Allianz Life Names Karim Akhavan-Hezavei as New Chief Operating Officer

MINNEAPOLIS – May 16, 2022 – Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) announced today that it has named Karim Akhavan-Hezavei as senior vice president, chief operating officer (COO) effective July 1. Akhavan-Hezavei will have accountability for Enterprise Operations, IT, IT Security, and Administrative Strategy and Management (ASaM) functions for the company and will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Jasmine Jirele. He will be responsible for driving the transformation of Allianz Life’s operational and technology processes to support the company’s growth.

Akhavan-Hezavei comes to Allianz Life from Allianz Services in Munich, an operating entity of Allianz SE specializing in business support services. At Allianz Services, he was a member of the company’s executive management team and had overall responsibility for operations and IT, global projects, and development of global business models. While at Allianz Services, he implemented multiple technology initiatives and launched several new and innovative client-based claims systems. He also established several strategic partnerships with insurtechs to help strengthen the company’s technical capabilities and improve the client experience. Allianz Services has over 5,000 employees located across eight countries and four continents and focuses on core insurance operations, shared services, business analytics, engineering, and management consulting.

“Karim brings extensive operations, technology, and leadership experience to Allianz Life,” said Jasmine Jirele, president and chief executive officer for Allianz Life. “He brings a valuable and unique perspective that will help us continue to build out the best experience possible for our clients as they plan for their retirement.”

Akhavan-Hezavei joined Allianz in 2013 and has served in a variety of senior leader roles including as head of the group chief operating officer office and as a senior project manager. Prior to joining Allianz, he held positions with Siemens and Ernst & Young Consulting. He has a Master’s degree in Economics from Ludwig-Maximillans University, Munich.