New CIO at University of Wisconsin Endowment

(June 7, 2013) — Julie Van Cleave has been named the new chief investment office for the University of Wisconsin Investment Foundation. Van Cleave is currently a member of the foundation’s board and investment committee, and formerly led the $5 billion Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation Fund.

 Van Cleave will step down from the board to assume her role as CIO of the $2.5 billion fund. “The addition of Julie Van Cleave will add a wealth of knowledge and public market investment experience to our team, which will enable us to better serve our donors and the university,” said Michael Knetter, president and CEO of the foundation.

Current CIO Tom Olson will become CIO of private markets to “allow for greater focus on a critical component of the endowment portfolio,” the university said in its official statement. Olson moved into the role following David Erickson’s departure for Ascension Health nearly four years ago. Knetter told aiCIO Olson was intended to fill the position temporarily. He went on to say that Olson’s move was seen within the organization not as a demotion-but more of a structural reorganization.

Van Cleave formerly served as co-portfolio manager of the Oppenheimer Equity Fund where she was responsible for institutional accounts. Prior to this role, Van Cleave served as a managing director and lead portfolio manager of the DWS Capital Growth Fund at Deutsche Asset Management.

Van Cleave holds a BBA and an MBA in finance and investments from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as a CFA designation.