Acansa Investment Management Group

What does the future hold for alternative investments? 🤔 At the recent #AltsMiami closing keynote, Mary Cahill and her fellow panelists dove deep into the evolving landscape of alternative investments. From private markets to crypto, the opportunities are vast, but so are the challenges.    One key takeaway? The importance of manager selection and operational diligence cannot be overstated. In a world where liquidity can take years to materialize—think 5+ years for private credit or even longer for private equity and real estate—these investments require a different mindset. They’re not just line items on a balance sheet; they’re strategic partners in your investment journey. When founding Acansa Investment Management Group, we wanted to address this significant challenge for small- and mid-sized non-profits: how to tap into these complex asset classes and access the elite managers delivering durable results. The solution? Leverage our in-house CIO experience and decades of relationship-building with top-tier private markets portfolio management teams. This approach not only enhances our clients' access to sought-after opportunities but also ensures they have the right partners to navigate the intricacies of alternative investments. It’s about creating a robust ecosystem where both our clients and the managers thrive together. Thank you to Markets Group, CFA Society Miami, and CAIA Association for hosting a great event. #AlternativeInvestments #InvestmentStrategy #Partnerships #AltsMiami

"How can non-profits leverage real estate investments to enhance their endowment's impact while maintaining liquidity?" Mary Cahill joined a panel of peers exploring this very topic at last week's Markets Group Annual Global Real Estate Forum in New York. In the world of non-profits, the challenge of balancing immediate funding needs with long-term growth is a constant tug-of-war. Many organizations find themselves sitting on significant real estate holdings, which can complicate liquidity management and risk exposure. At Acansa Investment Management Group, we’ve turned this challenge into an opportunity. Our approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the unique dynamics of non-profit endowments. With first-hand Chief Investment Officer (CIO) experience, we navigate the complexities of real estate investments (and other illiquid private markets investments) to ensure that our clients meet their near-term operational and grant-making needs while remaining poised for sustainable long-term growth. One of the key tools in our arsenal is our proprietary liquidity forecasting analysis. This innovative solution allows us to create a strong alignment between portfolio liquidity and cash flow requirements, ensuring that we can respond to funding needs without sacrificing long-term investment potential. #Nonprofit #Investments #Liquidity #RealEstate

Thank you to Madeline Heckman and the team at Markets Group for inviting Acansa Investment Management Group to participate in this timely topic.

Closing out the week with our exploration of three challenges experienced by small and mid-sized nonprofits when it comes to managing their investment portfolios — Access, Scale, and Mission-alignment. Question No. 3 is: Are your investment strategies truly reflecting your mission? 🤔 This is a question that many non-profit organizations grapple with.  In the pursuit of financial returns, it’s easy to lose sight of the very values that drive our work. At Acansa Investment Management Group, we recognize every organization has unique non-financial goals. Our tailored holistic process is designed to ensure that your investment strategy is not only financially sound but also resonates with your mission. For our non-profit clients, we view aligning investment portfolios with mission-oriented goals not simply as a challenge but as an opportunity – to amplify the positive impact of their philanthropic endeavors.. So, how can non-profits bridge this gap? Here are a few strategies that can help: 1. Define Your Mission Clearly: Ensure everyone in your organization understands the mission. This clarity will guide investment decisions. 2. Engage Stakeholders: Involve your board, investment committee, staff, and community in discussions about financial strategies. Diverse perspectives can lead to innovative solutions. 3. Utilize the IPS: As you explore Impact and Impact-Aligned investments – emphasizing opportunities that reflect and support your mission and avoiding those that may be contrary – delineate in your IPS where you need market-rate returns and where you can flex in order to amplify impact. So, how are you currently integrating your mission into your investment strategy? Let’s spark a conversation! #MissionDriven #HolisticFinance #Investment #Nonprofits #Impact #IPS

Closing out the week with our exploration of three challenges experienced by small and mid-sized nonprofits when it comes to managing their investment portfolios — Access, Scale, and Mission-alignment. Question No. 3 is: Are your investment strategies truly reflecting your mission? 🤔 This is a question that many non-profit organizations grapple with.  In the pursuit of financial returns, it’s easy to lose sight of the very values that drive our work. At Acansa Investment Management Group, we recognize every organization has unique non-financial goals. Our tailored holistic process is designed to ensure that your investment strategy is not only financially sound but also resonates with your mission. For our non-profit clients, we view aligning investment portfolios with mission-oriented goals not simply as a challenge but as an opportunity – to amplify the positive impact of their philanthropic endeavors.. So, how can non-profits bridge this gap? Here are a few strategies that can help: 1. Define Your Mission Clearly: Ensure everyone in your organization understands the mission. This clarity will guide investment decisions. 2. Engage Stakeholders: Involve your board, investment committee, staff, and community in discussions about financial strategies. Diverse perspectives can lead to innovative solutions. 3. Utilize the IPS: As you explore Impact and Impact-Aligned investments – emphasizing opportunities that reflect and support your mission and avoiding those that may be contrary – delineate in your IPS where you need market-rate returns and where you can flex in order to amplify impact. So, how are you currently integrating your mission into your investment strategy? Let’s spark a conversation! #MissionDriven #HolisticFinance #Investment #Nonprofits #Impact #IPS

This week Acansa Investment Management Group has been taking a closer look at three challenges experienced by small and mid-sized nonprofits when it comes to managing their investment portfolios — Access, Scale, and Mission-alignment. Our second question is: Is bigger always better? 🤔   In the world of OCIO investment management, we often hear that "scale is king." But what if that scale comes at the cost of innovation and customization?   There's a saying that "scale is the death of innovation." The larger an organization becomes, the more centralized it tends to be, often leading to a one-size-fits-all approach. This can be particularly detrimental when serving the unique investment needs of small- and mid-sized non-profits, which are anything but uniform.   At Acansa, we understand that non-profits require more than just a cookie-cutter investment strategy. They need a partner who truly grasps their mission and can provide tailored investment management that evolves with their dynamic needs.    True value lies in creating cohesive and durable portfolios that not only respond to market conditions but also reflect the unique aspirations of each organization.    So, I pose this question to you: Do you believe that the economies of scale offered by large OCIOs genuinely translate into better outcomes for non-profits? Or do they merely create an illusion of choice while stifling the individuality that drives these organizations?   I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. If you found this perspective valuable, please give it a like and consider reposting to spark further discussion!   #Investment #Nonprofits #Innovation

This week Acansa Investment Management Group has been taking a closer look at three challenges experienced by small and mid-sized nonprofits when it comes to managing their investment portfolios — Access, Scale, and Mission-alignment. Our second question is: Is bigger always better? 🤔   In the world of OCIO investment management, we often hear that "scale is king." But what if that scale comes at the cost of innovation and customization?   There's a saying that "scale is the death of innovation." The larger an organization becomes, the more centralized it tends to be, often leading to a one-size-fits-all approach. This can be particularly detrimental when serving the unique investment needs of small- and mid-sized non-profits, which are anything but uniform.   At Acansa, we understand that non-profits require more than just a cookie-cutter investment strategy. They need a partner who truly grasps their mission and can provide tailored investment management that evolves with their dynamic needs.    True value lies in creating cohesive and durable portfolios that not only respond to market conditions but also reflect the unique aspirations of each organization.    So, I pose this question to you: Do you believe that the economies of scale offered by large OCIOs genuinely translate into better outcomes for non-profits? Or do they merely create an illusion of choice while stifling the individuality that drives these organizations?   I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. If you found this perspective valuable, please give it a like and consider reposting to spark further discussion!   #Investment #Nonprofits #Innovation

This week, Acansa Investment Management Group will be taking a look at three challenges experienced by small and mid-sized nonprofits when it comes to managing their investment portfolios — Access, Scale, and Mission-alignment. Today’s question is: What if you could access the expertise of a world-class investment team without the overhead of a full in-house operation? 🤔   In 2021, we launched Acansa with a bold vision: to redefine the traditional OCIO model. Our mission? To empower small and mid-sized institutions with the same level of investment management that larger organizations enjoy.    After 17 years of managing Emory University’s endowment and affiliated investment pools, Mary Cahill realized that many smaller institutions were missing out on tailored, high-performance investment strategies. They were either bogged down by the complexities of in-house teams or limited by non-discretionary advisors.    At Acansa, we offer a boutique, bespoke approach. Think of us as your virtual investment office just down the hall. Our experienced team focuses intensely on a select group of clients, ensuring that every strategy is customized to align with your mission.    Imagine having senior partners who are not just advisors but an integral part of your team. We leverage cutting-edge technology to deliver hyper-efficient solutions that drive performance without the added costs and complexities.    So, here’s my question for you: What challenges do you face in accessing high-quality investment management?    Let’s spark a conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you found this insight helpful, consider reposting this for others who might benefit.    #InvestmentManagement #OCIO #BespokeSolutions

This week at the SOCAP Global convening in San Francisco, it was a pleasure to engage with familiar faces and establish new connections. A special thank you to all who participated in our Acansa Investment Management Group lunch event focused on Impact in the IPS. The discussions were enriched by your valuable perspectives and insightful questions, exploring diverse strategies to harmonize a non-profit's non-financial objectives with their investment requirements. Bert Feuss, Melanie Audette, RJ McGrail, Pierre Joseph, Refujio "Cuco" Rodriguez, Paulina Paras, Kendall Bedford, and Carlos Gutierrez