The Board of Trustees of WEA Member Benefits is pleased to announce that Karim Habib has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and President to succeed David Kijek upon his retirement July 3, 2026. Karim will be starting on June 15, 2026 and his experience will help WEA Member Benefits as it continues to build on its strong foundation of advancing and protecting the financial well-being of public education employees and their families as well as supporting the WEA Member Benefits staff. His appointment marks an important next step for the company as it enters its next chapter of leadership.

Karim brings to this role a clear understanding of both the opportunities and responsibilities ahead for WEA Member Benefits. He has emphasized the importance of building on what is already working, using data to guide decisions, and identifying practical ways to strengthen service for members, clients, and school districts across the state.

“Karim brings a thoughtful leadership approach to this role,” said Nathan Ugoretz, Board Chair. “He understands that strong organizations are built through trust, clear communication, and respect for the people doing the work. The board appreciated his commitment to listening, learning, and building relationships from the start. We have great confidence in Karim’s leadership and look forward to working with him as WEA Member Benefits continues
building on its strong foundation.”

Karim holds an MBA in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University. He brings decades of experience in insurance, retirement plans, consumer, mortgage and business lending, and has served as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Sales at TruStage and VP of Sales in Customer Optimization Lending at Cuna Mutual Group. The leadership transition will be handled with care and a clear focus on continuity for staff, members, and partners. WEA Member Benefits will continue its operations and day-to-day service without interruption, while Karim spends his early months working with staff and building relationships across the organization. The board is committed to supporting a smooth transition and ensuring that WEA Member Benefits remains focused on the service, trust, and responsiveness that clients and members expect.

The Board of Trustees also expresses its deep appreciation to David Kijek for his leadership and service to the organization. We are grateful for the care he brought to the role as well as his commitment to the organization, its staff, and the members it serves.