Swiss Re's Velina Peneva on the Business of Reinsurance

In this episode of Masters in Business, Barry Ritholtz interviews Velina Peneva, Group Chief Investment Officer for Swiss Re, about her career path from pre-med aspirations to leading a $108 billion investment fund. Peneva discusses her early experiences in computer science and economics, her time at Bain & Company focusing on private equity, and her transition to Swiss Re, where she initially managed private equity before becoming CIO. The conversation covers Swiss Re's investment strategy, emphasizing long-term value creation, asset-liability management, and capital efficiency, with a focus on fixed income and private debt. Peneva shares her insights on the global economy, geopolitical risks, and the importance of balancing macro and micro perspectives in investment decisions, as well as the need for flexibility and scenario planning in today's uncertain market environment.