Retirement Industry People Moves

Early Joins Vestwell as Chief Strategy Officer

Danya Early

Vestwell announced that Danya Early has joined the executive leadership team as chief strategy officer. Reporting to Aaron Schumm, Vestwell’s founder and CEO, Early will oversee strategic initiatives and lead corporate development.

“Now is the perfect time to bring Danya onboard, as her strategic fintech experience will be an additive component to the next level in our growth,” said Schumm in a statement.

Previously, Early was the chief strategy officer and chief of staff at Securitize, a blockchain-based platform for alternative assets. She was also part of the launch team for Two Sigma’s fintech startup called Two Sigma Insurance Quantified.

Prior to those roles, Early was chief of staff and head of finance for Goldman Sachs Investment Management Divisions-Operations. She began her Wall Street career at Goldman Sachs in equity research covering software companies.

Principal Announces Dessouki as New Chief Marketing Officer

Mona Dessouki

Mona Dessouki will join Principal Financial Group as chief marketing officer, responsible for driving global marketing efforts across key market segments.

“Mona brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and perspectives to Principal, all of which will help elevate our marketing strategy to reach and engage current and prospective clients with Principal,” said Ellen Shumway, senior executive managing director and global head of product and marketing for Principal Asset Management.

Based in New York, Mona will report to Shumway and lead an asset management marketing team of over 35 individuals across the United States, Europe, and Asia, according to Principal.  

Mona has over 20 years of marketing experience. She joins Principal from J.P. Morgan Asset Management, where she served as executive director of acquisition marketing and digital experience.  

Puerto Joins J.P. Morgan Private Bank as Head of Retirement Plan Solutions

Abe Puerto has started as head of retirement plan solutions at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, according to the company.

Puerto will be responsible for leading a team of retirement plan consultants and investment consulting specialists. They work with the Private Bank’s wealth advisers to provide retirement plan solutions to business owner clients. Puerto joins the firm with over two decades of experience in the retirement industry, most recently from UBS, where he was head of retirement plan provider relationship management.

Based in New York City, Puerto will report to Chris Fletcher, global head of the private bank’s outsourced chief investment office.

Former BlackRock Head of iShares Hired 

Turing Technology Associates has hired Robert Nestor as senior managing director and chief commercial officer at the financial technology firm, effective August 15, a spokesperson confirmed by email.

Nestor is responsible for driving the commercial side of the business—including product and services, sales and marketing and business administration, says the spokesperson. He reports to Vadim Fishman, co-founder, CEO and chief technology officer at Turing.

Turning provides financial technology through artificial intelligence and advanced machine learning processes focused on asset management and technology innovation, licensing its’ technology and intellectual property to investment management, insurance, brokerage, and RIA/wealth firms to support investment solutions.

Nestor was previously self-employed. Prior to that, Nestor was the president and head of financial products provider Direxion and worked at BlackRock in several roles for more than a decade, attaining the final title of managing director and head of iShares and Smart Beta.