Influential Investors Forum

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

1. 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

   Future Focus: The NextGen Idea Exchange (private, NextGens only)
   Chief Investment Officer’s 2023 Class of NextGens are invited to a private pre-forum session where they will be able to share experiences and discuss the future of the industry with our editorial leadership team.

2. 12:00 pm - 12:40 pm

   Lunch and Registration

3. 12:40 pm - 12:45 pm

   Opening Remarks Amy Resnick, Executive Editor, CIO

4. 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

   Climate Considerations in Investing
   No matter the political wrangling, industries focusing on climate issues are, and will be, growing. How can/should allocators take advantage of this growth? Also, learn how climate events are affecting insurance and what this means for real estate and other types of investments. Speakers will discuss these and other important issues for institutional investors.
   Moderator
   Christopher Ailman, Chief Investment Officer, CalSTRS 
   Panelists
   Adrian Ohmer, Director of Investments, The Kresge Foundation
   Brian Clark, Investment Director, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
   Kaoutar Yaiche, Vice President, Investment Analyst in the U.S. Equity Division and a Team Analyst for the US Impact Equity Strategy, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc

5. 1:45 pm - 2:15 pm

   Navigating A Higher Cost of Capital
   How will corporate credit borrowers (both public and private) navigate a higher cost of capital environment? Starting with a high-level view of the macro landscape and financial markets, experts will review expectations for defaults, refinancing risk, performance across the quality spectrum and more.

   Moderator
   Amy Resnick, Executive Editor, CIO

   Presenters
   Indrani De, Head of Global Investment Research, FTSE Russell, an LSEG Business (London Stock Exchange Group)
   Amanda Lynam, Head of Macro Credit Research within the Portfolio Management Group – Private Markets, BlackRock

6. 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm

   Break

7. 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm

   AI in Institutional Investing
   The use of artificial intelligence in many areas has been met with excitement, as well as skepticism. Does AI (and particularly large language models) have a place in institutional investing? Learn about AI concepts and techniques. Speakers will discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Should you consider hiring team members who understand AI or train current team members on its use?
   Moderator
   Tim Barrett, Chief Investment Officer, Texas Tech University System
   Panelists
   Carmen Lugo, Portfolio Manager & Financial Analyst for Fondo de Ahorro de Panamá
   Mark Steed, Chief Investment Officer, Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System

8. 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm

   The Role of Fixed Income
   As central bankers have raised rates to counter inflation, institutional investors have had to re-examine the role of fixed-income investments in their portfolios, both for stability and for real returns. What are the best bond investments when cash is yielding 4% or more? What role can fixed income play in both liability-driven investing and non-LDI portfolios? How can it be used to hedge for the long term?
   Moderator
   Scott Davis, Chief Investment Officer, Indiana Public Retirement System
   Panelists
   Rick Ratkowski, Director, Investment Strategies, NISA Investment Advisors, LLC
   Josh Rabuck, Chief Investment Officer, Indiana University Health
   Eileen Neill, Managing Director and Senior Consultant, Verus Investments

9. 4:00 pm - 4:15 pm

   Break

10. 4:15 pm - 5:00 pm

    Keynote
    The Last Mile: Preparing for the Opportunities Ahead
    With central banks approaching the end of their rate-hiking journey, markets and investors are acutely conscious of the looming shift in monetary influence.
    Though global growth faces multiple headwinds, including elevated rates, oil prices and a strong U.S. dollar, the Federal Reserve’s policy pivot will ultimately drive investment opportunities in 2024.
    Join Seema Shah, Managing Director-Chief Global Strategist, Principal Asset Management, as she discusses why considering both longer-term rate dynamics and central bank policy shifts will be vital for identifying investment opportunities in the period ahead. 
    Presenter
    Seema Shah, Managing Director -Chief Global Strategist, Principal Asset Management
    Sponsored by
    Principal Asset Management

11. 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    Being an Innovator
    What does it mean to be an innovator in institutional investing? What is the advantage to being an innovative CIO? Deglobalization, increased militarization, a shrinking number of public companies—in what area will the next crisis happen, and how can asset allocators prepare to innovate?
    Moderator
    Marcus Frampton, Chief Investment Officer, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation 
    Panelists
    Henry Mallari-D’Auria, Chief Investment Officer of Global and Emerging Markets Equities, Ariel Investments
    Walter Kress, Chief Investment Officer, EY
    Rowena Carreon, Head of Investment Advisory Solutions, Addepar

12. 6:00 pm

    6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Cocktail Reception
    7:00 – 9:30 p.m. – Dinner and Awards
    9:30 p.m. – Post-Awards Celebration