CNO Financial Group Recognizes Associate Stacy Muentzer Oakey as Volunteer of the Year, Donates to 12 Nonprofits through Annual Invested in Giving Back® Program
MWN-AI** Summary
CNO Financial Group, headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, has honored Stacy Muentzer Oakey as its Volunteer of the Year for 2026. Muentzer Oakey, who has been with CNO for over 19 years, was recognized for her exceptional contributions to the Scouting America’s Pathway to Adventure Council (PTAC), where she serves as the Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 216 in LaGrange Highlands, Illinois. In 2025 alone, she dedicated over 410 hours to scouting activities, contributing to operations, merit badge instruction, and fundraising initiatives. In recognition of her efforts, CNO will donate $10,000 to the PTAC.
The announcement coincides with CNO's annual “Invested in Giving Back®” program, which has been running for eight years. This year, the company will donate $180,000 to 12 nonprofit organizations, selected through nominations and votes from CNO associates. Rocco Tarasi, CNO's Chief Marketing Officer, emphasized the program's importance in reflecting the company’s commitment to community support.
The selected nonprofits benefiting from the donations include notable organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Indiana Chapter, American Cancer Society - Indiana, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, among others. This initiative exemplifies CNO's dedication to positively impacting the communities where its employees live and work.
CNO Financial Group provides a range of financial services, focusing on middle-income America. With a vast portfolio that includes life and health insurance and annuities, the company manages approximately 3.2 million policies and $38.8 billion in total assets. For more details, visit CNOinc.com.
MWN-AI** Analysis
CNO Financial Group’s recent recognition of Stacy Muentzer Oakey as Volunteer of the Year and its ongoing commitment to philanthropy through the Invested in Giving Back® program positions the company favorably in the marketplace. As a financial services provider with a strong focus on community engagement, CNO demonstrates robust corporate social responsibility (CSR) that can enhance its brand image and attract socially conscious investors.
The donation of $180,000 to 12 nonprofits, including well-known organizations like the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, underscores CNO's alignment with values increasingly important to consumers and investors. This strategy not only strengthens community ties but also enhances employee morale and retention. By empowering associates to direct the company's philanthropic efforts, CNO promotes a culture of engagement and loyalty, which can translate into improved service delivery and customer satisfaction.
From an investor's perspective, this emphasis on CSR can yield long-term benefits. Companies demonstrating strong ethical practices often experience enhanced brand loyalty and reduced regulatory burdens, resulting in potentially fewer disruptions to business operations. Moreover, CNO's ability to attract talent—evidenced by Oakey's nearly two decades of service—indicates stable, experienced leadership capable of navigating the complexities of the financial services landscape.
Investors should also consider CNO's comprehensive portfolio of life and health insurance products, annuities, and financial services. The company manages substantial assets, indicating robust operational capacity. Given the volatility in markets, products that cater to middle-income America could see sustained demand, especially as financial literacy improves and more individuals seek responsible financial planning.
In summary, CNO Financial Group stands out as a socially responsible investment opportunity that balances community engagement with a solid business model, making it worth a closer look for investors seeking both financial returns and ethical alignment.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
CARMEL, Ind., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) today honored associate Stacy Muentzer Oakey as its Volunteer of the Year and announced 12 nonprofits will receive donations through CNO's 2026 Invested in Giving Back® program.
Muentzer Oakey was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for her dedicated service to Scouting America's Pathway to Adventure Council (PTAC). PTAC is Scouting America's leading youth program, dedicated to preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. In addition to recognition of her service, CNO will make a $10,000 donation to the organization.
Muentzer Oakey is Manager of Consumer Field Programs and Pipeline Management, and has worked at CNO for more than 19 years. She currently serves as Assistant Scoutmaster for PTAC Troop 216 in LaGrange Highlands, Ill., where she has volunteered for four years, assisting both the boys' and girls' troops with operations, merit badge instruction and fundraising.
In 2025, Muentzer Oakey contributed more than 410 hours of service, including 16 nights of camping and more than 1,500 miles of travel to transport Scouts to and from campouts and events, ensuring they had reliable access to essential outdoor experiences and programming.
"Stacy's recognition as Volunteer of the Year reflects the incredible support she's provided to Troop 216 over the past four years, and especially in 2025," said Mike Golm, Committee Chair, Troop 216. "Through her leadership, commitment and passion, Stacy has made a meaningful difference for so many Scouts and has set the standard for volunteer service in our organization."
Invested in Giving Back Program
Now in its eighth year, CNO's Invested in Giving Back program invites associates to nominate and vote for community programs to receive charitable donations on behalf of the company.
This year, CNO will donate $180,000 across 12 nonprofit organizations.
"The Invested in Giving Back program embodies CNO's commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Rocco Tarasi, Chief Marketing Officer. "By empowering associates to guide our corporate philanthropy, this program brings our values to life and allows CNO to invest in the causes closest to our people. We're proud to support these nonprofits and make a positive impact."
The organizations CNO associates elected to receive donations in 2026 include:
- Alzheimer's Association - Greater Indiana Chapter
- American Cancer Society - Indiana
- Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
- Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Misty Meadows Mitey Riders
- No Kid Hungry (a campaign of Share Our Strength)
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin
- Wounded Warrior Project
To learn more about CNO's commitment to building stronger communities where we live and work, please visit here.
About CNO Financial Group
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) secures the future of middle-income America. CNO provides life and health insurance, annuities and financial services through our family of brands, including Bankers Life, Colonial Penn, Optavise and Washington National. Our customers work hard to save for the future, and we help protect their health, income and retirement needs with 3.2 million policies and $38.8 billion in total assets. Our 3,300 associates, 5,000 exclusive agents and more than 7,000 independent partner agents guide individuals, families and businesses through a lifetime of financial decisions. For more information, visit CNOinc.com.
SOURCE CNO Financial Group
FAQ**
How does CNO Financial Group Inc. CNO select the nonprofits that receive donations through its Invested in Giving Back program?
What impact has Stacy Muentzer Oakey's volunteer work had on Scouting America's Pathway to Adventure Council as recognized by CNO Financial Group Inc. CNO?
In what ways does CNO Financial Group Inc. CNO plan to measure the outcome and effectiveness of the financial contributions made to the 12 selected nonprofits?
Can you elaborate on how the values of CNO Financial Group Inc. CNO are reflected in its corporate philanthropy initiatives, particularly the Invested in Giving Back program?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about CNO Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: CNO).
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