Retirement plan provider Equitable, principal franchise of Equitable Holdings, announced changes to its leadership ranks this week, promoting industry veterans from within the company.
Jim Kais was named Head of its Group Retirement business, effective April 1, 2024. Kais will report to Nick Lane, President of Equitable, and join the company’s Operating Committee. Kais succeeds Jessica Baehr, who was recently named President of Equitable Investment Management.
“With nearly three decades of experience, Jim is a proven and respected leader in the retirement industry with a strong track record of transforming and growing businesses,” said Nick Lane, President of Equitable. “He deeply understands what plan sponsors need to help their employees build secure financial futures, whether they are public school administrators or small business owners.”
In his new role, Kais will be responsible for the strategy, product portfolio, client experience and financial results for Equitable’s Group Retirement business, including its tax exempt 403(b) and 457 businesses and the small business 401(k) market.
Equitable is a 403(b)-retirement plan provider in the K-12 educators market, with 1,100 financial professionals serving more than 800,000 educators across the country. The company is also a top provider of 457 plans for local governments and municipalities, and 401(k) solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses.
Prior to joining Equitable, Kais served as Head of Retirement Plans at Ameritas. During his tenure, he transformed the company’s retirement plan distribution system, successfully growing the business. He also has experience working with plan sponsors in the 403(b), 457 and 401(k) plan markets, having established the multiple employer plan (MEP) business at Ameritas.
Kais also worked at Transamerica for more than a decade, where he held several leadership positions, including Senior Vice President for the company’s Retirement practice. Prior to Transamerica, he held various roles at ADP TotalSource, Prudential and Merrill Lynch.
Meanwhile, Jessica Baehr, who served as the Head of Group Retirement since 2021, has assumed a new leadership position as the President of Equitable Investment Management. Baehr will continue to serve on Equitable’s Operating Committee and report to Chief Investment Officer Steven Joenk.
Equitable Investment Management is the registered investment adviser for the 126 portfolios that underlie Equitable’s variable insurance products, retail mutual funds and suite of model portfolios. The division current has approximately $116 billion in assets under management, making it a meaningful contributor to Equitable Holdings’ financial results.
“Jessica is a seasoned leader who is well positioned to usher in our next chapter of growth, drawing upon her experience running our second largest business, Group Retirement, and deep understanding of our variable insurance products and proprietary funds,” stated Joenk.
Baehr first joined Equitable in 2011. Her previous leadership roles also included serving as the Chief Operating Officer for the company’s Life and Employee Benefits businesses and Head of Investor Relations for Equitable Holdings. Prior to Equitable, Baehr started her career in the non-profit sector working in higher education and international development.
