Dec 29, 2023
Today's discussion with Kim Lew, President and CEO of the Columbia Investment Management Company, traverses her unique journey from her roots in the Bronx to managing a prominent Ivy League endowment. Kim shares her insights on navigating the intricate world of investment management, particularly in risk management and asset allocation. With a career marked by pivotal roles at entities like the Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation, her expertise brings a nuanced understanding of the interplay between market dynamics and organizational strategy. This episode explores how adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and understanding global trends shape successful investment approaches.
Key Topics:
- Kim's early career and transition to finance (2:59)
- Role at Chemical Bank and career progression (5:05)
- Experience at Prudential Capital and Ford Foundation (9:27)
- Shift to Carnegie Corporation and Columbia Investment Management (18:07)
- Challenges of managing a larger endowment (20:13)
- Aligning endowment goals with university values and ESG considerations (22:08)
- Comprehensive approach to risk management (26:54)
- Asset allocation and balancing public vs. private markets (34:06)
- The concept of future-proofing investment strategies (41:19)
- Organizational behavior in asset management (48:54)
- Importance of intellectual curiosity in team members (55:11)
- Kim’s book recommendations (1:01:01)
- And much more!
Mentioned in this Episode:
- Columbia Finance
- The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI by Fei-Fei Li
- Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke
- Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things
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