Shares: Expanding the Reach of Financial Services

In this special episode of our Shares podcast recorded at The College’s 2024 Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP), senior reporter for ThinkAdvisor John Manganaro speaks with President Nichols about his background at New York Life, his roles as the first Black president of The College and insurance commissioner for the state of Kentucky, and how his experiences working with diverse communities power his commitment to applied financial knowledge.

George Nichols III, CAP® currently serves as the 10th president and CEO in the storied history of The American College of Financial Services. Nichols joined The College after a 17-year stint at New York Life, where he held principal roles in sales, P&L, strategic initiatives, and public policy. In 2007, Nichols was named to the company's executive management committee. He also served as executive vice president in the Office of Governmental Affairs. Before joining New York Life, Nichols was the state of Kentucky's first Black insurance commissioner, leading regulation of the state's $10 billion insurance industry through his expertise in health insurance reform and financial services integration. He gained this knowledge through stints as the executive director of the Kentucky Health Policy Board, vice president of marketing for Athena of North America, executive director of product development with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kentucky, CEO of Central State Hospital in Louisville, and executive assistant to the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Mental Health Services.

Nichols has been acclaimed for his efforts to drive transformative change in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the financial services profession and elsewhere. Savoy, a leading Black business and lifestyle magazine, named him among the "Most Influential Black Corporate Executives" twice: in 2012 and 2018; and among the “Most Influential Black Corporate Directors” in 2021. He was named to Forbes' inaugural 2021 edition of "The Culture 50 Champions." Nichols was also honored as one of "The Ten to Watch in 2021" by WealthManagement.com, and in 2022, he won a ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES award for Executive Leadership, followed by InvestmentNews’ recognition in 2023 for the year’s See It, Be It role model. Additionally, Nichols is the inaugural recipient of the Alonzo Herndon Award by Business Insurance Magazine.

This episode is a collaboration with ThinkAdvisor.

Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are the hosts’ and guests' own and do not necessarily represent those of The American College of Financial Services.

More From The College

• Learn About CAAFP
• Visit Our Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality
• See More News From President Nichols