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Greg Heidrich, Former Society of Actuaries CEO, Joins McKinley Advisors as Principal
July 27, 2026
CHICAGO – Greg Heidrich, former CEO of the Society of Actuaries (SOA), has joined McKinley Advisors, a Smithbucklin Company, as principal. Based in Smithbucklin's Chicago headquarters, Heidrich will advise association leaders on business model innovation, revenue generation, governance and organization-wide strategy.
Heidrich brings more than 40 years of executive leadership experience helping associations adapt to changing markets while advancing their missions. During his 18 years as CEO of the Society of Actuaries, the world's largest actuarial professional society, he nearly doubled membership, modernized the organization's credentialing model, expanded the organization globally, launched a large-scale online learning platform and established the SOA Research Institute.
"After more than 40 years in association leadership, I've learned there are rarely simple answers to the challenges organizations face," said Heidrich. "Whether it's developing new educational pathways, creating research programs or helping a board navigate difficult decisions, progress comes from asking the right questions, testing ideas and staying focused on the members and community you're trying to serve. McKinley shares my belief that the best solutions are grounded in strategy, informed by evidence and shaped by the realities association leaders face every day. Associations are vital to our industries and professions, and I’m passionate about helping them be the most effective they can possibly be."
Before joining SOA, Heidrich held executive leadership positions with the Alliance of American Insurers and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (now APCIA), where he led finance, research, public policy and strategy.
Throughout his career, he has helped associations strengthen governance, build research capabilities, modernize education and credentialing programs, develop future leaders and guide organizations through significant change.
In recognition of his contributions to the association community, Heidrich recently received Association Forum's Samuel B. Shapiro Award for Chief Staff Executive Achievement, the organization's highest honor for an association CEO.
"Greg has spent decades leading associations through the same questions many of our clients are facing today: how to innovate while protecting core revenue, strengthen governance, navigate disruption and position an organization for long-term growth and impact," said Jay Younger, FASAE, President of McKinley Advisors. "He understands firsthand what it means to lead an association through uncertainty, make difficult strategic decisions and balance mission with financial sustainability. That executive experience, combined with his strategic insight, will be invaluable to our clients. We're thrilled to welcome Greg to McKinley and to our broader Smithbucklin team."
At McKinley, Heidrich will work with association leaders to strengthen business models, identify new sources of value and revenue, modernize governance and develop practical strategies for long-term relevance and growth. His addition further expands McKinley's team of former association executives, providing clients with advisors who bring firsthand executive leadership experience to complex strategic challenges.
About McKinley Advisors
McKinley Advisors is an award-winning consulting firm dedicated to accelerating associations’ positive impact on the world. McKinley works in partnership with association executives and volunteer leaders to identify and address their most significant challenges and opportunities. McKinley provides services through four practice areas: Strategy and Innovation, Organizational Excellence, Business Transformation and Research and Insights. Learn more about McKinley Advisors at www.mckinley-advisors.com.
About Smithbucklin
Smithbucklin is a professional services company that helps associations modernize, strengthen and advance to deliver better results for their members and missions. For more than 75 years, Smithbucklin has provided association management and capabilities in meetings and events, sponsorship and exhibit sales, education, marketing and technology. With nearly 650 employees in Chicago and Washington, D.C., Smithbucklin companies include 360 Live Media, The France Foundation, SDI Meetings and Incentives and McKinley Advisors. Learn more about Smithbucklin at www.smithbucklin.com.
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