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"It is with great pleasure that we welcome Jessica and Cian to Wilshire, particularly as investor interest in alternatives increases. These additions to our team are a direct reflection of the firm's commitment to enhancing our alternatives expertise," said Jason Schwarz, President of Wilshire Funds Management and Wilshire Analytics. "Jessica's multifaceted experience in the space will bolster the firm's ability to innovate across our full range of alternatives solutions, including risk premia and hedge fund managed accounts. Further, Cian's alternative investment research and manager selection experience for institutional and ultra high-net-worth clients deepens Wilshire's alternatives research capabilities."

Nicosia brings to Wilshire 15 years of experience in the alternative investment industry. Prior to joining Wilshire Associates, she held roles with a focus on marketing quantitative hedge funds at R. G. Niederhoffer Capital Management, Vegasoul and J. E. Moody & Company.

Desmond brings eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wilshire Associates, he was the Director of Alternative Investment Research at Shepherd Kaplan Krochuk, LLC in Boston with primary responsibility for developing investment strategy, conducting alternative investment research, and leading manager selection across asset classes. Prior to relocating to Boston, he worked in the alternative investment research group at Canterbury Consulting.

"I am thrilled to be joining Wilshire and its long history as a leading provider of alternative investment solutions," said Nicosia. "I look forward to working alongside Jason and his team to further enhance the firm's already strong alternatives offering and am excited about what we can deliver to Wilshire's clients."

Added Desmond, "I am very excited to join Wilshire's alternatives team and am eager to bring a differentiated perspective to an already robust investment research process."

Nicosia will be based in New York and report to Schwarz, while Desmond will be based in Santa Monica, reporting to Rob Noe, Head of Wilshire's Manager Research Group.

Wilshire Funds Management is Wilshire's dedicated business unit responsible for developing and delivering a broad range of multi-asset and alternative investment solutions to financial intermediaries and institutions globally. Wilshire Funds Management advises on over $184 billion in assets and manages over $50 billion on a discretionary basis (as of June 30, 2018).