William E. Kennard

Ambassador Kennard brings extensive experience in diplomacy, telecommunications regulation, public policy, law, private equity, and asset management to the boardroom. As U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, he promoted transatlantic trade and investment, reduced regulatory barriers to commerce, and gained significant exposure to international business, economic, political, and regulatory environments that is essential to executing MetLife’s global strategy.

As FCC Chairman, Ambassador Kennard shaped policies that advanced the adoption of new technologies, drove large-scale infrastructure investments, and promoted consumer access. This leadership uniquely positions him to advise MetLife’s executive officers as they manage the Company’s complex, regulated businesses in a rapidly evolving, technological environment.

With over twenty years of experience in the private equity and asset management space, Ambassador Kennard also demonstrates in-depth knowledge of investment decision-making, asset management strategies, and capital deployment that is important for overseeing management’s effort to allocate capital as the Company pursues its strategic goals.

In addition, his publicly traded company board experience broadens his perspective on corporate governance matters and equips him to support the Board across its strategy, risk, and sustainability oversight functions.

Director Core Competencies

• Corporate Governance / Public Company Board
• Global Leadership / Perspective
• Regulatory / Government
• Investments

MetLife Board Committees

• Compensation
  
• Executive
• Finance and Risk (Chair)
• Investment

Professional Highlights

• Velocitas Partners LLC, a global asset management firm
  • Co-Founder and Non-Executive Chairman (since 2013)
• Astra Capital Management, a private equity firm
  • Co-Founder (since 2016)
• Staple Street Capital, a private equity firm
  • Member of Operating Executive Board (since 2013)
• The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm
  • Managing Director (2001-2009)
• U.S. Government
  • Ambassador, U.S. Mission to the European Union (2009-2013)
  • Chairman, U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) (1997-2001)
  • General Counsel, FCC (1993-1997)
• Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand (now DLA Piper), a government affairs law firm
  • Partner (1984-1993)

Other U.S. Listed Public Company Directorships Within the Past Five Years

• Ford Motor Company (since 2015)
• AT&T Inc. (since 2014)
• Duke Energy Corporation (2014-2021)

Education

• B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, Stanford University
• J.D., Yale Law School