Tag: Alternative Investments

Episode 60 – How Nonprofit Leaders Can Think Long-Term To Better Manage Your Money And Your Organization With David Nierenberg

Episode 60 – How Nonprofit Leaders Can Think Long-Term To Better Manage Your Money And Your Organization With David Nierenberg

Effective leadership and good governance can help maximize your mission but requires strategic, long-term thinking in a world increasingly focused on the short term. 

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with David Nierenberg, director of The National World War II Museum, where he also chairs the investment committee. They explore ways to improve nonprofit leadership and governance and discuss key considerations for investment committee members today.

You will learn:

  • How nonprofits can continue to advance their mission during uncertain market and economic conditions
  • What David has seen work well for nonprofit boards and investment committees
  • The current and future outlook regarding ESG and DEI
  • Insights into asset allocation based on current market conditions (including alternative investments)
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts) | David Nierenberg on LinkedIn | “Churchill: Walking with Destiny” by Andrew Roberts | “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl | “The Old Man and The Sea” by Ernest Hemingway

About Our Guest:

David Nierenberg wears many hats, including being a Director for The National World War II Museum in New Orleans and Chair of its investment committee.  He is also the longest-serving member of the Washington State Investment Board, which for the past two decades has been a top-performing state pension fund, priding itself on being transparent and ethical. David is Chair of The Ira Millstein Center for Global Markets and Corporate Ownership at Columbia Law School, a world leader in corporate governance. In addition, David estimates he has 200 “man-years” of service on public companies, private companies, government, and not-for-profit boards, which involved him in dozens of strategic plans, CEO searches, and the like. His volunteer efforts for investment committees are vast and span all sizes, from $15MM portfolios to over $200 billion portfolios. David attended Yale for both his undergraduate and law degrees. He and his wife Patricia were named Philanthropists of the Year in Southwest Washington.

Episode 54 – Four Action Items To Combat Market Volatility and Uncertainty

Episode 54 – Four Action Items To Combat Market Volatility and Uncertainty

The traditional 60/40 stock/bond portfolio is on pace for its worst performance in 80 years and Treasury bonds might register their worst performance in 200 years! Investor anxiety seems to be rising in lock-step with interest rates.

All this contributes to a high level of uncertainty for those who oversee endowments and foundations.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis help investment committees (or any nonprofit leader overseeing investments) combat market uncertainty through four key action items.

You will learn the following:

  • Why good stewards need to separate today’s news from the noise
  • Important considerations regarding expected investment returns moving forward
  • Insights into alternative asset classes, especially in light of higher interest rates
  • An important step in ESG investing that many organizations are overlooking
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

Episode 51 – Hedge Funds Revisited With Anthony Novara

Episode 51 – Hedge Funds Revisited With Anthony Novara

Some investment committees are reluctant to own alternative investments because they don’t understand the space well.

Or perhaps they are intimidated due to the complexity and cost.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Anthony Novara, CFA®, research director of Fiducient Advisors’ marketable alternatives group. They demystify hedge fund investing and its role in effective portfolio management, especially amidst high market volatility.

You will learn:

  • Five primary strategies used in hedge funds investing
  • Major pros and cons of hedge funds for endowments and foundations
  • Fund of funds — how they work, fee structures, and investment benefits
  • Why the notion “hedge funds are inherently riskier” may not always true
  • And more!

Tune in to learn how to navigate hedge funds and other forms of alternative investments!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Anthony Novara on LinkedIn | Anthony Novara BIO | Nonprofits and Private Equity With Matt Kaminski (Ep. 29)



Episode 29 – Nonprofits and Private Equity — With Matt Kaminski

Episode 29 – Nonprofits and Private Equity — With Matt Kaminski

With public equity markets reaching all-time highs in 2021, many investment committees are concerned about future returns.

Consequently, they are exploring or adding allocations to alternative investments, such as private equity.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Matt Kaminski, partner and research director at Fiducient Advisors, who directs the firm’s Global Private Markets Group. Matt shares valuable insights to how nonprofit organizations can make private equity investments an integral part of their portfolio.

You will learn:

  • Key updates on private equity markets (past performance and future considerations)
  • Factors a nonprofit must consider when investing in PE
  • The potential benefits and pitfalls of private equity investments in today’s markets
  • Why private equity may not only be right for large endowments or foundations
  • And more!

Tune in to learn strategies for effectively investing in private equity markets!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | LinkedIn: Matt Kaminski | Matt Kaminski | Private Markets Updates: Growth and New Highs

About Our Guest:

As Partner and Research Director, Matt Kaminski directs Fiducient Advisors’ Global Private Markets Group, overseeing investment research and due diligence efforts. He is also a member of the firm’s Investment Committee, Research Forum, and Trustee-Direct Discretionary Committee. Matt joined Fiduciary Investment Advisors, LLC in 2009, which combined with Fiducient Advisors in 2020. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Investment Analyst and member of the Consultant Relations team at Fidelity Investments. Matt received a BSBA from Stonehill College, is a CFA® charterholder, and a member of the CFA Institute and the Hartford CFA Society. With his free time, Matt is on the Finance & Audit Committee for Foodshare, Inc. (a nonprofit anti-hunger organization in the greater Hartford area). His personal interests include fishing and biking.