CEO, U.S. Retirement Services

Catherine Smith is CEO of ING U.S. Retirement Services, one of the largest defined contribution plan managers in the United States with approximately $285 billion in assets under management and administration. The business serves all sizes and segments of the pension market -- 401(k), 403(b), 457 and defined benefit plan administration. Smith also oversees ING’s broker-dealers, with approximately 4,500 registered representatives.

Prior to assuming this role in December of 2008, Smith was CEO of

ING’s U.S. Insurance businesses. She also served in numerous leadership positions at ING and its predecessor companies, including chief operating officer for ING U.S. Financial Services, president of Health, Education and Government Distribution, and chief financial officer for Aetna Financial Services.

Smith graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and received a Master’s degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Management in New Haven, Connecticut. She serves on the board of Outward Bound, Connecticut Fund for the Environment and the Trust for Public Land’s Connecticut Advisory Council.

Smith has been a frequent speaker at industry conferences and in the media. She was ranked No. 9 on U.S. Banker magazine’s 2009 “Top 25 Most Powerful Nonbank Women in Finance” list and has been recognized by The 401kWire as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Defined Contribution” in 2009 and 2010. Smith was honored in 2008 by Outward Bound for her outstanding contributions to that organization and is a board member of the New York-based International Insurance Society, Inc.