Sarah Swoboda Named PSRS/PEERS Chief Operating Officer
Sarah Swoboda, of Jefferson City, MO, has been named chief operating officer for the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri (PSRS/PEERS) effective December 19, 2022.
She replaces Bill Betts, who leaves the position to assume the role of executive director for the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS) effective January 3, 2023.
Swoboda, who has served as PSRS/PEERS’ general counsel since November 2018, joined the Retirement Systems as staff attorney in July 2017. She also served as interim director of member services from April to October 2018.
“Sarah has made great contributions to PSRS/PEERS in her previous roles here,” said Executive Director Dearld Snider. “We are confident she will continue to demonstrate leadership and look forward to working with her in her new position.”
While general counsel, Ms. Swoboda provided legal advice and assistance to the Board of Trustees and administrative personnel and served as a liaison between the Retirement Systems and outside legal counsel retained by the Board of Trustees.
As chief operating officer, she will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Retirement Systems and act in an advisory capacity to the PSRS/PEERS executive director and Board.
“I am excited to begin work as chief operating officer and take on my new responsibilities,” Swoboda said. “We have a great group of people here at PSRS/PEERS, and I am looking forward to working with staff in my new role.”
Prior to joining PSRS/PEERS, Swoboda served as deputy chief of staff to State Auditor Nicole Galloway. She also previously served in multiple roles for the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office, including general counsel and deputy state treasurer. Prior to these positions, Ms. Swoboda practiced law in St. Louis.
She graduated with her Juris Doctorate in 2004 from the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law. She holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and criminology from Drury University. She is a member of the Missouri Bar and the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys (NAPPA).
PSRS/PEERS provides service retirement, disability and survivor benefits for over 129,000 active members and approximately 104,000 retired Missouri public school teachers, school employees, and their families. The market value of invested assets for PSRS and PEERS combined were approximately $53.5 billion as of June 30, 2022, making the combined entity larger than all other public retirement plans in the state combined, and the 46th largest defined benefit plan in the United States.