Cooper, FOX ’85, who serves as chair, president and chief executive officer of Lincoln Financial, will gift and match the financial portion of her award to the Christopher and Julie Barnett Essential Needs Hub.

Temple University Trustee Ellen Cooper, FOX ’85, was honored with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s 2026 Paradigm Award, the region’s most prestigious award for a businesswoman, at a ceremony on March 24. Cooper, who was appointed to Temple’s Board of Trustees in October 2025, is serving a four-year term through 2029. 

Cooper has served as chair, president and chief executive officer of Lincoln Financial since 2022, becoming the first woman to lead the company. Presented annually during Women’s History Month, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Paradigm Award recognizes a businesswoman whose outstanding professional and personal achievements serve as a model for success. 

Cooper and her husband, Howard Cooper, have directed the financial component of the award to Temple’s Christopher and Julie Barnett Essential Needs Hub with a matching gift. Lincoln Financial Foundation will also provide a matching gift, tripling the impact of her contribution.  

“On behalf of the Temple community, I would like to congratulate Ellen on this well-deserved recognition,” said John Fry, president of Temple University. “We are fortunate to have Ellen on our board, where her leadership and impact strengthen the Temple community. Her distinguished career serves as an example for the next generation. I am especially grateful for Ellen and Howard’s gift to the Christopher and Julie Barnett Essential Needs Hub, which reflects both their generosity and commitment to supporting our students.” 

Reflecting on the honor, Cooper noted the role that Temple has made on her path.  

“Receiving the Paradigm Award sends me straight back to where my story begins—Temple University,” said Cooper. “I arrived at 16, a first-generation student with no blueprint. Temple didn't just educate me; it gave me community and belonging at a critical time in my life. A conviction took root there that has never left me: Creating opportunity for others is not a side project—it is the work. Serving on Temple’s Board of Trustees is one of the privileges I hold most closely, not because of what I’ve achieved, but because of what this institution made possible for me. Giving back is the only honest response to that kind of grace.” 

Cooper, who earned her bachelor of business administration from Temple’s Fox School of Business, has remained engaged on campus. She joined President Fry for a keynote conversation as part of the first Innovation with Impact, a series during the weeklong celebration that led up to the investiture ceremony of Fry as the university’s 15th president. She also previously served on the Dean’s Council and as the Commencement speaker for the Fox School of Business. 

Prior to her current role, Cooper was executive vice president, chief investment officer, and head of enterprise risk and annuity solutions at Lincoln. She joined the organization in 2012 and was instrumental in developing and executing Lincoln’s general and separate account investment strategy, overseeing more than $300 billion in assets and managing the corporation’s industry-leading hedge program. 

Before joining Lincoln, Cooper served as managing director and global head of insurance strategy for Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Earlier in her career, she was the chief risk officer for AEGON Americas. She also served as a principal at Ernst & Young LLP and in an insurance consulting role at Towers Perrin. 

In addition, Cooper serves as an independent director on the Board of Directors of Cencora Inc. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the American Council of Life Insurers, is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and is a CFA charterholder.  

An advocate of community causes, Cooper is a champion of Lincoln Financial’s community engagement initiatives, such as the company’s partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles on the Eagles Autism Challenge and the Cobbs Creek Golf Course revitalization project.