John Koelling, FSA
John is a financially minded executive and HR leader with expertise in developing global Total Rewards philosophy and strategic levers, enabling execution of people and business imperatives at macro and local levels. He also has deep command in the M&A and greenfield growth spaces, owning separation, integration, synergy capture, and HR-related balance sheet and P&L impacts of global, multi-billion dollar transactions. With strong listening and communication skills, John has a unique ability to garner Board buy-in and obtain Executive Committee support for HR and Total Rewards strategies and priorities.
“Growing up” as an actuary in various financial roles, John began his career in the insurance industry. His experience ranged across financial reporting, product pricing, ALM, new business development, expense management, FP&A accountability and business P&L ownership. The insurance industry is where he also experienced M&A for the first time. Throughout his time in the industry, he found that he most enjoyed the risk management and business strategy development aspects of his roles.
This led him into the consulting space, where his exposure to, and understanding of, a variety of employer business and talent strategies was imperative for success. He was accountable for growing his own profitable book of business, leading as a trusted partner and subject matter expert for his clients. Ultimately, he found he truly enjoyed developing rewards strategies that enabled his clients to attract and retain employees, balancing their people needs with their business outcomes. He was also further exposed to the M&A space, helping his clients through a variety of transactions.
Ultimately, one of his largest clients, Ball Corporation, asked him to join their HR and Rewards team. With Ball, he was:
Accountable for philosophy, strategy, design, governance, and the delivery of annual $1.9+ billion in Total Rewards spend for 21,000+ employees across 7 business units and in 35+ countries
A direct report of the CHRO, member of the global HR leadership team, a regular attendee of and presenter to the HR Committee of Ball Corporation’s Board of Directors, and a representative with key investors related to human capital programs and employee engagement, including shareholder governance bodies and proxy advisory firms
The leader of a Total Rewards team, with professionals around the world overseeing compensation, short- and long-term incentives, equity plans, deferred compensation, proxy CD&A reporting, mobility, pensions, benefits, perquisites, and other programs offered to employees
Owner of $5+ billion in global pension liability and the investment of the associated assets, including acting as a company-appointed trustee for UK pensions and a fiduciary on all other programs; Driving continual pension de-risking, including buy-in/buyout of "most complex scheme in the UK", while enhancing and protecting employee benefits throughout; Partnering with treasury, controller, finance and business leadership to mitigate balance sheet and P&L risk, and optimize cash utilization
A key partner to Corporate Development and typically the first representative for HR in any M&A strategy and/or due diligence
John received his B.S. in Actuarial Science and Statistics, with a minor in Business Management, from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He is a non-practicing Fellow in the Society of Actuaries. When not working, John is a regular guest lecturer for graduate-level International HR courses at the University of Denver and can be found spending time with his family skiing, hiking, or volunteering at a local food bank. He and his family reside in Denver, Colorado.