Nationwide has been named to the inaugural Ohio AI25 list, a new recognition from OhioX and Ohio Tech News honoring companies and organizations shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in Ohio.

The recognition underscores Nationwide’s dedication to using technology and AI to enhance the experiences and solutions it delivers. Guided by a people-connected, machine-enabled approach, the company is focused on using technology to expand capacity, strengthen decision-making, create new offerings and build more meaningful connections.

“Being named to Ohio AI25 reflects Nationwide’s commitment to using AI in ways that spark innovation and transform how we work, and how we serve our customers,” said Michael Carrel, EVP and Chief Technology Officer at Nationwide. “Our focus is on applying technology safely and thoughtfully to strengthen the futures of our company, partners and members.”

That work is part of Nationwide’s broader technology strategy, including a $1.5 billion investment through 2028 to enhance its technology capabilities. More than 20% of that investment is focused on AI.

Other organizations named to the list include JobsOhio, Google and Meta. The full Ohio AI25 list is available at OhioTechNews.com.

To learn more about Nationwide’s technology organization, visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page.

The milestone was highlighted during Nationwide’s 2026 Patent Awards Ceremony, where the company recognized six inventors whose work over the past year is helping drive business and technology forward. The celebration reflects significant momentum since Nationwide received its first U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent in 2000. 

Today, Nationwide’s growing patent portfolio spans analytics, digital platforms, product innovation and new business solutions, showcasing ideas from across the enterprise and reinforcing the company’s commitment to forward-thinking technology. 

“In many ways, the patent milestone is more than a number,” said Nationwide Chief Technology Officer Michael Carrel. “It reflects a culture that values curiosity, collaboration and problem-solving — and a belief that great ideas can come from anywhere inside the company.” 

The achievement carries added significance during Nationwide’s centennial year. On April 14, 2026, the company marked 100 years since selling its first insurance policy — rooted in a mission to meet real customer needs with practical solutions. 

“That same purpose continues to guide Nationwide today,” said Nationwide Chief Customer, Strategy and Innovation Officer Mike Mahaffey. “Across the organization, associates are developing innovative tools, products and capabilities designed to make customer experiences simpler, faster and more secure.” 

As Nationwide enters its second century, reaching 100 patents represents both a milestone and a momentum marker — signaling that the company’s next era of innovation is already underway. 

Learn more: Visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page to explore the latest advancements. 

The CIO 100 Awards honor organizations and teams that demonstrate excellence in using technology to deliver outcomes such as operational efficiency, innovation, business value, and long-term competitiveness. This year, CIO recognized Nationwide’s Enterprise Digital Platform, a system that enables Nationwide’s external business partners quick, secure and consistent digital integration with Nationwide systems.  

“Being named a 2026 CIO 100 Award winner for our Enterprise Digital Platform validates the work our teams are doing to help modernize how we serve our partners and members,” said  Michael Carrel,  Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Nationwide. “This ongoing effort strengthens relationships and helps us deliver seamless, customer-centric experiences in real time. Most importantly, it reflects the passion and expertise of the associates who are making it easier to do business with us every day.”  

Nationwide built its Enterprise Digital Platform to streamline working together with Nationwide’s insurance and financial services partners, which in turn translates to enhanced experiences for Nationwide’s end customers. The platform offers Nationwide partners an experience equal to internal associates, with governance, observability, and lifecycle management for all 19 business lines – making interactions easy, timely, and protected. 

“The CIOs we're recognizing this year aren't just keeping the lights on, they're driving the business," said Richard Smith, Head of Event Content, CIO 100 Awards & Conference. "AI, data, security, cloud; it all lands on the same desk now, and the best CIOs have stopped treating them as separate problems. The 2026 class shows what it looks like when you get that right.” 

Nationwide Technology was also named to the CIO 100 in 2003 and in 2025. More information about the CIO 100 Awards can be found here.  

To learn more about technology advancements at Nationwide, visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page.  

Their conversation explored the talent and technology trends that are shaping the future of the insurance industry, how distribution partners can adapt to these changes, and why careers in insurance continue to be a smart choice for the future. Check out some key takeaways from the discussion below.

What are the key technology trends impacting the insurance industry and distribution partners?  
Key takeaway: AI, hyperconnected systems and advanced computing are three forces reshaping every industry. These are powerful forces, and Nationwide is making a powerful response. We’ve invested $5B in technology modernization since 2015. Today, we have plans for an additional $1.5B through 2028 – with 20% of our investment focused on scaling AI responsibly and in alignment with our values. 

As we think about our distribution partners, how can they balance technology, including AI, with the human touch?
Key takeaway: The right balance of technology and human interaction starts with understanding customers’ preferences. AI should streamline simple, routine tasks, while people focus on high-stakes, high-emotion or high-complexity moments where customers want reassurance and confidence.

What are some of the key talent trends that are taking place in the P&C industry? 
Key takeaway: As the P&C insurance industry becomes even more specialized—requiring deeper expertise in specific risks and products— the industry is also seeing a heightened risk of losing institutional knowledge, with an acceleration of retirements. This reality requires us to rethink how we hold on to this knowledge so that we are prepared for what is ahead. Technology and AI are also fundamentally changing how work gets done. Digital fluency is no longer optional — it’s foundational. 

What advice do you have for distribution professionals for how to address these talent gaps? 
Key takeaway: Carriers and distribution partners who take a long-term view of talent will navigate this dynamic landscape most successfully. That means investing in the next generation of talent early in their careers, developing people intentionally (with a focus on building digital and AI fluency) and evolving to more flexible work models.

Why should a recent college graduate join the insurance industry? 
Key takeaway: Insurance careers provide an opportunity to use data, technology and problem-solving to help people on their worst days – and get them back on their feet. The industry is transforming fast—offering flexibility, growth, and a chance to build skills that are in high demand. There are tremendous opportunities for those who can combine tech savvy with a passion for protecting customers.

Nationwide announced today that Kelton Kline has been selected as the new leader of Corporate Technology & Workplace Solutions. Kline follows Misty Kuamoo, who was appointed SVP, CTO, Nationwide Financial in January 2026.

In his new role, Kline will be responsible for technology solutions for Finance, Human Resources, Investments, Legal and Marketing, enabling associates to provide extraordinary care to Nationwide’s customers. He will also oversee Corporate Real Estate and Digital Workplace, focusing on enhancing associates’ physical and digital workplace.

“Kelton’s technology leadership has shaped and accelerated our technology strategy, and moved key modernization efforts forward,” said Michael Carrel, Nationwide’s Chief Technology Officer. “In his new role, he will be key to advancing the integration of AI and shaping our associates’ workplace experience.”

Previously, Kline served as Vice President, Nationwide Financial, Technology Integrated Services. In that role, he transformed Nationwide Financial’s producer data ecosystem, significantly improving timeliness and trust in data. He also launched the Nationwide Financial Digital Platform enabling solutions that drove growth and improved partner satisfaction. And, he established portfolio management processes and tools across all Nationwide Financial’s business units, ensuring alignment of shared resource capacity to business priorities.

Kline brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role and has served as a leader across Nationwide’s Property & Casualty, Nationwide Financial and Enterprise functions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Ohio University and a master’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University.

Nationwide announced today that Misty Kuamoo will serve as the new SVP, Chief Technology Officer, Nationwide Financial. Kuamoo follows Michael Carrel who was appointed Nationwide’s enterprise Chief Technology Officer in December 2025.

In her new role, Kuamoo will be responsible for all technology solutions supporting our financial services businesses.

“Misty Kuamoo’s leadership has consistently driven results across critical initiatives – from implementing a new AI-powered tool for associates, to expanding associate services to modernizing the claim filing experience,” said Michael Carrel, Nationwide’s Chief Technology Officer. “As Nationwide continues to accelerate technology and AI, Kuamoo will play a key role in making it easier for customers and business partners to do business with Nationwide.”

Kuamoo has been a key leader within Nationwide Technology for more than five years, most recently as SVP, Chief Technology Officer, Corporate Technology & Workplace Solutions. In this role, Kuamoo led the team that delivers technology solutions for Finance, Human Resources, Investments, Legal and Marketing business units, enabling Nationwide associates to provide extraordinary care to Nationwide’s customers. Kuamoo also oversaw Nationwide’s Corporate Real Estate and Digital Workplace teams, with a focus on enhancing associates’ physical and digital workplace experiences.

Previously, Kuamoo led a team in Nationwide’s cybersecurity product organization as VP, Shared Security Services.

Kuamoo brings more than 30 years of experience spanning various industries, including financial services, manufacturing, retail and software. ​She is a graduate of Weber State University, is a Certified Professional Coach and holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.

Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker announced today that Michael Carrel will serve as the new Chief Technology Officer for the Fortune 100 company. Carrel follows Jim Fowler who is joining Lumen Technologies as Chief Technology and Product Officer beginning in January 2026.

“As we prepare to enter Nationwide’s centennial year, we’re pleased to name Michael Carrel to lead our Technology team,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO. “Michael brings deep business and technology experience to this role and will be a champion for enterprise adoption of AI and new technologies, delivering on our vision to be the most trusted, most caring, most customer-focused protection company.”

Carrel brings more than 30 years of experience within Nationwide Technology. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Nationwide Financial. In this role, Michael was responsible for all technology solutions supporting Nationwide’s financial services businesses.

Michael graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bowling Green State University and has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dayton. He serves on the Computer Science Advisory Board of Bowling Green State University and is the Board Chair for the United Way of Delaware County. Earlier this year, Michael was named the Ohio ORBIE Awards Large Enterprise CIO of the Year.

Walker added, “We appreciate Jim Fowler’s many contributions during his seven years with Nationwide and wish him continued success in his next chapter.”

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 enterprise and one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the U.S., announced a transformational $1.5 billion investment through 2028 in technology innovation initiatives, with $100M earmarked for advancing AI each year for the next three years. Nationwide Financial Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President Michael Carrel explains the impact this investment will have on the company’s financial partners.

Q: How will this investment benefit Nationwide Financial partners?

Carrel: This investment is a strategic step forward in our commitment to deliver exceptional value to our partners. By modernizing our technology and scaling AI responsibly, we’re enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer service and making it easier for our partners to do business with us. Our current AI tools, like Sales Sidekick and Copilot Chat, have empowered our teams to respond faster and more accurately to partner needs. Additionally, our Partnership Portal integrates our systems directly into partner ecosystems, simplifying workflows and increasing digital-tool adoption. With this new investment, those capabilities will advance further, helping us better support our partners in growing their businesses and serving their clients.

Q: How will Nationwide Financial keep partner and customer data secure?

Carrel: Security is foundational to our technology strategy. We’ve built a trusted data environment that ensures the quality, protection and governance of both structured and unstructured data. Our AI tools, such as Chat With Your Data, are designed specifically for sensitive and regulated data, allowing associates to work confidently and securely. We also have dedicated teams—a Blue Team and Red Team—focused on innovation and risk mitigation, ensuring that every AI deployment is safe, compliant and aligned with our values.

Q: What are you most looking forward to as a result of this business-changing technology investment?

Carrel: I’m most excited about how this investment will unlock new opportunities for transformation. We’re not just optimizing—we’re reimagining how we work. With over 2,000 custom AI agents already developed, we’re seeing productivity gains of 15–30%. These tools allow our associates to focus on higher-value work and solve previously unsolvable problems that will help create success for both our business partners and our members. Ultimately, this means deeper partnerships, faster service, and more meaningful outcomes.

To learn more about Nationwide’s technology organization, visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation Newsroom page. 

Related stories:

• Nationwide announces $1.5 billion investment to accelerate technology, AI
• How a $1.5 billion technology and AI investment will benefit Nationwide Property & Casualty partners

This August, I had the privilege of helping bring together more than 300 technology and business leaders from across Ohio to explore the evolving role of the modern Chief Information Officer. I was the 2025 Chair of the CIO Tomorrow conference, an event that brings together current and future technology leaders to help drive the growth and success of the Buckeye state’s technology industry. The event was a powerful reminder that our region’s success is deeply intertwined with how we embrace innovation, foster collaboration and invest in the digital future.

At Nationwide, we’re proud to call Columbus home. As one of the largest financial services and insurance providers in the country, our success is directly tied to the health and vibrancy of this region and state. That’s why we’re committed to helping shape Columbus and Ohio into national leaders in technology, talent and transformation.

Opportunities for our region

This year’s conference was a testament to both how far we’ve come and how much opportunity lies ahead. We heard from thought leaders on the front lines of AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, innovation, business strategy, leadership, talent management and culture. We explored how CIOs are no longer just technologists, but strategic business leaders, educators and change agents.

One of the most energizing moments for me was seeing how aligned we are as a community — across industries and sectors — in our desire to build a future that’s innovative and user-driven. I believe that alignment is a positive offshoot of business leaders setting the example as stewards of our community and encouraging multi-organizational initiatives that move our region forward, such as public-private partnerships.

Central Ohio, and Ohio at large, is seeing tremendous growth in the technology industry. Tech is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the state, with more than 6,000 tech graduates annually (according to JobsOhio), an emerging hub for data centers, significant manufacturing facility investments from major tech companies, and government initiatives supporting tech across the state. Ohio really is the heart of it all!

Every day at Nationwide, we are making investments in the future through our people, platforms and partnerships. We’re leveraging AI and machine learning to enhance customer experiences, modernize our infrastructure to drive agility, and upskill our teams to lead in a rapidly changing world.

But we’re also focused on something deeper: building trust. Our customers expect effortless, personal and reassuring interactions — and we know that delivering those experiences starts with innovative, secure and ethical technology.

Shaping the future – together

The CIO Tomorrow conference made one thing clear: the future of Central Ohio will be shaped by the decisions we make today. It’s up to all of us — business leaders, technologists, educators and policymakers — to ensure we’re investing in the right capabilities, cultivating the right talent, and creating the right environment for innovation to thrive.

Let’s continue to lead with purpose, collaborate with intention, and build a future that reflects the best of who we are and who we aspire to be.

To learn more about Nationwide’s technology organization, visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page.  

When technology advances at a rapid pace, a key concern is whether it will be used ethically and in a way that positively advances society. Today, the technology many are both excited and concerned about is artificial intelligence (AI). 

In January, I had the pleasure to attend The American College Forum on Ethical Leadership in Financial Services. It brought together 12 executives and academics to discuss ethics in technology and financial services. Here are three important takeaways from the forum that I think all executives should keep in mind, especially as advances in AI progress.  

Takeaway 1: The Importance of Ethical Decision Making in AI Integration 
Ethical decision-making is critical for the integration of AI within organizations. To build trust, establish ethical governance structures and document best practices to shape how your associates integrate AI into their work. This ethical decision making is foundational to Nationwide’s culture. While we focus on innovation for our customers and partners, it’s our ethics that ensure we stay true to our “On your side” promise. 

By prioritizing ethical decision making, organizations can foster trust and ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly. This approach not only enhances business outcomes but can also help ensure alignment with long-term strategic goals. 

Takeaway 2: Creating an AI-Ready Workforce 
Preparing an AI-ready workforce is crucial for staying competitive. Workers recognize the potential for AI even if their bosses don’t. In a recent McKinsey & Co. study, a survey of business leaders and their associates found that employees are three times more likely to be using AI than what their C-suite leaders expect. At the same time, these employees report that they are not receiving the formal AI training from their employers that would allow them to become more efficient in their jobs.  

At Nationwide, we provide comprehensive training on both digital skills and soft competencies, ensuring that associates are equipped to leverage AI effectively. We firmly believe that AI will not replace workers, but those who use AI will outperform those who do not. 

Nationwide’s approach to training highlights the need for continuous education and skill development. By empowering employees with the tools and knowledge to use AI, organizations can drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge. 

Takeaway 3: Balancing Speed and Safety in AI Deployment 
While rapid adoption of AI can provide competitive advantages, it is essential to have governance models that manage associated risks. Balancing speed and safety in AI deployment requires robust governance frameworks. The importance of proactive risk management and the need for clear guidelines to ensure responsible AI use is absolutely critical. 

The AI tools we leverage at Nationwide are used alongside a set of clear guidelines to mitigate potential issues. This balance is key to achieving sustainable growth and maintaining trust with stakeholders. 

To learn more about The American College Forum on Ethical Leadership in Financial Services and its findings, read its report here. 

To learn more about Nationwide’s technology organization, visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page.  

“The ORBIE^® Awards recognize CIOs and CISOs who are making an impact through leadership excellence,” said Amy Brady, NEOhio CIO Chair. “The awards finalists and winners highlight the excellence and vision that are transforming Ohio’s economy.” 

Established in 1998, the ORBIE Award is presented by OhioCIO, a peer-based, chief information officer networking and leadership organization. OhioCIO annually chooses ORBIE Award winners through an independent judging process to honor standout technology executives in the state of Ohio. 

“It is a profound honor to accept this award, and I’m deeply grateful for the recognition in leadership and excellence in technology,” said Carrel. “The associates and leaders across our organization continue to establish Nationwide as an award-winning industry leader in the technology space.” 

Over the course of his 30 years at Nationwide, Carrel has held leadership roles in multiple technology areas, including Property & Casualty, Enterprise Applications, Technology Strategy & Innovation, and today, Nationwide Financial.  

“Throughout his Nationwide career, Michael has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a spirit of innovation, and dedication to advancing technology within our organization – especially in his current role as Chief Technology Officer for Nationwide Financial,” said Nationwide Chief Technology Officer Jim Fowler. “He is an admired leader and a powerful advocate for our customers, business partners, and associates. There is no candidate more deserving of this year’s award.” 

To learn more about technology advancements at Nationwide, visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page.  

Carrel, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Nationwide Financial, recently sat down for an interview with the LEAD I.T. podcast to discuss his experiences in leadership over the last nearly 30 years. He discussed how his personal experiences, both successes and personal tragedies, shaped his mission to lead with empathy and resilience. His story offers practical takeaways that can help build trust, foster deeper team connections, and drive teams towards success. 

Listen here.