Nearwater Hires Morgan Stanley Veteran to Lead Risk Retention Expansion

Duff brings 18 years of experience to the role, having previously overseen the origination and distribution of nearly $180 billion in volume across more than 350 CLO transactions. At Nearwater, she will manage the commercial and operating models for the firm’s risk retention and strategic risk-transfer businesses, focusing on helping clients manage risk-weighted assets and concentrated credit exposures. Managing Partner James Peterson noted that the appointment aims to strengthen the firm's ability to provide tailored capital and structuring expertise to global financial institutions.

The firm also expanded its Risk Retention Financing Group with two additional senior hires. Reggie Fernandez, formerly the Head of Syndicate for Securitized Products at Natixis, joins as a Managing Director. Kevin Sorgi, who previously held positions at J.P. Morgan and Citigroup, joins the New York office to oversee RMBS coverage. Together, these appointments signal a rapid buildup of Nearwater’s capacity to support institutional clients through integrated market and capital solutions.