Martha Leiper says she starts each work day catching up on the news on the CNBC morning program “Squawk Box” before heading into Unum where she’s the insurer’s chief investment officer.
Overseeing the Chattanooga-based company’s massive $51 billion portfolio, Leiper says she meets with her team to review what opportunities may exist to invest. She also meets frequently with other senior leaders at Unum as she keeps up with the company’s business strategy.
“It’s a lot of money to manage and make sure we’re on top of,” says the executive vice president who returned to Unum about six weeks ago and is embarking on her second stint with the company.
The 57-year-old Chattanooga native joined the insurer shortly after graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1985, joining the business in the statistical analysis area.
Leiper, who also holds a master’s in business administration, moved into Unum’s investment department where she stayed for next 20 years doing research, trading and gaining the expertise to rise to deputy chief investment officer.