Commonfund Forum 2023: 5 Key Takeaways

February 22, 2023 |
2 minute read
|

Commonfund recently hosted its 25th annual Commonfund Forum in Boca Raton, Florida. The event, themed “Still We Rise”, brought together 500+ attendees representing institutions with almost $850 billion in endowed assets in a 2.5-day conference. Sessions explored the global economy, investment trends, and strategies to help institutions support their missions. More than 50 experts from investment firms, academia, public policy think tanks and major media outlets convened in general sessions, keynotes, and breakout sessions.  

Here are 5 Key Takeaways from Forum 2023 

  1. Higher for longerBill Dudley, former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of NY pointed out that current Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell is committed to, “not being like Miller, so he doesn’t need to be like Volcker.” Meaning, Powell is going to do everything he can to make sure that inflation is truly under control before loosening policy so as not to allow inflation to come roaring back and require the Fed to take measures that will be much more painful down the road. Investors need to embrace that rates will be higher for longer than they currently believe. 

  2. Uncertainty everywhere – Speakers across multiple sessions mostly agreed that a confluence of events have raised uncertainty to levels not seen in decades. From the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war, strained U.S.-China relations, climate change and energy security, the rise of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, aging demographics, the list goes on and on. Expect the unexpected, brace for higher volatility, and trust in solid governance and policy practices to help your organization navigate through challenging times – still we rise! 

  3. Pockets of opportunity – In times of uncertainty, astute investors can find opportunities that often prove to be among the most rewarding, as others become overly risk-averse. Areas highlighted by Forum speakers this year included: private credit; value investing in Europe – in both public and private markets; mid-market private equity; venture capital – particularly the early days of blockchain technology; secondaries, and energy – both to meet today’s demand and to support the transition to cleaner sources.
     
  4. Inclusion drives innovation – Keynote speaker, Haben Girma, taught us that our assumptions about the limitations of disabled people are often the biggest impediment to them realizing their full potential. In fact, when we embrace inclusion and design systems and processes for both disabled and nondisabled people, it results in innovation that benefits us all. In addition, our panel of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidents provided insights into the evolution, current state, and future of their institutions. In an environment where there have been significant racial and social justice issues across the country, coupled with demographic changes and other challenges facing the higher education business model, these leaders described the critical work they are doing to invest in physical plant infrastructure, top-tier research capacity, and their ability to steward institutional resources for sustainability and growth. They spoke about their continued and steadfast commitment to matriculate, educate, graduate and create career pathways for African American and diverse first-generation students.  

  5. Protect and empower – Cybersecurity expert Rachel Wilson shared insights into the ever-growing threat cyber criminals and hackers pose to society and suggested tools and techniques to help protect ourselves and our organizations. Erica Dhawan, the world’s foremost expert in connectional intelligence, provided specific actions and tools that organizations can use to improve communications, breakdown silos, foster alignment and innovation in a world where remote work requires new ways of thinking and connecting. 

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Tony Ialeggio

Author

Tony Ialeggio

Chief Marketing Officer

Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.

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Disclaimer

Certain information contained herein has been obtained from or is based on third-party sources and, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified. Such information is as of the date indicated, if indicated, may not be complete, is subject to change and has not necessarily been updated. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be given by The Common Fund for Nonprofit Organizations, any of its affiliates or any of its or their affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees or advisers (collectively referred to herein as “Commonfund”) or any other person as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in any third-party materials. Accordingly, Commonfund shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in, or omission from, such third-party materials, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

All rights to the trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property listed herein belong to their respective owners and the use of such logos hereof does not imply an affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owners of such trademarks, copyrights, logos and other intellectual property.

To the extent views presented forecast market activity, they may be based on many factors in addition to those explicitly stated herein. Forecasts of experts inevitably differ. Views attributed to third-parties are presented to demonstrate the existence of points of view, not as a basis for recommendations or as investment advice. Market and investment views of third-parties presented herein do not necessarily reflect the views of Commonfund, any manager retained by Commonfund to manage any investments for Commonfund (each, a “Manager”) or any fund managed by any Commonfund entity (each, a “Fund”). Accordingly, the views presented herein may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of Commonfund, any Manager or any Fund.

Statements concerning Commonfund’s views of possible future outcomes in any investment asset class or market, or of possible future economic developments, are not intended, and should not be construed, as forecasts or predictions of the future investment performance of any Fund. Such statements are also not intended as recommendations by any Commonfund entity or any Commonfund employee to the recipient of the presentation. It is Commonfund’s policy that investment recommendations to its clients must be based on the investment objectives and risk tolerances of each individual client. All market outlook and similar statements are based upon information reasonably available as of the date of this presentation (unless an earlier date is stated with regard to particular information), and reasonably believed to be accurate by Commonfund. Commonfund disclaims any responsibility to provide the recipient of this presentation with updated or corrected information or statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information please refer to Important Disclosures.