NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) today announced that Susan L. Wagner, a
Founding Partner of BlackRock, is retiring as a Vice Chairman of
BlackRock and has been elected to BlackRock’s Board of Directors. She
will retire at the end of this month and take her seat on the Board at
the October meeting. She also will continue to serve as a Director of
DSP BlackRock Investment Managers, the firm’s joint venture in India.
Laurence D. Fink, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock,
Inc., said, “Sue’s election to the Board reflects the profound
contribution she has made to BlackRock and our clients in a range of
leadership positions since 1988, and I am delighted that the firm will
continue to benefit in new ways from her exceptional insight and
strategic vision. Sue has spearheaded every critical corporate
transaction in our history and played a pivotal role in the genesis of
many of the businesses that have become central to our success. She
embodies and has helped to define and foster the culture of consistent
excellence, uncompromising integrity, deep passion and intense focus on
our clients that is BlackRock at its best.”
Mr. Fink continued, “Sue’s influence has also been felt far beyond
BlackRock. Her innovations in structured finance earlier in her career
set a new direction for our industry, and Sue has been a pioneer, role
model and mentor for both women and men in our firm and across our
industry. As Sue begins a new chapter in her remarkable career, all of
us are grateful that we will be able to draw on her spirit of innovation
and unmatched depth of understanding of the markets, our industry and
our firm in her new role as a Director of BlackRock.”
Ms. Wagner said, “It has been a privilege to be part of the team that
has built an organization that is uniquely positioned to meet the full
range of investment needs our clients face in today’s challenging
markets. In all of our work, we’ve been guided above all else by
listening to our clients and responding creatively to their needs. I am
excited and honored to join the Board and believe this opportunity gives
me the best of both worlds: the chance to confront new challenges and
explore new horizons, while continuing to contribute to the success of
BlackRock.”
In addition to serving as a Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Ms. Wagner
serves as a member of BlackRock’s Global Executive Committee and Global
Operating Committee. Ms. Wagner previously served as BlackRock’s Chief
Operating Officer and Head of Corporate Strategy, and led BlackRock's
international client and alternative investments businesses.
Ms. Wagner has been included in Fortune magazine's annual ranking
of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" for the past three years,
has been named as one of the “Top 50 Women to Watch” by the Financial
Times, and has been ranked twice on the “50 Most Powerful Women in
New York” list by Crain’s New York Business. Among numerous other
roles at BlackRock, Ms. Wagner has been the Global Executive Sponsor of
BlackRock’s Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), which has been integral to
engaging and fostering the full potential of BlackRock women. She holds
a BA degree in English and economics from Wellesley College, and an MBA
degree in finance from the University of Chicago. Ms. Wagner is a member
of the Board of Trustees of Wellesley College and the Hackley School.
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and
advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At
March 31, 2012, BlackRock’s AUM was $3.684 trillion. BlackRock offers
products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients’ needs, including
active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes.
Products are offered in a variety of structures including separate
accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds) and other
pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management,
advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of
institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in
New York City, as of March 31, 2012, the Firm has approximately 9,900
employees in 27 countries and a major presence in key global markets,
including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the
Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the
Company's website at www.blackrock.com.
Media Relations
BlackRock, Inc.
Bobbie Collins,
212-810-8155
Bobbie.Collins@blackrock.com
Source: BlackRock, Inc.