AGB Endowment Governance Workshop

Colleges and universities will likely be subject to increasing financial stress. Demographic driven declines in enrollment, loss of revenue from international students, cuts to federal grant funding, changes to federal student financial aid, as well as broader economic conditions may all lead to growing revenue gaps. While institutions may be looking to endowment to offset budget gaps, endowment values may suffer if markets cool. Maintaining a focus on fiduciary fundamentals and adhering to principles of good governance and trusteeship will be critical for boards and investment committees.

This half-day workshop will address:

• The ways higher education endowments differ from other types of investments and the fiduciary and other standards applicable to the staff and board members responsible for endowment oversight
• Different management structures (committee and consultants, in-house investment office, outsourced chief investment officer)
• The role of the investment committee and the responsibilities of committee chairs, members, and staff
• The investment policy statement
• Alignment of investment strategy with the institution’s mission, needs, and priorities
• Best practices for high-performing investment committees and successful endowment management

Who should attend?

• Board members of colleges, universities, and institutionally related foundations
• College and university presidents, chief financial officers, and other senior administrators who are responsible for the oversight of the endowment or support the work of investment committees
• CEOs and other senior staff of public college and university foundations who work with investment committees
• Prospective institutional presidents or foundation CEOs who want to develop their understanding of endowment management

Speakers:
John Griswold, senior consultant, AGB
Nikki Kraus, CEO, Strategic Investment Group
Kathryn E. Mawer, managing director, FEG Investment Advisors