New York’s largest public pension plans have joined forces to create Emerging Managers Week in February, a series of conferences that will enable asset managers to meet with the investment staff members of the public pension plans.
On Feb. 12, the office of the New York City comptroller will host its annual Diverse and Emerging Managers conference in New York City.
“Expanding the pool of asset managers who are responsible for investing the assets of our pension funds is an essential part of our investing strategy and integral to delivering robust long-term returns for current and retired municipal employees,” Brad Lander, the city comptroller and custodian of the five pension funds in the $286.4 billion city pension system, said in a Jan. 7 news release.
On Feb. 13, the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System, Albany, will hold its MWBE Investments and Professional Services conference in Albany.
“We look forward to providing MWBE investment professionals with the opportunity to learn about our system," Thomas K. Lee, executive director of the $148 billion system, said in the news release referring to the acronym for minority and women-owned business enterprises.
This year’s conference “celebrates the critical role of diversity, equity and inclusion in our vision of pension fund excellence and reflects our commitment to access and opportunity,” he said.
The week of conferences concludes Feb. 14 with the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s annual Emerging Manager & MWBE Conference in Albany.
“Emerging managers are a critical part of a diversified portfolio,” Thomas P. DiNapoli, the state comptroller and sole trustee of the $274.6 billion pension fund, said in the news release. “We are constantly looking to expand our roster of qualified managers who can bring innovation and nimbleness to our pension fund and grow within in it.”
Emerging Managers Week also has a contribution from non-New York public pension funds, albeit virtually.
On Feb. 11, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas will hold a virtual emerging manager conference and an emerging manager forum and reception.
Among the participants are officials from the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island, the Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds and the Illinois State Treasury.
