The Institutional Investor Institute returns this September with the 4th Annual Allocators' Choice Roundtable — a closed-door, candor-first gathering where the nation's leading chief investment officers and senior allocators speak frankly about the forces reshaping their portfolios.
Last year set a high bar. Over a single day, allocators debated the durability of America's economic foundation, weighed domestic equities against international markets, modeled private markets through a recessionary lens, and confronted the realities of a multi-decade energy transition — all under our no-holds-barred format, where no question is too sensitive.
The full 2026 program is taking shape now. Below is a look back at what made the 2025 Roundtable one of the most talked-about days on the allocator calendar.
A Look Back: 2025 Program Highlights
Opening Panel — How Long Will America's Economic Foundation Sustain Itself?
CIOs examined how "American Protectionism" weighs on "American Exceptionalism," and how investment teams can position portfolios to withstand fiscal uncertainty.
Featured Debate — Battle of the Strategists
Chief market strategists from Lazard, New York Life Investments, and Principal went head-to-head on the outlook driving allocation decisions.
Diversification Matters: Should Investors "Dump" Domestic Stocks for International Equities?
After a decade of U.S. dominance, allocators reconsidered whether shifting policy and sequencing risk make foreign equities essential to a well-diversified portfolio again.
Alternatives Corner — Modelling Private Markets in a Recessionary Environment
With nearly $2 trillion in private equity and venture assets, panelists weighed valuation lag, manager and sector exposure, and the case for staying the course.
Alternatives Corner — The Promise and Pitfalls of a Multi-Decade Energy Transition
Three years past the IRA, allocators assessed a generational shift in supply and demand — and the new commodity and infrastructure opportunity set it creates.
Founders' Conversation — Jenny Johnson, President & CEO, Franklin Templeton
An exclusive conversation on the evolving global landscape, emerging technologies in capital markets, and navigating complexity for clients.
Closing Keynote — Honoring the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
A capstone tribute recognizing the industry leaders whose careers have defined institutional investing.
2025 Faculty Spanned the Allocator Universe
Last year's speaking faculty brought together chief investment officers and senior allocators from across public pensions, endowments and foundations, healthcare and corporate plans, and the world's leading asset managers.
Public Pensions
David Veal, CIO, Employees Retirement System of Texas · Jerome "Jeb" Burns, CIO, Municipal Employees' Retirement System of Michigan · Jason Malinowski, CIO, Seattle City Employees' Retirement System · Andrew Siwo, Director of Sustainable Investments & Climate Solutions, New York State Common Retirement Fund
Endowments & Foundations
Geeta Kapadia, CFA, CIO, Fordham University · Abigail Kahn Archibald, Senior Portfolio Manager, Mellon Foundation · Joshua Shannon, CFA, Deputy CIO, Hershey Trust Company · Jeremy J. Heer, CFA, CAIA, Managing Director, University of Illinois Foundation · Bhakti Mirchandani, Managing Director, Responsible Investments, Trinity Church
Healthcare & Corporate Plans
Scott Pittman, SVP & CIO, The Mount Sinai Health System · Anne Dinneen, CIO, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital · Fred Greear, CFA, CIO, Carilion Clinic · Anand Narayanan, Director, Global Equities, Johnson & Johnson
Leading Asset Managers & Strategists
Jenny Johnson, President & CEO, Franklin Templeton · Dmitry Balyasny, Managing Partner & CIO, Balyasny Asset Management · Ronald Temple, Chief Market Strategist, Lazard Asset Management · Lauren Goodwin, CFA, Chief Market Strategist, New York Life Investments · Seema Shah, Chief Global Strategist, Principal Asset Management · Rich Nuzum, CFA, Head of OCIO, Franklin Templeton
The 2026 faculty will be announced in the coming weeks.
Reserve Your Place
Attendance is reserved for senior institutional investment professionals, and space is limited. Reserve your place for September 17 at the Mandarin Oriental, New York.
