Ellen Hung, Deputy CIO, State Universities Retirement System, "Meet the $22 billion pension with over 40% of the portfolio managed by diverse firms"

Our guest for today's podcast is Ellen Hung, Deputy CIO at the State Universities Retirement System (also knowns as SURS), which is based in Champaign, Illinois.  As Deputy CIO, Ellen oversees over $22bn in fund assets and works closely with the CIO on asset allocation and implementing new initiatives across the fund.  More recently, Ellen helped to develop SURS' Crisis Risk sleeve which includes allocations to systematic trend following managers, long duration managers, as well as alternative risk premia managers.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Ellen given we share many common experiences growing up as kids of Chinese immigrant parents that didn't speak English and hustled to give their kids the ability to chase the American dream.  It is no surprise that under Ellen's leadership that SURS is well known as a large supporter of diverse investment managers with over 40% of the portfolio managed by diverse firms.

 

Without further ado, here is our conversation with Ellen Hung.