Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Jenn Birmingham – Organizational Alpha at PRINCO (EP. 336)
Sep 4, 2023
Jenn Birmingham, Managing Director at Princeton University Investment Company (PRINCO), dives into the concept of organizational alpha and its impact on investment success. She shares insights on decision-making and collaboration that have made PRINCO one of the leading endowments. Jenn reflects on her transition from Wall Street to academia, emphasizes the importance of operational due diligence, and discusses how automation can enhance investment processes. She also highlights initiatives for diversity and the critical role of public accounting in investment analysis.
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Career Path to PRINCO
- Jen Birmingham's career journey began at Deutsche Asset Management, transitioning from global reporting to hedge funds and eventually CFO.
- A recruiter then presented her with a unique opportunity at Princeton University Investment Company (PRINCO).
Wall Street to Endowment
- Birmingham was drawn to PRINCO's entrepreneurial nature and the chance to build something new, aligning with her prior experiences.
- Transitioning from Wall Street to PRINCO required a mindset shift, embracing a more thoughtful and collaborative approach.
Early Days and Delegation
- In the early days at PRINCO, even mundane tasks were shared, highlighting the hands-on approach of a small team.
- As the team grew, delegation became crucial for individual and organizational effectiveness.