WoodmenLife appoints first female CEO

WoodmenLife has announced that President and CEO Patrick L. Dees will retire from the company. The timeline for Dess’ retirement as president and CEO, as well as chairman of the WoodmenLife national board of directors, will be established in the coming months, the company said.

The board has selected Denise M. McCauley to succeed Dees as president and CEO. Upon assuming the role, she will be WoodmenLife’s first female president and CEO. McCauley is currently the executive vice president and chief operating officer, secretary for WoodmenLife.

Dees began his career with WoodmenLife in 1988 as a sales representative in Angleton, Texas. He became a regional director in 1996 and served in that position in several states. In 2009, Dees moved to WoodmenLife’s home office, where he held various senior management positions. He was appointed president and CEO in 2017.

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McCauley joined WoodmenLife in 2008 as vice president for core operations. In 2011, she was promoted to senior vice president of operations, and in 2015, she was named executive vice president and COO. Prior to joining the company, McCauley held various senior positions in the financial services sector.

“Denise’s commitment to excellence and passion for enriching the lives of others will serve her well as the organization’s 14th president and CEO,” Dees said. “I know she will continue to create value for our members while driving growth for the organization.”