Asteri Collective names Sheri Fitts executive director as Ann Slotwinski retires

The Asteri Collective appointed retirement industry executive Sheri Fitts as executive director, effective Sept. 28, 2026, replacing founder Ann Slotwinski. The leadership change comes as the national collective of retirement plan consulting firms oversees more than 51,200 plans and $158 billion in assets under administration.

Why it matters: - The Asteri Collective is entering a new leadership phase as it tries to expand membership, deepen industry partnerships and raise the profile of Retirement Plan Consultants. - The organization represents a national network with more than 51,200 retirement plans, 2.2 million participants and $158 billion in assets under administration. - The transition comes as the retirement plan consulting sector pushes for more coordination across technology, cybersecurity, data standards and operations.

What happened: - The Asteri Collective named Sheri Fitts its new executive director, effective Sept. 28, 2026. - Fitts succeeds Ann Slotwinski, who is retiring. - A board subcommittee led the search for the new executive director. - Slotwinski helped build The Asteri Collective from concept into a national organization.

The details: - Slotwinski’s retirement-plan career included time at John Hancock and the creation of National TPA Day. - National TPA Day recognizes the people who support retirement plan operations. - The Asteri Collective gives member firms a platform to collaborate on technology, cybersecurity, data standardization, operational efficiency and coordination among RPCs, recordkeepers, advisors, broker-dealers and DCIOs. - Fitts brings more than 30 years in retirement plan and wealth management roles. - Her background includes senior positions with a national recordkeeper, the largest independent broker-dealer and a retirement plan advisory firm. - Through Sheri Fitts & Co., she has advised recordkeepers, broker-dealers and advisory firms on positioning, thought leadership and AI-enabled communication. - Fitts also founded a national community and annual conference for financial services leaders. - The event has grown every year since its launch. - Fitts has been named twice to 401kWire’s Top 100 Most Influential in Defined Contribution. - Fitts is a founding member of WIPN. - Fitts created the digitalEQ® framework. - The Asteri Collective said Fitts’ relationships with financial advisors, recordkeepers and DCIOs fit the collective’s next phase.

Between the lines: - Slotwinski framed the organization as a collaboration built by independent firms with different sizes, markets and specialties. - Her departure marks the end of the startup-building phase and the start of a growth phase focused on influence and scale. - Fitts’ background in technology, communication and industry relationships suggests Asteri wants a leader who can translate operational collaboration into broader market visibility. - The leadership change also signals that Asteri is looking to become a stronger convening force across the retirement ecosystem, not just among member firms.

What's next: - Fitts will work with Asteri member firms and industry partners to strengthen relationships and advance a more connected retirement ecosystem. - The collective plans to keep building its expertise and supporting collaboration across the industry. - Retirement Plan Consulting firms can learn more about membership at astericollective.org.

The bottom line: - Asteri is swapping one founder-era leader for an operator with deep industry ties as it moves from building a national platform to scaling its influence.