Based in New York, she will be responsible for the strategic development and execution of MSCI's global Index product line, partnering with senior leaders across the firm to manage the index product development process.
She will also aim to drive innovation across index categories, including market cap, sustainability, climate, factors, thematics and asset classes, such as fixed income and private assets.
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"As a long-time business leader, Jana has a proven track record of strategic thinking and a unique understanding of the value of MSCI's indexes to investors," said Baer Pettit, president and chief operating officer of MSCI.
"Jana's extensive expertise in the global financial industry will be critical to MSCI building an even deeper understanding of our clients' evolving needs for indexes that help them build better portfolios and develop investable financial products."
Haines joined the firm from ARK Investments, where she was chief strategy officer, working alongside Cathie Wood, since 2021.
From 2006 to 2021, she held a variety of senior leadership roles at MSCI, most recently as head of index product for Americas and EMEA, and global head of fixed income indexes. Earlier in her tenure at the firm, she held various roles within the client coverage team.
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"I am deeply excited to rejoin MSCI at this time of tremendous innovation and expansion of the investment community's needs and uses for indexes," said Haines.
"From diversification to decarbonisation goals, investors need differentiated, high-quality data and timely insights to confidently drive outcomes in an ever-changing world.
"MSCI is uniquely well-placed to serve these needs of investors through the creation and management of best-in-class indexes, and I am looking forward to leading the next phase of innovation at MSCI to help our clients make better investment decisions."