Raymond James Investment Management, a global asset management company with $115 billion in assets and a wholly owned subsidiary of Raymond James, has appointed Kristi Higgins as Head of ETF Strategy.
In this role, Higgins will focus on supporting the continued development and expansion of the firm’s active ETF platform. She will report to Johan Grahn, Head of ETFs, and work closely with Matt Johnson, Head of Commercial Strategy, along with Susan Walzer, President of the firm’s Family of Funds.
Higgins brings extensive experience in investment management, with a career centered on launching and scaling ETF businesses. She has contributed to bringing more than 30 ETFs to market across multiple asset classes, with expertise spanning product innovation, development, marketing, and distribution.
Raymond James Investment Management currently offers a suite of three actively managed ETFs through Eagle Asset Management, a boutique manager within its platform. These ETFs are designed to provide advisors and clients with income-oriented strategies in a transparent, tax-efficient, and flexible structure. The lineup includes RJ Eagle Vertical Income ETF (RJVI), RJ Eagle GCM Dividend Select Income ETF (RJDI), and RJ Eagle Municipal Income ETF (RJMI).
Prior to joining the firm, Higgins served as Senior Investment Strategist and Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors. She also previously worked with Grahn at Allianz Investment Management, where she helped launch the firm’s ETF business, contributing to product development, partner selection, and go-to-market strategy.
Higgins holds a Series 7 license and earned her bachelor’s degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are excited to welcome Kristi at an important moment for our business. Active ETFs are a central pillar of our long-term product strategy, and we are leaning in with conviction. We see a significant opportunity to bring the differentiated capabilities of our boutique managers into the ETF structure in a way that better serves advisors and their clients. Kristi’s experience building ETF platforms makes her an ideal partner as we scale our ETF capabilities.”
Matt Johnson, Head of Commercial Strategy, Raymond James Investment Management
“If my past experience working with Kristi has shown me anything, it’s that she brings a rare combination of strategic vision and executional rigor across ETF product and platform development. From initial concept through launch and scale, she has a proven ability to translate ideas into successful, differentiated solutions across client segments.”
Johan Grahn, Head of ETFs, Raymond James Investment Management
“The boutique asset managers within the Raymond James Investment Management platform offer a wide array of time-tested investment capabilities. I’m excited to help deliver active ETF solutions that make these proven strategies more accessible.”
Kristi Higgins, Head of ETF Strategy, Raymond James Investment Management
