Michael Kennedy

Michael Kennedy was a Senior Client Partner in the Atlanta office of Korn Ferry and a member of the firm’s Asset Management Practice.  He has conducted senior level investment  assignments for pension funds, endowments and foundations, Taft-Hartley plans and asset management organizations.  He was also a member of the Board and CEO Practice where he has been involved in various diversity and inclusion initiatives. .

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Mr. Kennedy’s career experience was in corporate finance and asset management. He previously worked in senior roles at General Electric Capital Corporation and Wachovia. He started his financial services career as an Equity Research Analyst at JP Morgan Investment Management Group.

In 2010, Mr. Kennedy was nominated by President Obama, and confirmed by the US Senate, to the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the largest retirement plan in the country. In 2011, President Obama designated him as Chairman. With assets exceeding $630 billion, the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board develops and establishes policies governing the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). In 2014, Mr. Kennedy was recognized for his leadership by Sovereign Wealth Institute’s publication, Sovereign Wealth Quarterly, which ranked him as #5 on its list of the top 100 public investors globally. Also in 2014, Mr. Kennedy was reappointed by President Obama to another four-year term as Chairman.

Prior to joining the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, Mr. Kennedy served for 14 years as a Trustee at the Employees Retirement System of Georgia. During part of his tenure, he served as the Board Chair and Chairman of the Investment Committee. During his term as Chairman of the Investment Committee, he was involved in moving the plan into alternative investments, including private equity.

Mr. Kennedy currently serves as a corporate Director at Old Republic International (NYSE:ORI) and on the Advisory Boards of Cerity Partners, Viewpoint Ventures and Rebalance Capital.

Mr. Kennedy currently sits on the Board of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Investment Foundation Fund Board and recently served as a national co-chair of the UNC capital campaign. He previously served as Chairman of the UNC Board of Visitors. In addition to his UNC involvement, Mr. Kennedy has served on the Board of Trustees of the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.

In the Atlanta community, he has been involved with the Communities-In-Schools program, serving in numerous leadership roles including Board Chair. He has also been involved in the Harvard Business Club of Atlanta and the National Association of Securities Professionals.

Mr. Kennedy earned a Master in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He received a Bachelor’s degree with highest honors in History and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.