Retirement Industry People Moves

T. Rowe Price Hires Head of Large Retirement Sales

Lee Stevens will join T. Rowe Price on March 31 as head of mega and large market retirement sales, a newly created role. Stevens will be tasked with leading the firm’s efforts to expand its business in this key segment of the U.S. retirement plan marketplace. 

She is experienced in sales, client satisfaction, distribution strategy, product innovation, and talent development. Prior to joining T. Rowe Price, Stevens worked at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its predecessor firms from 1987 to 2014. She was granted increasing levels of responsibility in JP Morgan’s retirement plan business, including acting as head of sales and client retention. 

Stevens joined Empower Retirement when it acquired JP Morgan Retirement Plan Services’ large-market recordkeeping unit and was responsible for the stewardship of many of the firm’s new and legacy JP Morgan clients. In her most recent position, Stevens served as head of sales for Great-West Investments and was a member of the firm’s executive leadership team. 

NEXT: Ascensus Appoints VP of Channel Management

Ascensus, an independent retirement plan and college savings services provider, has appointed Thomas Brennan as vice president of channel management. He will be responsible for guiding product messaging and expansion through key broker/dealer channels. He will also act as a resource for Ascensus' sales team and drive product strategies that can assist advisers looking to build their retirement plan practices.

He brings to his new role more than 25 years of experience with a focus on marketing, product development, and sales.

Prior to joining Ascensus, Brennan spent seven years with Transamerica Retirement Solutions where he served as a regional vice president within emerging markets, as well as vice president and national sales director for special markets. His experience also includes positions at Lincoln Financial Group, Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, and Vanguard. Brennan earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Saint Joseph's University.

NEXT: PanAgora Asset Appoints Strategic Relationship Manager

PanAgora Asset Appoints Strategic Relationship Manager

Vanessa Sea has joined the distribution team at PanAgora Asset Management. Serving as a strategic relationship manager, she will focus on consultant relations, outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) services and hedge fund marketing practices. Lisa Mahoney and Paul Damplo will join her in these efforts.

Sea formerly worked at PT Asset Management (PTAM), where she spent the last three years developing the firm's institutional credit hedge fund business. Prior to that, she worked in consultant relations at William Blair in Chicago and with Neuberger Berman. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and her master’s degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

"We are delighted to welcome Vanessa to PanAgora,” says Robert Job, CFA, head of Global Distribution at PanAgora. She is great addition to our team with an interesting background and a proven record. We look forward to introducing Vanessa into the marketplace. Her diverse investment experience, relationships, and excellent academic record are positive contributions to our firm.”

NEXT: Guardian Hires Chief Communications Officer

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America has named Sherry Pudloski as chief communications officer. She will be responsible for Guardian’s brand management as well as internal, external and digital communications. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, she is versed in brand communications, reputation management, and corporate social responsibility.

Pudloski joins Guardian from Pfizer, where she was the head of reputation, policy, and enterprise communications. She launched the company's first corporate advertising campaign in more than a decade “to share its commitment to science and cures.” Prior to her seven years with Pfizer, she was an executive director of strategic planning and communications at Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

“Sherry is an accomplished and respected communications professional, and we are delighted that she will help lead Guardian’s corporate communications strategy,” says Deanna Mulligan, Guardian’s president and chief executive officer. “As a member of Guardian’s leadership team, Sherry will be instrumental in finding new, creative, and effective ways of communicating and executing our customer-focused vision.”