A Day in a New York Life: Group Benefit Solutions’ Raul Haynes

New York Life | May 14, 2026

The Day in a New York Life article series offers a look into the daily lives of employees: what they do, their career paths, what they find most interesting about their jobs, and how they spend their time outside of the office.

Born in the South American country of Guyana and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., the Group Benefit Solutions (GBS) team’s Raul Haynes credits his mother with instilling early lessons around integrity, thoughtful decision‑making, and continual self‑improvement that have been a through-line during his life.

“There are two words my mother continually told my siblings and me: ‘Be better.’ Whether she was talking about schoolwork, sports, or any other aspect of my life, these words stuck with me. They reinforce the importance of discipline, preparation and teamwork — values that continue to shape how I approach leadership today.”

What he’s focused on now

After 10 years in the Foundational Business, Haynes recently joined GBS and is now leading a newly formed team focused on GBS Reimagine, the group’s agentic AI initiative that will enhance every step of the group benefits journey. Reimagine will embed service excellence at every stage so GBS can deliver tangible results such as improved turnaround times and higher-quality interactions with clients, brokers and customers. 

A critical component of his responsibilities, Haynes said, is to help his GBS colleagues assimilate the positive changes that Reimagine will bring.

“Business is competitive, and just as my mother used to say, we have to ‘be better.’ Reimagine will make GBS much more competitive and position us for sustained success,” Haynes said. “There will be challenges, but, in the end, we’ll succeed if we all understand what we’re trying to achieve is not just transformative but foundational for the future of our business and our employees/people.”

Guidance for early-career colleagues

When asked for advice, Haynes said he avoids prescribing answers. Instead, he asks thoughtful questions that help individuals come to their own conclusions. His philosophy is rooted in ownership: making informed decisions, standing behind them, and learning from the outcomes. “I’ve found that most people intuitively have the answers,” he said.

A team‑first leadership approach

Haynes described his approach to leadership as the “hive mentality.” He focuses on building teams with complementary strengths and encourages open discussion and debate.

“I’m the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers,” he said. “I look for teammates who provide perspectives and experiences that I don’t have. Combining that diversity of thought with transparency, trust, and a shared ownership of outcomes leads to success.”

For Haynes, leadership isn’t about hierarchy or titles. It’s about creating the conditions where people feel trusted, heard, and empowered to do their best work — together.

“As a leader, it’s my responsibility to minimize politics and create environments where people feel safe to contribute, take risks and grow,” he said.

Beyond New York Life

Outside of work, Haynes is deeply committed to his wife and three children and to community involvement. He mentors students in computer science and early-career development initiatives at a magnet public school in the Bronx.

In keeping with his lifelong affinity for sports, Haynes also coaches youth sports. At the heart of these efforts is a simple belief: Showing up for people matters.