’s background includes more than 15 years in the insurance industry and more than 10 years in premier global consulting and
executive search. Leveraging this experience, Jeff brings a distinguished history of enterprise leadership, strategic management
and organizational development expertise to his role at Jacobson. He has played pivotal roles in establishing and leading new
business units within executive search firms, driving revenue growth and client success through strategic planning and innovative
sales approaches. Notably, Jeff’s leadership in global managed services and digital sales has resulted in the successful structuring
and staffing of high-performing client delivery teams, exceeding targets, and securing beta clients to establish the viability of
new digital products in the market.
With a strong track record of launching new products, securing key partnerships and driving sales growth in competitive markets,
Jeff’s accomplishments are propelled by an impressive strategic vision and sharp business acumen. He is passionate about driving
transformation, improving organizational performance, developing talent and culture, and building trusted stakeholder relationships
to help organizations and individuals thrive in dynamic environments.
Jeff received his Master of Science in Informational Technology from Drexel University, his MBA in risk management from
Temple University, and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Drexel University. He holds an Executive Leadership Program
certificate from Saint Joeseph’s University and has earned a Competitive Marketing Strategy certificate from Columbia University.
Jeff can be reached at jblair@jacobsongroup.com or +1 (312) 884-0479.
THE JACOBSON GROUP
The Jacobson Group is the leading provider of talent to the insurance industry. For more than 50 years,
Jacobson has been connecting organizations with insurance professionals at all levels across all industry verticals.
Jacobson provides insurance talent solutions to support virtually any human capital need. We offer
executive search
services and comprehensive staffing solutions, including
professional recruiting,
temporary staffing
and interim experts.
Further information is available at jaconsongroup.com.
Senior Vice President
The Jacobson Group
Jeff Black is Senior Vice President of Sales at The Jacobson Group, the leading provider of executive search and staffing
services for the insurance industry. In this role, he drives growth, business development and strategic partnerships within
Jacobson’s temporary staffing and professional recruiting service lines. As a member of the firm's Senior Leadership Team,
Jeff also contributes to shaping the organization's strategic direction while fostering cross-functional collaboration to
achieve growth objectives.
With more than 15 years of experience in professional services, recruiting and staffing, Jeff brings valuable expertise to
serve the unique staffing needs of the insurance industry. His impressive background includes proven success in team leadership,
market development and relationship management across major metropolitan markets. Prior to joining Jacobson, Jeff served as
Director of Sales at Eliassen Group, where he led significant market expansion throughout the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia
regions, growing revenue and tripling consultant placements. Previously, he spent more than a decade at Randstad Technologies,
advancing from Technical Recruiter to Account Management and Managing Director roles. As Managing Director of what was one of
the organization's flagship offices in New York City, he led strategic growth initiatives while consistently ranking among the
organization’s top performers.
Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va.
Jeff can be reached at jblack@jacobsongroup.com or +1 (312) 884-0488.
THE JACOBSON GROUP
The Jacobson Group is the leading provider of talent to the insurance industry. For more than 50 years,
Jacobson has been connecting organizations with insurance professionals at all levels across all industry verticals.
Jacobson provides insurance talent solutions to support virtually any human capital need. We offer
executive search
services and comprehensive staffing solutions, including
professional recruiting,
temporary staffing
and interim experts.
Further information is available at jaconsongroup.com.
Chief Executive Officer
The Jacobson Group
Corey Pinkham is Chief Executive Officer of The Jacobson Group, the leading provider of executive search and staffing services
for the insurance industry. In this role, he leads day-to-day business operations, while shaping Jacobson’s long-term growth
strategy and guiding the firm’s continued evolution alongside the industry’s changing demands. He ensures the delivery of
innovative talent solutions, access to top-tier professionals and actionable market intelligence that empower Jacobson’s
clients to succeed.
Since joining Jacobson in 2023, Corey has held leadership roles overseeing the organization’s search and staffing services,
as well as key corporate functions including human resources, operations, IT, legal and marketing. Most recently as President,
he championed operational innovation, advanced efficiency, strengthened client relationships and deepened industry engagement.
Prior to joining Jacobson, Corey held senior leadership positions at Randstad Technologies, where he provided executive leadership
to a global team of more than 150 and directed complex talent acquisition strategies across 26 markets. His impressive background
spans all areas of search and staffing, including recruitment optimization, sales and fulfillment, account management, and more.
A relationship-focused leader, Corey is committed to providing the exceptional client and candidate service and comprehensive
talent solutions that uphold and advance Jacobson’s long-standing reputation in the industry. He is recognized as a thought leader
in the insurance talent space and regularly contributes his insights to industry publications and associations, including the
International Insurance Society and Financial Times
Corey earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in business management from Salem State University in Salem, Mass.
Corey can be reached at cpinkham@jacobsongroup.com or +1 (312) 884-0408.
THE JACOBSON GROUP
The Jacobson Group is the leading provider of talent to the insurance industry. For more than 50 years,
Jacobson has been connecting organizations with insurance professionals at all levels across all industry verticals.
Jacobson provides insurance talent solutions to support virtually any human capital need. We offer
executive search
services and comprehensive staffing solutions, including
professional recruiting,
temporary staffing
and interim experts.
Further information is available at jaconsongroup.com.
Principal
RPM Strategy and Management Consulting LLX
Ralph Mucerino began his professional insurance career with The Travelers and joined AIG in 1979. He held several roles in the Domestic Brokerage Group earlier in his career including Senior Vice President of Commerce & Industry and Senior Vice President of American Home and National Union where he was responsible for several business units and operations, including field operations and IT. Ralph’s ensuing career encompassed a wide range of roles in both consumer and commercial insurance, including multiple regional management roles for domestic and overseas businesses, multiple product manager roles in commercial and consumer insurance, multiple leadership roles in distribution, marketing and client management and leadership positions in reengineering of AIG’s overseas businesses.
During his distinguished forty-one-year career with American International group, Ralph led multiple diverse businesses which highlighted his leadership, vision, creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. In 1996, he assumed the CEO role for the Africa-Middle East Region. He then relocated to Japan, where he served as President of the Far East Region, AIG’s largest general insurance operation outside of the United States. In 2002, upon his return from Japan, Ralph was appointed CEO of AIG Global Energy and, in 2006, for the combined AIG Global Marine and Energy Division. In November 2008, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of AIU for the company’s international businesses. In 2011, Ralph was appointed Head of Distribution for General Insurance, globally. This was followed by appointments as President of the Consumer Lines business for the Americas and President of AIG Partnerships and sponsorships for Accident and Health business from 2014 until his retirement in October of 2020.
Mr. Mucerino retired in October of 2020 as Senior Vice President of AIG.
Talent & Leadership
View the Talent & Leadership author bios below:
Jeffrey Blair
Jeff Black
Corey Pinkham
Ralph Mucerino