With 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Heather Lavallee is a collaborative leader who excels in building purpose-driven, high-performing businesses.
As CEO, she’s responsible for driving Voya’s direction and overseeing growth plans. Previously, Lavallee served as Voya’s president and CEO-elect.
Prior to that, she was CEO of Voya’s Wealth Solutions business and, before that, president of the Tax-Exempt Markets business, which became the largest retirement plan provider in the government market in 2020.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year?
In my first 18 months as Voya’s CEO, I led a strategic transformation of the company’s business mix that expanded the company into new markets and introduced new solutions that are advancing Voya’s customer-centric growth strategy and setting new industry expectations.
This includes three successful strategic acquisitions and integrations that have expanded Voya’s reach, both in the U.S. and internationally, to provide differentiated experience to employers, employees and institutions.
Today, Voya is well-positioned and executing its strategy, which is centered on accelerated growth that continues to build the company’s core, expand into adjacencies, and explore and develop new transformative ideas.
In what ways are you involved in the community? As a board member for the Council for Economic Education, I dedicate my time and expertise for equitable access to financial education that is diverse and far-reaching. Additionally, I am committed to disability inclusion through serving as Voya Cares’ executive sponsor, a National Down Syndrome Society board member, and ongoing advocacy.
On the job
Guiding business principle: Stay true to your convictions and know that it is okay to follow your gut on big decisions.
Best way to keep your competitive edge: Do something that makes you feel uncomfortable every day.
Best business decision: Always taking the stretch assignment
Goal yet to be achieved: Continue to grow market cap at Voya
Personal touch in your office: Two things to mention — I have always had a picture of my boys on my desk, along with a framed reminder of the importance of “Perseverance.”
Personal side:
Place of residence: Old Saybrook
Favorite way to relax: Paddleboard
Hobbies: Anything active
Last vacation: Cruise
Favorite movie: “Princess Bride”
Currently reading: I’m always reading four or five things at the same time
Favorite cause: To live my own personal purpose, which is centered on inclusion.