Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Allison Thacker – Different Perspectives and Different Assets at Rice University (EP.348)
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Nov 6, 2023 Allison Thacker, President and CIO of Rice Management Company, manages Rice University's $8 billion endowment. In this engaging discussion, she shares insights from her dual experience as a direct investor and an endowment manager. Thacker highlights Rice's unique asset allocation, particularly its focus on real assets, and the importance of blending internal and external expertise. The conversation also explores market anomalies, debt management strategies, and the role of personal relationships in achieving professional success.
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Enron Experience
- Allison Thacker's investment banking experience at Merrill Lynch during the Enron scandal led her to pursue a buy-side career.
- Witnessing the tension between Enron bankers and analysts solidified her decision.
Wall of Bad Omens
- Thacker maintains a "Signs of the Apocalypse" wall in her office, displaying items she considers bad market signs.
- These include news of SoftBank's Vision Fund, Sequoia's Forever Fund, and negative-yielding bonds.
Boutique Firm Choice
- Thacker chose to work at RS Investments, a boutique firm, for its entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility.
- This allowed her to explore various investment opportunities and learn without restrictive rules.