With a career spanning more than 30 years at institutions such as Morgan Stanley and Rockefeller University, Amy C. Falls assumed the role of vice president and chief investment officer of Northwestern University in 2021, becoming its first female CIO.
As CIO, she oversees management of a $14.1 billion endowment as well as a staff of 18 investment personnel and three support employees.
Ms. Falls said her vision was to create a "one-team approach with investment team pods moving away from the silo model so teams can work collaboratively across asset types. Now the investment model is much more open, and it has resulted in positive results for growth. Now there are two sets of eyes on every decision."
As a part of the new, more open investment process, the university's investment office is increasing mentorship and education, Ms. Falls said, adding "we need to invest in a broader range of people to help us invest well."
Ms. Falls' support of increasing diversity includes work with Girls Who Invest and SEO Alternative Investments, a group that works with younger people who are interested in investment management.
She also has made an impact in increasing diversity within investment managers by having conversations and investing with general partners that have made material progress in developing a more diverse workforce, wrote Timothy Sullivan, co-CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners, in his nomination letter. Mr. Sullivan led Northwestern's CIO search two years ago.
"She's an innovative and highly skilled CIO who has been fearless in making positive changes that we expect will have exponential impact in the coming years," he wrote.
