Private Company Director’s Directors to Watch 2026 highlights 29 significant and diverse directors who have contributed to and will continue to expand ongoing dialogue on board best practices and corporate governance excellence.
Maria Azua Himmel
Pan-American Life Insurance Group
Dr. Maria Azua Himmel serves on the board of Pan-American Life Insurance Group, a life and health insurer in the Americas, where she is on the finance and audit committees. She is an advisor to Capri Venture Capital and previously served on Red Hat’s technology advisory board prior to its acquisition by IBM. Her executive career spans senior roles at Bank of America, Barclays and IBM, where she held chief information officer and chief technology officer positions. A Women in Technology Hall of Fame inductee, she holds more than 50 patents and a doctorate in computer science.
Himmel is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, Private Directors Association, Extraordinary Women on Boards, Women Corporate Directors and Latino Corporate Directors Association.
Clarity drives confidence. “Effective governance is a forward-looking discipline that shapes the future rather than merely safeguarding the present. It provides clarity, transparency and confidence, enabling teams to innovate with purpose and act decisively. By anticipating emerging risks and reinforcing sound decision-making, governance fosters agility and resilience in a rapidly changing environment. Clear decision rights eliminate friction and empower leaders to contribute at their highest level. For high-growth private companies, governance is not bureaucracy. It is strategic guidance that drives scale, strengthens competitiveness and ensures long-term success. In today’s complex landscape, effective governance is the foundation for sustainable growth and organizational excellence.”