A Message from the Chair

A Message from the Chair is published after each regular meeting of The Church Pension Fund (CPF) Board of Trustees. It reflects actions taken by the CPF Board that impact the products and services administered by CPF, as well as other highlights of the meeting.

Winter 2025

Dear Friends:

Earlier this month, the Board of Trustees of The Church Pension Fund (CPF Board) gathered for its final meeting of the year—a time to reflect on our work and the work of CPF and its three lines of business (collectively, the Church Pension Group or CPG) and to look ahead with hope and purpose. The meeting was productive, marked by thoughtful discussions on matters central to those we serve. 

We welcomed Jane Hamblen as our newest Trustee. Jane brings more than two decades of experience advising Wisconsin’s state pension boards and the State of Wisconsin Investment Fund, along with a strong corporate legal background. Her expertise will be invaluable as we continue to steward CPF’s resources faithfully. She replaces The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, PhD, who stepped down in accordance with board policy after a family member was hired by CPG. We are deeply grateful to Bishop Douglas for his years of dedicated service and leadership, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for his contributions to the work of the CPF Board. 

We received a comprehensive update on CPG’s strategic planning work, which includes its three-year strategic initiatives, 12-month goals, and annual budget. The CPF Board was encouraged by CPG’s continued commitment to planning for the future. Its rigorous strategic planning, consistent investment management, which includes CPG’s four-part strategy around socially responsible investing, and its focus on developing its people to serve the Church well give us confidence that CPG will be a steady partner for the Church for decades to come.  

Mary Kate Wold, CPG’s CEO and President, provided an update on the wonderful conversations she and her colleagues have been hosting across the Church. These conversations are designed to help CPG forecast future needs and identify opportunities to continue serving the Church in a manner consistent with its purpose and vision. We are grateful to all who have participated in these listening sessions and look forward to hearing more insights as CPG’s work continues. 

The Benefits team shared updates on its disability offerings, behavioral health resources, and ongoing efforts to identify opportunities to provide more equitable pricing under the Denominational Health Plan. The team also walked us through our annual discernment with respect to cost-of-living increases for beneficiaries of the defined benefit pension plans that CPG administers. 

As we enter one of the most joyous seasons of the year, on behalf of the entire CPF Board, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and all the best in the year ahead. Thank you for your faithful service to our Church and for the trust you place in us as we work to support you. 

Faithfully,

Canon Anne Vickers (retired)  
Chair, The Church Pension Fund Board of Trustees

The next meeting of the CPF Board will be March 11 to 13, 2026.

Browse past issues of A Message from the Chair in our Newsletter Library.