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Meet our team

WTW Investments Team

We are skilled investors, confidently helping clients achieve their objectives with bold ideas and proven solutions.


Michele Baldasarre

Head of Clients, U.S. Investments

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Michele Baldasarre joined WTW in 2022 and is responsible for client relationships across U.S. Investments spanning all delivery models, ensuring successful outcomes and an exceptional experience. She has over 30 years of experience in workplace solutions, focused on clients and committed to helping savers meet their retirement goals.

Prior to joining WTW, Michele was Head of Relationship Management at Empower/MassMutual where she focused on developing high-performing teams and a culture of accountability and transparency. She led a team of approximately 100 professionals serving corporate, government, Taft-Hartley, not-for-profit and multiple-employer plan clients. She previously worked at Aon Hewitt, BlackRock and Putnam Investments.

Michele received a B.S. in Psychology from Lesley University. Michele holds FINRA Series 24, 7 and 63 certifications. She is also a member of the U.S. Investments Executive Committee.


Adina Davis

Director of Business Operations, North America – Investments

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Adina Davis is an experienced Business Operations leader with over 14 years of experience in financial services, business administration, organizational development, client service and talent management. As Director of Business Operations for North America in the Investments line of business at WTW, Adina plays a key role in overseeing the day-to-day operations and driving the strategic priorities for the region.

In her current role, Adina is a member of the North American Leadership team, where she manages both the operational efficiency and budget for Investments in the U.S. and Canada. She leads a team of 10 business support professionals and collaborates closely with North American people managers to implement streamlined policies, processes and workflows that enhance business performance and service delivery.

Adina began her career at WTW in 2013 as an Operations Senior Analyst. Before joining WTW, she worked at Intech Janus as a Client Service Manager and at Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC as an Operations Coordinator, gaining a diverse range of experience in client-facing and operations roles within the financial services sector.

Adina received an M.B.A. from the University of Florida and a B.A. in political science from Temple University. She is also a member of the U.S. Investments Executive Committee.


John Delaney

U.S. Chief Investment Officer – Head of Delegated Portfolio Management, U.S.

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John Delaney joined WTW in 2007 and as U.S. CIO is responsible for investment philosophy, asset allocation and multi-asset portfolio management across our U.S. client base. John is a member of our Global Portfolio Management group, providing thought leadership for investment strategy, content, LDI and portfolio construction for our broad client base.

John serves as the Global Head of Credit Portfolio Management and Global Head of Liquid Diversifying Solutions, leading the creation of fund solutions and customized portfolios for clients, and has Co-Project Manager responsibilities for the WTW Diversified Credit Fund, the WTW Long Credit Fund and the WTW Liquid Diversifiers Fund.

In addition to his role within the portfolio management function, John also sits on the U.S. Executive Committee for Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc.

John received a B.B.A. in business economics and a minor in mathematical sciences from Loyola College in Maryland.


Luiz Farias

Senior Director, Investments – Head of Canada

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Luiz Farias is an investment professional with over 20 years of experience in investment management and consulting, specializing in investment strategy and portfolio construction, investment governance and developing policy on investment compensation.

Luiz has held several key positions within the financial industry in Latin America and North America. Most recently, Luiz was the leader of the WTW investment practice in Brazil.

Over recent years, Luiz has worked with some of the largest public sector pension plans in Canada, providing advice on investment strategy, portfolio construction and investment compensation design.

Luiz received a B.Eng. in computer engineering and an M.Sc. in business administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro.


Rich Joseph

U.S. Growth Leader – Investments

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Rich Joseph joined WTW in 2024 and leads U.S. Growth for WTW’s Investment business. He is part of the U.S. Investments Leadership team. Prior to joining WTW, he spent 19 years at Mercer building and leading their outsourced chief investment officer practice and distribution. Before joining Mercer, Rich was Chief Operating Officer at Fleet Investment Management. He led teams in the areas of operations, client service and growth. Rich has worked with teams to develop custom funds and solutions for foundations, defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans and has experience in developing operating platforms, client reporting and technology.

Rich received a B.S. in business administration and an M.B.A. from Bryant College. He is a registered investment advisor and holds FINRA 7, 24, 63 certifications. Rich is a board member and chair of Breath of Hope Rhode Island and an Advisory board member (voluntary) of Verger Investment Management (Wake Forest University). He is also an Expect Miracles sponsor and Miracle Makers committee member.


Denise Kehler, M.B.A.

Chief Investment Officer, North America

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Denise Kehler is WTW's Chief Investment Officer for North America and a member of the Global Content Leadership team. She is also a member of the U.S. and Canada business executive committees. In her role, Denise is responsible for ensuring that the solutions and services offered to clients in the region contain WTW’s best investment thinking relevant to their needs, and, along with other senior WTW investors globally, for driving ongoing innovation and evolution in that investment thinking. Denise joined WTW in 2016 to lead the Portfolio Management team for the WTW Canadian delegated business.

Prior to joining WTW, Denise was the President and Chief Investment Officer of the Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund in Manitoba and the Director of Investment Services at the Public Employees Benefits Agency in Saskatchewan where she advised the boards of several defined benefit plans, an annuity fund and defined contribution plans — including the largest defined contribution plan in Canada.

Denise has a B.A in administration as well as an M.B.A. from the University of Regina. She is registered with WTW Investment Management Canada Limited, a WTW company, as an Advising Representative (Portfolio Manager) and Dealing Representative.


Diya Luke, CFA

Global Head of Investments

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Diya Luke joined WTW in 2004 and is responsible for the company’s Investments business and growth strategy globally. This includes oversight of all the firm’s investment services to clients, including advisory and implemented approaches and investment tools. Since joining, she has held various leadership positions, including New York Investments Leader, Southeast Investments Leader, Northeast Region Leader and most recently Growth Acceleration Leader for the firm’s Health, Wealth & Career segment. Diya is also the Co-Leader of WTW’s Global Gender Equity Network.

Diya received a B.A. from Macalester College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder.


Jon Pliner, CFA

Global Chief Investment Officer

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Jonathan (Jon) Pliner joined WTW in 2004 and is the firm’s Global Chief Investment Officer (CIO). In this role, Jon is responsible for all aspects of WTW's investment philosophy and process. The various research teams (Manager Research, Asset Research and Thinking Ahead), the portfolio management team within the fiduciary business and the content that makes its way into advisory portfolios are all ultimately his responsibility. This ensures there is a single investment philosophy and approach for all clients, regardless of location or type of engagement with WTW. Jon is also Co-Portfolio Manager for WTW’s Real Assets Fund in the U.S.

Prior to his role as CIO, Jon served as Head of Delegated Portfolio Management in the U.S. market and was responsible for portfolio management activities for some of WTW’s largest discretionary clients in the U.S. In addition, he was co-chair of the company’s Private Markets Investment Committee and Real Assets Investment Committee.

Jon earned a B.S. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and minors in mathematics and actuarial sciences. He is a CFA Charterholder and a member of the New York Society of Securities Analysts.


Nimisha Srivastava, CAIA

Head of Investments, North America

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As the Head of Investments, North America at WTW, Nimisha Srivastava leads a team of over 250 colleagues providing investment advice and discretionary management to asset owners across the U.S. and Canada. She is a member of the Global Leadership team within Investments, which oversees over $4.5 trillion in AUA and over $160 billion in delegated and outsourced chief investment officer solutions worldwide. With a background in global markets, portfolio management and institutional investing, Nimisha is passionate about driving innovation and excellence while fostering a strong culture.

She was recognized as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader by the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA) in 2022, received a Pension & Investments Most Influential Women award in 2023 and was named to the Institutional Investments Influential Women in Investing list in 2024. Nimisha has authored numerous publications; serves on several industry bodies; and is a frequent speaker on institutional investing, fixed income, culture and more.

Nimisha graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University with a B.S. in mathematical sciences and holds an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Nimisha also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation (CAIA).


Carmen Staltari, CFA, CAIA

Senior Director, Investments - Head of Growth, Canada

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Carmen Staltari joined WTW in 2016 and has 14 years of experience providing investment consulting and asset management services to the institutional market. He is responsible for driving the success of WTW’s Investments business in Canada by overseeing the development of best-in-class investment solutions, connecting client demand with intellectual capital to drive better financial outcomes for savers. In addition to these responsibilities, he consults to a select group of sophisticated institutional investors on a wide variety of areas, including investment objectives and policy development, asset allocation strategy, manager structure, manager selection and performance monitoring. As a member of the Canadian Leadership team, Carmen helps to shape the overall business strategy, including key initiatives designed to support investors in delivering better investment outcomes.

Prior to joining WTW, Carmen was AVP at a boutique Toronto-based investment firm specializing in quantitative equity strategies for institutional clients.

Carmen received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations. He is also registered with WTW Investment Management Canada Ltd. as an Associate Advising Representative (Associate Portfolio Manager) and Dealing Representative.


Debra Woida

Managing Director, Investments

Debra Woida joined WTW in 2007, and through her leadership, expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional results, she plays an integral role in advancing our firm's Investment practice and seeking to ensure the success of our valued clients. Debra has significant experience working with clients to establish investment policies and objectives, determining appropriate investment strategies and asset allocation, and coordinating implementation of defined benefit and defined contribution strategies. To ensure the delivery of services that align with our clients’ evolving needs, Debra works closely with the firm’s Portfolio Construction, Implementation and Research teams. She has held several leadership roles in the Investment practice throughout her tenure at WTW and serves on the company’s U.S. Investment Committee.

Prior to joining WTW, Debra held various corporate finance positions, including Assistant Treasurer at Rockwell Automation. There, she had primary responsibility for managing Rockwell’s global defined benefit and defined contribution plan assets. Her 25-plus years of investment and finance experience also includes assurance and advisory work with Ernst & Young in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Debra received a B.B.A. in accounting and an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin. She also holds a Certified Public Accountant certificate.


Forest Banks, CAIA

Director, Investments

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Forest Banks is an Investment Director with more than 20 years of institutional investments experience. He brings a thoughtful approach to working with pensions, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments and healthcare systems. In his current role, Forest is responsible for leading WTW’s growth in the southern U.S. by bringing innovative investment solutions to clients. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and roundtables on numerous investments and retirement topics.

Prior to joining WTW, Forest spent 10 years at Mercer Investments as a senior investment consultant where he served on various investment and research committees. Prior to Mercer, he spent 10 years at Northern Trust and Deutsche Asset Management in senior investment roles.

Forest has a B.S. in business administration from St. Cloud State University and an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University. He is a Registered Investment Advisor and holds FINRA 7 and 63 certifications and his Chartered Alternative Investments Analyst (CAIA) designation.


Zachary Burghardt, CFA

Director, Investments

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Zachary Burghardt joined WTW in 2018 and works with plan sponsors on holistic management of their retirement plans, helping them develop investment solutions that align with their priorities and objectives. He advises on portfolio construction, manager selection, governance and portfolio measurement. Prior to joining WTW, he provided advice to retirement plans for a large global consultancy.

Zachary received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business; a B.S. in finance, mathematics and actuarial science from North Central College; and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder.


Christy Loop, CFA

Head of U.S. Wealth & Strategic Initiatives

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Christy Loop is responsible for developing strategic pathways and partnerships with wealth management platforms, asset management organizations and large asset owners primarily through specialist portfolio/fund and outsourced chief investment officer solutions. She provides thought leadership around investment strategy and solutions across retirement and wealth.

Previously, Christy Loop was a Portfolio Manager within the company’s Americas and Global Portfolio Management Groups and joined WTW in August 2011. As a multi-asset allocator, she developed customized investment strategies and structures for fiduciary outsourced institutional clients and provided portfolio management insights to client relationships. In addition, she was responsible for leading the development of delegated defined contribution solutions for the U.S. region.

She remains Co-Portfolio Manager for the U.S. Diversified and Global Equity Focus funds and an investment committee member of the Real Assets Fund and Global Macro team.

Christy received her B.S. in finance and minor in economics from the University of Florida. She is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Atlanta. She served two (three-year terms) on the CFA Society of Atlanta’s Board of Trustees ending June 2020 and previously served as the Vice President, Educational Programs and Treasurer.


Tony Meyer

Director, Investments

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Tony Meyer is an Investment Director with more than 30 years of institutional investments experience. He brings experience working with pensions, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments and healthcare systems. In his current role, Tony is responsible for leading WTW’s growth in the northeastern U.S. by bringing customized and innovative investment solutions to clients.

Prior to joining WTW, Tony served as Regional Director at Russell Investments. He previously worked at SEI Investments for 20 years in a similar role. He was Director of Marketing for Greenville Capital Management prior to joining SEI.

Tony has a B.A. in economics from Hamilton College. He holds FINRA 7 and 63 certifications and is a CFA Charterholder and member of the Philadelphia CFA Society.


Karin Anderson

Director of North America Credit Manager Research

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Karin Anderson joined WTW in April 2022. She sits on the U.S. Credit Investment Committee and works with advisory clients on liquid and illiquid credit manager selection as well as portfolio construction.

Prior to joining WTW, Karin was the Head of U.S. Credit Manager Research at Morningstar, where she was also an inaugural member of Morningstar’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team and champion for the broader research organization. Previously she worked in investigations at the Chicago Board of Trade, Minneapolis Grain Exchange and Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in Brussels, Belgium.

Karin received a B.A. in French from the University of Iowa and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.


Adam Bragar

Director, Head of Private Equity, North America

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Adam Bragar joined WTW in 2011 and is Head of the North American Private Equity team. Adam and his team source and diligence venture capital and private equity funds across North and South America. Adam has personally led over 30 fund diligences representing over $3 billion in client capital committed. Adam also leads WTW’s private equity co-investment effort, which is responsible for sourcing, diligence and investing in co-investments for the WTW Private Equity Access Fund. Adam sits on numerous Limited Partner Advisory Committees and participates on a variety of industry panels.

Adam graduated with honors from Trinity College with a B.A. in economics.


Ryan Hegy, CFA, CAIA

Director, Investments
Real Assets Manager Research

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Ryan Hegy serves as a Director on the Real Assets Manager Research team at WTW based out of Chicago. Ryan is responsible for sourcing, underwriting and monitoring WTW clients’ real assets strategies with primary coverage across real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources public and private equity within the Americas. Additionally, Ryan serves as an integral team member in the buildout and management of the WTW U.S. Real Assets Fund.

Prior to joining WTW in 2017, Ryan worked for Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting, Inc. as a Consultant on the Global Private Equity and Real Estate Manager Research teams for three years. Before his role at Aon, he spent two years as an Analyst at The Northern Trust Co.

Ryan holds a B.S. degree (double major in finance and accounting, minor in economics) from Illinois State University where he graduated in May 2012. He is both a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) Charterholder and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst® (CAIA) Charterholder.


David O’Meara, ASA, CFA

Senior Director, Investments

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David O’Meara joined WTW in 2000. As Head of Defined Contribution (DC) Investment Strategy, he is responsible for developing and bringing WTW’s expertise to all current and prospective DC clients as well as leading WTW’s DC investment research and custom solution development and implementation.

David is a frequent speaker at DC industry conferences, including P&I, DCIIA, Institutional Investor Defined Contribution Institute and CIEBA. He also authors DC thought leadership, including “Is your DC plan evolving to meet today’s challenges?”, “Can Asset Diversification & Access to Private Markets Improve Retirement Income Outcomes?”, “Generating and Protecting Retirement Income in Defined Contribution Plans: An Analysis of How Different Solutions Address Participant Needs”, “The Evolution of Target Date Funds: Using Alternatives to Improve Retirement Plan Outcomes” and “Moving the needle on defined contribution plans.”

David received a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Michigan. He is an associate of the Society of Actuaries and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder.


Zachary Paris

Director – Portfolio Manager

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Zachary Paris joined WTW in 2017 and is a Portfolio Manager within the U.S. Delegated Portfolio Management Group responsible for managing customized multi-asset investment portfolios for endowment and foundation, defined benefit and defined contribution clients. Additionally, Zachary is a member of the Credit Research team and serves as the Co-Project Manager and member of the Investment Committee for the WTW Diversified Credit Fund, the WTW Long Credit Fund and the WTW Lifesight Pooled Employer Plan.

Prior to joining WTW, Zachary was an Investment Officer within BNY Mellon’s Charitable Solutions group. Zachary received his B.A. in political science from New York University and is a CFA Charterholder.


Chris Redmond

Managing Director, Global Head of Manager Research

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Chris Redmond joined WTW in 2004 and is responsible for leading an 80-person international team conducting research of all equity, credit, liquid diversifying and real assets managers and products. Chris oversees WTW’s engagement activities in sustainability and inclusion and diversity and has authored a number of high-profile papers on these topics. He works closely with a number of WTW's largest clients and has experience consulting to clients on a broad range of issues, including investment strategy and manager structure.

Chris has held various roles throughout his time at WTW, including serving as a member of WTW's Global Investment Committee for four years; building-out of direct hedge fund research in discretionary global macro and credit long/short; and founding manager research efforts in private debt. Chris now sits on WTW’s Global Portfolio Management Group and various investment committees for the solutions offered by WTW as part of its delegated offering.

Chris received a B.A. in mathematical sciences from St. Catherine's College, University of Oxford, and holds the CFA U.K. Level 3 Certificate in Investment Management.


Paula Robinson

Senior Director, Manager Research

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Paula Robinson joined WTW in 2022 and is responsible for researching equity strategies. She also leads WTW’s Focus Equity team, responsible for sourcing and reviewing concentrated Global Equity mandates. In addition, she is a key member of our Equity Investment Committee, contributing to strategic decisions across our Equity platform. Paula works with advisory clients on manager selections and our internal equity portfolio management group on portfolio construction. Her day-to-day role involves in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis across areas such as stock selection; portfolio management; ESG integration; culture; firm stability; and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Paula is on the Global Manager Research Leadership team and currently leads the DEI manager research working group at WTW.

Prior to joining WTW, Paula started her career in London in 2007 with Buck Consultants, where she held a range of roles across the Actuarial Pension and Investment Consulting practice. Paula moved to the U.S. in 2013, where she led Buck’s U.S. Manager Research function, a position she held until 2019, when she left the profession to start a family.

Paula received a master’s in actuarial finance from Imperial College London and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Durham. Paula has her CFA in ESG Investing.


Christopher Tanko, CFA

Portfolio Manager

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Chris Tanko first joined WTW in 2013 and provides multi-asset portfolio management expertise to numerous client relationships with a focus on customized investment programs for defined benefit and defined contribution. Further, Chris spends much of his time contributing to portfolio management and research activities within the firm’s real assets solutions. Chris left WTW for a period of time (2023–2024) to pursue interests in working directly for a Chicagoland commercial real estate property owner before ultimately returning to WTW in 2025. He also provides thought leadership for investment strategy, content, LDI and portfolio construction for WTW’s broad client base.

Prior to joining WTW, Chris spent several years with PwC providing assurance services relating to institutional asset pools.

Chris received a Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Additionally, Chris is a CFA Charterholder and holds an inactive CPA license.


Victoria Vodolazschi

Director, Manager Research/Portfolio Manager

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Victoria Vodolazschi joined WTW in August 2015 as a senior member of the Liquid Diversifiers and Equity Research teams. She currently leads Liquid Diversifiers Research in the U.S.; acts as a Portfolio Manager in our U.S. Delegated Portfolio Management Group; and is a member of our Hedge Fund, Macro and U.S. DC Investment committees. Prior to joining WTW, she spent eight years in the Northern Trust Alternatives Group as a Co-Portfolio Manager of the fund of funds products as well as bespoke wealth management mandates. Prior to Northern Trust, she had hedge fund due diligence and portfolio management responsibilities at Bainbridge Partners, LLC. She started her career as an Investment Banking Analyst in the Financial Institutions Group at Bear Stearns and worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at JP Morgan.

Victoria received her B.A. in economics and international relations from Trinity College and her M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and New York Society of Security Analysts.

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