Our People

  • President
    christina@cirm.com 
    +312.332.2363

    Christina Ochs is the President and CEO of CIRM, leading the firm’s expert financial strategists in devising tailored interest rate hedging strategies and interest rate derivative products for corporate borrowers. Having worked for CIRM for more than 17 years, she has deep experience and proficiency in every operational role at the company. Since becoming CEO in 2011, she has led the expansion and diversification of the firm into new industries and international markets. Christina earned an MBA from St. John’s University, Rome and a BA from New York University. She currently sits on many industry and not-for-profit boards, including the Women’s Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chicago Chamber Music Society and the Active Transportation Alliance.

  • Associate
    ethan@cirm.com
    312-995-1463

    Ethan McPeak is an Associate at CIRM, and a member of the advisory team. He is responsible for providing clients with the information and analysis they need to comfortably make hedging decisions. Ethan earned a B.S. in Mathematics and Economics, and a B.A. in History from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating, Ethan completed a year long term as an AmeriCorps Vista in Salt Lake County's office of Housing and Community Development. Ethan is currently based in Chicago, where CIRM is located.

  • Chief Operating Officer

    Maryam Vafa is the Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation for Interest Rate Management. Maryam joined the CIRM team in 2005. She has experience in a variety of operational and research roles in the firm, specifically relating to risk management. Maryam received her Professional Bachelor of Architecture from University of Illinois and PhD in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University. Maryam enjoys reading, film and dogs.

  • Managing Director
    maryellen@cirm.com 
    +312.332.2363

    Maryellen Smith, a Managing Director at CIRM, combines her broad financial services and commercial real estate expertise with a customer-first approach to deliver an extraordinary client experience. Notable roles prior to CIRM include Vice President positions at Golub & Company, a prolific Chicago-based real estate development and investment firm and SmithBucklin Corporation, the world’s largest association management firm. She earned her BA at Texas A&M University and her MBA. at Loyola University Chicago. In her career, she has served on many industry boards, most recently the World Federation of Great Towers and Chicago Loop Alliance. Maryellen resides in Chicago, where CIRM is based.

  • Senior Managing Director

    Rod Keith is Senior Managing Director at The Corporation for Interest Rate Management where he specializes in multifamily and office investment lifecycles from an ownership perspective. He wrote “There’s Nothing to Fear” for the National Apartment Association’s Units Magazine after speaking engagements there and has more recently spoken at ULI and MIT on the biggest misstates that borrowers typically make. Previously, Rod was a Senior Vice President at Balcor. He has a JD from Baylor University, and a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.

  • Managing Director

    Jared Champlin is a Managing Director at the Corporation for Interest Rate Management where he specializes in real estate development, institutional asset management, and private equity. Prior to joining CIRM in 2012, Jared was a Financial Analyst with J.P. Morgan Securities.

    Jared received his BBA from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. He is actively involved in the March of Dimes, Ducks Unlimited, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

  • Managing Director

    Robert Keith is a Managing Director and has been with the firm since 1993. Previously, he was a Vice-President at Equitrol Commercial Real Estate in Seattle, WA. Robert has an MBA from Texas Tech University, a BBA from Baylor University and studied abroad at Glasgow Academy in Glasgow, Scotland. He has been through many economic and interest rate cycles, has seen which strategies excel and is keen to share his experiences. Frequently Robert travels for business, attends industry conferences and has annual speaking engagements. Robert has three children, including a set of twins! When not helping his clients or his family, Robert stays active cycling, hiking and in various racquet and water sports.

  • Senior Vice President

    Marco Schafferer is a Senior Vice President at CIRM where he leads global client relationships across several sectors. He is responsible for expanding the firm’s footprint across geographies and industries. Prior to joining CIRM, Marco worked in Institutional Sales at Goldman Sachs where he completed assignments in London, New York and Chicago. Prior to beginning his career in finance, Marco was a professional ski racer where he was a finalist in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino in Alpine Skiing. Marco brings his passion for ski racing and experience to his coaching role at the Eldora Mountain Ski Club where he coaches children under 14. Marco earned his B.S. in Finance from Westminster College and received his MS in Entrepreneurship from DePaul University. Marco resides in Boulder, Colorado.

  • Senior Associate

    Kirk Temple is a Senior Associate at CIRM. Kirk’s attention to detail and client-oriented focus ensure he provides high touch client management to CIRM clients. He is an analytical thinker who comes up with creative solutions for managing interest rate risk. Kirk received his B.S. at the University of Oregon with a focus in Statistical Mathematics and has a background in Financial Advising. He is located in the Chicago office, while in his past time volunteers for a local organization.

  • Executive Assistant and Office Manager

    Lindsey Friedel is an Executive Assistant and Office Manager at CIRM. She is responsible for supporting the CEO as well company operations. Lindsey’s warm and positive attitude coupled with her expertise in managing processes ensures the company’s operations are carried out efficiently and expediently. She brings previous expertise as a Director of an Art non-profit in Palm Beach. FL and earned her B.A. from the University of Central Florida where she specialized in Business, Entrepreneurship and Arts.

  • Financial Analyst and Junior Associate
    orlando@cirm.com
    +312.995.1464

    Orlando Gonzalez, Financial Analyst and Junior Associate at CIRM. He is responsible for the activity and communication between clients and counterparties throughout the beginning and final steps of the trade process. As part of both the advisory team and operations team, he also assists in the creation and review of necessary documentation. He earned his B.A. at Illinois Wesleyan University where he specialized in Finance. As a recent 2022 graduate he’s collected a wide variety of organizational and financial skills, with his most recent experience as a Financial Assistant at, Northwestern University: Feinberg School of Medicine.

  • Analyst
    sarah@cirm.com
    +1 312-995-1462

    Sarah Mozdren is an Analyst at CIRM. Her background working in in financial services has equipped her with excellent problem solving and analytical skills. Her role at CIRM involves providing professional service to clients and their counterparties and executing strategies that best meets clients’ goals. She studied economics, earning her B.A. at Hope College.

  • Executive Vice President

    Steven Manos is the Executive Vice President of the Corporation for Interest Rate Management. Steve joined the CIRM team in 1988. In addition to his role as team lead for many CIRM clients, he has served and continues to serve in many capacities at CIRM, including financial model development, software development supervision, information technology, compliance, and research. Steve received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and English Literature from Loyola University Chicago in 1988. Steve is a past school board member, serving as president at the end of his tenure, and he remains active in volunteer service to its parent organization. Steve enjoys reading, travel, and hiking with his family, and is an enthusiastic amateur baker.

  • Associate

    Zara Shah is an Associate at CIRM who oversees CIRM’s Operations Group, managing all aspects of the firm’s OTC interest rate derivatives services including counterparty selection, Dodd-Frank compliance, and hedge execution. She leverages her diverse educational and cultural experiences to build and nurture essential relationships with banks, clients and third parties across the financial derivatives industry. She received her B.A. in Economics from Earlham College and is fluent in several languages including Mandarin. She lives and works in Chicago, where CIRM is headquartered.