My Chi To has been named executive deputy superintendent of the insurance division at the New York State Department of Financial Services ("DFS"), which regulates more than 1,400 insurance companies with assets of $4.7 trillion.
"My Chi is a highly respected attorney with extensive transaction experience in the insurance industry," the DFS superintendent, Linda A. Lacewell, said in a statement. "I am confident that My Chi will successfully lead the insurance division forward in this increasingly complex and changing global marketplace. Her superb intellect, deep expertise, and integrity are the perfect combination to maintain DFS at the forefront of insurance regulation. We have been recruiting the best and the brightest and I am delighted that they are continuing to accept and choose public service."
Ms. To is a partner in Debevoise & Plimpton's restructuring group and global insurance practice. She represents clients across the insurance industry, including insurers, reinsurers, pension funds, private equity firms, and other capital providers in a wide range of transactions and restructuring matters. This includes state insurance rehabilitations and liquidations, insurance holding company bankruptcies, reinsurance transactions, reserve and other financings, pension risk transfers, and other complex transactions and restructurings involving insurance businesses.
"I am honored to join DFS and build on the department's commitment to protecting consumers while encouraging the growth of the insurance industry," said Ms. To. "I look forward to collaborating with the DFS team to help foster a resilient insurance marketplace for all New Yorkers."
Ms. To was awarded the Kathryn R. Heidt Memorial Award by the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association. She also received the Best Lawyers Under 40 Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. An advocate for women in law and business, she is a member of the Steering Committee of the U.S. 30% Club, a group of business leaders focused on improving the representation of women at all levels of U.S. organizations, including corporate boards. Ms. To will join New York State's Committee for the Advancement of Women in Leadership in Financial Services, which was announced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in September.
She received an M.Phil. in politics from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. She received an LL.L. and LL.B. in civil law and common law from the University of Ottawa and was a law clerk to Judge Claire L'Heureux-Dubé of the Supreme Court of Canada, the highest court of Canada.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].