NewsmakersJune 29, 2023

Wespath Hires New Deputy Chief Investment Officer From Illinois SBI

Johara Farhadieh will succeed Dave Zellner, who plans to retire next summer from the Methodist Church pension and benefits arm.

Reported by Michael Katz

Wespath Benefits and Investments has named Johara Farhadieh deputy chief investment officer, effective the week of Oct. 2. She will succeed current CIO Dave Zellner, who will retire in the summer of 2024. Farhadieh is currently CIO of Illinois State Board of Investment.

Johara Farhadieh

In her new role, Farhadieh will oversee the investment management team at Wespath, the nonprofit pension and benefits agency for the United Methodist Church, as well as join the organization’s senior leadership team during the transition period, working closely with Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary Andy Hendren.

“Johara will be an exceptional addition to Wespath and our investment team,” Hendren said in a release. “Johara’s mission orientation and executive experience make her the right leader to carry this legacy forward. She will bring a deep understanding of capital markets, fresh perspectives from her life’s experiences, and relational talents with diverse stakeholders to Wespath.”

At the Illinois State Board of Investment, Farhadieh oversees the investment management of the $24 billion defined benefit fund, as well as the fiduciary obligations of the nearly $5 billion defined contribution plan for more than 170,000 beneficiaries and 67,000 participants respectively.

“I am very excited that Johara will be joining Wespath,” Zellner said in a release. “She has clearly demonstrated success in managing multi-asset portfolios supporting the investment of pension and defined contribution plan assets.”

Farhadieh earned her bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s in business administration from DePaul University.

“I am truly honored to assume the role of deputy CIO at such an esteemed organization,” Farhadieh said in a release. “I am passionate about achieving top-tier investment performance while upholding a commitment to diversity and sustainable investing practices.”