Ascensus has appointed Jeri Hawthorne as its new Chief Human Resources Officer, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the company’s leadership as it navigates significant changes in the financial services industry. Hawthorne, who brings a wealth of experience from various sectors, will report directly to David Musto, Chair and CEO of Ascensus, and will operate from the company’s headquarters in Dresher, Pennsylvania.
In his announcement, Musto expressed enthusiasm about Hawthorne’s arrival, noting, “We are delighted to welcome Jeri Hawthorne to Ascensus at a time of significant transformation in our industry and across our company.” He emphasized that her extensive experience in organizations committed to excellence in client and employee experiences would be invaluable as Ascensus continues to evolve its scale, solutions, and organizational culture.
Hawthorne joins Ascensus from Aflac, where she held the position of Chief Human Resources Officer. Her previous roles include senior HR leadership positions at Campbell and Company, a quantitative hedge fund, and Exelon, the largest energy parent company in the United States. At Exelon, she was instrumental in leading talent and leadership development initiatives and oversaw teams that supported Constellation, the company’s competitive energy unit.
Extensive HR Leadership Experience
Early in her career, Hawthorne gained significant experience in key HR roles at T. Rowe Price and the U.S. Pharmacopeia. Additionally, she acquired international expertise while working in global human resources at Novo Nordisk A/S in Denmark. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Wheeling Jesuit University and a Master of Science from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.
Hawthorne succeeds Amy Walker, who will remain with Ascensus until mid-September to facilitate a smooth transition. With this leadership change, Ascensus aims to bolster its organizational culture and enhance its talent strategies as it seeks to expand its offerings in the financial services and benefits administration sectors.
As the company moves forward, Hawthorne’s appointment is expected to play a pivotal role in aligning its human resources strategies with its broader business objectives, ensuring that both employees and clients benefit from a robust and responsive organizational framework.
