Kirt Walker is Chief Executive Officer of Nationwide, a mutual insurance and financial services 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 and chair of the Nationwide Foundation.

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.

Under Kirt’s leadership, Nationwide has grown to be the seventh-largest insurance industry company in the U.S. – a modern mutual that ranks No. 72 overall on the Fortune 500. His leadership philosophy focuses on “The Four Ps”: People, Planning, Performance and Partnerships. This philosophy extends to driving a high-performing, caring culture of associates that leads to better solutions for customers and other stakeholders.

Kirt is a proud 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 of Financial Services.

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 is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business. He also serves as chair of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital board. As co-chair of the Columbus Partnership governing board and a member of the Ohio Business Roundtable governing board, Kirt is focused on driving regional economic development. Kirt also serves on the Board of Directors for Catalyst – a global non-profit dedicated to supporting workforce development and advancement.

Kirt previously served on the Columbus State Community College Board of Trustees, the American Red Cross Board of Governors and the boards of the American Council of Life Insurers, Association of Ohio Life Insurance Companies, Mid-Ohio Food Collective, 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 receiving the Iowa State University Distinguished Alumnus Award, COSI John Glenn Inspiration Award, National 4-H Luminary recognition, Outstanding Iowa 4-H Alum Award, CEO of the Year by both Columbus CEO and the Des Moines Business Journal and Most Admired Executive in Central Ohio by Columbus Business First. 

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.

About Nationwide 

Nationwide, a Fortune 75 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.