Nassau Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Nassau has 6 executives leading key functions including strategy, information technology, financial operations, and securities.

Driven by a commitment to client success, Nassau provides insurance products designed to meet retirement goals, focusing on savings protection, guaranteed income, and healthcare cost coverage with best-in-class service.

Leadership Roles at Nassau

  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - Phillip Gass
  • Chief Financial Officer - Diana Piquette
  • Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Life Insurance Company of Texas - Richard Cannone
  • President of 1851 Securities, Inc. (Broker-Dealer) - Junping Shao
  • Chief Information Officer - Neel Datar
  • Chief Technology Officer - Thomas Culbertson
  • Phillip Gass - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

    Phillip Gass, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Nassau, directs the overarching corporate strategy and vision. Gass guides the company's long-term objectives, ensuring alignment with market demands and financial targets. This leadership role involves setting the strategic direction for product development, market expansion, and operational efficiency across the organization. Gass oversees the executive team, fostering a culture of innovation and client-centricity essential for Nassau's mission. The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer's responsibilities extend to stakeholder relations and ensuring the company's financial health and growth trajectory. Phillip Gass drives the company's commitment to providing insurance products that protect savings, deliver guaranteed income, and cover healthcare costs, maintaining Nassau's position as a carrier of choice. This executive ensures the company's 170-year legacy of service continues with a focus on improvement and client support.

    Diana Piquette - Chief Financial Officer

    Diana Piquette, the Chief Financial Officer at Nassau, directs the company's financial planning, reporting, and capital management strategies. Piquette oversees all financial operations, ensuring fiscal responsibility and driving profitability to support Nassau's growth and service commitments. This executive role involves managing the company's $18 billion in assets under management, optimizing investment performance, and maintaining strong relationships with financial institutions. The Chief Financial Officer is instrumental in developing financial models that support product innovation, particularly in areas like guaranteed income and savings protection. Diana Piquette ensures adherence to regulatory requirements and financial best practices, safeguarding client assets and company stability. This leadership position is crucial for maintaining Nassau's financial integrity and its capacity to deliver reliable insurance solutions to its policyholders.
    Diana Piquette

    Richard Cannone - Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Life Insurance Company of Texas

    Richard Cannone, the Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Life Insurance Company of Texas, manages the financial operations specific to the Texas subsidiary. Cannone oversees budgeting, financial analysis, and risk management for the Texas market, ensuring alignment with Nassau's broader financial objectives. This role involves detailed oversight of the subsidiary's financial health, contributing to the protection of savings and the delivery of guaranteed income products within its operational region. The Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Life Insurance Company of Texas, works to optimize financial performance and ensure compliance with state-specific regulations. Richard Cannone's expertise supports the strategic financial planning necessary for Nassau's continued expansion and service excellence in Texas. This executive ensures robust financial controls are in place to support approximately 400,000 policyholders and contract holders.

    Junping Shao - President of 1851 Securities, Inc. (Broker-Dealer)

    Junping Shao, the President of 1851 Securities, Inc. (Broker-Dealer) at Nassau, leads the strategic direction and operational management of the company's broker-dealer arm. Shao oversees the sales, compliance, and client services functions within 1851 Securities, ensuring robust support for investment and retirement planning products. This executive role is critical in expanding Nassau's reach in the securities market, providing clients with diverse financial solutions. The President of 1851 Securities, Inc. (Broker-Dealer) focuses on driving revenue growth and enhancing client engagement through strategic initiatives and market development. Junping Shao's leadership ensures that the broker-dealer operations align with Nassau's overall mission of helping clients meet their retirement goals, including protecting savings and securing guaranteed income. This position is key to delivering comprehensive financial services to a broad base of policyholders and contract holders.

    Neel Datar - Chief Information Officer

    Neel Datar, the Chief Information Officer at Nassau, architects and executes the company's comprehensive information technology strategy. Datar oversees all aspects of technology infrastructure, data management, and cybersecurity to support Nassau's operational needs and growth objectives. This leadership position involves ensuring the reliability, security, and scalability of IT systems that underpin the company's insurance products and client services. The Chief Information Officer drives digital transformation initiatives, enhancing operational efficiency and client experience through technological advancements. Neel Datar collaborates with other executives to integrate technology solutions that protect savings, deliver guaranteed income, and manage healthcare costs effectively. This role is critical in maintaining Nassau's commitment to best-in-class service by leveraging technology to simplify processes and provide robust support to approximately 400,000 policyholders.

    Thomas Culbertson - Chief Technology Officer

    Thomas Culbertson, the Chief Technology Officer at Nassau, spearheads the development and implementation of cutting-edge technological solutions. Culbertson focuses on advancing the company's technology stack to enhance product offerings and operational capabilities, directly supporting Nassau's mission to be a carrier of choice. This executive leads initiatives related to software development, system architecture, and technological innovation, ensuring that Nassau's platforms are robust and future-ready. The Chief Technology Officer plays a pivotal role in translating complex technical concepts into actionable strategies that improve service delivery and client outcomes. Thomas Culbertson's work is integral to delivering guaranteed income solutions and protecting client savings through secure and efficient technological frameworks. This leadership ensures Nassau maintains its competitive edge by continuously evolving its technological infrastructure to meet the dynamic needs of its policyholders.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Nassau Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Nassau?
    Nassau is led by Phillip Gass (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Diana Piquette (Chief Financial Officer) and Richard Cannone (Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Life Insurance Company of Texas).
    Who is part of Nassau’s executive team?
    The executive team of Nassau includes leaders such as Phillip Gass (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), Diana Piquette (Chief Financial Officer), Richard Cannone (Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Life Insurance Company of Texas) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Nassau have?
    Nassau has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Nassau’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Nassau includes roles such as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Nassau Life Insurance Company of Texas, President of 1851 Securities, Inc. (Broker-Dealer), Chief Information Officer.