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:

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Kim Lew - The Dynamics of Risk Management and Asset Allocation

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