Mercer Not-For-Profit And Private Wealth Investment Summit

Much has been written about the challenge of generating returns when yields and risk premia are relatively low. It is, however, just as important for investors to recognize the many sources of economic and political fragility in an environment in which we may be reaching the limits of monetary policy effectiveness. Investors are therefore compelled to consider a wide range of possible futures and to build portfolios that are likely to be resilient to a range of scenarios.

In response to this challenging set of circumstances, investors need to look both inward and outward. Looking inward, investors should seek to identify any characteristics of their approach, objectives or circumstances that might provide a competitive edge or raise the importance of certain categories of risk. Looking outward, investors can then seek to build a portfolio of assets and strategies that maximizes their specific advantages and improves the likelihood of meeting their long-term objectives while managing the risk of capital impairment.

Committee members and staff from university endowments, charitable foundations, health care organizations, family offices, and other non-profit institutions from across the country will join our Mercer investment consultants to meet and discuss issues around this year’s theme of Navigating an Unpredictable World. The conference begins with a Welcome Reception on the evening of September 25 and formally opens the morning of September 26, concluding mid-day on September 27.  The full agenda includes ample time to network with your peers and share best practices.  

Join us and be part of the conversation.  We look forward to seeing you in September! 

Ritz Carlton St Louis
100 Carondelet Plaza
St Louis, MO 63105
Tel: + 1 314 863 6300
Website

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis is located in the posh neighborhood of Clayton, a charming oasis in the city of St. Louis. Guests will experience true Midwestern warmth and hospitality in this arts and garden district, home to a thriving culinary scene, the beautifully landscaped Forest Park and an array of museums and boutiques within a short distance of our hotel. Relax in our newly enhanced luxury guest rooms- among the largest in the city, explore our elegant meeting spaces or savor our four in-house dining options including a Sushi bar or signature cocktails in The Lobby Lounge.  Gather with friends in The Cigar Club or dine in The Grill, a delight for the senses. Guests can recharge in our expansive Fitness and Massage Center with exclusive ESPA products and indulge in our Senses of Missouri experiences.

1.  Online – Book your group rate for Mercer - Investment Client Summit
2. Phone – Call 1-800-960-7056 or 1-800-241-3333 and mention the Mercer Investment Client Summit to receive the discounted rate.

The deadline to make reservations has now past. Please contact Laurah.Mungai@ritzcarlton.com to inquire about booking our a room at our conference rate.

Watch video clips from last years event

Welcome and Opening Remarks with Jessica Portis, Partner Investments Leader, Not-for-Profit Client Segment

Austin Roberds, Consultant, Mercer Investments discusses The Evolution of Not-for-Profit Defined Contribution .

The Path of Leadership

Kevin Duffy, Marine Corps Aviator and former Pilot for Marine One

All of us have experienced turmoil that placed us at a crossroads requiring decision and action under stress.   How do you handle those situations? This talk will be an authentic conversation on resilience with a proven leader with deep experience tackling risk, crisis and disruption.  Kevin will present consequential moments from his 23 year career as a Marine Corps aviator that illuminate important lessons learned from his experiences and synthesize his insights with the audience into real strategies to embrace complexity, perform, lead, and thrive in today's volatile world.

Optional Breakfast:  New Committee Member Boot Camp

Russ LaMore, US Foundation Segment Leader

Committee turnover is healthy and inevitable, but there must be a better way to assimilate new members than the “sink or swim” approach used so widely today.  In this session we will arm new committee members with basic tools and, more importantly, key questions to become effective quickly.  We also provide reference materials and a suggested approach so that committee chairs or CFOs/CIOs can improve their orientation process.

Adaptation in Asset Management

Patrick O’Shaughnessy, Chief Executive Officer and Portfolio Manager, O’Shaughnessy Asset Management

Across 100 conversations with investment leaders of all types, Patrick has explored the idea of how to earn better returns on invested time, energy, and money. In this presentation he summarizes the largest and most common lessons he has learned along the way, and how anyone can apply these potent ideas to improve their businesses, portfolios, and lives. 

Hot Spots:  Opportunities in Hedge Funds

Dave McMillan, Chief Investment Officer — Hedge Funds

In this session we highlight specific opportunities in hedge funds that are particularly well-suited for this extended cycle.  From reducing risk to enhancing return, the space offers compelling tools to tilt not-for-profit and private wealth portfolios and enhance the likelihood of favorable outcomes.

The Long and Short of Stock-Picking

Alok Agrawal, Founder, Bloom Tree Partners

This is 403(b) Jepardy!

Austin Roberds, Senior Investment Consultant

Defined contribution plan management is a multi-faceted process requiring expertise in many disciplines.  Plan sponsors must become experts in:  investments, plan design, administration, employee education, regulatory issues, and governance practices.  Many plan sponsors have retained experienced consultants to guide them to fiduciary best practices, and some plan sponsors have become masters of the many elements of DC plan management.  Join us as we test a panel of experts to see just how much they know.  With the looming threat of litigation, who will prove they are prepared, and who will be in … Jeopardy?

Stewardship in the 21st Century - Creating Sustainable Long-Term Growth

Max Messervy, Senior Investment Consultant
Christine Bradford, Senior Investment Consultant

In this session, we explore what Good Investment Stewardship or Responsible Investment means, and how asset owners can work out which way forward is most appropriate for their organization. While there is no "one size fits all" approach, we outline some key components of a robust investment stewardship strategy, as well as examples and indicators of best practice. We also investigate some of the common pitfalls or challenges of implementing an investment stewardship program and how asset consultants, investment managers and other service providers can provide practical support along the journey.

The 7 Deadly Sins of a General Partner

Neil Malik, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, K1 Investment Management

Neil Malik, CEO and Founder of K1 Investment Management discusses his insights, gained over his 25 year career, into the 7 common pitfalls plaguing private equity firms today. Specifically these are strategic decisions that many GPs generally find distasteful in managing and growing their firms. And yet many firms to do not consciously opine on these issues which can have significant implications for the longevity and long term performance of their platforms.

Lightning Talk:  Governance Case Study

Elizabeth Warren, Senior Investment Consultant

In this session, we will discuss how properly structured, thoughtful policy enhances efficiency in decision-making, provides natural checks and balances to pre-empt or minimize the impact of negative events, mutes the inevitable behavioral influence during adverse events, and provides clear authority – as well as accountability.  We expect that, going forward, the importance of governance will only grow as portfolios have increased in complexity – a trend that is expected to continue in a low-return environment for equities.

Panel Discussion:  Opportunities in Private Real Estate and Real Assets

Moderator: Beth Johnson, Senior Investment Consultant
Paul Kolevsohn, Research Consultant - Real Estate Boutique
Mike Forestner, Chief Investment Officer - Private Markets

Real assets have the potential to enhance a range of investor portfolios in a material way. This session examines recent trends and the outlook for real estate and infrastructure, providing a global outlook for these asset classes along with specific investment opportunities in these areas. The session also discusses the advantages of adding real assets to your portfolio as well as the challenges including implementing and management. We discuss how these challenges can be measured and overcome. The session seeks to draw out what investors can reasonably expect from a real estate or infrastructure allocation, and examines whether these promises have been met historically.

Debate:  Is Inflation Ever Coming Back?

Anthony brown, US Director of Strategic Research
Ken Shimberg, NFP Chief Investment Officer

Our annual debate is back! Older members of the audience may recall the chaotic inflation of the '70s, when rampant price rises around the world decimated living standards and left investors with substantial losses across most asset classes. However, since 1980 inflation has been on a steady downtrend and post the GFC, deflationary threats have replaced inflation as central banks' main preoccupation. Will structural disinflation prevail, or is inflation likely to return to haunt markets? Our customary protagonists, Ken Shimberg and Anthony brown will attempt to persuade you of the merits of their respective view points on this topic, whose resolution may have a profound impact on asset class returns.

Plot a Route to Success in this Extended Cycle

Geoff Wilson, Senior Investment Consultant

In this session, we bring together the various themes and topics highlighted over the course of the Forum. We put forward suggestions for how you as investors can build these into a fiduciary calendar for the year and ultimately help you plot a route to success in this extended cycle.