Kirt Walker is Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide, a mutual company focused on protecting people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care. He was elected to this position in 2019, and in this role also serves as a member of the Nationwide Board of Directors.
Kirt initially joined the Nationwide family of companies in 1986. Prior to being elected CEO, he served for 10 years as President and Chief Operating Officer of Nationwide Financial.
During his first 23 years, he served in various leadership positions within the company’s Property and Casualty business, including President and COO of Nationwide Insurance and President of Allied Insurance, Nationwide’s former independent agency subsidiary.
Kirt’s leadership philosophy focuses on “The Four Ps”: People, Planning, Performance and Partnerships. This philosophy extends to driving an engaged, caring culture of associates that leads to better solutions for customers and other stakeholders.
Kirt is a graduate of Iowa State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in management. He also holds a Master of Science in management with an emphasis in leadership degree from The American College.
Kirt is passionate about the community in which he works and lives. He advocates for the professional development and advancement of industry professionals as a board trustee for The Institutes, a property & casualty risk and insurance knowledge group. He also serves on the American Red Cross Board of Governors and the Nationwide Children’s Hospital board. Kirt previously served on the Columbus State Community College Board of Trustees and on the boards of the American Council of Life Insurers, Association of Ohio Life Insurance Companies, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, American Red Cross of Greater Columbus, White Castle restaurant company, New Albany Foundation and Greater Des Moines Partnership and as a trustee for Grand View College in Des Moines.
Past honors for his community involvement include being named CEO of the Year by Des Moines Business Journal and an Honored Ally by Stonewall Columbus, Central Ohio’s leading LGBTQ organization.
A native of Irvington, Iowa, Kirt was raised on a Century Farm, instilling the values of hard work and community responsibility that he carries forth today. His favorite pastimes include spending time with family, reading and rooting for the Cyclones.
