2023 Endowment Leadership Forum

11:30 am–12 pm ET

12:10–1:15 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Finance

 

Student-run endowment funds give real-world money management experience to undergraduate and graduate students. More than a third of NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowment participants report having a student-managed investment fund. Collectively, these funds hold more than $450 million. Our panel will share how students gain actual portfolio management experience and are exposed to the various aspects of the portfolio management process, including asset valuation, diversification, portfolio optimization, asset selection, risk management, performance evaluation, and rebalancing—and how this educational experience is a part of the fabric of the university’s endowment.

 

Speakers

• John Coppola, vice president for finance and administration, Loyola University Maryland
• Frank D’Souza, chair and professor of finance, Loyola University Maryland
• Josh Long, investment analyst, Knollwood Investment Advisory; Loyola University Maryland Class of 2022

1:30–2:30 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Finance

 

Colleges and universities have multiple stakeholders that require transparent information and communication. Speakers will share effective strategies of the past, explore new strategies necessary to communicate with diverse campus stakeholders, and discuss practical policies and procedures that can ensure appropriate communication approaches.

 

Speakers

• C. Ray Hayes, chancellor emeritus, University of Alabama System
• Troy A. LeMaile Stovall, chief executive officer, Stovall LLC

1:30–2:30 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Finance

 

While many investment committees take time to review strategic policy for the endowments they oversee on an annual basis, too often that simply means reviewing the asset allocation plan while neglecting the spending policy. The only permanent link between the endowment and the institution it supports is the spending policy. This critical component of endowment management should be revisited just as frequently as asset allocation. In this session, experts will review trends in spending methodologies, implications on risk profiles and strategic asset allocation, and explain how the right spending policy can help achieve target returns.

 

Speakers

• Rachel Stavola Clivaz, associate director, Commonfund OCIO
• Timothy Yates, president and CEO, Commonfund OCIO

3–4 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Finance

 

Investing responsibly has become a key initiative for endowments of all sizes. However, small and mid-sized institutions face unique challenges, including access to critical resources, scale to invest in separate accounts, and ability to diversify. While the steps required to turn intention into action can seem daunting, a mission-oriented portfolio can be achieved through deliberate prioritization, strategic asset allocation, and a commitment to gradual progress.

 

Speakers

• Joseph Grasso, vice president of finance and administration, Le Moyne College
• Gregory C. DeSisto, managing principal/consultant, Prime Buchholz LLC
• Catherine Powers, principal, Prime Buchholz LLC

 

3–4 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Finance

 

With more than half of colleges and universities reporting that they have adopted some version of investment outsourcing, attention is increasingly being drawn to the nature of the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) relationship. What degrees of discretion are being permitted? Over which asset classes? Is rebalancing delegated to the OCIO or must the Board or Investment Committee still be consulted? And, perhaps most importantly, what other services, such as Board consultative support and evaluation, are included?

 

Speakers

• Philip Shapiro, interim senior vice president for finance and administration, University of New England
• William Jarvis, managing director, philanthropic executive, Bank of America
• Bernard Reidy, managing director, Philanthropic Executive, Bank of America

 

4:15–5:15 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Economics

 

After a challenging 2022, investors are bracing for more volatility in 2023. But while the economic outlook remains uncertain and highly dependent on policy changes, some markets are offering investors their best opportunities to earn income and total returns in well over a decade. This panel will discuss the overall outlook for 2023 and how it’s influencing their asset allocation decisions.

 

Speakers

• Jeff Mendlin, chief investment officer, Arizona State University
• Savannah Finney, institutional business development, Nuveen
• Brian Nick, chief investment strategist, Nuveen

8:30–9:30 am ET • 0.5 CPE credits in Specialized Knowledge

 

Attendance at this session will be limited to business partner attendees.

NACUBO leaders will review the endowment resources available for its members, answer audience questions, and discuss emerging topics of interest.

 

Speakers

• LaTosha McNeal, senior director, business development

8:30–9:30 am ET • 0.5 CPE credits in Specialized Knowledge

 

Attendance at this session will be limited to attendees from institutions of higher education.

NACUBO leaders will review the endowment resources available for members, answer questions about the NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments, answer audience questions, and discuss emerging topics of interest.

 

Speakers

• Liz Clark, vice president, policy and research, NACUBO
• Ken Redd, senior director, research and policy analysis, NACUBO

10–11 am ET • 1 CPE credit in Finance

 

Investment strategies deployed over the last 10 years are unlikely to work over the next 10 years. During this session, panelist will explore a multitude of factors to consider: the perceived dominance of U.S. equities vs. others; the role of fixed income in a high inflation environment; higher interest rate implications for private equity and hedge funds; and the impact of climate change on investment opportunities.

 

Speakers

• Jon Shear, chief investment officer, University of Utah, retired
• Chris Lvoff, co-chief investment officer, Strategic Investment Group

10–11 am ET • 1 CPE credit in Management Services

 

There are myriad challenges in establishing the right governance, design, and implementation of ESG considerations for university investments. Some of the most sophisticated organizations in the world are building the ESG approach for their specific organizational objectives and regulatory environment. This panel will explore ESG-related reporting expectations, incorporating ESG factors into the evaluation and monitoring of managers, how to set targets and build implementation roadmaps.

 

Speakers

• Samantha Foster, managing director, non-profit OCIO solutions, Russell Investments

11:15am–12:15 pm ET • 1 CPE credit in Specialized Knowledge

 

A nationally syndicated columnist, The Washington Post’s Catherine Rampell takes a straight-on, data-informed approach to the most intriguing areas of economics, public policy, politics and culture. Recently in her column, Rampell called on political and educational leaders to reckon with the decline in college enrollment. Also a political and economic commentator for CNN and a special correspondent for PBS NewsHour, Rampell will share her sharp analysis, high level humor and insightful observations punctuated by cold facts and unbiased data.

 

Speakers

• Catherine Rampell, Opinion Columnist, The Washington Post