DRESHER, PA — Ascensus has announced the appointment of Phillip Gillespie as its new Chief Legal, Risk and Compliance Officer. Gillespie will report to Ascensus Chair and CEO David Musto and will operate out of the company’s Newton, MA office.
“Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving legal, risk, and regulatory environment for tax-advantaged savings, we are very pleased to have Phil join our team,” said Musto. “Ascensus is a market leader with a track record of success for clients while operating in a highly controlled, secure manner. With our strong growth trajectory requiring focus on technology, client experience, and AI, Phil’s more than 30 years of experience as a general counsel and commercial business partner, in private practice and as a regulator, make him a perfect fit for the opportunities ahead.”
Gillespie brings more than three decades of legal expertise to Ascensus, with a career spanning leadership roles at some of the financial industry’s most prominent companies. Most recently, he served as Senior Counsel in the Investment Management and Securities Practice Group at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr in Boston, MA. Prior to that, Gillespie was Executive Vice President and General Counsel at State Street Global Advisors, overseeing global legal operations for the asset management division of State Street Corporation.
His experience includes key positions with Oppenheimer Funds, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, and Chancellor LGT Asset Management. Earlier in his career, Gillespie served as Senior Counsel at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, an associate at Perkins Coie, and as a staff member for the U.S. Court of Appeals.
A graduate of Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Services, Gillespie earned his Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School. He has also been an adjunct professor at Boston University Law School, teaching in its Banking and Financial Services program since 2020.
Gillespie succeeds Joe Dansky, who announced plans earlier in 2024 to leave Ascensus for new career opportunities. Dansky will remain with the company until early May to assist with the leadership transition.
With Ascensus focused on growth through technology, client experience enhancements, and artificial intelligence, Gillespie’s leadership is expected to further strengthen the company’s legal, risk, and regulatory capabilities as it continues to evolve in a dynamic market environment.
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