TIAA-CREF Names Head of Asset Management

Leary will start in his new position on June 24, based in the company’s New York headquarters. He will report to CEO Roger W. Ferguson Jr. and serve on the company’s executive management team.

“Rob’s proven track record successfully working with and leading asset management, retirement and insurance organizations, combined with his global view and focus on risk management, makes him an outstanding addition to our organization,” Ferguson said. “We look forward to his leadership as we work to meet the evolving needs of our individual and institutional clients.”

Leary, who has more than two decades of industry experience with both institutional and individual clients, will oversee all aspects of TIAA-CREF Asset Management. He will drive the group’s strategy across investments, distribution and operations, and aims to expand the company’s third-party business.

Leary most recently served as president and chief operating officer of ING U.S., leading all aspects of ING’s investment management, retirement, insurance and annuity businesses, as well as operations, information technology (IT) and marketing. He also has served as CEO of ING Insurance U.S. Leary joined ING in 2007 as chairman and CEO of ING Investment Management, Americas. He also served as a director of Pomona Capital, a private equity firm affiliated with ING.

Previously, Leary was an executive vice president at AIG. In this role, he helped build investment solutions for the institutional investor community. He also was a vice president at J.P. Morgan & Co., where he specialized in fixed-income applications. He started his career as an attorney with White & Case.

Leary holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Union College and a law degree from Fordham University School of Law.