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Nationwide Appoints Leaders for Emerging Markets Team

Steve Ebert

Carah Brody

The national pension solutions team responsible for emerging markets has announced that Steve Ebert has been appointed vice president of the western divisionAnd Carah Brody will assume additional leadership responsibility for emerging market operations, project management and business transformation. The division will focus on advisor-sold 401(k) plans with less than $25 million in assets, the company said.

Ebert, who previously led sales for the nonprofit sector with more than $25 million in assets at Nationwide, will now report to Kevin Devine, vice president for emerging markets sales.

Brody, currently vice president of operations on Retirement Solutions’ senior leadership team, will have a newly defined set of responsibilities focused on “end-to-end relationship management for advisor-sold, small market 401(k) companies.”

Group Plan Systems Hires Senior Fiduciary Advisor

Haley Erickson

Group Plans Systemsan independent fiduciary for employer-sponsored pension plans, hired Haley Erickson like a senior fiduciary advisorErickson joined GPS on June 24.

Erickson brings more than 15 years of experience in third-party administration to GPS.

“We are very excited to add Haley to our growing team at GPS,” said Pete Swisher, Managing Partner at GPSin a statement. “As our existing plans grow and we develop new ones, adding broad and deep TPA expertise was a priority for us.”

GPS has multiple active pooled retirement solutions, including pooled employer plans for which GPS serves as the pooled plan provider, with more in development. As an independent operational fiduciary, GPS works with multiple recordkeepers and TPAs.

In addition to Erickson, GPS has also recently Amanda Fillmore like a fiduciary advisorAnd Aditi Pokharkar became a full-time fiduciary analyst after I graduated earlier this year.

SEI Hires New Executive Vice President

SEI announced that Michael Laan will join the company as of September 16 as an executive vice president and head of asset managementreporting to CEO Ryan Hicke.

As a member of the executive team, Lane will be responsible for the business and growth strategy for the firm’s advisory and institutional businesses in North America, and will also lead SEI’s asset management teams globally.

With 35 years of industry experience, Lane was most recently head of iShares US wealth advisory at Blackrock, where he oversaw revenue growth, client expansion, solution development, implementation and due diligence across multiple products and asset classes. Prior to joining Blackrock, he held a number of roles at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he led the development of the pension, broker/dealer, bank and turnkey asset management programs.

“Michael is a widely respected industry leader who brings extensive experience in asset management across the markets we serve. His leadership, knowledge and perspective will help us capitalize on these opportunities and execute our strategy to drive strategic growth for our firm, our clients and our shareholders,” Hicke said in a statement.

Northern Trust appoints head of product strategy

Xiangrong (Sharon) Jin

Northern Trust Asset Management announced that Xiangrong (Sharon) Jin has been hired as head of strategyJin will lead NTAM’s global product strategy organization, focused on driving innovation and the goal of achieving scalable growth and creating customer-centric solutions. She will report to Paula KarNTAMs global main product.

Jin will lead product strategy across all asset classes, investment strategies, instruments and geographies, and will collaborate with NTAM’s investment and distribution teams to enhance product development and commercialization.

Jin has nearly 20 years of experience in asset management, including 15 years at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in senior leadership roles in portfolio strategy and client portfolio management.

Hartford Funds Expands C-Suite Executive Team

Amy Furlong

Ernie Overholt

Global asset manager Hartford Funds announced Amy Furlonghead of finance, will be promoted to Finance Directorwith effect from 1 January 2025, and Ernie Overholt will join a newly created role of operational director.

Furlong succeeds current CFO Greg Vorst as he takes on a new role as Chairman of Hartford FundsEffective immediately, both Furlong and Overholt will join the company’s senior executive team, reporting to and serving as strategic advisors to the President.

As Chief Financial Officer, Furlong oversees financial planning and analysis, financial modeling and business support, as well as corporate strategy. Key contributions during her 20 years with the firm have focused on driving profitable growth, combined with a commitment to the best interests of Hartford Funds’ products and shareholders. Prior to joining Hartford Funds, Furlong worked in the audit practice of KPMG LLP.

As the first COO of Hartford Funds, Overholt is responsible for ensuring “operational excellence” across the organization and overall leadership for the firm’s technology, funds management, transfer agent, dealer/client support and corporate risk functions. Overhold previously held various roles over six years at Vanguard, including head of enterprise risk strategy.