John Heshelman

John Heshelman is the Chief Investment Officer at Securian Asset Management, where he oversees the overall investment strategy and policy for all portfolios managed by the firm, including Securian Financial’s general account and separate accounts linked to variable life insurance and annuity products. In this capacity, he provides investment market and portfolio insights to senior leadership and the board of directors, focusing on delivering performance and risk management across core institutional portfolios.

Heshelman’s expertise is centered on private credit, general account strategies, and variable separate accounts, with a demonstrated track record in expanding and managing multibillion-dollar portfolios for insurance general accounts as well as third-party investors. Prior to his current appointment, he led the private credit group at Securian Asset Management and held senior investment positions at the State of Wisconsin Investment Board and PPM America, where he developed deep experience in private placements and institutional fixed income.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master’s in Accountancy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. Heshelman is recognized for his significant contributions in structuring private credit platforms and portfolio management within insurance and retirement asset management, and is known for his strategic leadership in institutional investment across insurance and pension sectors.