An $86-billion-AUM mutual fund firm's chief is preparing to pass the reins after more than 25 years.

Kristi L. Rowsell Harris Associates Partner, President

Yesterday Kristi Rowsell, partner and president of Harris Associates [profile] and president of Harris' Oakmark Funds, confirmed that she is retiring from the Chicago-based Natixis Investment Managers affiliate. On December 31, chief operating officer Chris Keller will succeed Rowsell as president of Harris and general counsel Rana Wright will become president of the Oakmark Funds (in addition to retaining her general counsel role).

Rowsell plans to retire in the first half of 2021.

Wright and Keller will report to Kevin Grant, partner and co-chairman of Harris.

Rowsell describes her work at Harris as "the opportunity of a lifetime."

"We are grateful to Kristi for her many contributions and dedication to Harris Associates and the Oakmark Funds. It has been a pleasure working with her and she will be greatly missed," Grant stated. "We would also like to congratulate Chris and Rana on their new roles. With the extensive experience, they will continue the firm's long history of exemplary client service."

Rowsell joined Harris in 1995 as chief financial officer, and she rose to president in 2010. Earlier, she worked at Calamos and KPMG Peat Marwick. She is an alumna twice over of Virginia Tech.

Keller joined Harris in 2015. Prior to that he worked at Goldman Sachs and Andersen Consulting. He is an alumnus of Cornell University and of the University of Notre Dame.

Wright joined Harris in 2018. Before that she worked at BofA and Reed Smith. She is an alumna of the Duquesne University School of Law and of the University of Pittsburgh. 

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