Holly Verdeyen has joined Mercer as leader of the firm's U.S. defined contribution business, Mercer announced in a news release Monday.
Ms. Verdeyen replaces Liana Magner, who left the firm in November to join Natixis Investment Managers as executive vice president and head of retirement and institutional in the U.S., a Mercer spokeswoman said in an email.
Ms. Verdeyen started her new position Dec. 20, the spokeswoman said.
In her new role, Ms. Verdeyen will manage the strategy, development and growth of Mercer's defined contribution and financial wellness business within the U.S. She is based in Chicago and reports to Chris Mahoney, U.S. wealth leader.
Ms. Verdeyen was previously with Russell Investments, where she led the U.S. institutional and intermediary DC business units, which included traditional outsourced CIO, target-date funds and custom multiasset mandates. She was responsible for Russell Investments' funds distributed to DC plans via financial intermediaries, as well as personalized managed accounts and model portfolios.
A spokesman for Russell Investments said most of Ms. Verdeyen's sales responsibilities had been absorbed by senior DC consultant Kerry Bandow, who is supported by Rachel Carroll, managing director of investment consulting services. Ms. Verdeyen joined Russell Investments in 2013 and departed Dec. 10, he said.
