The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) has appointed Annesley Wallace as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2025. Wallace will succeed Jeff Wendling, who announced his retirement earlier this year after serving as CEO since 2020.
Wallace, currently Executive Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at TC Energy, brings extensive experience in investment management and pension administration. Her background includes overseeing a $32-billion global infrastructure portfolio during her tenure at OMERS, where she also served as Chief Pension Officer. In her previous roles, she led initiatives aimed at enhancing member engagement and delivering consistent returns.
“HOOPP is a top-performing pension plan with a globally admired defined benefit system,” Wallace said. “I look forward to working with HOOPP’s Board of Trustees and executive team to continue its mission of delivering secure, lifelong pensions to Ontario’s healthcare workers.”
The transition will begin March 1, 2025, with Wallace working alongside Wendling to ensure continuity. Wendling, who has been with HOOPP for 26 years, expressed confidence in his successor. “With Annesley’s leadership and the vision of the Board, HOOPP is well positioned for continued success,” Wendling said.
HOOPP Board Chair Dan Anderson described Wallace as the ideal candidate following an extensive search. “Annesley is the right person to lead the organization and continue our mission of providing retirement security to more than 460,000 healthcare workers in Ontario,” Anderson said.
Wallace’s appointment comes as HOOPP embarks on implementing its 2025-29 Strategic Plan, which aims to build on the pension plan’s strong funded status and expand its membership and employer groups.
HOOPP, an independent trust serving more than 670 healthcare employers across Ontario, provides pensions to a diverse membership that includes nurses, medical technicians, and support staff. The plan remains fully funded, a milestone attributed to Wendling’s leadership during challenging market conditions, according to HOOPP Board Vice Chair Gerry Rocchi.
Wallace, who holds advanced degrees in engineering and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, will be the first woman to lead the organization.