Finance leaders, economists and investors gathered at Texas Christian University for
the 22nd annual Investment Strategies Conference to assess a market defined by uncertainty, as long-term investors weigh the implications of artificial intelligence, the maturation
of private markets, shifting geopolitical dynamics and changes to the structure of
U.S. capital markets.
TCU Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin framed the conversation around what those shifts mean
for the next generation of leaders entering the industry.
“How do we expand and strengthen public markets for the next generation of companies
and investors and importantly, the next generation of TCU graduates who in so many
instances will lead them,” Pullin said. “For over two decades, the ISC has helped
address a very diverse list of themes, intending to be both timely and substantive
to the investment community, which welcomes our graduates with open arms.”
Each year, the conference, co-hosted by TCU Investment Management and the Luther King Capital Management Center for Financial Studies at the Neeley School of Business, gathers investors, faculty and students around the issues shaping today’s investment
landscape.
“The aim of the ISC is simple: to bring together investors, students, and faculty
to engage directly with investment experts and exchange ideas in a thoughtful, long-term
context,” said TCU Chief Investment Officer Jason Safran ’01.
A defining feature of this annual event, which regularly has a waitlist, is the caliber
of its speakers. Past keynotes have included a former United States president, a chair
of the Federal Reserve System, CEOs and CIOs of corporate institutes and private industry.
The conference’s longevity continues to draw attendees back year after year.
Conference attendees heard from Jennifer Welch, chief geoeconomics analyst at Bloomberg
Economics; Raj Gollamudi, co-founder and managing partner of OnePrime Capital; Lucas
Swisher, growth partner at Coatue; Ian Charles ’00, managing partner at Arctos Partners;
Arthur Laffer, respected economist and business financial adviser; and James Lee,
chairman, founder and CEO of the Texas Stock Exchange.
Shaping Today’s Markets
In one session, Charles examined private market trends and what they mean for investors
as capital continues to shift away from traditional public markets. He pointed to
his time at the Neeley School as foundational to his career, in particular two academic
moments: an independent study of private equity and his experience managing a real-world
portfolio through the Neeley Educational Investment Fund.
That independent study was sponsored by Mo Rodriguez, director of the Luther King
Capital Management Center for Financial Studies and the J. Luther King Jr. Endowed
Chair in Finance.
In his leadership role with the LKCM Center, Rodriguez focuses on bringing together
the academy and industry. In partnership with the TCU Investment Management office,
the Investment Strategies Conference reflects that approach, connecting academic preparation
with the realities shaping today’s markets.
“Our goal is to bring the industry directly into the learning environment so students
understand how investment decisions are being shaped by technology, geopolitics and
shifting market structures,” Rodriguez said. “That connection helps them build the
judgment and context they need to enter their careers ready to navigate change and
contribute from the start.”
‘Excited to do Business in Texas’
That connection is reflected not only in the student experience, but in how industry
professionals engage with the conference. It also serves as a forum for finance professionals
to continue their development and exchange ideas with peers. Raquel Chmielewski, chief
investment officer for Fikes Family Office, has attended for the past three years
and returns to connect with peers as a limited partner and gain insight from the speakers.
“I really enjoyed Laffer,” said Chmielewski, referring to Arthur Laffer, a respected
economist and financial business advisor for whom a financial model, the Laffer Curve,
is named. “I was a BSMS and economics undergrad, and it was great to see him. I took
a picture and sent this to some of my graduate student friends. It’s great to be a
little academic.”
For students in attendance, those conversations translated into a clearer understanding
of how they will navigate the industry themselves.
“The last presentation on the Texas Stock Exchange just made me excited to do business
in Texas, to be living in Texas,” said Hunter Springer, a senior finance and accounting
major, who will begin a career at a private equity firm in Houston after graduation
in May. “Hearing about all of the innovation and everything that’s moving here, it
put a smile on my face thinking about being here 20 years from now.”