2025 AIF Institute Fall Insurance Investing Symposium
October 16 | New York City | One Vanderbilt
On behalf of AIF Global, we hope you will join us for the 2025 AIF Institute Fall Insurance Investing Symposium to be held October 16 at One Vanderbilt in New York City.
Agenda to be released soon
Agenda at a Glance
October 16
8:15 a.m.
Registration
8:45–9:00 a.m.
Welcome Remarks
- Brant Maller, Founder and CEO, AIF Global and the AIF Institute
- Andrew Messer, Executive Director, AIF Global and the AIF Institute
9:00–9:50 a.m.
CIO’s Perspective: Today's Insurance Investment Landscape
Senior Investors share how they translate macro trends into portfolio strategy while leading and structuring teams, setting culture, and exercising practical leadership to achieve investment objectives
Moderator:
- Thomas Lynch, Senior Managing Director, Cliffwater
Panelists:
- Lori Finlay, Senior Vice President and CIO, Unum
- Emilia Wiener, CIO, TIAA
- Karyn Williams, Regional CIO, Zurich North America, Zurich Insurance
10:00–11:15 a.m.
Regulatory Update: Post-NAIC Meeting Developments & Capital Frameworks
Featuring Commissioner Houdek and Amnon Levy from Bridgeway Analytics, unpacking RBC developments, CLO designation shifts, bond definitions, and the expanding VOSTF mandates
- Richard Cantor, Vice Chairman, Moody’s Ratings
- Nathan Houdek, Commissioner of Insurance, Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Chair, NAIC (E) Committee (Virtually Participating)
- Amnon Levy, CEO, Bridgeway Analytics
- Carrie Mears, Chief Investment Specialist, Iowa Department of Insurance & Financial Services
- Steve Smith, CIO – Insurance, Neuburger Berman
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Rethinking CLO Allocations: From Mezz to Equity
As insurers grow more comfortable with CLO structures, many are selectively moving beyond senior tranches into mezzanine debt and even CLO equity. This discussion will examine the risk-return tradeoffs, capital treatment, and structural protections of these lower-rated tranches, while highlighting how insurers are weighing yield, diversification, and governance in portfolio construction.
Moderator:
- Matt Maleri, Partner, NEPC
Panelists:
- Matt Andrews, Senior Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of Capital Markets – Structured Credit, CIFC Asset Management
- Troy Gayle, CIO and Treasurer, Horace Mann Insurance Companies
- Jeffrey Hobbs, CIO-Fixed Income, Voya Investment Management
- Dan Wohlberg, Principal, Head of CLO Issuance & Origination, Eagle Point Credit
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:30–2:30 p.m.
Beyond Middle Market—Diversifying Private Debt ABF Focused Panel
Moderator:
- Nick Pepe, Managing Director, Apollo Global Management
Panelists:
- Ben Case, Co-Head of Asset-Backed Finance Investing, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
- Abhi Kane, Managing Director – Alternative Investment Strategist, 400 Capital Management
- Juan Prieto, Head of Alternative Investments, Mutual of Omaha
- Bret Leas, Partner and Co-Head of Asset-Backed Finance, Apollo
Global Management
2:45–3:45 p.m.
Building the Future: Infrastructure Investing Through the Insurer Lens
As insurers seek durable, long-duration investments, infrastructure debt and equity are gaining traction as portfolio diversifiers with strong capital efficiency. This session will explore where return, structure, and regulatory alignment converge—highlighting sectors like renewable energy, data infrastructure, and transportation finance. Panelists will discuss underwriting frameworks, rate-cycle considerations, and capital management approaches influencing insurer allocations today.
Moderator:
- Mina Nazemi, Head of Diversified Alternative Equity, Barings
Panelists:
- Isela Bahena, Managing Director, Private Equity Infrastructure, Nuveen
- Yuyang Gu, Vice President, Infrastructure Debt, Allianz Global
Investors - Patrick Manseau, Head of Infrastructure Debt, Americas & APAC, MetLife Investment Management
- Leslie Vargas, Senior Vice President, Global Investment Strategy,
Prudential
4:00–5:00 p.m.
The State of Asset Allocation in Insurance Portfolios: Drivers of Change and Innovation
As insurers navigate higher rates, capital treatment shifts, and an evolving macro backdrop, asset allocation decisions are becoming more complex and more critical. This discussion will take a high-level look at how insurance GA portfolios are structured today, where allocation strategies are evolving, and what’s driving change—from regulatory developments to yield opportunities and the push for innovation. Panelists will share perspectives on balancing stability with diversification, managing capital efficiency, and positioning portfolios for the next decade.
Moderator:
- Jason Samansky, Consultant, RVK
Speakers:
- Giovanni Gambarotta, Director, Liberty Mutual Investments
- William Greenwood, Partner, Albourne
- Jared Klyman, Partner, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
- Bradford Lo Gatto, Deputy CIO, Ascot Group
5:00–6:00 p.m.
Closing Reception
2025 AIF Institute Fall Insurance Investors' Symposium Participant List
Investor, Consultant, and Finance Academic Participants
Aksia
Colin McFetridge, Analyst
Albourne
William Greenwood, Partner
Allianz Capital Partners
Yuyang Gu, Vice President*
American Family
Yoshiko Inoue, Managing Director, Asset Allocation
Ascot Group
Bradford Lo Gatto, Deputy CIO
Athene
Mark Abbott, Senior Vice President, Risk
Brighthouse Financial
Maria Tarhanidis, Head of Alternative Investments**
Cliffwater
Tom Lynch, Senior Managing Director
DB Advisory America
Yong Park, President
GE Aerospace – Employers Reassurance Corporation (GE – ERAC)
John Gao, Head of Investment Risk Management
Josh Kohn, Portfolio Manager
Genworth
Jason Tannenbaum, Head of Private and Structured Assets
The Hanover Insurance Group
James Overpeck, Vice President, Investments
Horace Mann Insurance Companies
Troy Gayle, Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer*
Iowa Department of Insurance & Financial Services
Carrie Mears, Chief Investment Specialist (Virtually Participating)*
Liberty Mutual Investments
Giovanni Gambarotta, Director
Won Jae Jung, Director
Mercer
Richard Silvan, Principal, Senior Investment Strategist, Insurance
Mutual of Omaha
Juan Prieto, Head of Alternative Investments*
NEPC
Matt Maleri, Partner, Head of Insurance*
Joe Nankof, Partner
Nuveen, a TIAA company
Isela Bahena, Managing Director*
Prudential Financial
Keegan Pieri, Investment Vice President
Leslie Vargas, Senior Vice President, Global Investment Strategy* **
Resolution Life
Jessie Nguyen, Associate Portfolio Manager
RVK
Jason Samansky, Consultant
Somers Group
John Patin, CIO
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Americas Division
Ftsum Michael, Structured Credit Investment Professional
TIAA
Emily Wiener, Chief Investment Officer* **
Unum
Lori Finlay, Senior Vice President and CIO* **
Venerable
Ryan Pagano, AVP, Senior Portfolio Manager
Voya Investment Management
Jeffrey Hobbs, CIO-Fixed Income* **
Wilshire
Bradley Baker, Managing Director
Zurich Insurance
Karyn Williams, Regional Chief Investment Officer, Zurich North America
*Speaker
** AIF Insurance Investor Advisory Board Member
