Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Ellen Ellison – Playing to Your Strengths (Capital Allocators, EP.27)
26 snips
Oct 2, 2017 
In this discussion, Ellen Ellison, the Chief Investment Officer of the University of Illinois Foundation, shares her journey from theater aspirations to leading a $1.7 billion investment program. She details the challenges of starting an endowment from scratch, emphasizing governance and timing in a volatile market. A highlight is her insights into agriculture investing, focusing on high-tech innovations and sustainability. Ellen also explores the potential in Japanese equities and shares personal reflections on sports and leadership, illustrating the importance of curiosity and adaptability.
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Direct Management
- Direct portfolio management is valuable training for allocators.
- It teaches trigger-pulling, mistake management, and navigating relationships with opinionated individuals.
From Outsource to In-house
- Ellen Ellison joined the University of Illinois Foundation as its first CIO, inheriting a portfolio largely comprised of fund-of-funds.
- The foundation shifted from outsourcing to building an internal investment team.
Prioritize Governance
- When facing many tasks, prioritize governance first.
- Establish a strong governance framework before focusing on portfolio management.
