Jackson Financial Inc. announced a leadership transition effective October 1, 2026, with Don Cummings set to succeed Laura Prieskorn as President and Chief Executive Officer. Cummings, currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will also join the JFI Board of Directors. Prieskorn, who plans to retire at the end of 2026, will serve as an advisor through December 31, 2026, to ensure a smooth transition. Brian Walta will succeed Cummings as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, also effective October 1, 2026.

Leadership Profiles

Cummings has more than 30 years of industry experience. He joined Jackson in 2020 as Chief Accounting Officer and Controller and was promoted to CFO in 2024. Prior to Jackson, he served as the interim CFO at Fortitude Reinsurance Company and was the Global Corporate Controller at American International Group, Inc.

Walta joined Jackson in 1997 and has held various leadership roles, including responsibility for hedging, asset liability management, capital modeling, and business plan forecasting. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst certification, is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

Transition Timeline

The leadership transition will unfold over the final quarter of 2026:

Steven A. Kandarian, Chairman of Jackson’s Board of Directors, praised Prieskorn for her leadership during the company's demerger and significant growth. The Board expressed confidence in Cummings and Walta to sustain the company's culture and execute its growth strategy.

Jackson Financial Inc. will release its second quarter 2026 financial results after the market close on Monday, August 3, 2026. The company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Investors can access the live webcast and supplemental financial materials at investors.jackson.com, with a replay available following the call.

Jackson is listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol JXN. The company recently received analyst attention, with Jefferies upgrading the stock to Buy from Hold and setting a price target of $140. Barclays maintained an Overweight rating with a target of $139, while Keefe, Bruyette & Woods set a target of $130 under a Market Perform rating. Evercore ISI Group maintained an In-Line rating with a price target of $128.

Jackson is the marketing name for Jackson Financial Inc., Jackson National Life Insurance Company, and Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York. The firm specializes in annuity products and retirement planning.