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Deals & People January 8, 2025
DCIIA Announces Executive Committee for 2025-2026
In other news, the Institutional Retirement Income Council named Kreps of Groom Law as chair of its board of directors.
Reported by Natalie Lin
The Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association has announced the organization’s executive committee for the 2025 to 2026 term.
The chair of the executive committee is Mike Raso from PineBridge Investments, and the vice chair is Allegra Heyligers from Allspring Global Investments. Raso previously served as vice chair on the DCIIA executive committee, while Heyligers previously served as treasurer. Mikaylee O’Connor, named head of DC solutions at NEPC in April 2024, will be the new treasurer.
DCIIA is a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the retirement security of American workers. Its mission is to improve defined contribution plans by advancing best practices, education and innovation for institutional investors, plan sponsors and stakeholders involved in the retirement ecosystem. The organization was one of PLANADVISER’S 2024 Vision Award Winners for its contributions to the retirement industry.
“These volunteer leaders are an invaluable part of our member-led collaboration in the pursuit of our vision, to bring together constituents across the financial ecosystem to help America’s workforce save for retirement and achieve broader financial security,” said Lew Minsky, DCIIA president and CEO, in a statement.
Position | Name | Firm |
Chair | Mike Raso | PineBridge Investments |
Vice Chair | Allegra Heyligers | Allspring Global Investments |
Treasurer | Mikaylee O’Connor | NEPC |
Immediate Past Chair | Chris Lyon | Goldman Sachs |
Counsel | Marla Kreindler | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius |
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Chair | Kai Walker | Bank of America |
Global Committee Chair | Chris Weirath | Morningstar |
Global Committee Vice Chair | Brian Abshire | Aon |
Investment Policy & Design Committee Chair | Michelle Rappa | Neuberger Berman |
Investment Policy & Design Committee Vice Chair | Hannah Schriner | Meketa Investment Group |
Plan Design & Administration Committee Chair | Simon Franklin | Empower |
Plan Design & Administration Committee Vice Chair | Sue Walton | Capital Group |
Plan Sponsor Institute Executive Committee Co-Chair | Beth Pattillo | Leidos |
Plan Sponsor Institute Executive Committee Co-Chair | Laura Pugliese | Virginia Retirement System |
Public Policy Committee Chair | Michael Kreps | Groom Law Group |
Public Policy Committee Vice Chair | Alejandro Roman | S&P Dow Jones Indices |
Retirement Income Committee Chair | Jamie McAllister | Callan |
Retirement Income Committee Vice Chair | Karen Neeley | Pacific Life |
The full list of DCIIA executive committee members can be found at this link.
Kreps to Chair IRIC
Michael Kreps
In a separate announcement, the Institutional Retirement Income Council, a nonprofit think tank focused on the DC retirement industry, has announced that Michael Kreps of Groom Law Group, Chartered, has been appointed chair of its board of directors.
A member of IRIC’s board since 2023, Kreps succeeds Martha Tejera, who had served as IRIC’s board chair since October 2023. Kreps is a principal in and chair of the retirement services practice at Groom Law, advising plan sponsors and retirement service providers on plan governance, administration, funding, design, restructuring and other issues.
“Michael brings a wealth of retirement services expertise and dedication to this important role,” Kevin Crain, the IRIC’s executive director, said in a statement. “His firsthand experience with the legislative and regulatory process gives him a perspective that is often instrumental in helping plan sponsors develop and implement effective retirement plan strategies.”
Crain, the former head of Bank of America’s retirement research, took over as executive director of the IRIC in May 2024.