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    Thanks for Listening!   Be sure to subscribe on  Apple,  Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at valueinvesting@gsb.columbia.edu.   Follow the Heilbrunn Center on social media on Instagram, LinkedIn, and more!

Kim Lew - The Dynamics of Risk Management and Asset Allocation

Value investing is more than an investment strategy — it’s a fundamental way of thinking about finance. Value investing was developed in the 1920s at Columbia Business School by professors Benjamin Graham and David Dodd, MS ’21. The authors of the classic text, Security Analysis, Graham and Dodd were the very pioneers of their field and their security analysis principles provided the first rational basis for investment decisions. Despite the vast and volatile changes in the economy and securities markets during the last several decades, value investing has proven to be the most successful money management strategy ever developed. Value investors’ success over the second half of the twentieth century proved not only the validity of the value approach, but its preeminence over even the most widely taught and practiced modern investment theory, which was developed in the 1950s and ’60s and remains dominant even today.

Our mission today is to promote the study and practice of Graham & Dodd’s original investing principles and to improve investing with world-class education, research, and practitioner-academic dialogue. In this podcast you will hear from some of the world’s greatest investors, their views on the investment management industry, how they developed their investment process and how they see the field changing over time.

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In this heartfelt episode, we pay tribute to Charlie Munger, the visionary vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway who recently passed away. Joining us is Todd Combs, an investment officer at Berkshire Hathaway and a close acquaintance of Munger. Todd shares personal anecdotes and insights into Munger's profound influence on the investment world and his unique approach to life and business. From his early meetings with Munger to the invaluable lessons on value investing and rational thinking, Todd provides an intimate look into the wisdom of one of the greatest investors of our time.     Key Topics:  Celebrating Charlie Munger’s contributions and legacy (01:20) Todd’s initial encounters with Munger (02:15) The intellectual journey and partnership between Munger and Buffett (08:57) Munger's approach to life, investing, and the importance of mental models (11:22) Behavioral economics insights shared by Munger (13:00) The practical applications of Munger’s wisdom in business and investing (16:17) Munger’s lasting impact (24:59) And much more!    Mentioned in this Episode:     Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger by Charles T. Munger   Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman       Thanks for Listening!   Be sure to subscribe on  Apple,  Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at valueinvesting@gsb.columbia.edu.   Follow the Heilbrunn Center on social media on Instagram, LinkedIn, and more!

Todd Combs - Charlie Munger's Legacy

In the complex world of financial markets and economic fluctuations, John Armitage, a seasoned investment maestro, sits down with us today. As the chief strategist behind the success of Egerton Capital, Armitage brings his profound insights into navigating the complexities of portfolio management and the subtle art of risk-taking in fluctuating markets. His expertise, honed through years of experience, sheds light on the critical impact of macroeconomic shifts and the pitfalls that stock pickers often encounter amidst outdated corporate data. This episode delves into passive investing, dissecting the crucial role of competitive dynamics in sectors like European aviation and examining the transformative impact of a growing talent pool on the traditional realms of asset management. Armitage also ventures into the ethical crossroads, intertwining moral integrity, societal upheaval, and the revolutionary wave of artificial intelligence. We uncover his focus on growth, governance, and quality, underpinned by a meticulous decision-making process at Egerton Capital, his literary pursuits, pondering over the influence of literature on his investment philosophy, and so much more!     Key Topics:  Overview of Egerton Capital (1:42) Transitioning from broad ideas to specific investments and the role of specialization (8:29) Egerton Capital’s approach to researching new investment opportunities (12:58) Understanding market signals and opposing investment perspectives (15:46) John’s approach to portfolio building and decision-making in investing (20:00) Client importance, portfolio building, and decision-making in investing (23:37) Luck, being in the right place at the right time, and mentorship (28:07) Managing portfolio volatility and the frequency of financial crises (30:54) John’s positive outlook on reinsurance space and companies like Ryanair and Meta (35:31) The future of stock picking and asset management (41:19) What worries John and excites him about the future (43:09) John’s book recommendations (45:29) And much more!  Mentioned in this Episode:  Egerton Capital  The Golden Mole and Other Living Treasure by Katherine Rundell  Super-Infinite - The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell  The Fall of Robespierre: 24 Hours in Revolutionary Paris by Colin Jones  The Sword and the Shield by Christopher Andrew and Vasilli Mitrokhin    Thanks for Listening!   Be sure to subscribe on  Apple,  Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at valueinvesting@gsb.columbia.edu.   Follow the Heilbrunn Center on social media on Instagram, LinkedIn, and more!

John Armitage - Navigating Macroeconomic Shifts

In the intricate dance of market movements and economic trends, it takes a discerning eye to discern patterns and make strategic decisions. Enter Nicolai Tangen, the astute CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management, who joins hosts Michael Mauboussin and Tano Santos on Value Investing with Legends. A connoisseur of art history and asset management, Nicolai offers a rare blend of expertise, drawing parallels between the seemingly disparate worlds of art and investment. His approach, marked by a blend of rigorous analysis and intuitive pattern recognition, reveals the underpinnings of a global economy shrouded in paranoia and driven by innovation. In this episode, Nicolai unfolds his journey from being an art student to leading one of the most prominent investment funds, highlighting how understanding historical context informs risk appetite. He brings to the forefront the role of AI in transforming investment strategies and the delicate balance of managing a substantial portfolio while maintaining a contrarian stance. Tune in to learn about the psychological aspects of risk assessment, the implications of AI on future investment strategies, the value of contrarian thinking in an ever-changing market, and so much more!     Key Topics:  Nicolai's journey from Russian military studies to financial expertise at Wharton (2:45) Nicolai's foundational career experiences with John Armitage at Egerton Capital (4:04) The refreshing and insightful sabbatical Nicolai took to study art history (6:42) AKO Capital's strategy: selecting high-quality stocks for robust growth and solid returns (9:17) Investing success through deep reading, contemplative analysis, and rare decisive action (10:34) The critical role of pattern recognition in navigating financial uncertainties (13:51) Post-mortem analysis as a vital component of investment strategy refinement (15:41) The importance of contrarian perspectives in investment strategy and team development (19:09) Delving into CEOs' insights on market trends and the underestimated influence of corporate culture (23:04) Adapting from selecting individual assets to managing broad asset classes with team collaboration (26:48) Proactive engagement in corporate governance through ESG-focused voting practices (30:33) The inescapable responsibility of managing a globally influential investment fund (33:08) Balancing the promising prospects of AI with the imperative of managing social risks (35:36) Defining fund success beyond returns: robust processes and a motivated, fulfilled team (38:07) What keeps Nicolai up at night and excited about the future (40:40) Nicolai’s book recommendations (43:24) And much more!  Mentioned in this Episode:  Norges Bank AKO Capital Egerton Capital  Adam Grant - Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know  Angela Duckworth - Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance  Amy Edmonson - Teaming: How Organizations Learn, Innovate, and Compete in the Knowledge Economy  Annie Duke - Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away     Thanks for Listening!   Be sure to subscribe on  Apple,  Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at valueinvesting@gsb.columbia.edu.   Follow the Heilbrunn Center on social media on Instagram, LinkedIn, and more!

Nicolai Tangen - Decision-Making and Intuition in Investing

John Rogers isn't just a successful investor; he's an industry titan. As the founder of a reputable investment firm, he's made a name for himself with his contrarian value investing strategies. But he's not just a practitioner; he's an educator, avidly reading and contributing to seminal works in investment literature. John’s journey began with an early fascination for finance from his youthful days. A Princeton alumnus, he entered the turbulent waters of the stock market and turned a calamity—the infamous crash of 1987—into a career-defining opportunity. In today's episode, John joins us to discuss his formative experiences, the philosophical underpinning of his investment strategy, and the importance of thinking long-term. We also delve into his roles on various corporate boards, where he weighs in on 401k plans, corporate governance, the pivotal role of diversity in creating equal opportunities for minority businesses, and so much more!     Key Topics:  An overview of John’s professional background (2:15) John's journey from William Blair to founding Ariel Investments (07:42) The 1987 market crash as a turning point for Ariel's value investing approach (10:04) John's philosophy on patient, research-heavy, value-based investing (13:07) How longevity in markets solidified John's faith in efficiency (19:15) The mechanics of idea generation at Ariel Investments (23:30) Ariel's methodology for dissecting investment errors (29:53) Drawing teamwork and pressure-handling lessons from Coach Carril (35:20) How board experience informs his investing (37:47) John's focus on value investing and cautious approach to buybacks (42:20) Why John is optimistic about The Sphere in Las Vegas and Adelum (46:18) John's fulfillment from social engagement and its business impact (50:18) What keeps John up at night and excited about the future (55:48) John’s book recommendations (57:41) And much more!    Mentioned in this Episode:   Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb  Jonathan Eig | King: A Life  Morgan Housel | The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness  Thanks for Listening!   Be sure to subscribe on  Apple,  Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at valueinvesting@gsb.columbia.edu.   Follow the Heilbrunn Center on social media on Instagram, LinkedIn, and more!

Kim Lew - The Dynamics of Risk Management and Asset Allocation

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