Seramount award recognizes company’s Group Insurance president for her success in business and empowerment of women in the workplace.
Yanela Frias, president of Group Insurance at Prudential Financial, Inc., has been named 2022 P&L Executive of the Year by Seramount, a strategic professional services and research firm dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
The organization, formerly known as the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), honors innovative and inspiring leaders who empower and uplift women in the workplace. Frias was recognized for her outstanding leadership and business success, and for inspiring women as they navigate their careers.
“I’m honored to be recognized among so many innovative and inspiring leaders,” says Frias, who started her Prudential career in 1997 and was appointed president of Group Insurance in 2021. “Each of us is uniquely positioned to use our influence to set the tone and pave the way for more women to take their seats at the table, as leaders and decision-makers. I’m thankful to work for a company that shares my beliefs and commitment to help women succeed.”
In nominating Frias for the award, Caroline Feeney, CEO for Prudential’s U.S. Insurance & Retirement Businesses, hailed her as “a bold, courageous leader” who has transformed her senior leadership team and developed a refreshed business strategy after the sale of the company’s full-service retirement business to Empower earlier this year.
In addition to her business leadership, Feeney cited the impact Frias, a Cuban immigrant, has made as a mentor to Latina employees. “Yanela’s passion toward giving back and helping others is visible and an important part of who she is,” Feeney wrote. “Whether it’s formally or informally mentoring others, acting as an advocate for women and diverse talent at all levels, Yanela does it all.”
Prudential’s Group Insurance segment produces and distributes a full range of group life, disability, voluntary, and corporate- and trust-owned life insurance. Before being named to head Group Insurance last October, Frias was president of Prudential Retirement and led the Investment & Pension Solutions business within Prudential Retirement. Frias has also served as chief financial officer for Prudential’s Individual Annuities and Individual Life Insurance businesses.
She is a member of World 50, a private and global community for C-suite executives to share ideas, solutions and collaborative discovery for a lasting impact. In addition, she serves as advisor and board member to several organizations dedicated to advancing financial wellness, including the Financial Health Network’s Financial Solutions Lab Advisory Council, LIMRA’s Financial Wellness Steering Committee, EBRI’s board of trustees, and the Aspen Institute’s Benefits21 initiative.
Frias received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and an MBA in finance from Rutgers University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
