2025 Curriculum
Leadership Responsiveness and Risk Mitigation in the New World of Treasury Management
*Faculty and speakers are being announced daily. Sessions, faculty, and speakers are subject to change.
Investments and Pensions Track
Day 1: Sunday, July 16, 2023
12:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration and Light Welcome Lunch
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
3:00–4:15 p.m.
Overview of the Public Pension Investment Governance Process (IP)
Examine the roles of key stakeholders—Board members, Executive Directors, CIOs, and internal investment teams—in establishing effective governance structures for public pension investments.
4:30–5:30 p.m.
NIPF Opening Keynote: Former Deputy Treasury Secretary Justin Muzinich (Core)
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Welcome Dinner (TBD)
Day 2: Monday, July 17, 2023
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
9:00–10:15 a.m.
Keynote Panel Discussion: “From the Treasurers’ Perspective” (Core)
10:30–11:45 a.m.
Defining Success in Public Pension Systems (IP)
Explore metrics for evaluating pension fund performance, including investment returns, funded status, and long-term sustainability, to ensure stakeholder alignment.
11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:45–1:45 p.m.
Investment Policy Setting and Strategic Asset Allocation (IP)
Discuss the development of investment policy statements, strategic plans, risk tolerance levels, and asset allocation frameworks to align with fund objectives.
2:00–3:00 p.m.
External Manager Selection and Due Diligence (IP)
Delve into best practices for selecting and overseeing external managers across asset classes, emphasizing rigorous due diligence and structured evaluation processes.
3:15–4:30 p.m.
Managing Risk in an Era of Market Volatility and Geopolitical Uncertainty (IP)
This session will explore strategies for managing investment risk amid market volatility and an evolving geopolitical landscape. As deglobalization and geopolitical tensions reshape economic dynamics, investors must adapt their risk management frameworks to ensure portfolio resilience. The conversation will address how economic segmentation and geopolitical uncertainty impact asset allocation decisions and long-term investment strategies, equipping institutional investors with insights to navigate uncertainty effectively.
6:30–9:30 p.m.
Dinner and Reception at The Sunset Malibu
The Sunset Restaurant - Malibu
Day 3: Tuesday, July 18, 2023
8:00–9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
9:00–10:15 a.m.
Fireside Chat with Wesley Bull (Core)
CEO Sentinel Resource Group
10:30–11:45 a.m.
Real Assets, Public Purpose, and Portfolio Strategy in a Shifting Market (IP)
Institutional investors and public finance professionals are reevaluating real estate and infrastructure allocations as market conditions shift and valuations stabilize. This session will explore the strategic role of real assets in portfolios, balancing long-term returns with public purpose objectives, and navigating the higher-for-longer interest rate environment. Key themes include emerging opportunities in real estate, infrastructure financing models, and the macroeconomic forces shaping capital flows and investment decisions.
11:45 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:15–2:30 p.m.
Private Credit, Risk, and Yield in a Higher-for-Longer Interest Rate Environment (IP)
The private credit market has evolved significantly due to shifting investor demand, regulatory changes, and the sustained "higher-for-longer" interest rate environment. This session will explore how institutional investors can navigate risks while capitalizing on yield opportunities in a transformed fixed-income landscape. Panelist will discuss the implications of elevated interest rates on private credit strategies, including direct lending, structured credit, and distressed debt. Panelists will provide insights into portfolio construction techniques, risk mitigation strategies, and how investors can optimize allocations to private credit and other income-generating assets to enhance returns while maintaining resilience.
3:00–4:15 p.m.
From Theory to Practice: Navigating Real-World Investment Challenges (IP)
Even the best-designed investment policies and asset allocation models face challenges when implemented. This session brings together senior investors to share real-world insights on how market volatility, shifting macroeconomic conditions, and operational hurdles impact portfolio construction and investment execution. Panelists will discuss key lessons learned, including practical impediments to implementing investment strategies, adapting to unforeseen risks, and balancing long-term objectives with short-term realities. Attendees will better understand how institutional investors navigate complexity, adjust to evolving market conditions, and refine their approach to ensure resilience and success in dynamic investment environments.
5:00–9:30 p.m.
Dinner and Reception at the Reagan Library
Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
Day 4: Wednesday, July 19, 2023
8:30–9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
9:00–10:15 a.m.
Straus Institute Session (Core)
10:30–11:45 a.m.
Senior Investor Roundtable: Key Takeaways and the Road Ahead (IP)
Conclude with a discussion among senior investors summarizing key insights from the sessions and outlining future directions for public pension fund management.
12:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks