Kathryn Leaf was named the first CEO at Pantheon, taking leadership of the private markets firm on Jan. 1, 2025.
Leaf will succeed Paul Ward, managing director, who will become executive chair, a news release said. Ward has been at Pantheon for 20 years. The leadership change is subject to standard regulatory approval.
Leaf’s appointment reflects the ongoing evolution of Pantheon’s leadership structure, as well as the increasing scale and breadth of its global business, the release said.
“She is a trusted and seasoned private markets investor with a strong track record of innovation,” Ward said in the release.
Leaf is co-head of investment and global head of real assets. Jeff Miller, co-head of investment, will become chief investment officer. Miller is also global head of private equity. Regarding real assets, Pantheon already has experienced leadership for those teams, with Andrea Echberg leading the global infrastructure business, and Roman Braslavsky leading the real estate business, a spokesperson said.
Pantheon runs private equity, real assets and private credit strategies. It had about $62 billion in discretionary assets under management as of Sept. 30.
