Investing in Education with the CIO of Drexel University

In this enlightening episode of Dakota Live!, host Robert Morier sits down with Catherine Ulozas, the seasoned Chief Investment Officer of Drexel University's Endowment. With over 30 years of experience in managing investments across various sectors including insurance companies, banks, and a state pension fund, Catherine shares her unique journey and the strategic decisions that have cemented her success in the investment world. Join us as Catherine delves into her 14th year at the helm of Drexel University's Endowment, discussing the transformative policies and operational improvements she has implemented. These strategic shifts have not only repositioned assets into a more resilient structure but have also led the endowment to rank in the top 10 percent of the Wilshire Consulting Foundations and Endowment Universe for five consecutive years. Along the way, Catherine touches on her involvement in significant projects such as the acquisition of St. Christopher's Children Hospital and the development of Schuylkill Yards—an initiative turning 10.4 acres of endowment real estate into a leading innovation hub. Her insights into these projects provide a fascinating look into the intersection of investment strategy and real-world impact. Furthermore, Catherine discusses her philosophy on investment biases and the importance of self-reflection in decision-making. She emphasizes the value of learning from experience and the necessity of questioning one's own conclusions to avoid potential pitfalls in investing. Whether you're an asset manager, an asset owner, an educator, a student, or simply someone fascinated by the intricacies of investment strategies and their implications, this episode offers a deep dive into the mind of one of the industry's most thoughtful and successful leaders. Tune in to gain a wealth of knowledge on navigating the complex investment landscape, managing an endowment, and making strategic decisions that drive success and innovation. Don't miss this captivating conversation that bridges the gap between theory and practice, providing listeners with actionable insights and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the world of institutional investments. Catherine Ulozas:   / catherineulozas   Robert Morier:   / robertlmorier   Dan DiDomenico:   / dan-didomenico-3a971055   Our Website: https://dakota.com Drexel University: https://drexel.edu/ 🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NUXRMz... Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 0:00 Intro 2:31 Catherine Ulozas Intro 4:12 Personal Biases 6:08 Finding your way to asset management 11:29 Finding Drexel 13:28 Drexel endowment 15:36 Starting at Drexel 18:20 Team structure 19:29 Open position 21:01 The portfolio 22:11 The when 23:02 Investment committee dialogue 25:08 Manager research 26:16 Manager research process 30:20 Manager criteria 36:21 Importance of people 37:29 Typical asset mix 41:43 Manager sizing 43:48 Risks 45:38 Uncertainty creating opportunity 46:44 Real assets 49:39 Sustainability 51:03 The Dragon Fund's success 53:54 History 56:58 Advice for women in finance 59:06 Outro