2020 AIF Women Investors' Forum
September 29–October 1 | Live Online
The interactive, three-day format will provide a flexible framework of invaluable resources, education, and networking for women investors. The forum is open to both men and women investment professionals and will feature keynote investor panels and investment-oriented breakout sessions, workshops, and resources for educational and networking purposes.
Please note that participation in AIF forums is by invitation only. If you are interested in participating, please contact us for more information.
Agenda at a Glance
Day One: Tuesday, September 29
12:00–1:15 p.m. ET
Welcome and Introductions
Keynote Leadership Panel on Diversity Initiatives: Driving Change in the Investment Management Industry
Session Leader:
- Raelan Lambert, Global Alternatives Leader, Mercer
Session Participants:
- Dana Johns, Senior Portfolio Manager, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System
- Bryan Lewis, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, U.S. Steel
- David Neal, CEO, IFM Investors and Former CEO, Future Fund
- Brian O’Neil, Chief Investment Officer, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Kirk Sims, Senior Investment Manager and Head of Emerging Manager Program, Teacher Retirement System of Texas
1:30–2:00 p.m. ET
Academic Keynote Lecture: ESG and the Investment Horizon
Presenter:
- Laura Starks, Charles E. and Sarah M. Seay Regents Chair of Finance,
Chairman of the Department of Finance, and Director of the AIM Investment Center,
McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
2:00–2:45 p.m. ET
Breakout Group Discussions: ESG Case Study
ESG Discussion Leaders:
- Bridget Bartlett, Portfolio Strategist and Head of ESG, Beach Point Capital Management
- Beverly Berman, Senior Advisor, 17Capital
- Lorena Cabezas, Regional Director, Institutional, Ninety One
- Kathryn Carpenter, Principal, Capital Dynamics
- Marianne Dwight, Director of Institutional Investor Services for Strategic Insight Group Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
- Danita Johnson, Principal Investment Officer – Real Asset, Connecticut Retirement Plans & Trust Funds
- Nikki Hall Jones, Director, Investments, Willis Towers Watson
- Tracy Harris, Partner, Investor Relations & Product Strategy, Siris Capital
- Angela Johnson, Senior Vice President, Torchlight Investors
- Jennie Mazzucco, Vice President, Owl Rock
- Tara McCann, Managing Director, Rockwood Capital
- Michelle Perry, ESG Officer/ODD Director, Aksia
- Dawn Powell, Senior Associate, StepStone Group
- Joanna Reiss, Partner and Co-Lead, Apollo Impact, Apollo Global Management
- Susan Soh, Chief of Strategy and Capital Development, Sightway Capital, a Two Sigma Company
- Sondra Vitols, Director, New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Bhavika Vyas, Managing Director, Responsible Investing, StepStone Group
- Elizabeth Weindruch, Managing Director, Barings
- Annelie Gunnarstedt, Executive Director, HPS Investment Partners
3:00–4:00 p.m. ET
Final Findings and Recap of ESG Discussions by Group Facilitators
Day Two: Wednesday, September 30
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET
Welcome and Day One Recap
Resilience in a Time of Crisis
Global women leaders discuss resilience and leadership in their roles and organizations in a time of crisis, including navigating the new normal in the alternative investment industry; establishing a work-life balance in a remote world; and finding solutions and excelling amidst extreme challenges.
Session Participants:
- Valérie Bénard, Head of Aksia Europe, Aksia LLC
- Wendy Norris, Deputy CIO, Private Markets, Future Fund
- Teresa McTague, Senior Managing Director, CIO-US, Global Co-Head of External Management Platform, Aflac Global Investments
- Andrea Kramer, Global Head of Fund Investment Team, Hamilton Lane
- Stephanie Neely, Managing Director and Head of Central US and Canada Region for North America Institutional, JP Morgan Asset Management
1:00–1:45 p.m. ET
Breakout Group Deeper Dive Discussions on Resilience
How would you describe what Resilience means to you?
How are you and your organization navigating the new norm in the alternative investment industry?
What specific overall portfolio or asset class observations, changes, or opportunities have you seen during this time?
What kind of positive changes have you or your organization made during these challenging times? Should some of these things “stick”?
How are you connecting and finding your voice in a virtual world – best practices from the LP and GP perspective?
How have you established a work-life balance in a remote world?Share your best kept secret: finding solutions and excelling amidst extreme challenges
Resilience Discussion Leaders:
- Yasmine Calil, Associate, Christofferson Robb & Co.
- Gila Cohen, Managing Director, Real Estate & Private Equity, MUFG
- Anne Melissa Dowling, Board Director, Prosperity Life Group
- Avni Gandhi, Principal, Ares Management
- Sara Hakim, Senior Vice President, Callan LLC
- Faith Harty, Senior Vice President, Marathon Asset Management
- Stephanie Ivy Sanford, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
- Ellann Johnson, Managing Director, Antares
- Meena Lakshman, Director Investments, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsely Charitable Trust
- Rosa Limas, Director, Segal Marco Advisors
- Meg McClellan, Head of Private Credit, JP Morgan Asset Management
- Teresa McTague, CIO-US, Aflac Global Investments
- Meghan Munchoff, Director, 400 Capital Management
- Antonella Napolitano, Managing Director, Deerpath Capital
- Maureen O’Brien, Vice President and Corporate Governance Director, Segal Marco Advisors
- Petya Nikolova, Head of Infrastructure Investments, New York City Retirement System
- Annette Phillips, Director, Human Resources, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
- Karen Rode, Partner, Director of Private Equity and Infrastructure, Aon Investments USA Inc.
- Catherine Saunders, Managing Director, Benefit Street Partners
- Cathy Ulozas, CIO, Drexel University
- Alisa Wood, Partner, KKR
2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Final Findings and Recap of Resilience Discussions by Group Facilitators
Day Three: Thursday, October 1
12:00–1:30 p.m. ET
Welcome and Day Two Recap
Replace Momentum, and Succeed with Intention
“Momentum” sounds great in theory. But if you truly want to succeed and thrive, you’ve got to apply an intentional framework to everything you do.
Join bold, trusted, and authentic keynote speaker Tissa Richards for a powerful exploration of how to level up by approaching the following four key areas with intention: Your value and personal brand; your communication skills; your leadership style; and your career path.
Presenter:
- Tissa Richards, CEO, Marketing Logix
Introduction by:
- Sharmila Kassam, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute; and Former Deputy CIO, Employees’ Retirement System of Texas
1:30–2:00 p.m. ET
Virtual Networking Coffee Break
2:15–3:30 p.m. ET
Update from Our Aligned Organizations
Replace Momentum, and Succeed with Intention
Session Leaders:
- Camille Asaro, Audit Partner, KPMG
- Coco Brown, Founder and CEO, Athena Alliance
- Anna Dayn, Chair, New York Steering Committee, Women’s Association of Venture Equity (WAVE)
- Anyori Hernandez, Emerging Manager Program, NYS Common Retirement Fund
- Seema Hingorani, Founder and Chair, Girls Who Invest and Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Investment Management
- Kelly Williams, Founding Chair and Co-CEO, Private Equity Women Investor Network (PE WIN); and CEO, The Williams Legacy Foundation
2020 AIF Women Investors' Forum Confirmed Participants List
Aflac Global Investments
- Teresa McTague, CIO – US, Global Co-Head of External Management Platform
- Ksenija Jovanovic, Vice President, External Management
Aksia LLC
- Valérie Bénard, Partner, Head of Aksia Europe
- Rebecca Levy, Senior Portfolio Advisor
- Lynn O’Connell, Portfolio Advisor
- Michelle Perry, Director, Operational Due Diligence – ESG & Sustainability Office
Alaska Permanent Fund Organization
- Catherine Hatch, Investment Analyst
- Rachel Price, Investment Analyst
Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund Board
- Mark Wojcichowsky, Managing Director, Real Estate
Albourne Partners
- Tathata Lohachitkul, Portfolio Analyst
American Beacon Advisors
- Mark Michel, Senior Analyst
Amtrust
- Laura Gilbert, Vice President
Aon Investment Consulting
- Kristen Doyle, Partner
- Karen Rode, Partner, Director Private Equity and Infrastructure
- Alison Trusty, Senior Consultant
APG Asset Management
- Keren Raz, Senior RI Specialist
AT&T
- Kimling Fink, Director, Investment Management
Atapco
- Anne Shelton, CIO
Brighthouse Financial
- Maria Tarhanidis, Managing Director
Callan
- Catherine Beard, Senior Vice President, Alternatives Consulting
- Janet Becker-Wold, Senior Vice President
- Sara Hakim, Senior Vice President
- Lauren Sertich, Senior Vice President, Real Assets Consulting
CalSTRS
- Katherine Rodota, Associate Portfolio Manager
California State Treasurer’s Office
- Gloria Li, Director of External Affairs
- Gloria Pulido, External Affairs, Southern California
- Noah Starr, External Affairs
- Kathryn Asprey, Director of Constituent Affairs
Cambridge Associates
- Jordan Meyers, Private Credit Investment Associate
Canadian Medical Protection Association
- Serra Erdogmus, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Assets
CBIZ Investment Advisory Services (formerly Gavion)
- Gina Miles, Senior Consultant / Director of Alternative Investments
CDPQ
- Mario Therrien, Head of Investment Funds and External Management
CNID
- Evangelia Stroubakis, Portfolio Manager – Private Debt & Infrastructure
Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds
- Danita Johnson, Principal Investment Officer
Drexel University
- Cathy Uloza, CIO
Employees Retirement System of Texas
- Tom Tull, CIO
- Lauren Honza, Portfolio Manager
- Panayiotis Lambropoulos, Portfolio Manager
- Betty Martin, Director of Investment Services
- Lanesia Jones, Investment Analyst
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
- Debbie Kozole, Manager, Domestic Equity Portfolio
Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado
- Mandy Kamm, Investment Officer
Fort Worth Employees’ Retirement Fund
- Benita Harper, Executive Director
Future Fund
- Wendy Norris, Deputy CIO, Private Markets
Hamilton Lane
- Andrea Kramer, Managing Director
- Kate McGann, Vice President, Corporate Communications and PR
James Irvine Foundation
- Krishner Thaker, Investment Associate
JANA Investment Advisers
- John Coombe, Executive Director
Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry
- Ron Fu, Senior Investment Officer
- Elaine Hin, EA, Investment
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
- Meena Lakshman, CFA, Director Investments
Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA)
- Jonathan Grabel, CIO
- Cheryl Lu, Investment Officer
- Shelly Tilaye, Senior Investment Professional
- Esmeralda del Bosque, Senior Investment Officer
Los Angeles Fire & Police Pension System
- Susan Liem, Investment Officer
Ludwig Institute of Cancer Research Fund
- Avantika Patel, Director of Investments
M&G Investments
- Justine Lee, Head of Operational Due Diligence
- Laura O’Shea, Investment Manager Oversight
Maryland State Retirement and Pension System
- Dana Johns, Senior Portfolio Manager
MassMutual
- Elyse Vilinsky, Director
- Ariana Lucera, Credit Analyst
MassPRIM
- Eric Nierenberg, Chief Strategy Officer
- Maria Garrahan, Director of Research
Mercer
- Raelan Lambert, Global Alternatives Leader
- Beth Johnon, Partner
MUFG (Mitsubishi)
- Gila Cohen, Managing Director, Real Estate and Private Equity
National Treasury Management Agency
- Mary MacNamara, Investment Director
NEPC
- Dulari Pancoli, Principal, Director of Fixed Income and Multi-Asset
New York City MTA
- Valerie Bannon, CIO
New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Sondro Vitols, Director
New Holland Capital
- Sapna Vir, Director of External Relationships
New York City Retirement System
- Neil Messing, Head of Hedge Funds
- Petya Nikolova, Head of Infrastructure Investments
New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Sondra Vitols, Director
New York State Office of the Comptroller (New York State Common Retirement Fund)
- Susana Callendar, Operations Officer
Nippon Life Global Investors America
- Mihoko Oyama, Senior Director
Old Farm Partners
- Nishi Shah, Head of Research
Opus Investment Management (Hanover Insurance)
- Ann Tripp, President
- Lindsay Greenfield, Co-Head Portfolio Management & Trading
Prosperity Life Group
- Anne Melissa Dowling, Director
Public Official Benefits Association (POBA) of Korea
- Dong Hun Jang, CIO
The Robert Wood John Foundation
- Brian O’Neil, CIO
Segal Marco Advisors
- Rosa Limas, Director
- Maureen O’Brien, Vice President and Corporate Governance Director
Sempra Energy
- Carina Coleman, Director, Pension & Trust Investments
- Marvin Tong, Senior Investment Analyst
StepStone Group
- Michael Elio, Partner
- Lindsay Creedon, Partner
- Bhavika Vyas, Managing Director
- Pooja Patel, Principal
- Anja Ritchie, Vice President, Real Estate
- Dawn Powell, Senior Associate
Strategic Investment Group
- Kendall Rose, Managing Director
Sunsuper
- Maria Guo, Investment Manager
Texas Municipal Retirement System
- Kristin Qualls, Investment Manager
- Melody Bickersteth, Investments
- Frank Atkins, Investment Analyst
- Celisse Cobos, Investment Analyst
Teacher Retirement System of Texas
- Jennifer Wenzel, Senior Investment Manager
- Kirk Sims, Senior Investment Manager, Head of Emerging Managing Program
- Lisa Peavy, Project Manager
Tesco Pension Investment
- David Linehan, Private Markets Fund Manager
Texas Municipal Retirement System
- Celisse Cobos, Investment Analyst
- Frank Atkins, Investment Analyst
- Kristin Qualls, Investment Manager
- Melody Bickersteth, Investments
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
- Annette Phillips, Director, Human Resources
The Canadian Medical Protective Association
- Serra Erdogmus, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Assets
The Townsend Group, an Aon Company
- Karen Rode, Partner
Tulane University Investment Office
- Julia Mord, Managing Director
U.S. Steel
- Bryan Lewis, Vice President and CIO
UCLA Investment Company
- Joe Bryant, Investment Director
United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund
- Elizabeth Caldes, Investment Officer
- Ellen Li, Analyst
UTIMCO
- Mallory Glusband
Victoria Funds Management Corporation
- Vicky Chow, Senior Quant
Willis Towers Watson
- Nikki Hall-Jones, Director, Investments
- Lidia Medojevic, Associate Director
Wilshire Associates
- Jessica Nicosia, Vice President
World Bank
- Sihui Yan, Investment Analyst
- Ning Wang, Analyst
AIF Women Investors' Steering Committee
A special thank you to our AIF Women Investors’ Leadership Steering Committee for all of the contributions for this year’s virtual forum:
- Camille Asaro, Audit Partner, KPMG
- Bettina Baban, Managing Director, Audax Group
- Larissa Belova, Deputy Portfolio Manager, CBRE Global Investors
- Valerie Benard, Head of Europe, Aksia
- Lara L. Clarke, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
- Sue Crotty, Senior Vice President, Segal Marco Advisors
- Allison Davi, Managing Director, Head of Business Development, Benefit Street Partners
- Kristen Doyle, Partner, Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting
- Dyice Ellis-Beckham, Managing Director, Invesco
- Kathlika Fontes, Director of Investor Relations, Grain Management
- Mary Beth Grover, Partner, ASC Advisors
- Kathy Hahn, Director of Investments, Casey Family Programs
- Dianna L. Henrich, Managing Director, Client Group, GCM Grosvenor
- Dana Johns, Senior Portfolio Manager, Maryland State Retirement System
- Sharmila Kassam, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute; and Former Deputy CIO, Employees Retirement System of Texas
- Lisa Lee, Managing Director, Business Development, Providence Equity Partners
- Samantha Levenstein, Investor Relations, Beach Point Capital Management
- Elena Manola-Bonthond, Chief Investment Officer, CERN Pension Fund
- Holly McMullan, Partner, Strategic Accounts, Apollo Global Management
- Julia Mord, Director of Investments, Tulane University Investment Management Office
- Meghan Munchoff, Director, 400 Capital Management
- Yvonne Nelson, Executive Director, Real Estate, New York City Retirement System
- Petya Nikolova, Head of Infrastructure Investments, New York City Retirement System
- Annette Phillips, Director, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
- Janice Cook Roberts, Director, Client and Partner Group, KKR
- Karen Rode, Partner, The Townsend Group, an Aon Company
- Delia Roges, Managing Director, Invesco
- Stephanie Ivy Sanford, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
- Sheryl Schwartz, Executive Board Member, Women’s Association of Venture and Equity (WAVE), and Adjunct Professor, Fordham University
- Liz Smith, Senior Managing Director, AB
- Susan Soh, Chief of Strategy and Capital Development, Sightway Capital, a Two Sigma Company
- Julie Solomon, Partner, Head of Product Management, Ares Management
- Tereza Hesounova Trivell, Senior Investment Officer, Alternative Investments, United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund
- Sondra Vitols, Director, New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Roberta Waxman-Lenz, Investment Officer, United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund
- Kelly Williams, Founding Chair and Co-CEO, Private Equity Women Investor Network (PE WIN) and CEO, The Williams Legacy Foundation
- Alisa A. Wood, Partner, KKR
