Retirement Industry People Moves

Prudential Group Insurance Announces New Head of Distribution

Brent Ring was named head of distribution for Prudential Group Insurance, a business of Prudential Financial Inc., according to a recent post on his LinkedIn profile.

“In many ways, this role feels like a return to my roots in distribution,” Ring wrote. “I’ve always believed that strong relationships, deep market expertise and a relentless focus on serving customers are at the heart of our success—and that has never been more true than it is today.”

Ring has spent 13 years with Prudential Financial and transitions from his most recent role as vice president and head of portfolio and growth enablement. Prior to that, Ring served as vice president in account management and vice president of strategy at Prudential.

Walsh Expands Sales Leadership Role at Nationwide Retirement Solutions

Barbie Walsh

Nationwide Retirement Solutions Inc. named Barbie Walsh to lead its combined institutional and consultant relationship teams.

In her expanded role, Walsh will oversee both teams and help advance the company’s strategy across government and corporate institutional markets. She will report to Brenda Casey Anderson, associate vice president of strategic relationship management and retirement solutions distribution.

Walsh previously led institutional markets and most recently served as interim leader of the consultant relationships team. In her prior role as institutional relationship director, she led some of Nationwide’s largest institutional and ERISA-qualified client relationships and helped shape the company’s institutional service strategy.

She brings 27 years of experience in the retirement plans industry, spanning operations, relationship management and leadership, including five years at Nationwide.

Congruity HR Names Arlene Rose as Vice President of 401(k) Operations 

Arlene Rose

Congruity HR LLC named Arlene Rose as vice president of 401(k) operations.

In her new role, Rose oversees the strategic leadership and execution of retirement plan operations. She also oversees plan administration and regulatory compliance for Congruity HR’s clients. Her understanding of multiple employer plan structures allows Congruity HR to offer retirement benefits to growing businesses.

Rose previously ran the 401(k) department at Resourcing Edge, of OneDigital, where she managed more than $500 million in assets inside the firm’s pooled employer plan.

Kenneth Jacobs Elected as Chair of Vanguard Board of Directors

The Vanguard Group Inc. announced that Mark Loughridge will retire from Vanguard’s board of directors and the board of trustees for each of the Vanguard funds, effective December 31. Kenneth Jacobs has been elected by the boards to succeed Loughridge as the non-executive chairman, and John Murphy has been elected to act as lead independent director. 

Jacobs, who joined Vanguard’s board in February, is a senior adviser for Lazard and serves as vice chair of the board of trustees at the University of Chicago and the Brookings Institution. With nearly four decades of experience in global financial services, including as chairman and CEO of Lazard Inc. from 2009 to 2023, Jacobs has broad expertise in corporate strategy, international market development, risk and regulatory matters, and technology-driven business.

Murphy, who has served on Vanguard’s board since 2024, is president and chief financial officer of the Coca-Cola Co.

Loughridge served on Vanguard’s board since 2012 and was the non-executive chairman since 2024. He is the retired senior vice president and chief financial officer of IBM and also served on IBM’s retirement plan committee. 

CFP Board Selects 2027 Board Chair-Elect

The board of directors of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. elected Richard Shaw as 2027 board chair-elect at its July meeting. Current Chair–Elect Martin Seay will serve as chair of the board of directors in 2027 and Shaw will become chair in 2028.

Shaw has advised individuals and families on investment management, wealth planning and family office services for more than 25 years. Most recently, he served as principal and senior client advisor at Bessemer Trust.

Shaw has served on the CFP Board’s board of directors since 2023. He is the treasurer of Teatown Lake Reservation, a nonprofit nature preserve, and previously served as chair of Harlem Commonwealth Council.