For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Capozzi
Managing Director, Communications
(847) 866-4111
[email protected]

Glenview, IL—Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) today announced that Sheila Saegh Henretta, deputy general counsel, is promoted to chief legal officer effective January 3, 2022. Sheila will oversee the Legal and Compliance and Internal Audit departments and serve as Wespath’s corporate secretary supporting its board of directors and coordinating the governance of Wespath’s subsidiaries. She will succeed Andrew Hendren, chief legal and governance officer, who in July of this year was elected chief executive officer and general secretary-elect by the Wespath Board of Directors. His service as CEO and general secretary begins on January 3, 2022, when he succeeds Barbara Boigegrain, who will retire after serving in the role for more than 27 years.

“Sheila brings extensive in-house and general counsel experience to this position,” said Andy Hendren. “Her familiarity with both private sector and governmental organizations, including her work on complex legal and business issues, position her well for this role. Moreover, Sheila’s career experience with pension plans, financial institution and investment regulations, corporate governance, compliance and assurance, and corporate transactions has been a strong value add for Wespath and our legal team. I’ve been impressed with how quickly Sheila has developed her understanding of the complexities of UM clergy benefit plans and the nuances of The United Methodist Church.”

Sheila joined Wespath in November 2020 as deputy general counsel, managing the legal team and accountable for general legal support for exempt organizations, tax, investment management/securities laws, as well as finance and accounting legal matters for Wespath. She has also partnered with Andy in the oversight of general corporate legal matters including transactions, corporate governance, compliance issues, and supervision of outside counsel. Prior to joining Wespath, Sheila was deputy general counsel at the Options Clearing Corporation. Prior to this role, she was Director of the Division of Banking with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; and general counsel and deputy director at the Governor’s Office of Management & Budget, State of Illinois. Sheila started her legal career in mergers and acquisitions at Jones Day. Sheila received her bachelor’s degree in Economics from The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, and her juris doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University, School of Law.

“I am delighted to have Sheila step into this important role,” said Barbara Boigegrain. “As I retire at the end of this year, I know Wespath will continue to be led by a strong senior leadership team fully dedicated to our mission to care for those who serve.”

About Wespath Benefits and Investments
Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) is a not-for-profit agency that has been serving The United Methodist Church (UMC) for over a century. In accordance with its fiduciary duties, Wespath administers benefit plans and, together with its subsidiaries, including Wespath Institutional Investments, invests over $30 billion in assets on behalf of over 100,000 participants and over 100 United Methodist-affiliated institutions (as of August 31, 2021). Wespath invests in a sustainable manner that seeks to achieve positive financial, social and environmental impact while upholding the values of the UMC. Wespath maintains the largest reporting faith-based pension fund in the world. For additional information about Wespath Benefits and Investments, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.