What's happening at Thrivent: Summer 2023

Thrivent continues to do the right thing and is being recognized for it. Thrivent recently was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining the standards of ethical business practices.

This marks the 12th consecutive year that Thrivent has received the recognition. Our organization is one of 135 honorees this year, and one of only seven honorees in the financial services category to be named to the list.

Receiving this honor year-after-year reinforces Thrivent’s commitment to carry out our values in all that we do and maintain strong business ethics so that we can keep the trust of our clients and communities we serve.

“Thrivent was founded more than 120 years ago to help our members live lives of service and faith, and we’re unique in our focus on generosity and service to the community. One of our core company values is that ‘We Do What’s Right,’ and it’s embedded in our team culture and in the way we do business,” says Terry Rasmussen, president and CEO of Thrivent.

“We appreciate the recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, and we’re proud to be recognized with this distinction for the 12th consecutive year,” she adds. “Our high standard of business ethics and culture of integrity remain at the forefront of Thrivent as we help our millions of clients nationwide meet their financial goals and lead lives of service and faith.”

Nick Cecere was recently promoted to executive vice president and chief distribution officer and has joined the Thrivent executive leadership team.

Cecere joined Thrivent in 2021 and assumed responsibility for all of distribution in 2022. He provides leadership over Thrivent’s financial advisors across the country, the National Practice Group, virtual advice team, and the Thrivent Advisor Network (TAN).

Additionally, Cecere will oversee the advisor growth, practice growth, wholesaling, and field compensation teams.

“Nick has more than 35 years of experience overseeing all parts of the insurance industry and has walked in the shoes of our financial advisors,” says Thrivent CEO Terry Rasmussen. “Nick will play an important role in helping Thrivent continue to perform and transform so we can grow and serve generations to come.”

Prior to joining Thrivent in 2021, Cecere spent 25 years with Principal Financial Group, working across their insurance business and rising to senior vice president of U.S. Insurance Solutions Distribution.

Thrivent has been honored as a Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards US 2023 Winner for its Small Cap Stock Fund – Class S (TSCSX) and Mid Cap Stock Fund – Class S (TMSIX). The funds were respectively named best Small-Cap Core Fund and Mid-Cap Core Fund over the 10-year performance period. Thrivent Asset Management, LLC is the investment adviser to the funds.

Thrivent Small Cap Stock Fund and Thrivent Mid Cap Stock Fund were recognized for their consistently strong risk-adjusted 10-year performance for the period ending Nov. 30, 2022. As part of its evaluation, Refinitiv assessed the 10-year performance of 529 US Small-Cap Core Funds and 206 US Mid-Cap Core Funds. With these two awards, Thrivent Mid Cap Stock Fund has earned a total of 12 Lipper Fund Awards since 2017, while Thrivent Small Cap Stock Fund has earned three. Thrivent’s asset management team has received a total of 31 Lipper Fund Awards since 2008.

“We are honored that Thrivent Small Cap Stock Fund and Thrivent Mid Cap Stock Fund were recognized as Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards Winners in 2023 for the 10-year performance period,” says David Royal, chief financial and investment officer at Thrivent. “This recognition is a testament to our talented asset management team’s unwavering commitment to deliver long-term investment returns on behalf of our clients so they can achieve financial clarity and live lives full of meaning and gratitude. We will continue to diligently manage our investment portfolios in order to meet the needs of our current and future clients, particularly amid the current
economic environment.”

Robert Jenkins, Head of Research, Lipper, Refinitiv, shares, “The 2023 Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards recognize those award-winning managers who navigated their shareholders through the impacts of a global pandemic and then the perfect storm of economic shocks leading to generational inflation pressure and global central bank interventions.”

Thrivent’s asset management team consists of more than 125 investment professionals. The funds are offered online at thriventfunds.com, as well as through Thrivent’s financial advisors and other investment professionals around the country.

Brian J. McGrane was appointed to serve on Thrivent’s Board of Directors, effective March 13. He serves on the Audit and Investment committees of the board.

Until recently, McGrane served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of business units at Ameriprise Financial. He was responsible for the financial aspects of all operating segments of the company and also led the mergers and acquisitions and corporate actuarial functions.

During his tenure, he was recognized for his key role in driving industry-leading shareholder value growth. Prior to his CFO role, he progressively advanced through leadership roles in finance at Ameriprise and American Express. He began his career at KPMG.

“Thrivent’s enduring financial strength and stability has been a key differentiator for our clients, and Brian’s deep experience across all aspects of financial services—including investment and wealth management, insurance and banking—will be a valuable asset on our board,” says Thrivent President and CEO Terry Rasmussen.

McGrane has held several board positions serving Minnesota-based organizations throughout his career. He currently serves as a member of the boards of trustees at Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict and is a member of the board finance committee of Allina Health.

He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint John’s University. He resides in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his family.

If you haven’t already pre-ordered your 2024 Thrivent calendar, now’s the time to do so. Enjoy beautiful photos and words of inspiration from our membership about what puts things into “perspective” for them.

Each client with membership can order one calendar at no cost; additional copies will be available to purchase at a later time. All orders must be received by July 31, 2023, and calendars will be mailed by the end of September.

Did you know that as a Thrivent client with membership, you are part of a regional group that offers opportunities for you to gain financial clarity, spread generosity and participate in community outreach?

They’re called Thrivent Member Networks, and several events are planned for you in the upcoming months. You can participate in local events as well as webinars featuring national speakers, including the following:

• Eugene Mitchell, Power of Life Insurance. July 18 and 20.
• Erin Lowry, Awkward Family Money Conversations, Oct. 17 and 19.

In addition, you can get up-to-date insights on the economy and markets from Thrivent Chief Financial & Investment Officer David Royal at the next Market and Economic Update on Aug. 1.

You can learn more about these activities, including times of presentation, and sign up for these events and more today.

You also can learn more about local Thrivent events by going to your regional Thrivent Member Network’s web page. There's a map on the bottom of this page; enter your ZIP code and then click on “Get to know your community.” Regional dates and times for the webinars may vary.