Corebridge Hires Chris Smith to Replace COO Mia Tarpey

Corebridge Financial Inc. is changing top leadership, as Mia Tarpey, the asset manager’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, will step down from her position at the company as of July 1, the firm disclosed in a securities filing Monday. Tarpey, who began her stint as COO in August 2022, will rejoin Corebridge’s former parent company AIG in an undisclosed role, according to the filing.

Chris Smith will succeed Tarpey in both roles, according to the filing. Smith served as an executive vice president and head of group benefits at the Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America Inc., from 2020 to September 2022, according to the filing.

Corebridge and Guardian Life are competitors vying for market share in the mutual life and insurance products space. Both firms offer life insurance products and annuities, distributing via employer-sponsored retirement plans and retirement plan advisers.

Smith’s background in employee benefits and experience with insured products, at both Guardian Life and previously at MetLife, was appealing, according to the filing.  

While at Guardian Life, “Smith leveraged a suite of digital capabilities in leading a large-scale transformation in Guardian’s sales culture,” the filing states. “Smith served in progressive roles at MetLife, Inc. for approximately twenty years.”

After working in several positions, Smith was executive vice president and head of global operations at MetLife from 2013 to 2019.

The filing includes compensation details for Smith. 

Tarpey had been head of the separation management office at AIG from June 2021 to August 2022. Asked for comment, AIG representatives referenced the securities filing and declined to speak further. Corebridge also had no comment.