MFA Financial Appoints Bryan Wulfsohn

MFA Financial announced a leadership change on October 8, 2026. MFA Financial named President and Chief Investment Officer Bryan Wulfsohn to succeed retiring CEO Craig Knutson, effective July 1, 2027, citing the Board’s confidence in his leadership and strategic vision.

What changed

Bryan Wulfsohn was named President and Chief Executive Officer. Craig L. Knutson, 67, will retire as Chief Executive Officer effective June 30, 2027, and is expected to remain on the Board following his retirement.

Leader: Bryan Wulfsohn
Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
Effective: July 1, 2027
Announcement date: October 8, 2026

Leadership background

Wulfsohn is a 16-year veteran of MFA and has served as President since September 2024. He has been Chief Investment Officer or Co-Chief Investment Officer since January 2019. He will also become a member of the Board effective January 1, 2027.

The mandate

MFA Board Chair Laurie Goodman said Wulfsohn’s appointment is the culmination of a robust succession planning process and reflects the Board’s confidence in his leadership, intellect and strategic vision for the Company. Wulfsohn said he looks forward to leading a team whose expertise and commitment he knows firsthand and is excited about the opportunity to deliver strong returns for stockholders.

Why this matters for GTM teams

Executive appointments can precede changes in strategy, operating cadence, hiring, partnerships, and technology priorities. The useful signal is not the title alone: teams should watch the new leader’s stated mandate, prior playbook, organizational scope, and the initiatives announced during the first two quarters.

Source and methodology

This leadership profile is based on the company’s announcement. Roles, transition timing, and biographical details are presented as announced; SalesTools Research does not infer undisclosed succession plans.

Primary source: MFA Financial leadership announcement.