Norwalk, CT, October 20, 2026 – Commonfund, a prominent investment manager for institutional investors, today announced the appointment of Liz LaPolt Clark to Executive Director of Commonfund Institute, starting on December 8, 2026. A nationally recognized and respected leader in higher education, Clark joins from the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), where she served as Vice President for Policy and Research. She brings more than 25 years of experience working with colleges and universities, including extensive experience leading research initiatives and advising institutional leaders on critical issues facing the sector.
As Executive Director, Clark will oversee Commonfund Institute’s research, thought leadership and educational initiatives, helping institutional investors strengthen their investment management and governance practices. She will lead the Institute’s flagship research studies, including the NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments (NCSE), the Commonfund Benchmarks Study of Independent Schools (CSIS) and the Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Foundations (CCSF), as well as its educational programming and industry engagement efforts, including Commonfund’s annual Investment Stewardship Academy held at Yale University.
“Liz is one of the most respected voices in higher education, with an exceptional understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing colleges and universities today,” said Mark Anson, CEO and CIO of Commonfund. “Through our longstanding partnership with NACUBO, we have seen firsthand the expertise and leadership she brings to her work. Her deep relationships across the higher education community and familiarity with Commonfund's mission make her uniquely qualified to lead the Institute into its next chapter.”
“I am honored and excited to join the outstanding team at Commonfund,” said Clark. “Having worked closely with Commonfund Institute for several years, I have directly witnessed the value its research brings to institutional leaders. I look forward to building on that strong foundation, advancing the Institute’s research initiatives and helping colleges, universities and other nonprofit institutions navigate an increasingly complex environment.”
Clark spent more than 15 years at NACUBO, most recently overseeing the association’s policy, advocacy and research efforts. In that role, she led a portfolio of nationally recognized research and thought leadership initiatives, including the NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments, the NACUBO Tuition Discounting Study and NACUBO’s Endowment Leadership Series. She also served as a leading voice on federal legislative and regulatory issues affecting higher education, advising college and university business and finance leaders.
Prior to joining NACUBO in 2011, Clark held federal relations roles at the State University of New York, Oregon State University and Cornell University, building extensive experience in higher education policy and advocacy.