Tag: Nonprofits

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Episode 73 – AI in Action: Transforming Nonprofit Efficiency and Impact with Benjamin Aase

Episode 73 – AI in Action: Transforming Nonprofit Efficiency and Impact with Benjamin Aase

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As the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries, nonprofit organizations are increasingly dependent on it.

Join Bob DiMeo, Devon Francis, and guest Benjamin Aase, principal with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), to hear how nonprofits can leverage AI and other technologies to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.

You’ll discover:

  • Top three pain points for nonprofits in deriving meaningful insights from data
  • Practical applications of AI and technology in fundraising, grant writing, and report automation
  • Ben’s advice to nonprofit leaders who may be intimidated by AI
  • Future outlook for the technological landscape relating to nonprofits
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Benjamin Aase | CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) | Show Me the Results: A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation with Chari Smith | The Future of AI: Trends, Opportunities, Risks, and More! with Altan Wuliji | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Benjamin Aase is a principal with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA). As a member of the national nonprofit leadership team, Ben leads the firm’s nonprofit digital services. CLA’s team of 900 nonprofit professionals serves over 10,000 nonprofits nationally through integrated wealth advisory, outsourcing, digital, audit, and tax services to help them succeed professionally and personally.

Ben earned his BA in Economics from Colorado College and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. Ben is a board director and investment committee member of the Cargill Foundation, a co-founder of Impact Hub MSP, a former Bush Fellows Selection Committee Member and a judge in the Meda Million Dollar Challenge, and a former review board member for the Impact Ventures division of the Minnesota Cup. Ben is also co-founder of the Minneapolis Professional Chapter of Net Impact. Ben was recently named a (Real) Power 50 by Minnesota Business Magazine.

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Episode 72 – The New And Important Role Bonds Can Play in Your Portfolio – Including Endowments, with Wesly Pate

Episode 72 – The New And Important Role Bonds Can Play in Your Portfolio – Including Endowments, with Wesly Pate

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Fixed-income markets have changed dramatically.

As bonds garner growing interest from investors (including endowments and foundations), it boils down to fit, and is it possible to achieve your portfolio return target with less risk?

Learn more about the role of fixed income in a portfolio with Bob DiMeo, Devon Francis, and guest Wesly Pate, CFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager at Income Research + Management (IR+M). They talk about portfolio diversification, credit risk, liquidity, inflation, private credit, and much more.

You’ll discover:

  • Higher real return expectations from fixed-income 
  • The significance of liquidity and high-quality fixed income in your portfolio 
  • Fixed income as a hedge against uncertainty and adverse scenarios
  • Credit risk considerations and opportunities for yield without compromising quality
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Wesly Pate | Income Research + Management | Fiducient Advisors 2024 Outlook – Prepare Not Predict | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Wesly joined IR+M in January 2011 and was named Senior Portfolio Manager in 2022. In his role as a Senior Portfolio Manager, Wesly is focused on portfolio construction, sector analysis, and contributing to the investment decision-making process, specifically for private clients and taxable institutional portfolios. Prior to joining IR+M, Wesly was an Equity Analyst at Eastern Investment Advisors.

Wesly has a BBA in Finance from Georgia State University, an MBA in Finance from the Boston University School of Management, and an MS in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management.

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Episode 71 – Quarterly Quick Take: Market Updates and International Diversification with Brad Long

Episode 71 – Quarterly Quick Take: Market Updates and International Diversification with Brad Long

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With a surprisingly strong quarter in the books, it’s time to uncover the latest updates on the markets and the economy, and how they may impact your portfolio, endowment, or foundation.

Join the insightful conversation between Bob DiMeo, Devon Francis, and returning guest Brad Long, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer at Fiducient Advisors. They talk about year-to-date results, the complex reality of inflation’s “messy middle,” and what to potentially expect going forward.

You’ll discover:

  • How Fiducient’s three main themes for 2024 have played out so far
  • The importance of global diversification (despite the recent domination of US equities)
  • The role of growth versus value investing styles in a well-rounded portfolio 
  • The cyclical nature of various economic and market forces
  • And more!

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

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Episode 70 – The Future of AI: Trends, Opportunities, Risks, and More! with Altan Wuliji

Episode 70 – The Future of AI: Trends, Opportunities, Risks, and More! with Altan Wuliji

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Artificial intelligence (AI) drove markets last year and continues to dominate the news today.

But what does it mean for the investments you oversee?

Learn about the transformative potential of AI on your portfolio in this episode with Bob DiMeo, Devon Francis, and guest Altan Wuliji, CFP®, principal and senior consultant at Fiducient Advisors. They explore how AI is reshaping traditional industries, impacting portfolio construction, and enabling operational efficiencies for organizations.

You’ll discover:

  • How you’re likely already invested in AI (even if you don’t know it)
  • AI applications in fundraising, mission impact, and evaluation
  • The risks and benefits of integrating AI into investment strategies and portfolio construction
  • Notable AI trends in 2024 and beyond
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Altan Wuliji | Cultural Institutions’ Investment Policies, Practices and Performance | Association Reserves: Policies, Practice and Performance | Peer Benchmarking Using the 2021 NACUBO-TIAA Study of Endowments | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Altan provides investment consulting services to financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private investors. He services clients by providing advice and expertise on asset allocation, portfolio design, investment policy statements, manager search process, and overall investment management.

Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Altan was a Senior Planner at Balasa Dinverno Foltz and an Analyst at RegentAtlantic Capital. Altan earned a Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University. Altan was awarded the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as the President’s Congressional Scholarship which provided the opportunity to serve within the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Altan achieved the Certified Financial Planner® designation in 2012 and is a Level II CFA Candidate in the CFA Program. He was a member of the Midtown Auxiliary Board and enjoys competing in triathlons.

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Episode 69 – Show Me The Results: A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation with Chari Smith

Episode 69 – Show Me The Results: A Practical Guide to Program Evaluation with Chari Smith

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Nonprofit organizations, and their donors, have become increasingly vigilant about measuring success and effectiveness.

This new dynamic can significantly impact the type of resources a nonprofit attracts!

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Chari Smith, founder of Evaluation Into Action and author of Nonprofit Program Evaluation Made Simple. They tackle the pressing issue of program evaluation and its role in demonstrating impact and making data-driven decisions.

You’ll discover:

  • The need to look beyond numbers and articulate tangible impact
  • How program evaluation can benefit fundraising and capital campaigns
  • Practical guidance to get started (if you’re new to program evaluation)
  • Real-life examples of organizations benefiting from program evaluation
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Chari Smith | Evaluation Into Action | “Nonprofit Program Evaluation Made Simple” by Chari Smith | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Chari Smith believes evaluation should be accessible, practical, and usable. She founded Evaluation into Action to help nonprofit professionals create realistic and meaningful program evaluation processes. She has taught several workshops helping nonprofit professionals understand the value and use of program evaluation.

Chari is the 2023 President-Elect with the Oregon Program Evaluators Network (OPEN). She is a proud member of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and the International Society of Evaluation Education (ISEE). She is also an adjunct faculty member for the University of Portland’s Pamplin School of Business Nonprofit MBA program. Her book Nonprofit Program Evaluation Made Simple: Get Your Data. Show Your Impact. Improve Your Programs. provides step-by-step instructions on how to do program evaluation.

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Episode 68 – Quarterly Quick Take: Prepare for 2024 and Beyond with Brad Long

Episode 68 – Quarterly Quick Take: Prepare for 2024 and Beyond with Brad Long

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In a landscape marked by unpredictability and complex market dynamics, investors need to understand the key driving factors and how they may impact portfolio construction.

Tune in as Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis join Brad Long, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer at Fiducient Advisors, to dissect the pivotal themes that shaped 2023 and offer a forward-looking perspective into 2024 and beyond.

You’ll discover:

  • Three Themes expected to impact investors in 2024
  • Strategic considerations for investors in light of the current interest rate environment
  • The importance of thoughtful diversification (including private sectors, small-cap, and international markets)
  • Insights on the “Magnificent 7” stocks and concentrated market leadership (risk)
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Brad Long | 2024 Outlook – Prepare not Predict | Other Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Brad joined Fiducient Advisors in 2012. As Fiducient Advisors’ Chief Investment Officer, Brad leads the firm’s investment strategy and research efforts. He is chair of the firm’s Investment Committee and a member of the firm’s Discretionary Committee, Research Forum, Capital Markets Team, and Mission-Aligned Investing Committee.

Prior to joining the firm, Brad worked in various research capacities at Citigroup and Wells Fargo in New York. He received a BA in Finance and Minor in Economics from The University of Colorado and is a CFA® charterholder and member of the CFA Society of Chicago and CFA Institute. Additionally, he is active with Greenhouse Scholars, a nonprofit providing financial and personal support to under-resourced college students. In his free time, Brad loves cooking and spending time with his wife and young sons.

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Episode 67 – Improving Performance and Profitability for Healthcare Organizations with Kate Guelich

Episode 67 – Improving Performance and Profitability for Healthcare Organizations with Kate Guelich

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Many hospitals and healthcare organizations continue to face financial instability and margin pressures that have been exacerbated by the lingering effects of the pandemic. 

Join Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis as they meet with Kate Guelich, CEO of Kaufman Hall, a renowned management consulting firm specializing in healthcare. They explore strategies to tackle the multifaceted challenges by enhancing performance, efficiency, and cost structures.

You’ll discover:

  • The need for hospital systems to understand cost structure, manage operations, and adapt to consumer preferences
  • The dispersion between large, urban systems and smaller, more rural systems
  • Key trends from Kaufman Hall’s 2023 research reports
  • Kate’s suggestions to healthcare leaders (and other nonprofits) to thrive going forward
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Kate Guelich | Kaufman Hall on LinkedIn | Kaufman Hall Website | National Hospital Flash Report | 2023 State of Healthcare Performance Improvement Report | Other Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Kate Guelich is a Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with Kaufman Hall. She is responsible for guiding Kaufman Hall on its strategic growth trajectory, with a keen focus on delivering industry-leading services and solutions to ensure the continued success of the company’s clients and delivering a high level of customer service. Before being named CEO, Kate served as Managing Director and President of Management Consulting for Kaufman Hall. She is also a member of Kaufman Hall’s Board of Directors. Kate, who has expertly advised senior healthcare leaders for more than 20 years on a wide range of topics, previously served as managing director of Kaufman Hall’s Strategic Financial Planning practice. Throughout her tenure with Kaufman Hall, Kate has also played a leading role in the firm’s Women in Healthcare Leadership efforts.

Kate has authored numerous publications on key healthcare topics and regularly speaks to leading national healthcare industry groups. Before joining Kaufman Hall, Kate was a Senior Consultant with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young’s Healthcare Strategy and Transformation group. Kate holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.

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Episode 66 – From Overwhelmed to Empowered: How to Navigate ESG and Mission-Aligned Investing with Sarah Hinman

Episode 66 – From Overwhelmed to Empowered: How to Navigate ESG and Mission-Aligned Investing with Sarah Hinman

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Do you intend to incorporate ESG investing into your portfolio but don’t know where to start?

As reporting standards, disclosure requirements, and available data continue to evolve, it can be overwhelming for investors to navigate this ever-changing landscape!

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Sarah Hinman, CPA/PFS, CFP®, CSRIC®, Senior Consultant at Fiducient Advisors and co-chair of the firm’s Mission-Aligned Investing Committee. They explore the current landscape of ESG and Mission Aligned Investing (MAI).

You’ll discover:

  • How nonprofits and investors can incorporate Mission-Aligned and ESG investing 
  • Why MAI and ESG investing are never an all-or-nothing approach
  • The first step for nonprofits to get started with MAI — honing in on their values
  • What the future of ESG investing looks like
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Sarah Hinman | Fiducient’s Guide to Mission-Aligned Investing | Mission-Aligned Investing: Where Are We and Where to Next? | From $400 Million to $15 Billion: Scott Malpass’ Journey Leading Notre Dame’s Endowment and Other Lessons for Leaders | Other Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts)

About Our Guest:

Sarah provides investment consulting services to nonprofit organizations, corporate executives, family trusts, and other substantial investors. She services clients by providing advice and expertise on asset allocation, portfolio design, investment policy statements, manager search process, and overall investment management. Sarah co-chairs the firm’s Mission-Aligned Investing Committee.

Sarah earned a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a BA in Fashion Marketing and Management from The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. Sarah also earned a Master of Accounting Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and a Chartered SRI Counselor™ (CSRIC®). Sarah also passed the CFA Level I exam. In her free time, Sarah enjoys cooking and reading.

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Episode 61 – How Endowments (Especially Schools) Can Navigate Market Volatility With Katharine Wyatt

Episode 61 – How Endowments (Especially Schools) Can Navigate Market Volatility With Katharine Wyatt

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Many nonprofits, especially schools, are contending with rising costs, challenged revenue streams, and regulatory matters — all of it in a tumultuous market environment.

In this episode, Bob DiMeo and Devon Francis speak with Katharine Wyatt, CFA chief investment officer at Loyola University Chicago. Katherine shares timely insights on how nonprofits and endowments can thrive in the current environment by adapting their asset allocation and portfolio management.

You will learn:

  • How Loyola University’s endowment of over $1 billion is navigating the current markets
  • Katherine’s views on why active management is far from dead
  • The impact of the demographic cliff on higher education (and how to deal with it)
  • Example of how Loyola University created a mission-aligned investment strategy
  • And more!

Resources: Email the Stewards | Fiducient Advisors | Bob DiMeo | Devon Francis | Insights by Fiducient Advisors (Research, Blogs, Podcasts) | Katharine Wyatt on LinkedIn | Loyola University Chicago

About Our Guest:

Katharine Wyatt, CFA, is the Chief Investment Officer at Loyola University Chicago. Ms. Wyatt has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry and is a well-rounded asset allocator with experience managing large institutional portfolios and investing across public and private asset classes. At Loyola, Ms. Wyatt leads the University’s investment office, where she is responsible for investment policy and management of over $1.5 billion in endowment, operating reserves and defined benefit pension assets. 

Prior to joining Loyola, she was Director of Investments for Abbott Laboratories retirement plans which included over $18 billion in Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution assets. At Abbott, she was responsible for oversight of investments, including selection, due diligence and monitoring of external managers and was instrumental in building the alternative investments program. Ms. Wyatt started her career as a research analyst at a multi-family investment office covering hedge fund, private equity and private real asset investments.

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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

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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.

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