Who we are
Smart is one of the world’s fastest growing retirement technology businesses.
We service more than 70,000 employer plans around the world and are already one of the UK’s largest retirement plan providers. Now, we're growing the U.S.
In the US, Smart focuses on being a flexible, technology-forward business that delivers retirement solutions led by experienced industry leaders, blending user-led innovation with technical expertise.
Leadership - Introduction
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Our Board of Directors has the vital role of overseeing the company's management and business strategies to achieve long-term value creation. Our Board consists of experienced leaders in the financial services and technology industries.
Board of directors - Introduction
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In 2014, Andrew Evans and Will Wynne combined their financial and technological expertise to found Smart. Their aim was to make employee enrollment in the UK’s retirement plans easier.
Andrew and Will are dedicated to creating retirement solutions that focus on the employee experience while helping employers fulfill their role as plan sponsors.
Founders - Introduction
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Most recently, Mark served as CEO of Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), a role he held from 2011 to 2019. During Mark’s tenure, LGIM was one of the fastest growing asset managers globally as assets under management tripled to over $1.5 trillion, including a significant expansion across the U.S., Europe and Asia. He positioned LGIM to become the largest manager in both the UK defined benefit pension market, with over 30% market share, and the UK defined contribution pension market, with over 20% market share.
Mark Zinkula
Chairperson
Most recently, Mark served as CEO of Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), a role he held from 2011 to 2019. During Mark’s tenure, LGIM was one of the fastest growing asset managers globally as assets under management tripled to over $1.5 trillion, including a significant expansion across the U.S., Europe and Asia. He positioned LGIM to become the largest manager in both the UK defined benefit pension market, with over 30% market share, and the UK defined contribution pension market, with over 20% market share.
Jodan Ledford is a U.S. retirement plan industry veteran who is passionate about building configurable technology to help employers, participants, and advisors access retirement savings options without the need for compromise. Most recently, Jodan was the Chief Client Officer at Legal & General Investment Management America – taking assets under management from $30 billion to $210 billion during his tenure. Previously, Jodan was an Executive Director at UBS Global Asset Management and Head of Asset Liability Investment Solutions.
Jodan Ledford
Chief Executive Officer
Executive director
Jodan Ledford is a U.S. retirement plan industry veteran who is passionate about building configurable technology to help employers, participants, and advisors access retirement savings options without the need for compromise. Most recently, Jodan was the Chief Client Officer at Legal & General Investment Management America – taking assets under management from $30 billion to $210 billion during his tenure. Previously, Jodan was an Executive Director at UBS Global Asset Management and Head of Asset Liability Investment Solutions.
Duane Bernt is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Smart in the U.S. He also is President of Stadion Money Management and serves as the Chair of the Stadion Investment Committee. Prior to joining Stadion, he served in a variety of senior leadership roles at Lincoln Financial Group. Duane is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Duane Bernt
Chief Financial Officer / Chief Administrative Officer
Executive director
Duane Bernt is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Smart in the U.S. He also is President of Stadion Money Management and serves as the Chair of the Stadion Investment Committee. Prior to joining Stadion, he served in a variety of senior leadership roles at Lincoln Financial Group. Duane is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Andrew co-founded Smart to make it easier for employees to start, grow, and retire on their nest egg. Previously, Andrew was an international managing director, with roles in banking and finance. Due to his expertise, he works with cutting edge innovation foundations – awarding funding and offering advice to promising fintech companies and social entrepreneurs.
Andrew Evans
Group Chief Executive, co-founder and board member
Executive director
Andrew co-founded Smart to make it easier for employees to start, grow, and retire on their nest egg. Previously, Andrew was an international managing director, with roles in banking and finance. Due to his expertise, he works with cutting edge innovation foundations – awarding funding and offering advice to promising fintech companies and social entrepreneurs.
Will is behind Smart’s technology strategy, innovation and global vision. Starting with a solid background in private equity, Will moved to eBay's marketing department where he grew their members from 3 to 18 million in three years. He also created the business case for eBay's charity arm, which raised several hundred million pounds for deserving causes. Will is the co-founder of ArenaFlowers.com, one of the UK’s leading flower and gift delivery businesses, and oversees fintech acceleration programs run by Octopus Investments. As the chairman of Trulience, a futuristic, digital human software firm, he also knows the value of technology based solutions.
Will Wynne
Group Managing Director, co-founder and board member
Executive director
Will is behind Smart’s technology strategy, innovation and global vision. Starting with a solid background in private equity, Will moved to eBay's marketing department where he grew their members from 3 to 18 million in three years. He also created the business case for eBay's charity arm, which raised several hundred million pounds for deserving causes. Will is the co-founder of ArenaFlowers.com, one of the UK’s leading flower and gift delivery businesses, and oversees fintech acceleration programs run by Octopus Investments. As the chairman of Trulience, a futuristic, digital human software firm, he also knows the value of technology based solutions.
Most recently, Anne served as portfolio manager and Head of Retirement Solutions for Global Asset Management Solutions at J.P. Morgan. Anne developed J.P. Morgan’s SmartRetirement target-date funds and their post retirement SmartSpending funds. She previously served on the board of Smart Pension. Anne, who joined J.P. Morgan in 1992, spent over a decade managing public, private, and multi-employer defined benefit and defined contribution plan assets before focusing exclusively on Defined Contribution research, product development, and management.
Anne Lester
Non-executive director
Most recently, Anne served as portfolio manager and Head of Retirement Solutions for Global Asset Management Solutions at J.P. Morgan. Anne developed J.P. Morgan’s SmartRetirement target-date funds and their post retirement SmartSpending funds. She previously served on the board of Smart Pension. Anne, who joined J.P. Morgan in 1992, spent over a decade managing public, private, and multi-employer defined benefit and defined contribution plan assets before focusing exclusively on Defined Contribution research, product development, and management.
Barbara March serves as CEO of My Corporate Ally. An expert in growth and scale initiatives and in acquisitions and mergers, she brings more than 35 years’ industry experience in leading global and domestic mutual fund, asset management, and insurance companies, as well as global technology outsourcing firms. Prior to My Corporate Ally, Barb held senior leadership roles at TATA Consultancy Services’ US retirement business, her own highly successful global strategic consulting firm, BridgePoint Group, Fidelity Investments Workplace Investing business, and Fidelity’s Mutual Fund Transfer Agency. Over the prior 20 years, Barb held executive positions at ING, Invesco Retirement, Putnam Investments, and T. Rowe Price.
Barbara March
Non-executive director
Barbara March serves as CEO of My Corporate Ally. An expert in growth and scale initiatives and in acquisitions and mergers, she brings more than 35 years’ industry experience in leading global and domestic mutual fund, asset management, and insurance companies, as well as global technology outsourcing firms. Prior to My Corporate Ally, Barb held senior leadership roles at TATA Consultancy Services’ US retirement business, her own highly successful global strategic consulting firm, BridgePoint Group, Fidelity Investments Workplace Investing business, and Fidelity’s Mutual Fund Transfer Agency. Over the prior 20 years, Barb held executive positions at ING, Invesco Retirement, Putnam Investments, and T. Rowe Price.
Jessica Calabrese brings over 20 years experience in the retirement and financial services industry to Smart. Her role is to ensure our products and solutions are well defined, meet our customers’ needs and to create a positive experience during delivery. Jessica is energized by bringing partners together to develop technology solutions that enable intuitive user experiences and solve complex business problems. Previously, she served as Head of Data and Analytics for Intermediary Relationships at Empower Retirement and held multiple senior leadership roles across various business units and technology organizations at MassMutual.
Jessica Calabrese
Head of Product Management and Delivery
Jessica Calabrese brings over 20 years experience in the retirement and financial services industry to Smart. Her role is to ensure our products and solutions are well defined, meet our customers’ needs and to create a positive experience during delivery. Jessica is energized by bringing partners together to develop technology solutions that enable intuitive user experiences and solve complex business problems. Previously, she served as Head of Data and Analytics for Intermediary Relationships at Empower Retirement and held multiple senior leadership roles across various business units and technology organizations at MassMutual.
Grant Chamberlain brings extensive experience in corporate development, data and investment management, and analytics in his role as Chief Strategy Officer. Previously, Grant was the Head of Corporate Development at Legal & General Investment Management America (LGIMA). Joining LGIMA shortly after its inception, Grant also held positions leading data management and technology. Grant also worked at UBS Global Asset Management as the Director, Head of Change Management, in a global operations function. Previous to that role, Grant led data management in the Americas and operations in Poland, also for UBS.
Grant Chamberlain
Chief Strategy Officer
Grant Chamberlain brings extensive experience in corporate development, data and investment management, and analytics in his role as Chief Strategy Officer. Previously, Grant was the Head of Corporate Development at Legal & General Investment Management America (LGIMA). Joining LGIMA shortly after its inception, Grant also held positions leading data management and technology. Grant also worked at UBS Global Asset Management as the Director, Head of Change Management, in a global operations function. Previous to that role, Grant led data management in the Americas and operations in Poland, also for UBS.
As Chief Technology Officer, Michael Chlan oversees the development of the critical software programs and technology necessary for continued expansion and effective management of Stadion's growing enterprise. He is also responsible for overseeing Investor Services and Relationship Management. Michael brings over 20 years of technology experience in financial services for both Fortune 500 and startup companies. Michael is the lead inventor on several technologies and financial services related patents.
Michael Chlan
Chief Technology Officer
As Chief Technology Officer, Michael Chlan oversees the development of the critical software programs and technology necessary for continued expansion and effective management of Stadion's growing enterprise. He is also responsible for overseeing Investor Services and Relationship Management. Michael brings over 20 years of technology experience in financial services for both Fortune 500 and startup companies. Michael is the lead inventor on several technologies and financial services related patents.
Lawrence Griffin serves as Smart’s General Counsel and leads regulatory oversight of the company. Previously, Lawrence was General Counsel at Legal & General Investment Management America, where he also served as Chief Compliance Officer. Lawrence has been a lawyer for more than 30 years, and has spent the last 15 years specializing in compliance, risk and governance, and IT security and data protection for financial services organizations.
Lawrence Griffin
US General Counsel
Lawrence Griffin serves as Smart’s General Counsel and leads regulatory oversight of the company. Previously, Lawrence was General Counsel at Legal & General Investment Management America, where he also served as Chief Compliance Officer. Lawrence has been a lawyer for more than 30 years, and has spent the last 15 years specializing in compliance, risk and governance, and IT security and data protection for financial services organizations.
Todd Lacey serves as Chief Revenue Officer for both Smart and Stadion Money Management, which includes overseeing the revenue-generating functions for Stadion’s retirement business. Prior to Stadion, Todd held various roles at AEGON/Transamerica, including Executive Vice President (EVP) of Strategy and Corporate Development for Investments and Retirement, EVP of Business Development for the US retirement business, and Senior Managing Director of Latin America. Todd was also the Founder and President of The (k)larity Group, a retirement plan advisory firm.
C. Todd Lacey
Chief Revenue Officer
Todd Lacey serves as Chief Revenue Officer for both Smart and Stadion Money Management, which includes overseeing the revenue-generating functions for Stadion’s retirement business. Prior to Stadion, Todd held various roles at AEGON/Transamerica, including Executive Vice President (EVP) of Strategy and Corporate Development for Investments and Retirement, EVP of Business Development for the US retirement business, and Senior Managing Director of Latin America. Todd was also the Founder and President of The (k)larity Group, a retirement plan advisory firm.
Daniella Moiseyev brings more than 25 years of experience in the retirement industry to her role as Head of Marketing. Before joining Smart, she was Head of Marketing at PCS Retirement, LLC, and previously held senior marketing roles with the American Retirement Association, T. Rowe Price, RidgeWorth Investments, and Prudential Investments. A proven leader and award-winning strategic marketing professional, Daniella is an advocate for empowering women in the workplace and has served on the board of directors of the WE Inspire. Promote. Network. (WIPN) for the past six years.
Daniella Moiseyev
Head of Marketing
Daniella Moiseyev brings more than 25 years of experience in the retirement industry to her role as Head of Marketing. Before joining Smart, she was Head of Marketing at PCS Retirement, LLC, and previously held senior marketing roles with the American Retirement Association, T. Rowe Price, RidgeWorth Investments, and Prudential Investments. A proven leader and award-winning strategic marketing professional, Daniella is an advocate for empowering women in the workplace and has served on the board of directors of the WE Inspire. Promote. Network. (WIPN) for the past six years.
As Head of Client Solutions, Rob Stanley is uniquely equipped to lead client solutions strategy. He brings 18 years in John Hancock’s Wealth and Asset Management organization, the last 13 years of which were in the $180 Billion Retirement Plan Services business (JHRPS), including nine years leading JHRPS' sales operations and Infrastructure. Prior to Smart, Rob founded Inflection Point Consulting, where he helped clients implement key strategic initiatives to face the challenges in a rapidly changing industry.
Rob Stanley
Head of Client Solutions
As Head of Client Solutions, Rob Stanley is uniquely equipped to lead client solutions strategy. He brings 18 years in John Hancock’s Wealth and Asset Management organization, the last 13 years of which were in the $180 Billion Retirement Plan Services business (JHRPS), including nine years leading JHRPS' sales operations and Infrastructure. Prior to Smart, Rob founded Inflection Point Consulting, where he helped clients implement key strategic initiatives to face the challenges in a rapidly changing industry.
As Head of Platform, Ashish Tilve combines the role of CIO and CTO for Smart. He brings significant technological expertise to Smart, having previously spent 18 years with Prudential Financial, building, managing, and modernizing technology platforms for the Workplace Solutions group. Ashish delivered retirement product solutions covering the retirement segment including defined contribution, non-qualified, defined benefit, pension risk, liability risk, structured settlements, and group insurance. He also oversaw technology product management, enterprise architecture, engineering and infrastructure groups with globally dispersed teams delivering on client and partner solutions.
Ashish Tilve
Head of Platform
As Head of Platform, Ashish Tilve combines the role of CIO and CTO for Smart. He brings significant technological expertise to Smart, having previously spent 18 years with Prudential Financial, building, managing, and modernizing technology platforms for the Workplace Solutions group. Ashish delivered retirement product solutions covering the retirement segment including defined contribution, non-qualified, defined benefit, pension risk, liability risk, structured settlements, and group insurance. He also oversaw technology product management, enterprise architecture, engineering and infrastructure groups with globally dispersed teams delivering on client and partner solutions.
Our investors
Our investors include:
- J.P. Morgan and Legal & General, two of the world’s biggest financial services companies
- Link Group, leaders in the Australian pension administration marketplace
- Natixis Investment Managers, a global asset management specialist
- Barclays, a household name as well as a global bank with millions of customers
- Chrysalis Investments, one of the UK’s leading crossover investors
- DWS, among the world’s leading asset managers, known for their excellence in Europe, the Americas and Asia
These strategic partnerships empower us to develop our products and services further. Smart will soon be active on four continents.
