In his 20s, the boss of this $22 billion Fortune 500 company tried to turn down a promotion to CEO-his main advice to new grads is to stay 'humble'
Briefly

Tony Cheng has built a successful career at Reinsurance Group of America by accepting challenging roles and emphasizing continual learning. His leadership facilitated RGA's growth, particularly in Asia, and has helped the company reach a significant milestone of $3.9 trillion in reinsurance coverage. In 2025, RGA secured a notable $1.5 billion deal with Equitable to reinsure $32 billion of life insurance policies. Cheng highlights the importance of humility and preparedness, reflecting on how his upbringing and work ethic contributed to his long-standing commitment to the company.
Tony Cheng’s journey in Reinsurance Group of America reflects a commitment to continuous learning and a willingness to embrace responsibility, which has fueled his long-term success.
Over three decades, Cheng has driven RGA's expansion, notably into Asia, securing its status with landmark deals like the $1.5 billion agreement with Equitable.
Read at Fortune
[
|
]