ETF Welcomes New Leadership Team
The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) welcomes a new executive team with recent appointments of the agency’s Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Assistant Deputy Secretary.
ETF Secretary
Diana Felsmann, who recently served as Deputy Secretary, assumed the role of ETF Secretary after the ETF Board appointed her to succeed John Voelker, who retired in July 2026 after more than 12 years at ETF and 39 years in public service.
“Diana’s tenure and experiences at ETF have given her a broad and deep understanding of how the organization functions and the issues it faces,” said Bill Ford, Board Chair.
Felsmann has been with ETF for almost 15 years, most recently serving as Deputy Secretary since 2025. Prior to that, Felsmann served as Chief Legal Counsel and in leadership roles that provided legal counsel for benefits and tax law compliance and litigation.
Felsmann has more than 25 years of experience as an attorney in the public and private sectors, primarily specializing in employee benefits and appellate law.
In accepting the position, Felsmann said, “I am extremely honored by the Board’s appointment of me as Secretary and humbled to take on the significant responsibility of safeguarding the WRS and ETF’s insurance programs for our 704,000 members.
“I approach the role with a deep sense of gratitude for the talented, purpose-driven ETF employees with whom I’ve worked for almost 15 years. Over that time, I have seen up close the impact our benefits have had on the well-being of our members and their communities.
“I look forward to building on Secretary Voelker’s many successes by preserving the WRS’s reputation for being well-managed and well-funded, and by continuing the modernization of our systems and business.”
Raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Felsmann received a law degree from UW-Madison and an undergraduate degree from Marquette University.
Deputy Secretary
Felsmann appointed Matt Stohr as ETF’s new Deputy Secretary, effective August 2026.
Stohr returned to ETF after serving as the Director of Total Rewards at Madison Gas and Electric. He oversaw the company’s employee benefit programs, such as health insurance and retirement benefits, as well as directed its human resource operations.
Stohr started at ETF in 2008 as the Director of the Office of Legislation, Communications and Planning.
In 2011, he became the Administrator of ETF’s Division of Retirement Services until his departure in 2024.
In that role, Stohr led ETF through the implementation of major legislative changes and guided the division to optimize support of members and employers.
“By playing a key role in the agency’s modernization efforts, Stohr earned the reputation of being a well-respected, strong, and thoughtful leader,” said Felsmann.
As Deputy Secretary, Stohr oversees the Division of Benefits Administration; Division of Trust Finance; Division of Technology, Security and Data Services; Office of Strategic Health Policy; and Office of Talent Management.
Assistant Deputy Secretary
Assistant Deputy Secretary Pam Henning plans to retire effective September 2026. Henning has more than 28 years at ETF and 35 years of state service.
With this vacancy, Felsmann appointed Tarna Hunter as the new Assistant Deputy Secretary.
Hunter has begun transitioning into the position, which is effective January 2027.
Hunter started at ETF in 2012 as the legislative liaison, successfully advocating to the legislature the importance of ETF-administered retirement and other benefits.
As the current Director of Budget and Management, Hunter guided ETF through major legislative changes and state budget processes. Among these were:
- The 2023-2025 biennial budget, where ETF secured funding and resources for the implementation of the Insurance Administration System
- The strategic inclusion of Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee into the WRS
- The 2025-2027 biennial budget, where ETF secured funding for the implementation of the Pension Administration System
“She is passionate in advocating for ETF and educating WRS members on achieving retirement security,” said Felsmann, highlighting how the ETF official earned national recognition for co-leading a campaign to address gender differences in retirement savings.
In this new role, Hunter will oversee the Office of Budget and Management, Office of Communications, and the Office of the Secretary’s advisor and staff.
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