Manulife's Stephani Kingsmill Among Canada's Most Powerful Women

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK:945

TORONTO, Nov. 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Manulife today announced that Stephani Kingsmill has been recognized by the Women's Executive Network as one of "Canada's Most Powerful Women." The award recognizes women who are "proven achievers and strong contributors to their organization, their fields of endeavor and their communities."

Ms. Kingsmill was recognized in the Corporate Executives category which acknowledges excellence in management, vision and leadership, corporate performance and community service. This is the third time Ms. Kingsmill has been recognized for this award.

Stephani Kingsmill, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Communications, is responsible for the Company's global human resources organization as well as branding, communications and social responsibility. She is also a member of Manulife's Executive Committee and Management Committee.

"Stephani first distinguished herself as an exceptional leader when she became Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Real Estate in 2006" said Donald Guloien, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife. "She has risen to every challenge presented to her. Most recently, she successfully led a global organizational redesign and transformation which impacted every employee.  She also championed a renewed focus on leadership at all levels of the organization."

Recent Manulife recipients of the Canada's Most Powerful Women Award include: Gail Cook-Bennett, former Board Chair, Lynda Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Controller, Cindy Forbes, Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary, Sue Reibel, Senior Vice President, Consumer Solutions and Marianne Harrison, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager, Canadian Division.

In 2014, Manulife was also recognized as a Top Employer for Young People for the third consecutive year.

About Manulife

Manulife is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. We operate as John Hancock in the U.S. and as Manulife in other parts of the world. We provide strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for our customers' significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife and its subsidiaries were approximately C$663 billion (US$591 billion) as at September 30, 2014.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation