media release
12 September 2023
HESTA has appointed experienced investment management professional Dianne Sandoval as its Head of Portfolio Design.
In this role, Ms Sandoval will be responsible for leading the research and asset allocation processes to enhance the probability of achieving investment objectives, oversee the rebalancing and currency overlays, portfolio risk management, and evaluating portfolio performance.
Ms Sandoval has more than 30 years of investment management experience, having worked with renowned financial institutions across the Middle East, the United States, Europe, and Latin America.
Her appointment is effective from October 2, 2023.
HESTA Chief Executive Officer Debby Blakey said Ms Sandoval’s extensive experience and strategic insight would benefit HESTA’s one million-plus members.
“Throughout her career, Dianne has played an important role in creating and implementing innovative investment strategies alongside robust policies and compliance measures that have helped achieve impressive results,” Ms Blakey said.
“With her deep knowledge, strategic thinking, and results-driven approach, Dianne is positioned as a trusted leader in the investment management industry, and we’re delighted to welcome her expertise to the team.”
Ms Sandoval spent the last two years leading the Markets, Asset Classes, and Portfolio Strategy Team at the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Saudi Arabia.
She was responsible for designing and implementing the strategic and dynamic asset allocation processes and measuring the efficacy of investment decisions and processes through performance attribution.
Before joining PIF, Ms Sandoval spent more than 12 years in a range of senior positions across asset allocation and strategy, private equity, and high yield/investment grade credit at America’s largest public pension fund, CalPERS.
During her career, Ms Sandoval has also held positions at investment teams at Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and GE Capital.
HESTA Chief Investment Officer Sonya Sawtell-Rickson said Ms Sandoval’s appointment as Head of Portfolio Design reflects HESTA’s commitment to excellence in investment management and further enhancing its innovative investment approach.
“Dianne’s ability to align activities across investment teams to achieve objectives, actively allocate risk budgets, and drive ongoing evaluation and assessment of investment strategies to drive performance for our members will be invaluable,” Ms Sawtell-Rickson said.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms Sandoval expressed her enthusiasm in joining HESTA and contributing to the industry fund’s continued success.
“I am delighted to be joining HESTA and having the opportunity to help grow its members’ long-term super balances while supporting them to face the future with confidence,” she said.
“I look forward to supporting HESTA’s deep commitment to diversity and inclusion in the industry and leveraging my experience and expertise to drive innovative investment strategies and deliver exceptional outcomes for HESTA's members."
Ms Sandoval holds a Master of Business Administration from IESE at the University of Navarra, Spain, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley, Haas School of Business.
She holds the designation of a Chartered Financial Analyst from the CFA Institute. She is a 2023 Fellow of the Aspen Finance Leaders Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
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