Duda has been named a principal and emerging markets debt portfolio specialist. Prudential Fixed Income, with $418 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2014, offers institutional investors needs-based solutions across all fixed income markets, with a focus on credit strategies and liability-driven investing.

Retirement plans are turning more to emerging markets to diversify holdings (see “A New Role for EM Investments in Retirement Plans”).

Duda, whose appointment is effective immediately, has more than 20 years of investment experience, primarily in emerging markets. He reports to David Bessey, managing director and head of emerging markets debt.

Before joining Prudential, Duda was a portfolio manager at Western Asset Management, where he was part of a team that managed more than $50 billion across institutional, retail, closed-end and exchange-traded fund (ETF) mandates. While at Western Asset Management, he also served as chairperson of the Western Asset Global Emerging Markets Credit Committee, and was a member of its Broad Market Strategy Committee and its Global Credit Committee, which set broad sector strategies across multiple global mandates.

Earlier, he was a vice president and investment strategist for Credit Suisse First Boston, and held a variety of research roles at UBS, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch.

Duda has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in economics from New York University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

“Matt’s deep experience and global perspective in emerging markets is a welcome addition to our existing team. He’ll bring tremendous value to our clients, consultants and prospects who are considering investment opportunities within emerging markets debt,” says James Sullivan, head of Prudential Fixed Income.

For more information about Prudential Fixed Income, visit http://www.prudentialfixedincome.com.