How Rush University Medical Center Outgrew A Consultant-Led Model | Alex Wiggins, Chief Investment Officer | Q&A
Alex Wiggins is the chief investment officer at Rush University Medical Center. He has served at Rush University Medical Center for over 19 years and held the roles of associate vice president of investments and director of investments. In this interview, he discussed how the health system has moved away from a consultant-led model as their investment efforts continue to grow; why they've chosen a more modest approach to alternative investments; and why diversity and inclusion in the investment process is essential for sustained improvement.
The Colorado Health Foundation Driven To Improve Health Equity and Justice | Aron Grodinsky, Chief Investment Officer | Q&A
Aron Grodinsky is the chief investment officer at The Colorado Health Foundation since March 2022. In this interview, he discussed why the Colorado Health Foundation removed the idea of target allocation in its investment approach; how they are focused on identifying managers who are well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities during market turmoil; and why they are taking a closer look at crypto and digital assets more broadly.
How Carilion Clinic Built Its Internal Investment Function, Focuses On Niche Areas Of The Market | Fred Greear, Chief Investment Officer | Q&A
Fred Greear is the chief investment officer at Carilion Clinic, where he has served since 2015. Previously, he held the title of director of investments. In this interview, he discussed the process of building an internal investment function in an organization that previously did not have one; the importance of having an innovation team within a health system; and why Carilion Clinic has focused more on smaller, emerging managers and niche areas of the market.
How W.K. Kellogg Foundation Pairs Data-Driven Mindset With High-Performing Team Culture | Carlos Rangel, Vice President & Chief Investment Officer | Q&A
Carlos Rangel is the vice president and chief investment officer of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF). Previously, he served as director of investments and led the foundation’s Expanding Equity program, after joining the foundation in 2010 as a portfolio manager. In this interview, he discussed the importance of laying the groundwork to be a data-driven team, how the WKKF focuses on leadership development, and the Foundation’s 90-year experience and capacity-building in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Why Exelon Is Not A Market Timer, Focuses On Team Building And Culture | Joyce Pan, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Equity | Q&A
Joyce Pan is a senior portfolio manager of private equity at Exelon, where she is responsible for investing & monitoring the private equity portfolio for Exelon's corporate pension and other investment entities. In this interview, she discussed how the corporate culture at Exelon can be very inclusive; where she has seen opportunities and strong performances during times of market uncertainty; and how the organization impacts its communities through DEI programs and new initiatives.
University Of Minnesota’s Venture Program, Focus On Technology Innovation Led To Outsized Returns | CIO Stuart Mason | Q&A
Stuart Mason currently serves as Associate Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Office of Investments & Banking at the University of Minnesota. In this interview, he discussed why the investment office is excited about investing in early phases of technology innovation, why he believes we are on the cusp of an explosion for new climate-related technologies, and the importance of integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion-related priorities into every new investment they make.
How LACERA Is More Deliberate With Private Equity Program And TIDE Initiative | CIO Jonathan Grabel | Q&A
In this interview, Jon discussed how private equity has been LACERA's best-returning investment strategy since the mid-'80s, how LPs can be catalysts for change through programs like TIDE (Towards Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity), and how the organization has become more detailed than ever as the world continues to become complex.
Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System (SERS), An Early 1980s Private Equity Investor | Ryan Morse, Director of Alternative Investments | Q&A
Ryan Morse is a Director of Alternative Investments at the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System (SERS), where he has served since 2018. In this interview, he discussed the strength of their private equity program, having been one of the first public pension investors in PE in the early 1980s; how pension plans are finding creative ways to work with venture capital; and how their private credit portfolio has got off to a successful start.
TRS of Texas #1 Program Is Finding And Retaining Best Talent For Best Returns | Mike Lazorik, Director of Principal Investments | Q&A
Mike Lazorik is a director of principal investments in private equity, growth, and venture capital at the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. In this interview, he discussed how the world will continue to evolve with tech disruption and innovation; why he prefers to engage with unique managers who are spreading their wings to manage more products and strategies; and why it will be difficult for investors to deliver without broad exposure to Asia moving forward.
How Wyoming Retirement System's Team Invests Opportunistically and Nimbly | Andrew Mayer, Senior Investment Officer | Q&A
Andrew Mayer is a Senior Investment Officer at the Wyoming Retirement System, where he has served since 2012. In this interview, he discussed how the investment team shifted from a generalist model to a more specialized one, how the board adopted policies that allows them to remain opportunistic and nimble, and why he believes it's important to also have active views and exposure in China and Europe.