InsuranceAUM

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Eric Cooperstrom, Managing Director of Impact Investing in Natural Climate Solutions at Manulife Investment Management, to explore the intersection of timberland investments and impact investing. Eric shares his journey from traditional finance to leading Manulife’s forest climate strategy, offering listeners a unique perspective on how sustainable timber and agricultural investments can align with broader environmental goals. The discussion covers the growing importance of carbon markets, particularly the role of forest carbon in both compliance and voluntary markets, and how these markets are evolving in response to increasing global focus on climate change.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley speaks with Cindy Beaulieu, Chief Investment Officer of Conning's North American operations, about the impact of higher interest rates and increased market volatility on insurance investors. Cindy, a seasoned expert in insurance asset management, shares her insights on how the sudden shift to a high-inflation, high-yield environment has affected insurance portfolios and how Conning has helped clients navigate these changes. She emphasizes the importance of strategic asset allocation, diversification, and staying calm during periods of uncertainty.

In this episode of the "Due Dilly" podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, dives into the world of CLOs with Joe Eppers, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Selective Insurance Group, and Tom Majewski, Founder and Managing Partner of Eagle Point Credit Management. As part of our series bringing insurance CIOs and asset class experts together, this conversation explores the current state of the credit market, the intricacies of CLO investments, and how insurance companies can navigate this complex landscape.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Emily McKinley, Head of Institutional ETFs and Models at Invesco, to explore the growing use of ETFs by insurance companies. Emily provides an in-depth look at how ETFs have evolved over the past 30 years and discusses the significant role they play in insurance portfolios today. From enhancing liquidity and operational efficiency to offering access to harder-to-reach markets, ETFs have become indispensable tools for insurers navigating complex market environments.

In this Executive Spotlight episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Brian Roelke, President and Chief Investment Officer of Kuvare Asset Management (KAM). Brian shares his journey from growing up in Montclair, New Jersey, to his early days as a caddy, and ultimately to leading a rapidly growing investment management firm. He discusses the unique path that led him from TIAA to Kuvare, the importance of a strong investment culture, and the exciting challenges of building an investment team during the pandemic.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, delves into the world of net lease investments with Sharon Kilmer, Managing Director on TPG Angelo Gordon’s Net Lease Real Estate team. Sharon, who brings deep experience in both credit management and fixed income portfolio management, provides an insightful overview of net lease assets and their growing significance in the real estate market. She explains the nuances of net leases, emphasizing why industrial properties, particularly mission-critical ones, make attractive investments for insurance companies seeking stable, long-term cash flows. Sharon also discusses the benefits of net lease investments as a bond substitute, highlighting their role as a volatility dampener in a portfolio.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Mary Lukic, Head of Tax-Advantaged Equity at Northern Trust Asset Management. Mary provides an in-depth overview of tax-advantaged equity (TAE) strategies, explaining how these approaches offer insurance companies a valuable tool for managing gains and losses while maximizing after-tax returns. With over 35 years of experience in running tax-managed strategies, Northern Trust has become a leader in customizing portfolios to meet the specific tax objectives of insurers. Mary highlights the flexibility and customization available through TAE, how it performs in volatile markets, and its role in creating tax alpha. Whether you're an insurance professional looking to optimize your equity investments or simply curious about tax strategies, this episode delivers actionable insights and valuable knowledge.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Matthew Bass, Head of Private Alternatives at AllianceBernstein, to explore the investment opportunities emerging from recent disruptions in the U.S. banking sector. Matthew shares his expert insights into the ongoing trend of bank disintermediation, which has been accelerated by events like the Silicon Valley Bank collapse. He explains how these changes are shifting the financial landscape, particularly in private credit and non-bank lending, creating unique opportunities for insurance companies to step in as key players.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Jeff Menz and Casey Miller, both Managing Directors of Portfolio Management at Principal Real Estate Investors, to delve into the fast-growing data center sector. They discuss what constitutes a modern data center, the key drivers behind its rising demand—such as AI, 5G technology, and the Internet of Things—and the types of tenants typically involved, including hyperscale users like Amazon and Google. Jeff and Casey also highlight important considerations for insurance investors, such as infrastructure needs, the long-term nature of data center leases, and how these investments can provide stable, bond-like returns. They emphasize the sector's resilience and continued growth potential, making it a compelling opportunity for insurance asset managers.

In this episode, Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871, to explore the groundbreaking launch of 1871's first-ever Insurance Innovation Lab. Betsy, who has a deep background in the insurance industry, discusses the lab's focus on key themes such as litigation, claims, subrogation, back-office productivity, and preparing for volatility. She explains how the lab aims to bring together growth companies, established corporates, and industry experts to drive meaningful innovation in the insurance sector.