Kevin Waetke, APR, Fellow PRSA, Treasurer
Kevin Waetke, APR, Fellow PRSA, is Associate Vice President, Corporate Marketing for Sammons Financial Group – an employee-owned financial services firm specializing in insurance, annuities, wealth management and retirement planning solutions. As the chief communications executive, he leads internal and external communication, digital strategy, and executive communication. With members of the senior leadership team, he plays a critical role to define and deliver clear and consistent messages to employees, agents and financial advisors, distribution partners, and their clients.
Prior to joining Sammons Financial Group in 2019, Waetke was vice president, strategic communications for the National Pork Board with a focus on agriculture communication and food production marketing. Before that, he led national industry and media relations for the U.S. business of U.K.-based financial services leader Aviva plc, and for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. His primary focus is on branding and crisis and reputation management.
From Des Moines, Iowa, Waetke is a graduate of Drake University and serves on its National Advisory Council to its school of journalism. He served the past three years as co-chair of the College of Fellows GoodFellows advisor program, and also recently on the PRSA governance committee and as 2024 treasurer of the Midwest District. He has also served as treasurer of the Iowa chapter and many years on its board. Kevin completed two terms as a PRSA board member from 2016-2019, serving on the finance committee, Sections liaison, and PRSA Foundation. He is a 2020 inductee into PRSA’s College of Fellows.
Other service and leadership positions include supporting communications for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Federation of Iowa Insurers and, nationally, the Insured Retirement Institute. From 2014 to 2019, Waetke was vice-chair of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA) communications committee. His non-profit board work includes as a current board member of the Des Moines Playhouse and past chair of the Anawim Housing Foundation board. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communications from Drake University, Des Moines. He and his family reside in Johnston, Iowa.