Press Release

ARA Taps ERISA Veteran Kizzy Gaul as Director of Technical Education

Issued by American Retirement Association [ARA]

Jan. 6, 2026

The American Retirement Association (ARA) announced that high-profile ERISA consultant and attorney Kizzy Gaul joined the retirement plan education and advocacy organization as its Director of Technical Education.

Gaul, most recently with Willis Towers Watson, will report to ARA Chief Learning Officer Karen Barley, replacing Bob Kaplan, who retired at the end of last year after 8.5 years in the position.

She’ll bring a “broad range of legal, technical, and operational expertise in qualified and non-qualified retirement plans” to the new role.

“Bob Kaplan’s legacy of excellence continues as we welcome Kizzy to the team,” Barley said. “We’re excited for Kizzy to bring her perspective and expertise to our certificates, credentials, and conferences.”

Gaul has volunteered and held several leadership positions with the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), an ARA affiliate, over the last decade, including Chair of ASPPA’s Government Affairs Committee and Chair of ASPPA’s Reporting & Disclosure Government Affairs Subcommittee.

She also frequently presents at the ASPPA Annual Conference, most recently in October in San Diego, Calif.

“I’ve participated in ASPPA education and government affairs, gosh, for over 15 years,” Gaul said. “I’m obviously very passionate about the industry and about the work that ARA does. When the opportunity came forward, it was just a dream opportunity for me.”

Mentioning Kaplan and the “big shoes” she needs to fill, her initial priorities include the upcoming launch of a new ASPPA credential and “getting acclimated” to her new position.

“I’ve been in the consulting space, especially in the last few years, working directly with plan sponsors and recordkeepers in the retirement industry,” she said. “It’s given me an interesting perspective on education topics important to both plan sponsor consultants/advisors and recordkeepers, for sure.”

As with many retirement plan professionals, she said her dedication to helping hardworking Americans stems from personal experience.

“I’m the second youngest of 15 kids,” she concluded. “My dad is getting ready to celebrate his 99th birthday this month. In terms of motivation, the private retirement system played a huge role. He worked until age 86, and things like catch-up contributions played a big part in him being able to retire, so for me it’s a personal passion.”

Gaul received her Juris Doctor with high honors from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa, and was previously employed with Prudential Financial and Ascensus.

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