Theresa Whitmarsh, executive director of the Washington State Investment Board, plans to retire Dec. 31.
Ms. Whitmarsh joined the Olympia-based board in 2003 and served as chief operating officer until she replaced Joe Dear as the board’s top executive in 2009.
An executive search for her replacement has been launched, a news release said Friday.
“The WSIB has been a job of a lifetime and a professional privilege to help lead one of the finest mission-focused investment groups in our industry,” Ms. Whitmarsh said in the news release. “I am humbled every day by our board’s dedication and our staff’s capabilities. Now it’s time for me to pass this stewardship role to a new leader so that I can enjoy my time as a beneficiary of Washington state’s top-ranked retirement system.”
Ms. Whitmarsh has also served in 2016 and 2017 as chairwoman of the Council of Institutional Investors and is currently the vice chairwoman of the advisory board serving the Millstein Center for Global Markets and Corporate Ownership.
The Washington State Investment Board oversees $164.9 billion in assets, including $127.8 billion in defined benefit plan assets.
Ms. Whitmarsh and WSIB spokeswoman Tish Day could not be immediately reached for further information.
