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Improving Alpha: Dave Morehead on Driving Convex Investment Strategies for Endowment Innovation

Improving Alpha: Dave Morehead on Driving Convex Investment Strategies for Endowment Innovation

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Institutional investors continually seek top-tier managers, relying on insights, industry signals, and rigorous due diligence led by expert portfolio teams before committing any capital. While these preliminary drivers are widely adopted and can often contribute 100 to 300 basis points above relevant benchmarks, the pursuit of above-average alpha remains relentless. Could convex alternative investments help …

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Improving Alpha: Jim Bethea on Resetting the Learning Process of Endowment Performance

Improving Alpha: Jim Bethea on Resetting the Learning Process of Endowment Performance

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​Many talented endowment CIOs evolve from engineering backgrounds, consultancies, and other disciplines. These past experiences allow CIOs to transform investment office teams, broadening the search for alpha through improved portfolio construction, balancing liquidity concerns, outpacing endowment peers, and creating an environment where investment staff are valued for their continued contributions. On the latest Improving Alpha …

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Improving Alpha: Devana Cohen on Driving Investment Conviction for Improved Endowment Portfolio Performance

Improving Alpha: Devana Cohen on Driving Investment Conviction for Improved Endowment Portfolio Performance

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Can prior career opportunities help you discover your true potential in institutional investing even if they’re not related to the finance sector? Maybe it reveals that ideal ‘a-ha’ moment that sets your future course.  In our latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, we welcome Devana Cohen, Chief Investment Officer of the United Jewish Appeal …

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Improving Alpha: Gregory Brown on Deploying Alternative Research to Aid Institutional Investors.

Improving Alpha: Gregory Brown on Deploying Alternative Research to Aid Institutional Investors.

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Being able to source accurate data across alternative markets is a complex process. Stocks, bonds, and futures offer continuous price updates and greater intelligence for investors. The landscape is evolving, with a growing number of cutting-edge investment researchers enhancing decision-making on policy issues that will help shape private markets investments for the future. In our …

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Improving Alpha: Robert Wolcott on the Proximity Revolution

Improving Alpha: Robert Wolcott on the Proximity Revolution

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Institutional investors are not only concerned with searching for alpha opportunities in this market but how technology can aid in that search over time. In an age of digital transformation, how can investors become more competitive in their allocation decisions, and are they effectively adapting to geopolitical concerns, risk, inflation, and more? For this next …

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Improving Alpha: John Coffey’s blueprint for a shadow SEC and further regulations under a new Trump Administration

Improving Alpha: John Coffey’s blueprint for a shadow SEC and further regulations under a new Trump Administration

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In just a few days the second Trump administration will be sworn in to the office of the presidency. There has already been a lot of debate around security regulations and what that might mean for institutional investors. Could we see Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies go higher, how will carbon emissions be regulated and reported …

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Improving Alpha: Koray Caliskan on the ‘Data Money’ of cryptocurrency and future applications

Improving Alpha: Koray Caliskan on the ‘Data Money’ of cryptocurrency and future applications

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Back in the 16th century, when paper money made its debut in Venice, skeptics doubted it could ever replace the clinking of metal coins. Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves seamlessly blending paper, coins, and cryptocurrency. This cutting-edge currency has skyrocketed to a market capitalization of $2-$3 trillion and continues to surge. Just …

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Improving Alpha: Scott Chan on ‘Gearing Up’ a Collaborative Model to Mitigate Risks and Generate Returns

Improving Alpha: Scott Chan on ‘Gearing Up’ a Collaborative Model to Mitigate Risks and Generate Returns

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Last year, we were honored to have Chris Ailman as a guest on the Improving Alpha podcast. Fast forward 12 months, and lightning has struck twice for the Improving Alpha team, as we welcome Scott Chan, the current CIO of CalSTRS, to the guest chair.  As the second-largest pension fund in the United States and …

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Improving Alpha: Shivaram Rajgopal on Ways to Eliminate Governance Disengagement and Zombie Organizations

Improving Alpha: Shivaram Rajgopal on Ways to Eliminate Governance Disengagement and Zombie Organizations

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If you are a CEO at a large public company, who do you speak with when concerned about strategy, formulation of innovative ideas, or even execution of a plan to scale your business investments? Many believe that unless there’s a large activist event or news story, decision-making is solely your own. Is there a way …

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Improving Alpha: Catherine Ulozas on Innovating a Billion Dollar Endowment

Improving Alpha: Catherine Ulozas on Innovating a Billion Dollar Endowment

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Information overload can occur in even the most skilled institutional investor when considering the amount of managers and intelligence competing for their time and attention. How can a leading endowment CIO or portfolio manager navigate the volume of financial statements, capital calls, risk/reward ratios, and more? How can they mentor junior analysts to find the …

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