Illinois Mutual President and Chairperson, Katie McCord Jenkins, was honored at Bradley University’s annual Founder’s Day Convocation as one of two alumni to be inducted this year into its Centurion Society. Katie joins a distinguished group of fellow inductees, dating back to 1903, in being recognized for leadership achievements in her field and for continuing Bradley University founder Lydia Moss Bradley’s legacy of excellence.

The following excerpt was published by Bradley University in a news article about this year’s Centurion Society inductees:

Katie McCord Jenkins

Peoria native Katie McCord Jenkins, an alumna of Bradley University's Executive MBA program and the fifth-generation McCord to lead Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company, was appointed president of Illinois Mutual during a period of great turbulence following the economic crash of 2008. Despite the challenges, McCord Jenkins was a steady hand on the tiller, and the company emerged stronger than ever from the downturn. As a leader, McCord Jenkins is recognized as inventive and resourceful, with a mission to help people achieve [and safeguard their] financial security.

McCord Jenkins earned a bachelor’s degree at Boston University in 1994, and then completed her Executive MBA at Bradley in 2008. At Illinois Mutual, she is hailed as a problem-solving president with an emphasis on building strong relationships with customers. In a recent survey, 90% of Illinois Mutual customers said the company met or exceeded their expectations, and 86% of Illinois Mutual employees rate it as a great place to work earning the company the Great Place to Work™ certification.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, McCord Jenkins and her husband, Tom Jenkins, were the 2016 Campaign Chairs for the Heart of Illinois United Way campaign, and the Heart of Illinois United Way honored them with the Philanthropists of the Year Award in 2018. At Bradley, McCord Jenkins is involved with the Executive MBA Alumni Alliance, and she has also served on the Foster College of Business National Council of Advisors.

Established in 1982 by the university’s Board of Trustees, the Centurion Society recognizes the extraordinary achievements of Bradley University alumni. Entry to the Centurion Society is the highest honor the university awards its alumni.

Photo credit: Darrell Brown