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 [email protected].

 

Follow the Heilbrunn Center on social media on Instagram, LinkedIn, and more!