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2026 PLANSPONSOR Roadmap Livestream Series:
Plan Investments

Every defined contribution retirement plan sponsor faces a growing list of consequential investment decisions—target‑date fund selection; whether to include private market assets and retirement income offerings; performance assessment and vehicle selection; fee reasonableness; and optimal governance practices—in an increasingly litigious environment. Knowing what choices to consider, which questions truly matter and when action is warranted is more challenging than ever. Join PLANSPONSOR for discussions and resources from industry experts and plan sponsor peers that cut through the noise. Attendees will study a clear framework for evaluating investments and investment changes and gain greater confidence they are protecting both participants and plan sponsor organizations.

agenda

Overview
September 9
September 16
September 23

PLANSPONSOR Roadmap: Plan Investments Livestream Series

  1. September 9
    2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

    What’s Changing in DC Plan Investment Menu Design

    This session will give an overview of how plan sponsors are evolving their investment menus in response to regulation, litigation and participant behavior—considering costs, simplification and outcomes. You’ll hear what other plan sponsors are doing, getting peer-tested ideas you can discuss with your investment or plan committee. Learn what’s worth acting on now and what to monitor; what is adding value for participants; and what might just be adding unnecessary complexity.

    Register Now

  2. September 16
    2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

    Private Markets in DC Plans

    This session will cover what alternative assets may already be in your plan; whether you should consider adding more private equity, private credit or real assets; and, if so, via what vehicles they should be implemented. Panelists will outline how plan sponsors can monitor and benchmark these asset classes and the six factors outlined by the Department of Labor for making a fiduciary investment evaluation. Speakers will also discuss what protections or challenges the guidance creates for meeting fiduciary standards for all investment selections.

    Sponsored by Marsh-logo

    Register Now

  3. September 23
    2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

    Participant Personalization in Investment Menus

    Get a picture of the role of managed accounts, personalized target-date funds, dynamic QDIAs, tailored balanced funds, advice solutions and artificial intelligence-enabled tools implemented within or as a complement to DC plan investment menus. Learn how to balance personalization with cost, fiduciary risks and investment oversight and how to measure success of personalization efforts.

    Register Now

Plan Investments: What’s Changing in DC Plan Investment Menu Design

  1. Wednesday,
    September 9, 2026
    2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

    This session will give an overview of how plan sponsors are evolving their investment menus in response to regulation, litigation and participant behavior—considering costs, simplification and outcomes. You’ll hear what other plan sponsors are doing, getting peer-tested ideas you can discuss with your investment or plan committee. Learn what’s worth acting on now and what to monitor; what is adding value for participants; and what might just be adding unnecessary complexity.

    Moderator
    Sean Kelly, Senior Vice President, Financial Adviser, Heffernan Financial

    Panelists
    Sean Bjork, President, Bjork Asset Management
    Adelia Soremekun, Senior Director, Total Rewards, The Jackson Laboratory
    Greg Ungerman, Senior Vice President, Defined Contribution Practice Leader, Callan

Plan Investments: Private Markets in DC Plans

  1. Wednesday,
    September 16, 2026
    2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

    This session will cover what alternative assets may already be in your plan; whether you should consider adding more private equity, private credit or real assets; and, if so, via what vehicles they should be implemented. Panelists will outline how plan sponsors can monitor and benchmark these asset classes and the six factors outlined by the Department of Labor for making a fiduciary investment evaluation. Speakers will also discuss what protections or challenges the guidance creates for meeting fiduciary standards for all investment selections.

    Moderator
    John Bartlett, Director of Retirement Services, CFS Investment Advisory Services, LLC

    Panelists
    Lisa Gomez, Founding Member, LMG Collaborative Consulting Solutions
    Marianne Sullivan, Senior Advisor, Research, DCIIA
    Holly Verdeyen, US Defined Contribution Leader, Marsh

    Sponsored by Marsh-logo

Plan Investments: Participant Personalization in Investment Menus

  1. Wednesday,
    September 23, 2026
    2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

    Get a picture of the role of managed accounts, personalized target-date funds, dynamic QDIAs, tailored balanced funds, advice solutions and artificial intelligence-enabled tools implemented within or as a complement to DC plan investment menus. Learn how to balance personalization with cost, fiduciary risks and investment oversight and how to measure success of personalization efforts.

    Moderator
    Rebecca Moore, Managing Editor, Custom Content, PLANSPONSOR

    Panelists
    Chris Bailey, Director, Retirement, Cerulli
    Patrick G. Donnelly, Investment Director, Defined Contribution & Wealth Management, Retirement & Investment Solutions, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services, LLC
    Chuck Williams, CEO, Finspire

speakers

  • Chris Bailey

    Chris Bailey

    Director, Retirement
    Cerulli
    Chris Bailey
    Director, Retirement
    Cerulli

    Chris is a Director in Cerulli’s Retirement practice. He leads research and analysis that covers key aspects of the retirement industry, including defined contribution (DC) plan recordkeeping, DC plan investments, and the individual retirement account (IRA) market. His research examines market sizing, product adoption and utilization, the influence of advisers and consultants, participant behavior, and more. In this capacity, he regularly engages with key players in the retirement industry, including executives within recordkeepers and asset managers, investment consultants, and financial advisory firms. In addition, his team collects data and perspectives from plan sponsors and participants annually.

    Chris brings more than 20 years of DC market experience to Cerulli, having spent time at Fidelity and external research firms leading retirement and wealth-focused research programs. Before joining Cerulli, he led the U.S. market insights practice of a global financial services consulting firm, where he helped recordkeeping and insurance clients advance strategic decision-making and thought leadership. At Fidelity, he led the competitive and industry intelligence function for its Workplace Investing business and held several internal consulting and analysis roles prior to that.

  • John Bartlett

    John Bartlett

    Director of Retirement Services
    CFS Investment Advisory Services, LLC
    John Bartlett
    Director of Retirement Services
    CFS Investment Advisory Services, LLC

    John Bartlett is the Director of Retirement Services at CFS Investment Advisory Services, LLC, where he partners with plan sponsors to strengthen fiduciary oversight, improve plan outcomes, and enhance the overall participant experience. John has been with CFS since 2012, joining the firm after interning there while earning his BA in Finance from Rutgers University.

    John works closely with corporate and institutional retirement plan committees to help navigate an increasingly complex retirement landscape. His retirement plan consulting work focuses on the areas plan sponsors care most about—fiduciary governance, plan cost management, investment oversight, vendor benchmarking, and participant engagement. He is known for helping committees translate fiduciary responsibility into practical, repeatable processes that support better decision-making and long-term plan success.

    John is a Certified Financial Planner professional and holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designations. He has been recognized as a PLANADVISER Emerging Leader and serves as a member of the Retirement Advisory Council (RAC), reflecting his commitment to continued professional development and leadership within the retirement plan industry.

  • Sean Bjork

    Sean Bjork

    President
    Bjork Asset Management
    Sean Bjork
    President
    Bjork Asset Management

    Sean founded Bjork Asset Management to provide disciplined, independent fiduciary guidance to institutions sponsoring retirement plans and their employees. As president, Sean’s goal is to deliver a process that simplifies the complex and creates fearless, confident investors.

    He is driven to make a difference in the lives of thousands of American workers who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to save for retirement by providing advice and guidance to educate them on their financial journey. For more than 20 years of working with qualified retirement savings plans and participants, the aspect of his career which has given him the most joy is knowing that the individuals who the financial services industry has traditionally overlooked were provided guidance towards meaningful retirement savings.

    Sean holds AIF, CIMA and CPWA designations and earned his MBA from the University of Chicago. He graduated with a BA from St. Lawrence University, where he was captain of the NCAA Division I Alpine Ski Racing Team. 

    Beyond family and work, Sean volunteers in his community as a firefighter and EMT with the Lake Bluff Fire Department and serves as a Dive Rescue Technician with the MABAS Division 4 & 5 Specialized Response Team.

  • Patrick G. Donnelly

    Patrick G. Donnelly

    Investment Director, Defined Contribution & Wealth Management, Retirement & Investment Solutions
    CBIZ Investment Advisory Services, LLC
    Patrick G. Donnelly
    Investment Director, Defined Contribution & Wealth Management, Retirement & Investment Solutions
    CBIZ Investment Advisory Services, LLC

    Patrick is the Investment Director for the Defined Contribution and Wealth Management practices of CBIZ Investment Advisory Services, LLC. He is responsible for defining and implementing investment process in coordination with centralized research, pacing industry developments, and managing the client-facing investment consultant team. He also works directly on several of the firm’s large market clients.

    Patrick has a B.A. in Business Administration from Ohio University. His professional affiliations include Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and he is a 2025 PLANADVISER Emerging Leader.

  • Lisa Gomez

    Lisa Gomez

    Founding Member
    LMG Collaborative Consulting Solutions
    Lisa Gomez
    Founding Member
    LMG Collaborative Consulting Solutions

    Lisa is the founding member of LMG Collaborative Consulting Solutions, a firm providing comprehensive public policy and other consulting services in all aspects of employee benefits, including compliance, plan administration, plan design, advocacy, communications, government agency engagement and strategic planning. In this new chapter, Lisa seeks to partner with employers and other plan sponsors and administrators, labor organizations, service providers and worker advocates and use her experience and voice to help them successfully achieve their goals. Lisa can also serve as a professional trustee or independent fiduciary, expert witness, arbitrator or mediator.

    Lisa was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security for the U.S. Department of Labor in July 2021 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September 2022. She was sworn in by Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh on October 11, 2022, and served in that position until January 20, 2025. Previously, Lisa was a long-standing partner with the law firm Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP, representing labor organizations and employee benefit plan sponsors and administrators, and the chair of the firm’s management committee.

  • Sean Kelly

    Sean Kelly

    Senior Vice President, Financial Adviser
    Heffernan Financial
    Sean Kelly
    Senior Vice President, Financial Adviser
    Heffernan Financial

    Sean Kelly serves as a financial adviser and holds the position of Vice President at Heffernan Financial Services. With a career spanning 17 years in the retirement plan investment advisory business, Sean has become a trusted expert in group retirement plans across private, public, and nonprofit sectors. His dedication lies in helping organizations craft and sustain robust retirement plan benefits for both the company and its employees.

    Sean takes pride in delivering genuine independent investment advice and fostering a consultative relationship with each client. As a committed advocate, he guides them through every step of the process, ensuring the best outcomes. Together with his team, Sean manages a portfolio of just over $1 billion in assets, distributed among 47 valued clients.

    Sean pursued his education at The University of California, Santa Barbara, earning a BA in Business Economics.

  • Rebecca Moore

    Rebecca Moore

    Managing Editor, Custom Content
    PLANSPONSOR
    Rebecca Moore
    Managing Editor, Custom Content
    PLANSPONSOR

    Rebecca Moore is managing editor, custom content, for ISS Market Intelligence Media’s U.S. brands—PLANSPONSOR, PLANADVISER, and Chief Investment Officer. Previously, she was managing editor, PLANSPONSOR digital. ISS Market Intelligence is a division of ISS-Stoxx.

    Rebecca has more than 30 years of experience in the retirement plan industry, starting as a recordkeeper in Wachovia Bank’s (now Wells Fargo) employee benefits division. She also helped establish and led the nonqualified plan recordkeeping team at Wachovia Bank. Prior to joining PLANSPONSOR in 2005, Rebecca was a relationship manager at third-party administrator (TPA) Amvescap (which is now a part of MassMutual).

    Rebecca has a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in mathematics from Elon University and a master of arts (MA) degree in mathematics from Wake Forest University. Following completion of her MA degree, she worked for three semesters as a math instructor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

    Moore has completed the ERISA Fiduciary Training course by the American Retirement Association. Her certifications include U.S. DC Plans Overview with the Society of Professional Asset Managers and Recordkeepers and Certified Retirement Specialist via Invesco.

  • Adelia Soremekun

    Adelia Soremekun

    Senior Director, Total Rewards
    The Jackson Laboratory
    Adelia Soremekun
    Senior Director, Total Rewards
    The Jackson Laboratory

    Adelia Soremekun is a highly experienced HR professional dedicated to creating impactful and valuable experiences throughout the employee life cycle. With over 20 years of experience, including 14 years in HR administration, she currently serves as the Senior Director, Total Rewards at The Jackson Laboratory. Her in-depth knowledge and strategic approach has played pivotal roles in optimizing HR processes and enhancing employee satisfaction.

    Her expertise cover employee education, program and policy design for benefits, compensation, wellness, absence and general employee relations. She holds an MBA along with multiple certifications, including SHRM-CP, PHR, CPDM, and Global benefits.

    Adelia is the convener of CommonSense HR, a LinkedIn group.

  • Marianne Sullivan

    Marianne Sullivan

    Senior Advisor, Research
    DCIIA
    Marianne Sullivan
    Senior Advisor, Research
    DCIIA

    Marianne Sullivan was previously a Senior Vice President and Head of Investment Services at Voya Financial. The Investment Services Group was responsible for monitoring investments and providing investment information to existing and prospective clients across all Retirement Markets. The group also served as a liaison to the proprietary investment arm and as such played an important role in the development of products and services for the defined contribution space.

    She also previously headed the Company Stock Management area at State Street Global Advisors which managed more than $75 billion in company stock assets for ERISA plans of both public and private companies. The group also served as Trustee of leveraged and non-leveraged ESOPs.

    Marianne received a Master’s of Science in Finance with High Distinction from Bentley University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from the University of New Hampshire. Marianne is a graduate of Williams College Trust School. She has held Series 7, 24 and 63 FINRA licenses.

  • Greg Ungerman

    Greg Ungerman

    Senior Vice President, Defined Contribution Practice Leader
    Callan
    Greg Ungerman
    Senior Vice President, Defined Contribution Practice Leader
    Callan

    Greg T. Ungerman, CFA, is a senior vice president and Callan’s defined contribution practice leader. Greg is responsible for setting the direction of the firm’s DC business, providing DC support both internally to Callan’s consultants and externally to Callan’s clients, and working with Callan’s team of DC subject matter experts to develop research and insights into DC trends for the benefit of clients and the industry. Greg is chair of Callan’s Defined Contribution Committee, as well as a member of Callan’s Management Committee and Institute Advisory Committee. He is a shareholder of the firm.

    Previously, Greg was the co-manager of Callan’s San Francisco consulting office. He worked with a variety of plan sponsor clients across the Western region, including corporate defined benefit and defined contribution plans, foundations/endowments, and multiemployer and public plans. His client service responsibilities included strategic planning, plan implementation, coordination of special client requests, and customized performance reporting.

    Greg joined Callan in 1998. Before joining the plan sponsor consulting group in early 2001, Greg was senior analyst in the Client Report Services group. In that role, Greg specialized in all aspects of performance measurement and analytics and was responsible for managing some of Callan’s largest reporting relationships. Prior to joining Callan, he worked at IMG, organizing professional golf and tennis tournaments.

    Greg graduated from the University of California, Davis with a BS in managerial economics. Greg is a holder of the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member CFA Institute and CFA Society San Francisco. He is also a member of the Institutional Retirement Income Council (IRIC) Board of Directors.

  • Chuck Williams

    Chuck Williams

    CEO
    Finspire
    Chuck Williams
    CEO
    Finspire

    As a 25-year industry veteran, Chuck has devoted his professional life to enhancing the financial well-being of institutional and individual clients. As the Finspire, LLC Chief Executive Officer and Senior Consultant, Chuck provides oversight of the firm and is a lead consultant for many of the firm’s corporate retirement plans and high-net worth individual clients. Chuck is also an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern’s School of Continuing Studies where he has been teaching the Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits course since 2005.
    Prior to co-founding Finspire, LLC, Chuck served as a Managing Director and Senior Lead Consultant with Sheridan Road Advisors, LLC for 10 years, and with Bank Leumi for the 8 years prior. Chuck is continually working to strengthen his industry knowledge and expertise. Chuck is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), A Certified 401(k) Specialist (C(k)P), an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF). He earned his B.S. in Finance from DePaul University and his Masters in Business Administration from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University.

  • Holly Verdeyen

    Holly Verdeyen

    US Defined Contribution Leader
    Marsh
    Holly Verdeyen
    US Defined Contribution Leader
    Marsh

    Holly Verdeyen is a Partner in Marsh’s Chicago, IL office and serves as the Defined Contribution Leader in the US. Holly has overall responsibility the strategy, development, and growth of Marsh’s defined contribution business within the US. In addition, she is responsible for solutions development and the deployment intellectual capital and research to our clients and the industry.

    Holly has over 25 years of investment experience and has held leadership roles in both the institutional and financial intermediary distribution channels. Holly is a member Marsh’s Defined Contribution Investment Committee and Defined Contribution Strategic Research Team. Holly was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Labor to serve on the 15 member DOL ERISA Advisory Council from 2021-2024, representing the interests of employers. Holly was also recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Institutional Investing by Pension & Investments in 2023.

    Prior to joining Marsh, Holly worked at Russell Investments, where she led the US Institutional and Intermediary DC business, which included investment consulting, outsourced CIO, DC investment only products and managed accounts. Holly has previously held roles as a founding member of the Defined Contribution Group at UBS and on the Defined Contribution Team at Barclays Global Investors, now Blackrock.

    Holly serves as the Board President for the not-for-profit organization Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE). She has previously served on the Advisory Council for the Women in Leadership Executive Program at The George Washington University, and on the Boards of Directors for YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago and the Association for Investment Management Sales Executives. Holly earned her MBA from Northwestern University and her Bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College. She holds a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation.

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