KoCAA Taps Wall Street Tech Veteran to Helm Catholic Investment Arm

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – February 24, 2026 – Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors (KoCAA), the investment arm of the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization, has appointed Deepak Devaraj as its new President and Chief Investment Officer. The move, effective immediately, places a 25-year veteran with deep expertise in financial technology and electronic trading at the helm of a firm managing over $30 billion in assets according to strict Catholic principles.

Devaraj steps into the top investment role at a pivotal time for the faith-based finance sector, which has seen surging interest from investors seeking to align their portfolios with their moral and ethical values. His appointment signals a strategic effort by KoCAA to pair its long-standing, values-driven mission with cutting-edge financial technology and market innovation.

In his new capacity, Devaraj will oversee the management of KoCAA's General Account investment portfolio, its suite of mutual funds, and its internal Investment Department. He will also supervise the firm's externally managed investment programs.

From Fintech Innovation to Faith-Driven Finance

Devaraj brings a distinguished career from the heart of Wall Street. He most recently served as Global Head of Electronic Trading at Oppenheimer & Co., where he specialized in building sophisticated, technology-driven platforms for institutional investors. His background in trading, portfolio construction, and electronic market innovation is expected to bring a new dimension to KoCAA's operations, potentially enhancing transparency, pricing, and execution for its clients.

This blend of high-tech financial expertise with a personal commitment to his faith—Devaraj is a member of the Knights of Columbus—positions him uniquely to lead the organization forward.

"The Knights of Columbus is pleased to welcome Mr. Deepak Devaraj as our new KoCAA President and Chief Investment Officer," said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly. "Since the Knights of Columbus was founded more than 140 years ago by Blessed Michael McGivney, our mission has included the protection of Catholic families and their financial security. KoCAA is dedicated to investing according to Catholic principles and plays a vital role in supporting the Knights' charitable work."

Devaraj's arrival marks a key leadership transition. Nicholas Gentile, who served as Interim President and Chief Investment Officer, will now assume the role of Senior Vice President and Co-Head of Fixed Income, ensuring continuity within the firm's investment leadership.

The 'Catholic Difference' in a Growing Market

KoCAA has established itself as a pioneer in the Catholic investing space by offering what it terms a "Catholic Difference." This approach is rooted in the Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). These guidelines direct investors to avoid companies involved in activities contrary to Catholic teaching—such as abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, and the production of weapons of mass destruction—while also encouraging proactive engagement with companies to promote positive change and investing in enterprises that advance the common good.

The firm has built one of the industry's largest suites of Catholic-compliant investment solutions, featuring nine mutual funds and over 80 model portfolios. This strategy has proven successful, attracting institutional clients like dioceses and universities as well as a growing number of individual investors.

"More than ever, Catholic investors want to entrust their assets with a firm who shares their cultural and moral values," Devaraj stated. He emphasized that KoCAA's portfolio is designed to meet this demand without compromising financial returns. "KoCAA's track record of results for families, parishes and institutions shows that investing with your faith doesn't mean sacrificing performance."

This philosophy resonates within the broader socially responsible investing (SRI) movement, where studies have increasingly shown that values-based screening does not necessarily hinder, and can sometimes enhance, long-term portfolio performance.

An Extension of a 140-Year Mission

KoCAA's work is inextricably linked to the broader mission of its parent organization, the Knights of Columbus. Founded in 1882 by a young parish priest, the Knights began as a fraternal benefit society to provide financial aid to the families of a largely immigrant Catholic community. Today, it has grown into the world's premier lay Catholic men's organization with over 2.2 million members.

While its charitable work is well-known—the organization donated over $197 million and 48 million service hours in 2024—its financial services have always been a core component of its mission. The Knights of Columbus operates a Fortune 1000 insurance company with more than $124 billion of life insurance in force.

Launched in 2015, KoCAA was a natural extension of this financial stewardship. It was created to meet the growing need for faith-based investment strategies for Catholic institutions and, later, individual investors. Crucially, the profits generated by KoCAA are channeled back to the Knights of Columbus, directly funding its vast charitable and evangelization initiatives. This creates a powerful synergy where clients' investments not only align with their values but also actively contribute to the organization's global mission of charity, unity, and fraternity.

Expanding Reach to Main Street Investors

While initially focused on institutional clients, KoCAA has made significant strides in making its investment solutions accessible to individuals and families. A key part of this strategy has been the 2021 launch of its individual advisor representative (IAR) program. This initiative has grown to include nearly 200 financial advisors who are equipped to offer KoCAA's Catholic-compliant investment strategies directly to retail clients.

This program has effectively democratized access to faith-based investing for a broader Catholic audience, allowing them to build wealth in a manner consistent with their beliefs. To support this expansion, KoCAA recently enhanced its partnership with financial services company SEI to upgrade the technology, operations, and advisor services for its wealth management business.

This commitment to technological advancement for its advisor platform aligns perfectly with the expertise Devaraj brings from his tenure at Oppenheimer. His leadership is poised to further accelerate the growth and sophistication of KoCAA's offerings for both individual and institutional investors, solidifying the firm's position as a leader at the intersection of modern finance and timeless faith.