Michele N. Ellis
Holly Springs
Summary
Senior asset management and fund operations executive with 20+ years of experience overseeing transfer agents, vendors, fund operations, shareholder services, and cross-border products. Proven leader in vendor oversight, regulatory compliance, and large-scale operational transitions, including oversight of outsourced managed service models. Trusted partner to product, legal, compliance, and GWM teams
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Transfer Agent Oversight
PIMCO Investments LLC
Austin
09.2022 - Current
- Oversee transfer agents and vendors supporting mutual funds, ETFs, CITs, interval and closed-end funds across the U.S., Canada and Brazil.
- Implemented and oversee an outsourced managed services model with Ernst & Young, transitioning core Fund Operations functions while maintaining service quality and regulatory compliance.
- Partner with product, legal, and distribution teams to launch new structures, including leading the operational build and execution of PIMCO’s first bonus share class (2024).
- Own transfer agent and vendor due diligence efforts, regulatory reporting, 38a-1 testing, 15c reporting, risk and controls assessments, and Board-level issue escalation.
- Oversee fund cash reporting, intermediary trade flow reconciliation, and daily cash management for Brazilian feeder funds.
- Serve as senior operations liaison to PIMCO Global Wealth Management and Strategic Accounts, dealers, financial advisors, clients, and intermediary partners.
Wealth Management Advisor
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC
Durham
08.2021 - 09.2022
- Provided holistic wealth management advice, including asset allocation, portfolio construction, and retirement planning.
- Managed onboarding, rollovers, and ongoing portfolio monitoring for high-net-worth clients.
Consultant for PIMCO, Fund Operations
Michele N. Ellis LLC
Holly Springs
03.2021 - 08.2021
- Led enterprise Secure Act implementation, including system enhancements, procedures, advisor training, and client communications.
- Standardized fund event execution by creating templates, checklists, and Smartsheet workflows, improving consistency and operational efficiency.
Vice President, Fund Finance
PIMCO Investments LLC
Newport Beach
04.2019 - 08.2020
- Oversaw fee payment process with intermediaries, which included negotiation of fee rates, committee approvals, contract execution/amendments, and calculation and validation of fees.
- Managed accruals process for each fee type, created annual purchase orders, calculated and distributed effective rates for all fee types, and unified fee budgets and forecasts.
Vice President, Shareholder Services
PIMCO Investments LLC
Newport Beach
02.2011 - 04.2019
- Managed a bi-coastal team of eight and together we supported internal and external business partners with training resources, procedural interpretation, and assistance with trade and service issues.
- Oversight of Transfer Agents and vendors that supported PIMCO's domestic product lines, including process testing/assessments, metrics/measurements, annual due diligence visits and SOC1 reviews.
- Ongoing review of shareholder privileges (fund settings/rules) and shareholder touch points (IVR, websites, statements, and correspondence) to keep up with industry best practices.
Vice President, Manager of Client Services
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
New York
12.2006 - 02.2011
- Managed a team of six and together we were responsible for the client experience/service provided to all clients (internally and externally).
- Responsible for the oversight of transfer agents and service providers.
- Responsible for the approval of trade corrections, as-of trades, adjustments, new account set-ups, and written responses to shareholder inquiries and complaints.
Supervisor, Mutual Fund Operations
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
New York
06.2005 - 12.2006
- Managed a team of six and together we were responsible for the client experience/service provided to all clients (internally and externally).
- Responsible for the oversight of transfer agents and service providers.
- Responsible for the approval of trade corrections, as-of trades, adjustments, new account set-ups, and written responses to shareholder inquiries and complaints.
Supervisor, Internal Sales
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
New York
09.2001 - 06.2005
- Responsible for the knowledge and sale of open-end and closed-end mutual funds, retirement plan services, 529 College Savings Plan, and separately managed accounts.
- Proactive sales and servicing of prospective, existing, and dormant brokers in five states.
- Responsible for the review, oversight, and training of 40 internal wholesalers.
Internal Wholesaler
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
New York
09.2000 - 09.2001
- Responsible for the knowledge and sale of open-end and closed-end mutual funds, retirement plan services, 529 College Savings Plan, and separately managed accounts.
- Proactive sales and servicing of prospective, existing, and dormant brokers in five states.
- Responsible for the review, oversight, and training of 40 internal wholesalers.
Retirement Plan Service Associate
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
New York
02.1999 - 09.2000
- Worked with recordkeepers/TPA's and retirement plan administrators in support of our turn-key 401(k), DC and DB plan offerings.
- Conducted enrollment meetings for start-up plans and quarterly plan reviews for participants.
Education
Bachelor of Art Degree -
Manhattanville College
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- SharePoint Online
- TA2000
- DST Vision
- AWD
- ISO standards and MetricStream (M7)
- Smart Sheet
- CRM
- CM Portal
- BOX
- BNY SMA portal
Finra Licenses
- Series 24
- Series 7
- Series 6
- Series 63
- Series 65 (CRD #3210564)
Timeline
Vice President, Transfer Agent Oversight
PIMCO Investments LLC
09.2022 - Current
Wealth Management Advisor
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services LLC
08.2021 - 09.2022
Consultant for PIMCO, Fund Operations
Michele N. Ellis LLC
03.2021 - 08.2021
Vice President, Fund Finance
PIMCO Investments LLC
04.2019 - 08.2020
Vice President, Shareholder Services
PIMCO Investments LLC
02.2011 - 04.2019
Vice President, Manager of Client Services
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
12.2006 - 02.2011
Supervisor, Mutual Fund Operations
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
06.2005 - 12.2006
Supervisor, Internal Sales
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
09.2001 - 06.2005
Internal Wholesaler
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
09.2000 - 09.2001
Retirement Plan Service Associate
Allianz Global Investors Distributors LLC
02.1999 - 09.2000
Bachelor of Art Degree -
Manhattanville College