This has been true for all companies throughout history, not just TIAA recently. Good managers know the value of optimizing a stable headcount for both current and future operations. They also know how to achieve it. Low-caliber executives don't bother to think about the toxic effects of whipsawing headcount, severance anxiety, and blowback from protracted mismanagement of a company's human resources. I honestly believe that my study group in business school could step in today and run TIAA more effectively and profitably than it is currently managed by the academic know-nothings on the Board. Ms. Brown didn't hire herself. The board hired her into a job for which she was (unfortunately) not yet qualified. They offered her FAR more money than she ever dreamed of. Who among us would say "No Thanks, I'm not ready to make $18 million annually. If you said "Zero", you are correct. So take it from me, Thasunda is not the root problem. The Board and the lack of transparency/accountability they have to participants is the root problem. If at some point in the past TIAA had to answer to Institutional investors as shareholders, TIAA would be an industry TITAN by now. They didn't....so they aren't. It's the Board dragging this company under. Thasunda and her peeps are just the current symptom.
An excellent point by @11a+1jxnb619t.