Is ESG here to stay? Will active investing have its turn in the sun? Can international markets finally outperform domestic markets? Does cryptocurrency belong in an endowment portfolio?
These are common investment-related questions that nonprofit leaders and people overseeing endowments might have.
In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis answer the above questions and more. They also share Fiducient Advisors’ outlook for 2023 and beyond.
You will learn:
What is driving the growth of ESG investing despite political backlash and greenwashing
Valuable insights into active vs. passive investing and domestic vs. international markets
Why cryptocurrency might not become an integral part of an endowment portfolio
As part of your ESG goals, you might be screening certain investments before adding them to your endowment’s portfolio.
If you want to amplify your impact, adding a “sustainability fund” might help.
In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Dr. Troy Hammond, a scientist, business leader, and entrepreneur who served as North Central College’s president for nearly 10 years until July 2022. Troy shares actionable strategies for effective endowment management and mission-aligned investing.
You will learn:
Three reasons why renewable energy projects fail (despite having a positive return potential)
How a “sustainability fund” can provide long-term steady income yield
Ways to improve endowment governance and align all stakeholders
Troy’s best advice to set nonprofit leaders up for future success
A scientist, business leader and entrepreneur, Dr. Troy D. Hammond brought visionary leadership to North Central College over his nearly 10 years as president. Hammond launched his presidency with the bold Brilliant Future Campaign, a $150 million fundraising initiative—the most ambitious capital campaign in the College’s history—which brought sweeping physical changes to campus. He also created the Cardinal Sustainability Fund, which led to significant LED lighting and solar projects across campus. During Hammond’s tenure, several Cardinal athletic programs soared to new heights, including the College’s first-ever football national championship in 2019 and multiple national championships in other sports.
Prior to joining North Central, Hammond was at McKinsey & Company, a global leader in management consulting, where he became an associate principal. He then joined Plextronics, Inc., helping raise substantial venture and strategic capital and growing the technology company into a global leader in printed electronics. During this time, he also served as an adjunct professor of business at Milligan College.
Being part of a diverse organization does not guarantee everyone feels valued and welcome. It’s crucial to simultaneously and intentionally focus on equity, inclusion and belonging.
Moreover, DEIB is not only the right thing to do, but research shows it can also produce better outcomes.
In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Karen Paulson, partner and senior consultant at Fiducient Advisors, who also chairs the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee. Karen provides meaningful insights and inspiration to all stewards looking to advance their DEIB objectives.
You will learn:
Macro trends in the DEIB space, especially in the investment management industry
Various DEIB initiatives at Fiducient — and the three primary pillars that support these initiatives
How organizational leaders can develop diverse talent and an inclusive culture
Best practices to create DEIB awareness and align boards and committees
As a Partner and Senior Consultant, Karen services institutional clients, including 401(k) and tax-exempt retirement plans and nonprofit endowments and foundations, by providing advice and counsel on all areas of fund oversight including policy, asset allocation, manager research, portfolio structure, portfolio rebalancing, performance monitoring and overall investment policy. Karen is chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee and is a member of the firm’s Defined Contribution Strategic Oversight Committee, Mission-Aligned Investing Committee and Employee Engagement Team. Karen co-founded Fiduciary Investment Advisors, LLC in 2006, which combined with Fiducient Advisors in 2020.
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
High-performing organizations are characterized by strong leadership, a clear goal, and strategic investments.
In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Jeffery Perry, founder & CEO of Lead Mandates LLC. They discuss the major drivers of success for high-performing organizations (especially nonprofits).
You will learn the following:
The importance of having a clear sense of purpose for your organization
Evolution in asset allocation strategies and endowment management
The key to authentic ESG investing (and the impact of the “peanut butter approach”)
Personal leadership insights for nonprofit leaders
Jeff is the Founder & CEO of Lead Mandates LLC, an advisory firm that helps organizations improve business and leadership performance. He is a global strategic business advisor with relevant experience that spans 20 years combined as partner at Ernst & Young LLP (EY) and A.T. Kearney. He is a highly skilled and passionate leader in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), integrations, divestitures, and business transformations, linking strategy to purpose-led leadership and execution.
Jeff is a member of corporate and non-profit boards including: Board Director, Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. (NYSE: FBHS); Independent Director (Trustee), Equitable Funds; Board of Trustees Chair, Babson College; Board Chair, Chicago Children’s Museum; Former Board Chair, INROADS Inc.; Board Director, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Chicago Chapter; Board Director, Harvard Business School African-American Alumni Association; Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) Council of Board Chairs. In addition, he is included in Savoy Magazine 2021 Most Influential Black Corporate Directors and Financial Times Agenda Diversity 100.
Jeff received his B.S. in Marketing/Quantitative Methods, with high distinction, from Babson College and M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
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!
Does your nonprofit’s success rely heavily on memberships and attendance?
If yes, then it’s likely that your organization faced a major downturn due to COVID-19.
In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Laura Lott, president and CEO at American Alliance of Museums. They discuss strategies to help attendance-dependent nonprofits, such as museums and zoos, thrive post-COVID.
You will learn:
New ways to engage your community and monetize your services
Why many organizations lack financial sustainability in the first place
Tips for more effective investment and spending policies
How investment committees can approach ethical investing
And more!
Tune in to learn how you can help attendance-dependent nonprofits prosper!
Laura L. Lott began her tenure as president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums in June 2015. A results-oriented, entrepreneurial, strategic leader with a track record of setting and achieving aggressive programmatic and financial goals, Laura served as the Alliance’s chief operating officer since 2010. Laura also led the 2012 re-launch of the Alliance, including rebranding the organization and rebuilding its technical infrastructure and web/mobile presence, and redesigning its membership and excellence programs — leading to a nearly 70 percent increase in museum membership and the organization’s first three profitable years in a decade. Prior to her work at the Alliance, Laura guided the evolution and growth of several nonprofit education organizations. Most recently, Laura served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer of The JASON Project, an international nonprofit education program at the National Geographic Society with a mission to inspire and motivate students to learn science through great explorers and events.
There may come a time when your nonprofit experiences a large inflow of cash. For some organizations, this happens when they’re not expecting it at all!
In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with David Piccerelli, president at WSBE Rhode Island PBS and a client of Fiducient Advisors, who has experience in managing an endowment that went from zero to $80 million overnight.
You will learn:
The first step you should take before investing your newfound wealth
How to have an investment committee and an asset allocation strategy prepared in advance
Potential impact of large cash inflows on your organization’s operations
How Rhode Island PBS built a roadmap for its strategic vision
And more!
Tune in to learn how you can effectively manage and invest your newfound wealth!
David Piccerelli is the president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS, a role that he assumed in 2010 after having served as PBS’ vice-president and chief financial officer. David has overseen some very impressive projects and endeavors during his tenure with Rhode Island PBS, including shepherding the station’s complex multimillion dollar conversion from analog to digital broadcasting in 2009 and moving from state ownership to becoming an independent community licensee in 2012. David holds a BS in accounting from Bryant University and serves on a number of professional public broadcasting committees and associations. He is a member of the board of Providence Business Loan Fund and is an avid golfer and a food and wine enthusiast.
Today, we have Jim Thomas, the CFO of the Clerics of Saint Viator, share timely investment insights for nonprofit investment leaders!
The Clerics of Saint Viator is an international Roman Catholic religious congregation.
In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis interview Jim about his experience in managing finances for a religious order. They also dive into several best practices for effective investment portfolio management that are relevant in today’s complex financial landscape.
You will learn:
The concept of perpetuity and how to prepare your portfolio for long-term success
How to rebalance your portfolio and ensure consistent asset allocation
Ways to ensure a more accurate screening of your portfolio for mission-aligned investing
Reasons to maintain a continuous dialogue with your organization’s stakeholders
And more!
Tune in to discover investment best practices that can help you emulate the success of the Clerics of Saint Viator!
Jim Thomas is CFO of the Clerics of St. Viator, an international Roman Catholic religious congregation headquartered just outside of Chicago. The Order has a vast footprint with numerous churches and schools throughout Illinois, other parts of the U.S., South America and beyond. Jim holds an MBA from Northwestern and degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. Prior to joining the order, Jim served in numerous roles in the for-profit world including being COO of an aerospace/defense company, president of a consumer products company and a change agent at other organizations.
