Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Scott Wilson – Concentrated Investing at Washington University-St. Louis (Capital Allocators, EP. 159)
Oct 5, 2020
Scott Wilson, Chief Investment Officer at Washington University-St. Louis, oversees a massive $10 billion endowment. He discusses his transition from Grinnell College’s unique investment approach to a concentrated strategy at Washington University. The conversation dives into navigating hedge funds, frontier markets, and the rigorous process of underwriting investment ideas. He shares personal insights, lessons learned from past mistakes, and the evolution of his investment philosophy, emphasizing collaboration within his team for optimal returns.
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Unconventional Basketball
- Scott Wilson played basketball at Grinnell College, embracing a unique, fast-paced style.
- This system emphasized three-pointers and offensive rebounds, which was unusual at the time.
Entry into Finance
- Wilson's interest in finance stemmed from his peers at Grinnell, leading to internships at Payne Weber and an asset management firm.
- He secured a position at First Boston's Equity Research Group after graduating, marking his entry into Wall Street.
Career Progression
- Wilson's career path included equity research at Merrill Lynch during the tech bubble burst, followed by a transition to quantitative finance at Bank of America.
- He worked in Tokyo and London before returning to Grinnell College to manage their endowment.