Joel Volcy is a distinguished financial services executive with over 30 years of leadership spanning operations, M&A integration, and governance across insurance, reinsurance, and capital markets. With deep expertise in governance, risk oversight and operational strategy, Joel brings board-relevant leadership rooted in transformation, regulatory compliance and enterprise resilience,
As Managing Director and SVP at Global Atlantic Financial Group, Joel led the design and execution of a $100M operational infrastructure supporting both retail and reinsurance businesses. He oversaw 150+ professionals across five cities and played a key role in integrating acquisitions including AVIVA USA’s life business and Forethought’s annuity platform. His leadership extended to building centralized investment operations managing $50B in assets and executing a strategic outsourcing initiative spanning seven million policies and five TPAs—demonstrating his aptitude for enterprise-scale oversight and complex governance structures.
Joel’s governance experience is further anchored in his role as COO of Commonwealth Annuity at Goldman Sachs, where he led the operational integration of multiple reinsurance acquisitions and aligned global operations across 53 markets. His ability to manage operational risk, regulatory compliance, and vendor partnerships at scale makes him a trusted advisor for executive teams and boards navigating growth, transformation, and oversight challenges.
Beyond technical execution, Joel has built a legacy of developing inclusive, high-performing teams and championing talent through mentorship, often in collaboration with universities and recruiting partners. Combined with his expertise in operational risk, capital markets infrastructure, and enterprise transformation, Joel is exceptionally well-qualified for board service—particularly in organizations seeking deep experience in financial operations, M&A integration, and scalable governance.
Joel holds a BBA in Organizational Behavior from Baruch College and is widely respected for his integrity, strategic insight, and calm, decisive leadership in highly regulated, rapidly evolving environments.
Character
Joel Volcy leads with integrity, humility, and a deep commitment to team development, consistently fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures that thrive through change and deliver lasting impact.
Knowledge
With decades of expertise in insurance, reinsurance, and capital markets, Joel offers a deep command of global operations, financial infrastructure, and risk management across both emerging and mature markets.
Strategic
A transformative leader, Joel builds scalable operational frameworks, executes complex acquisitions, and drives outsourcing strategies that yield measurable efficiencies and long-term enterprise value.
Communication
Joel brings clarity and precision to every interaction—aligning cross-functional teams, engaging executive leadership, and navigating vendor partnerships with empathy, vision, and results-driven focus.
