OPB uses careful succession approach to create effective transfer of all critical functions in the organization
Darwin Bozek has been appointed to the transitional position of president and chief pension officer at Ontario Pension Board (OPB). Bozek will join OPB on February 1, 2024, as the first step of a phased leadership transition.
The appointment comes after Peter Shena, chief pension officer, and Mark Fuller, chief executive officer, both announced earlier this year that they plan to retire.
OPB wanted to take a careful approach to the change and retained executive search firm, LHH Knightsbridge, to recruit for a transitional position of president and chief pension officer, with the intention that the successful candidate would ultimately become OPB’s new president and CEO at the end of 2024, when Fuller retires.
Bozek is a seasoned pensions executive with more than 30 years as a senior leader in public service. Since 2017, he has served as president and CEO of Alberta Pensions Services Corporation (APS). His other former roles include senior assistant deputy minister of Alberta Treasury Board and Finance; controller for the province of Alberta; and chief financial officer for the Alberta Investment Management Corporation.
“[Bozek] has extensive public sector and pension experience, a passion for the defined benefit model and a strong commitment to delivering excellent client service,” says Geri Markvoort, chair of OPB’s board of directors. “As an experienced executive leader, his proven ability to deliver business results while supporting a positive, inclusive, and values-based culture makes him the right candidate to lead OPB upon Mark Fuller’s retirement.”
How the transition will work
When he joins OPB in February, Bozek will initially work alongside Shena and the pensions group to gain a deep understanding of the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP). Shena will retire from his position as CPO this coming spring but has agreed to be available throughout 2024 as chief transition officer to assist OPB with a smooth transition and to provide leadership continuity on critical projects.
Bozek will work closely with Fuller as they together prepare for Bozek’s transition to president and CEO, ensuring there is an effective knowledge transfer for all critical functions within the organization. Bozek will lead the selection of the permanent CPO.
