Director, Strategic Retirement Solutions

• Leads efforts working across teams to execute on department goals and ensure quality project execution

• Directs Commonwealth’s plan investment services, including Commonwealth's 3(38) fiduciary plan service, PlanAssist Investment Management

• Sets the strategic direction of Commonwealth’s plan investment platform, investment service development, and associated resources and tools

• Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) charterholder and holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation, as well as the AIFA® designation

• Earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in investment management from Boston University

• Has prior experience at Fidelity Investments, BNP Paribas, and Loomis, Sayles & Co

Manager, Strategic Retirement Solutions

• Responsible for strategic initiatives through collaboration with internal departments and third-party service provider firms

• Serves as a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA)

• Holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, as well as the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), Professional Plan Consultant™ (PPC™), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designations

• Holds a BS in finance from the University of Houston

• Has prior experience as the director of financial planning programs at Merrimack College, where he managed all aspects of the CFP® certification curriculum

Manager, Retirement Product

• Develops processes and procedures to ensure that Commonwealth meets regulatory standards

• Monitors retirement industry regulatory trends related to ERISA, DOL, and the SEC.

• Has over 20 years of experience in the retirement industry, including 10 years working in recordkeeping and 10 years overseeing the Retirement department at a professional employer organization

• Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Rochester and holds his American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries, Qualified 401(k) Administrator, and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor designations

Manager, Strategic Retirement Solutions

Kara joined Commonwealth in October 2022. In this role, Kara is responsible for the marketing & communications strategy and programs within Strategic Retirement Solutions as we strive to provide indispensable expertise, high-quality solutions, and innovative resources to advisors. Her focus is refining and enhancing our existing marketing & communications strategy and programs as well as developing new strategies and initiatives in the retirement space. Prior to Commonwealth, Kara worked at MassMutual Investments, Loomis Sayles, Wellington, Fidelity, and John Hancock Funds. She holds an M.B.A. and B.A from Boston College.

Supervisor, Retirement Investment Solutions

• Manages the due diligence process for Commonwealth’s Retirement Plan Investment Recommended List, which serves as a key resource to the firm’s advisors, by ensuring coverage across key asset classes and share classes for mutual funds, comingled trusts, stable value products, and target-date portfolios.

• Works on the PlanAssist Investment Management program performing manager due diligence and investment selection

• Holds FINRA Series 7, 6, and 63 securities registrations and a Massachusetts and California life/variable insurance license

• Holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®), Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM (CRPS®), Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designations

• Earned a BA from the University of New Hampshire, an MS in finance from the Brandeis University International Business School, and a certificate in executive leadership from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management

• Has prior experience in the investments and retirement plan divisions at John Hancock, as well as in brokerage trading with Fidelity Investments

Manager, Retirement Consulting

• Manager of the retirement consulting team

• Responsible for identifying areas of opportunity for consulting service enhancements by facilitating effective accumulation and incorporation of advisor feedback and experiences, and implementing strategies for improvement in collaboration with internal teams

• Holds FINRA Series 7, 26, and 66 securities registrations

• Earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University

Senior Retirement Solutions Consultant

• Helps advisors and Commonwealth home office staff navigate complex situations related to traditional, Roth, SIMPLE, and SEP IRAs, including addressing operational inquiries and concerns, IRS rules and regulations, and other questions

• Holds FINRA Series 7, 24, and 66 securities registrations

• Holds the Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistSM (CRPS®)

• Holds a BS from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

• Has prior experience as a team lead in the Retirement Operations department and with Wells Fargo Advisors

Senior Retirement Solutions Consultant

• Fields inquiries from advisors and provides retirement consultation on all aspects of advisors’ retirement practices, from new business development and plan proposals to plan design, product placement, and regulatory matters

• Works with advisors on driving retirement plan sales and improving the client experience

• Holds a BA from Bates College

• Has prior experience at State Street Bank, CitiStreet, and Voya

Retirement Solutions Consultant

• Fields inquiries from advisors and provides retirement consultation on all aspects of advisors’ retirement practices, from new business development and plan proposals, to plan design, product placement, and regulatory matters

• Works with advisors on driving retirement plan sales and improving the client experience

• Holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations and Massachusetts Life, Accident, and Health license

• Holds a BA from the University of Pittsburgh

• Has prior experience at EPIC RPS, DaVinci Capital Management, Beltz-Ianni & Associates, and Paychex

Retirement Solutions Consultant

• Helps advisors and Commonwealth home office staff navigate complex situations related to traditional, Roth, SIMPLE, and SEP IRAs, including addressing operational inquiries and concerns, IRS rules and regulations, and other questions

• Holds a BS in business management, with a concentration in marketing and management, from UMass Lowell

• Has prior experience as a client support administrator at Putnam Investments

• Holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation

Retirement Solutions Consultant

• Fields inquiries from advisors and provides retirement consultation on all aspects of advisors’ retirement practices, from new business development and plan proposals to plan design, product placement, and regulatory matters

• Works with advisors on driving retirement plan sales and improving the client experience

• Holds Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®)designations

• Holds a BSBAN from University of Phoenix

• Has prior experience at LPL and Scudder

Retirement Solutions Investment Analyst

• Acts as a liaison for Commonwealth’s retirement plan investment platform and associated resources, tools, and vendor relationships

• Manages procedures around 3(38) fiduciary services and advises on their application

• Fields advisor inquiries on investment oversight best practices

• Earned a degree from the Gonzaga University

• Chris holds his FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, along with the AIF® designation.

• Has prior experience in the Transfer of Assets department

Retirement Solutions Analyst

• Works mainly on business data analysis projects, assists the team in optimizing its operational procedures, and develops process automations department-wide.

• Serves as a resource to advisors and service provider partners

• Holds a degree from Colgate University

• Holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations along with Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation

Retirement Solutions Investment Associate

• Acts as a liaison for Commonwealth’s retirement plan investment platform and associated resources, tools, and vendor relationships

• Assists in managing procedures around 3(38) fiduciary services and advises on their application

• Fields advisor inquiries on investment oversight best practices

• Earned a degree from Framingham State University

Retirement Solutions Specialist

• Assists the Strategic Retirement Solutions team in managing its daily activities and serves as a resource for advisors regarding the Retirement Plan Consulting Program

• Serves as a resource for advisors, service provider partners, and internal departments regarding the Retirement Plan Consulting Program

• Holds a degree from Saint Anselm College

Temporary Worker

• Oversees the development and ongoing enhancements related to key retirement plan products that are offered to Commonwealth advisors who manage qualified retirement plans including data architecture, data management, and associated product testing

• Holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Regis College

• Has prior experience at MFS Investment Management and Sun Life Financial

Temporary Worker

• Processes all versions of the RPCA, Change Amendments, and Addendums in a timely fashion

• Works with advisors to help them amend any RPCA paperwork issues

• Holds a degree from UMass Amherst

• Has prior experience as a manager in the Strategic Retirement Solutions and Retirement Operations departments