Public Pension Communications Pros Recognized

The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems honored four public pension communication professionals, announcing on January 23 the winners of its inaugural Pension Communicator of the Year award for public professionals in the U.S. and Canada.

Using a scoring criteria, judges selected three winners in categories based on funds’ assets under management and awarded one honorable mention, according to a spokesperson. The awards were presented during NCPERS’ second annual Pension Communications Summit in Washington, D.C.

“With the Public Pension Communicator of the Year Award, we’re thrilled to recognize the impressive communications efforts at our member pension funds and honor the individuals within these organizations who are leading the way and making a real impact,” said Hank Kim, NCPERS’ executive director and counsel, in a statement.

The four honorees were:

• Communicator of the Year, less than $10 billion in AUM: Alison Taylor-Thévenin, deputy director of member communications for the New York City Board of Education Retirement System;
• Communicator of the Year, between $10 billion and $50 billion in AUM: Taneda Larios, chief benefits analyst for the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System;
• Communicator of the Year, more than $50 billion in AUM: Patrick von Keyserling, senior director of communications for the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association; and
• Honorable mention for leadership and contributions to stakeholders and the broader community: Michelle Holleman, director of communications and stakeholder relations for the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund.

The awards were determined by judges Laurie Mitchell, a senior business consultant for Tegrit; Joe Potischman, a marketing specialist for Linea Solutions; and Margaret Rogers, the director of communications and member relations for the National Institute on Retirement Security.

Based in Washington, D.C. the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems is a trade association for public sector pension funds, representing approximately 500 plans, plan sponsors and other stakeholders.