The Next Elite is a distinguished list recognizing Deputy Chief Investment Officers and Senior Investment Officers from Public Pension Funds, Endowments, Foundations, and Corporate Pension Funds. We will unveil the list on an ongoing basis throughout our newsletters and social media. All honorees have been recommended by Chief Investment Officers. During our canvassing, we have asked the CIOs, “Whom do you know has the qualities and skill to make it into the CIO seat someday?” Their nominations underscore their exceptional contributions and promise as future leaders in institutional investing. These professionals have played pivotal roles in shaping investment strategies, navigating complex markets, and supporting the long-term objectives of their organizations.
The Next Elite celebrates individuals who have demonstrated resilience, innovation, and leadership in addressing mission-driven mandates, managing risk, and driving performance across diverse portfolios. Whether leading critical initiatives, mentoring teams, or introducing innovative investment frameworks, these rising stars are the backbone of their organizations’ success. We honor their vision, dedication, and impact, as they continue to shape the future of institutional investment.
Adri Chaikin is managing director in the investment office at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, where she helps oversee the...
Adri Chaikin is managing director in the investment office at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, where she helps oversee the health system’s investment program. She joined RWJBarnabas in 2024 after serving as managing director of investments at New York University and, earlier, at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where she spent more than eight years. Chaikin is also active in the allocator community, serving as a fellow with the Allocator Collective (formerly IADEI) and as a board member for MIT’s Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship’s delta v program. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
AUM
$10 B
LOCATION
New York
REGION
Tri-State
TIME AT FUND
1 year(s)
Andy Christensen
Minnesota State Board of Investment Public Pension Fund
Andy Christensen is deputy executive director of the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI), where he helps oversee the state’s...
Andy Christensen is deputy executive director of the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI), where he helps oversee the state’s investment portfolio and supports the board’s strategic initiatives. He rejoined SBI in 2019 after serving as director of private markets at the GHR Foundation and Carleton College. Earlier in his career, Christensen was a portfolio manager at SBI and an investment analyst at American Express Asset Management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Minnesota, an MBA in finance from the Carlson School of Management, is a CAIA charterholder, and completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard Kennedy School.
AUM
$156 B
LOCATION
St. Paul
REGION
Midwest
TIME AT FUND
6 year(s)
Cynthia do Nascimento
RWJ Barnabas Health Health System
Cynthia do Nascimento is managing director of investments at RWJBarnabas Health, where she helps oversee the health system’s investment portfolio....
Cynthia do Nascimento is managing director of investments at RWJBarnabas Health, where she helps oversee the health system’s investment portfolio. She joined RWJBarnabas in 2024 after more than a decade with the NYU Investment Office, most recently as managing director. Earlier in her career, she was a vice president and investment analyst at Marathon Asset Management and held private equity roles with Palladium Equity Partners and CHS Capital. Nascimento earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois Chicago and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
AUM
$10 B
LOCATION
New York
REGION
Tri-State
TIME AT FUND
1 year(s)
Steve Neel
New Mexico Educational Retirement Board Public Pension Fund
Steve Neel is deputy chief investment officer at the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (NMERB), where he oversees the pension...
Steve Neel is deputy chief investment officer at the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board (NMERB), where he oversees the pension system’s alternative assets portfolio, including private markets and other alternative strategies. He has extensive experience in asset management and private equity and plays a key role in ensuring the fund delivers long-term, risk-adjusted returns for its beneficiaries.
AUM
$17 B
LOCATION
Albuquerque
REGION
Southwest
TIME AT FUND
19 year(s)
Sean Ross
Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado Public Pension Fund
Sean Ross is investment officer at the Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado (FPPA), where he leads the $2...
Sean Ross is investment officer at the Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado (FPPA), where he leads the $2 billion private markets portfolio across private equity, private credit, real assets, and real estate. He has been with FPPA since 2009 and has helped build its private markets program to a target allocation of more than 30 percent, reflecting the plan’s long investment horizon. Earlier in his career, Ross worked as a senior data analyst at Thomson Reuters and as an annuity specialist at Pacific Life. He holds an MBA in finance from the University of Denver and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado Boulder.
AUM
$7
LOCATION
Minneapolis
REGION
Midwest
TIME AT FUND
16 year(s)
Jon Shoen
Texas County & District Retirement System Public Pension Fund
Jon Shoen is managing director at the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), where he helps oversee the $50...
Jon Shoen is managing director at the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), where he helps oversee the $50 billion pension fund’s investment program. He joined TCDRS in 2011 and has been closely involved in portfolio management across public and private markets. Earlier in his career, Shoen was an investment analyst at the Montana Board of Investments and spent nine years as an equity analyst with Insight Capital Research & Management. He holds a degree from Santa Clara University and is a CFA and CAIA charterholder.
AUM
$51 B
LOCATION
Austin
REGION
Texas
TIME AT FUND
14 year(s)
Erol Sonderegger
Minnesota State Board of Investment Public Pension Fund
Erol Sonderegger is deputy chief investment officer at the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI), where he helps oversee the...
Erol Sonderegger is deputy chief investment officer at the Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI), where he helps oversee the full investment portfolio and has primary responsibility for investment risk management and asset allocation analysis. He rejoined the SBI in 2019 after serving as principal and head of client portfolio management at Galliard Capital Management. Earlier, he was a portfolio manager on the fixed income team at Riversource Investments (now Columbia Threadneedle), where he co-managed several mutual funds and was a member of the firm’s fixed income committee. Sonderegger holds a BBA in international business and finance from The George Washington University, is a CFA charterholder, and earned the CAIA designation in 2022.
