William Blair appoints global head of investment management

Stephanie Braming, a veteran William Blair portfolio manager, was named the firm's global head of investment management, the manager announced Monday in a news release.

She replaces Michelle Seitz, who was named CEO of Russell Investments on Sept. 5.

In her new position, Ms. Braming leads the Chicago-based financial firm's global asset management business. Ms. Seitz had served in the position for more than 16 years. Under her tenure, the asset management business moved from a regional wealth management firm to a global asset management business with more than $70 billion in assets under management.

Ms. Braming had been a portfolio manager for William Blair's international small-cap growth and international growth strategies.

Tony Zimmer, a William Blair spokesman, said in an email that Ms. Braming will transfer her portfolio manager responsibilities. He said Simon Fennell will join Andy Flynn as portfolio managers on the international small-cap growth strategy, while Ken McAtamney will join Mr. Fennell and Jeff Urbina as portfolio managers on the international growth strategy.

Ms. Braming also lead the design and launch of several strategies at William Blair, including ones focused on China A shares and Japan.

Mr. Zimmer said Ms. Braming was unavailable for an immediate interview.

"My focus is on result-driven strategies in order to generate strong client outcomes," she said in a statement. "We take our role as stewards of client capital seriously, and look forward to building upon William Blair investment-centric culture of collaboration, innovation and growth."

Ms. Braming takes over the William Blair asset management business at a challenging time for active managers in general as firms attempt to develop battle plans to keep active management assets from moving to passive strategies. Unlike many of its competitors, William Blair had not offered exchange-traded funds or other strategies as part of efforts to build new assets from those channels.