Retirement Industry People Moves - 1/5/24

New Nationwide Leaders Will Focus on Product Solutions

Jack Kilbane

Ben Lozier

Nationwide Retirement Solutions announced two new leaders focused on protecting more participants in retirement and helping drive business growth. Jack Kilbane has been named leader of retirement solutions product development, and Ben Lozier now leads the retirement solutions managed account and investment products team.

Kilbane will lead a team responsible for developing new products, services and tools that will help participants achieve their retirement goals. Kilbane assumes a role previously held by Cathy Marasco, who now leads Nationwide’s new protected retirement team.

Meanwhile,  Lozier will lead the team responsible for accelerating participant adoption in managed account investment solutions, including ProAccount. He will also lead the fiduciary solutions and fund administration teams. Lozier assumes the role of Ben Hoecherl, who now leads product and business development for Nationwide’s mutual funds business.

“Jack and Ben have been valuable partners to our business for many years in their previous capacities within Nationwide Financial,” Hutch Schafer, vice president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions product and business development, said in a statement. “Their deep understanding of the business, innovative mindsets, respected insights and continued leadership will play a key role in our efforts to deliver competitive products, solutions and experiences for our participants and plan sponsors.”

Kane Assumes Role as President of Financial Planning Association

Claudia Kane

The Financial Planning Association, the leading membership organization and trade association for Certified Financial Planner professionals, announced Claudia Kane as the official 2024 FPA president, effective January 1.

Kane will collaborate with other national volunteer leaders and the association’s CEO Patrick Mahoney to advance FPA’s strategic priorities and elevate the association as a leader of the profession.

“FPA has been an influential force in my career by providing me with a community of professionals who are eager to share best practices and experiences that have shaped my practice of financial planning,” Kane said in a statement. “I’m eager to work to support the Association’s mission and vision while providing our members and chapters with an indispensable experience that will support them in their careers and businesses.”

A financial adviser since 1985, Kane is an independent adviser with Raymond James Financial Services in Roseville, California, where she provides financial planning, strategic asset allocation and tax-efficient money management for individuals, fiduciaries and small businesses. Kane completed a four-year FPA Board of Directors term in December 2023. She also served as the 2022 FPA treasurer and volunteer leader of the FPA’s finance committee.

Edelman Financial Engines Appoints Hanley as Chief Marketing Officer

Megan Hanley

Edelman Financial Engines announced that Megan Hanley has joined the firm as chief marketing officer, effective January 3. Hanley will report to EFE CEO Jay Shah.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Megan to EFE. She’s a versatile marketing leader with a track record of driving growth and reaching financial consumers in early-stage ventures as well as established companies,” Shah said in a statement. “Megan is a perfect fit for our client-first culture, and she’ll be instrumental in attracting more investors who are in need of sound, holistic financial planning and investment advice.”

With more than 25 years of experience in financial and professional services, Hanley will oversee EFE’s marketing functions to further the brand’s growth and development. Prior to joining EFE, Hanley was chief marketing officer at Forge Global, a publicly traded marketplace for researching, buying and selling private company stocks.

“Throughout my career, I have been drawn to customer-centric companies that look to harness the power of people and technology to address the financial needs of consumers, and EFE was one of the first to do so by helping millions of Americans save and invest for retirement,” Hanley said in a statement.

Cliffwater Adds Head of Portfolio Solutions

Philip Huber

Cliffwater LLC, an independent alternative investment adviser and fund manager, announced the appointment of Philip Huber as head of portfolio solutions to build on its presence at the forefront of alternatives.

“Phil will strengthen our ability to educate broader audiences as alternatives become increasingly mainstream and essential components of diversified portfolio,” Stephen Nesbitt, Cliffwater’s CEO and CIO, said in a statement. “We want to help our wealth management partners and clients become smarter and more confident capital allocators as they navigate private markets.”

Prior to joining Cliffwater, Huber served as CIO at Savant Wealth Management. Additionally, he is the author of “The Allocator’s Edge,” a modern guide to alternative investments, and “bps and pieces,” his blog where he breaks down key investment concepts and shares timely insights for investors. Huber was also recently named CIO of the Year by RIA Intel in 2023.

“Cliffwater’s breadth of alternative asset class expertise, vast institutional data and knowledge, and track-record of excellence in semi-liquid, perpetual funds have positioned the firm for continued growth and success in the years ahead,” Huber said in a statement. “I can’t think of a better destination to continue my journey of helping financial advisers better understand, implement, and communicate alternative investments for their clients.”