Guardian Life names Nicholas Liolis chief investment officer

Guardian Life  announced Nicholas Liolis, a highly experienced investment professional and industry veteran, will join the company as Chief Investment Officer. The appointment is effective January 23, 2023.

Reporting to Chief Executive Officer and President Andrew McMahon, Liolis will be responsible for investment policy and strategy across all of Guardian’s investment categories, including public and private equity, fixed income, and commercial real estate.

“We’re excited to have Nick join Guardian as our Chief Investment Officer,” said McMahon.  ” With his extensive investment expertise, risk management discipline, and leadership capabilities, I am confident that he’s the right leader to help deliver competitive dividends and financial security for Guardian’s policyholders.”

Liolis brings nearly three decades of insurance investment management experience to Guardian Life. Since 2015 he held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) where he managed a $290 billion general account portfolio with a $36 billion international component. He was also responsible for all asset allocation recommendations and investment strategy by setting the long-term strategic goals, determining the near-term allocations for TIAA’s annual Investment Program, and implementing tactical strategies to capture short-term investment opportunities.

Before TIAA, Liolis held the position of Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company where he was responsible for asset-liability management, asset allocation, and overall investment strategy for General Account investment and pension portfolios. Over his 20-year tenure at AXA, he held several positions including Head of Hedge Fund Investments, Chief Credit Officer, and Deputy Chief Investment Officer prior to being named Chief Investment Officer in 2012.

“I am excited to join Guardian and look forward to working with the Board, leadership and my new colleagues to drive growth and advance the Company’s purpose to inspire well-being,” Liolis said.

Liolis earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Information Systems from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from New York University.