Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry CIO Greatest Hits: Endowments – Scott Wilson (WashU)
Jul 21, 2025
Scott Wilson, CIO of Washington University in St. Louis, shares insights from his career in investment management, particularly his position-focused approach that emphasizes co-investing. He discusses the importance of relationships and thorough due diligence in sourcing investment ideas. The conversation also delves into navigating the complexities of private and public markets, highlighting strategic partnerships and the balance between concentration and diversification. Personal anecdotes stress the significance of intellectual curiosity and learning from past mistakes in the world of investing.
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Basketball Shaped His Thinking
- Scott Wilson played at Grinnell College under a pioneering run-and-gun basketball coach.
- The style emphasized quick shots and offensive rebounds, influencing his thinking about different frameworks.
Nontraditional Path to CIO Role
- Scott Wilson transitioned from trading interest rate derivatives in Tokyo and London to managing an endowment.
- He had no prior endowment experience and initially questioned the role's nature.
Buffett-Style Concentrated Endowment
- Grinnell's endowment was run Buffett-style with concentrated positions and long holding periods.
- This approach generated massive gains from $3 million to over a billion dollars mainly from capital gains.