Lincoln Financial Group has announced the appointment of Nilanjan Adhya as its new executive vice president and chief AI, data and analytics officer. Adhya will start his role on January 9, 2026, taking on a newly created position designed to strengthen the company’s use of artificial intelligence and data across key areas like distribution, operations, and customer engagement.
Adhya brings a wealth of experience in digital innovation and AI. Since 2021, he has been the chief digital officer and global head of digital platforms and experiences at BlackRock, where he led AI initiatives focused on improving client services and modernizing digital platforms. Prior to that, he spent 16 years at IBM, holding various leadership roles including chief digital officer and vice president of digital transformation.
In his new role at Lincoln Financial, Adhya will be part of the senior management committee and report directly to Ellen Cooper, the company’s chairman, president, and CEO. Cooper emphasized the growing importance of AI and data in optimizing Lincoln’s operations and said the company aims to make thoughtful progress under Adhya’s leadership to use AI in ways that directly support its business goals.
Adhya’s educational background includes an MBA in strategy and finance from Yale University’s School of Management, along with a Master of Science in industrial engineering and operations research from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also serves on the boards of the Society for Human Resource Management and Purdue University’s Krenicki Center for Business Analytics and Machine Learning.
This leadership move comes amid a period of strong financial performance for Lincoln. The company recently reported net income of $688 million in the second quarter of 2025 and has been working to diversify its earnings across different business areas. Additionally, Lincoln has been adjusting its investment strategy and capital profile, including a significant stake purchase by Bain Capital. In 2025, Bain Capital agreed to buy a 9.9% share for $825 million and enter a 10-year investment management deal with Lincoln, which is expected to boost earnings starting in 2027.
Lincoln Financial’s focus on AI and data signals its commitment to running more efficiently and making smarter decisions as it looks toward future growth. With Adhya leading the charge, the company hopes to turn data and analytics into powerful tools that drive real business results.