Cynthia M. Maleski Retirement Announcement

Published: February 19th, 2025

Beachwood, OH — First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (FCSLA Life), a fraternal benefit society founded in 1892 that provides financial security to its members and embraces Catholic values and Slovak (Slavic) traditions, announces the upcoming retirement of Cynthia M. Maleski, its esteemed National President and CEO.

Ms. Maleski will be retiring from her role as National President and CEO after a period of transition to the newly hired CEO, Mr. Michael J. Agan.

Ms. Maleski has been National President and CEO since 2012, also serving as Chair of the Board. Prior to that, she was National Trustee from 2004.

Ms. Maleski stated “I am honored and grateful to our members for the opportunity to provide financial security as we grow FCSLA Life, build the architecture for future generations and reach out to broader communities through our branches in the United States to serve the common good.”

Under Ms. Maleski’s leadership, FCSLA achieved unprecedented growth with respect to its financial strength, reach, membership and lasting impact in ways never seen before.

During her tenure, FCSLA’s insurance in force and assets have each grown to over $1 billion. Under her leadership, the organization has maintained an A.M. Best rating of A- (Excellent) and has consistently been ranked favorably among the top twenty-five life insurance companies in the United States by Standard Analytical Services, Inc., analysts of the insurance industry since 1932.

The Association is comprised of over 500 branches. During her tenure, she expanded FCSLA’s footprint through opening 24 new branches in strategic states.

Ms. Maleski elevated operational excellence, creating the architecture for long-term sustainability, implementing strategic initiatives that ensure continued success for generations to come with surplus exceeding $108 million, a building block strategic plan, a new governance model through a series of conventions, and increased transparency and engagement  for key stakeholders throughout the  Association.

Throughout her tenure, Ms. Maleski remained steadfast in upholding and strengthening FCSLA’s Catholic values and fraternal mission, ensuring they remain at the heart of its work. She initiated four national appeals for charitable causes including relief in West Texas, aid for “at risk” children, an anti-hunger drive and the establishment of an Anna Hurban Scholarship program. The Association has awarded over 3,000 national scholarships in the amount of over $3.3 million; conducted over 1,600 matching funds projects at local levels raising over $7 million, with a national match of over $1.1 million to benefit churches, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the country. In 2023 she conceptualized and began the Young Adult Leadership Council to engage a younger demographic fostering a sense of inclusion and community.

Current FCSLA Board Chair, Jeanette Palanca, said “As Cynthia retires from her role at FCSLA, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible knowledge and wisdom she has shared. Her strategic insights, expertise in insurance, and deep understanding of the unique dynamics of a fraternal organization have been invaluable to me. I feel truly fortunate to have learned from such an exceptional leader, and her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as we move forward.”

As part of her leadership of FCSLA Life, she has held leadership roles at American Fraternal Alliance (AFA);  serving as a board member and Chair of its Board.

Ms. Maleski brought a unique leadership experience to her role having served as Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner and Cabinet Secretary, a seasoned insurance and health care executive and lawyer. She served as first in-house general counsel at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, (now  UPMC Mercy), where she also oversaw insurance, risk-management, and government relations programs. While she was Insurance Commissioner, she implemented the first Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in the United States which became the model for the National CHIP Program.

Ms. Maleski also taught insurance law as adjunct professor, Duquesne University School of Law, served as compliance officer at a major health/life and property casualty insurer, and consultant/advisor in insurance related matters.  She has served on fund investment committees, as well.

Through her life Ms. Maleski has been an avid cultural enthusiast serving as a visible leader in the Slovak/Slavic cultural landscape, among others. She served as counsel for National Confederation of American Ethnic Groups, an anti-communist, pro-democracy human rights organization, working with the White House and US Congress to bring a peaceful transition to Eastern Europe. In addition, she has shown a special interest in advocating for women’s pay equity, children’s needs and the musical community.

Ms. Maleski received her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pittsburgh and her Juris Doctorate with academic excellence from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Selected by her peers, she is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. In addition, she has received many professional awards including, the Pope Francis Leadership International Papal Award from Caritas in Veritate, an organization for the laity directed by Pope Francis.

FCSLA is grateful for Ms. Maleski’s lasting contributions and is looking forward to future cooperation with her.