NAGDCA is pleased to announce that Karla Kirkling, Executive Director of Healthcare & Benefits for Chicago Public Schools’ 403(b) and 457(b)
Tax-Deferred Compensation Plans, has been elected to serve as the association’s 2026-2027 Executive Board Member-at-Large.
Karla brings more than 20 years of experience in K–12 public education and more than 15 years of leadership experience overseeing employee health and wellness benefits for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). For the past seven years, she has also led the administration and governance of CPS’s $2.5 billion defined contribution retirement plans.
In this role, Karla has led initiatives focused on enhancing the participant experience, improving retirement outcomes, strengthening governance, and advancing financial well-being. She has also built consensus among a broad range of stakeholders to implement meaningful change in a complex environment.
Karla has been actively involved with NAGDCA since 2022. She also serves on the DCIIA Plan Sponsor Institute Executive Committee and regularly contributes to industry dialogue on plan governance, participant outcomes, and retirement plan strategies.
As a member of the NAGDCA Executive Board, Karla will bring a strong plan sponsor perspective and a commitment to increasing participation, simplifying retirement communications, and improving financial security for public-sector employees.
Please join us in congratulating Karla Kirkling on her election and welcoming her to NAGDCA’s Executive Board. Her term begins at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Conference, coinciding with the transition of other Board officers and members.
Thank you to all who participated in the election!