Board Appoints IMRF Executive Director

The IMRF Board of Trustees today announced the hiring of Vladimir Shuliga as the organization’s next executive director, effective immediately.

The appointment follows a thorough nationwide search for a successor to Brian Collins, who retired as IMRF executive director in April. The Board named Shuliga interim executive director when Collins announced his retirement.

Shuliga will be the eighth executive director in IMRF’s history. IMRF, which began operations in 1941, is the second-largest and best-funded statewide public pension system in Illinois.

“Following a thorough nationwide search, the Board is confident that Vlad is the right person to lead IMRF,” said Board of Trustees President Douglas Cycholl. “His experience, judgment, deep understanding of the organization, and strong commitment to serving IMRF members and employers set him apart. We look forward to working with Vlad as we build on IMRF’s many strengths and continue advancing its mission.”

Shuliga said he was honored to be selected as IMRF’s next executive director, and grateful for the Board’s confidence in him.

“During my time at IMRF, I have seen firsthand the dedication of our staff and the difference their work makes for members and employers,” Shuliga said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board and our staff to continue improving service for our members and employers.”

Shuliga joined IMRF as Associate General Counsel in 2017 and was promoted to General Counsel in 2023. In this role, he oversaw key functions including legal, employer compliance, legislative outreach, cybersecurity, and procurement. He also successfully argued dozens of cases on IMRF’s behalf, including cases before the Illinois Supreme Court. He also served as executive sponsor of several organization-wide initiatives, including IMRF’s Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan and the organization’s recent relocation of its corporate headquarters.

Before joining IMRF, Shuliga was an attorney at Ottosen Britz Kelly Gilbert & DiNolfo, Ltd. He earned a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and earned his Juris Doctor from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

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Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, IMRF is the second-largest and best-funded statewide public pension plan in Illinois. IMRF is neither funded nor managed by the State of Illinois. Since 1941, it has partnered with local units of government to provide retirement, disability, and death benefits to public employees.

As of December 31, 2025, IMRF had a funded status of 97.4% and approximately $61.7 billion in assets, reflecting its financial strength and long-term sustainability. IMRF serves 537,775 members through 3,076 units of government, including counties, cities, towns, villages, libraries, park districts, and local school districts.

IMRF’s diversified investment portfolio includes domestic and international equities, fixed income, real estate, and alternative investments.