The Hartford announces new organizational structure combining operations and technology

The Hartford is expanding Deepa Soni’s role as chief information officer and head of Technology, Data, Analytics & Cyber to include Operations.

“Over the past several years, we have invested aggressively in technology – expanding digital capabilities, simplifying processes and platforms, and applying data, analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance products, services and customer experience across the enterprise,” said The Hartford’s Chairman and CEO Christopher Swift. “Combining customer-facing operations with our technology centers of expertise accelerates the benefits of our investments and supports the company’s ambitious growth agenda.”

John Kinney, who joined The Hartford in 2003 and has led Claims and Operations since 2021, will leave the company effective April 5. With Kinney’s departure, Steve Deane, the company’s chief claims officer, now reports directly to Swift. Apart from Kinney’s departure, all changes are effective immediately.

Soni, who remains a direct report to Swift, joined The Hartford in 2019 after growing her career in the banking sector. Since assuming her current role in 2021, she has led the company’s technology transformation, including migration to cloud-based digital platforms, and increased use of automation/artificial intelligence and advanced data and analytics.

Since joining the company in 2003, Kinney assumed roles of increasing responsibility and became an influential member of the enterprise leadership team. In addition to spearheading the use of claims data to improve outcomes for claimants and employers, he was a powerful voice for inclusion across The Hartford and served as the executive sponsor of the company’s Black Insurance Professionals Network (BIPN) employee resource group since 2019.

Swift added, “I am personally grateful for John’s leadership and deeply value his many contributions to The Hartford. The organizational changes announced today demonstrate our disciplined approach to leader development and succession planning. I am confident in our talented management team and excited about all that lies ahead for our company.”