Category: Webinars

We’re glad you could join us for another episode of our Mission in Focus series, a new series that explores the innovations of Catholic non-profits as they advance their missions around the world. In this webinar, Sister Mary Louise Stubbs and Kathleen Bissa of Daughters of Charity International Project Services join Dan Coyne, DOC board member, for a dynamic conversation about their work and how IPS has advanced its’ mission to decrease human suffering while investing to increase human potential.

00:00 – Webinar opens: Zela Astarjian, Managing Director, welcome and introductions
04:30 – Opening prayer by Sr. Mary Louise Stubbs
05:30 – Who are the Daughters of Charity
08:10 – What is the history and mission of International Project Services
11:00 – Areas of Impact: How do you measure results and success
20:00 – What’s unique about International Project Services’ and how does it receive funding
26:45 – How do you determine the projects you will support
32:15 – The importance of building local community involvement
37:45 – Collaboration with local governments and other agencies
39:35 – Key takeaways from the IPS Mission
41:35 – Q: Can you provide a few examples of successful sustainable projects?
43:15 – Q: How many sisters are involved with the organization and how do you facilitate resources?
46:35 – Q: Does IPS have an emergency response protocol?
48:35 – Q: What skills do you teach the underserved?
51:35 – Q: How does IPS support other Catholic institutions?
53:05 – Q: What projects are difficult to support?
54:55 – Q: What has been the most rewarding part of embodying the IPS mission?
57:00 – Thank you and closing

November’s release of the USCCB’s revised socially responsible investing guidelines has Catholic fiduciaries wondering: What’s changed? And, How should we adapt to this new guidance? Exploring these questions is the focus of the second webinar in our new series, which emphasizes principles of mission-aligned investment programs for Catholic institutions. The webinar brings forth ideas for implementing the USCCB guidelines in institutional portfolios, and dispelling certain performance myths about Catholic-aligned portfolios. This webinar features: Scott Malpass, CIS Co-Founder & Board Chair and retired CIO of the University of Notre Dame; Steve Schott, Principal and Senior Director, Institutional Religious Retirement and Foundation Services, CapTrust; and Bernard Brenninkmeijer, Executive Director of Constanter Philanthropic Services, Chairman of Porticus North America Foundation and Board member of FADICA.  

00:00 – Webinar opens, attendees join
00:05 – Tom Lanctot, CIS CEO, welcome and introductions
03:10 – Opening prayer
03:40 – Tom Lanctot, opening remarks
04:50 – Zela Astarjian, CIS Managing Director, History of the USCCB SRI Guidelines
07:25 – A practitioners approach to implementation of the USCCB guidelines
11:50 – Creating the right alignment dialog with the asset management community
13:40 – How do the European Bishops guidelines differ from the U.S. Bishops guidelines
15:55 – Institute for the Works of the Religion (IOR), Vatican Bank’s Faith-consistent investment policy
19:10 – What are some of the changes to the recently-revised USCCB guidelines
25:00 – How do Catholic institutions align their investments, importance of developing a policy
29:40 – Addressing the Misperception, that Catholic alignment of investments will produce concessionary performance returns
38:40 – Perspective on a foundation’s journey to responsible investment
41:40 – Q: What are some of the opportunities available for responsible investment?
44:25 – Q: How do you measure impact and alignment?
47:40 – Q: How does an institution incorporate engagement, ESG and Impact investing?
49:00 – Q: How to develop strategic asset allocations and forecast investment performance return?
52:00 – Q: What data providers can investors access to help align investment portfolios?
53:55 – Q: Divestment vs. Engagement
55:00 – Thank you and closing

This webinar is the second in a new series that explores the role of impact-focused investment programs in the strategies of Catholic institutions. In this webinar, Frank Persico of Partners in Mission joins Paul Schott Stevens, CIS trustee & former CEO of the ICI, for a dynamic conversation in which they will discuss the proper respective roles of management and boards, consider organizational best practices, examine how successful boards organize themselves in effective committee structures, define the types of governing committees, and align themselves with Catholic social teaching.

00:00 – Webinar opens, attendees join
00:05 – Tom Lanctot, CIS CEO, welcome and introductions
03:50 – Opening prayer
05:30 – Paul Schott Stevens, opening remarks: Importance of organizational governance
06:50 – Conceptual principles for boards and leadership: oversight vs. management
07:50 – Mission, Mission, Mission – What drives the bus…
08:30 – Board composition, Executive vs. Non-Executive Board members
09:30 – Vision, Vision, Vision – Who drives the bus…
10:50 – How do you organize to be effective as a Board
14:10 – How many committees/ board members are needed for an organization?
17:20 – What is a board charter?
18:40 – Defining essential committees: nominating and governance, finance and audit, development
20:40 – Recruiting board members: gifts & talents (Wit, Wisdom and Wealth)
23:20 – Committee chair, characteristics needed for success
25:50 – How to engage committee members and minimize meeting read-outs
30:10 – The value of having executive sessions
30:50 – Term limits and succession planning for committees
34:10 – How to conduct self-evaluation and board evaluation
37:20 – Q: Who is the management counterpart to the nominating & governance committee?
38:50 – Q: How to avoid conflicts of interest in board settings?
44:40 – Q: 5 recommendations: 1. Board development 2. Handbook (bylaws & charters) 3. Orientation program 4. Adherence to bylaws 5. performance assessment of the board/members
47:00 – Q: What is the function of general counsel in board settings?
49:40 – Q: How should committees help an organization that is short-staffed?
52:00 – Q: Any recommendations for a reconstituted board?
56:10 – Thank you and closing

This webinar represents the second in a new series that explores the innovations of Catholic non-profits as they advance their missions around the world. In this webinar, Jennifer Poidatz and James Bond of Catholic Relief Services join Paul Schott Stevens, CIS trustee & former CEO of the ICI, for a dynamic conversation about their work and how CRS has advanced its’ mission over 75 years while continuing to express Catholic Social Teaching in the organization’s identity.

00:00 – Webinar opens, attendees join
00:20 – Tom Lanctot, CIS CEO, welcome and introductions
03:10 – Opening prayer by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
04:00 – Paul Schott Stevens, moderator opening
04:35 – Welcome Jennifer Poidatz, background & why a career at Catholic Relief Services
06:00 – Welcome James Bond, background & why a career at Catholic Relief Services
07:00 – CRS organizational history and its’ evolution over 75 years
09:50 – CRS’ growth, resources and outreach
12:30 – How does CRS build and develop partnerships?
14:40 – What distinguishes CRS as a relief organization?
19:40 – How does CRS respond to a protracted crisis?
23:10 – How do you measure impact or success at CRS?
25:10 – Can you describe how the organization has changed during your time at CRS?
28:30 – Who are the people and societies you serve?
31:40 – Can you share how CRS expresses its’ Catholic identity?
40:00 – How can we support the work of CRS and advance its” mission?
42:00 – Q: Can you elaborate on CRS’ impact investing program and themes?
44:50 – Q: How has climate change affected your work?
47:20 – Q: How is CRS harnessing technology?
50:50 – Q: Are you aligning your programs to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
53:10 – Q: Can you describe how you work with volunteer groups?
54:20 – Q: How do you keep safe while working in challenging regions such as Afghanistan?
59:00 – Thank you and closing

This webinar is the second episode of our Manager in Focus series, featuring our esteemed investment partners and their unique insights on investment strategy and the current capital market environment. This conversation features Jack Brennan, CIS co-founder & former CEO of Vanguard and Evelyn Chen, founder and portfolio manager of the Sino Vision Greater China Market-Neutral Fund. Jack and Evelyn discuss a wide-range of investment topics, including the nuances of investing in Taiwan, opportunities and challenges for the global supply chain, 5G and artificial intelligence, and how Sino Vision integrates ESG principles into their investment process.

00:00 – Webinar opens, attendees join
00:08 – Zela Astarjian, CIS Managing Director, welcome and introductions
02:50 – Opening prayer
03:20 – Jack Brennan, moderator opening
04:20 – Welcome Eveyln Chen, background, why a career in financial markets
07:00 – What was it like to go to graduate school in the U.S.
09:00 – Why launch a hedge fund strategy?
10:30 – Sino Vision’s investment discipline
11:30 – Taiwan’s investment opportunity set
17:30 – Considerations for launching a market-neutral strategy
23:15 – How do you implement Catholic values and ESG factors
27:00 – How are Taiwanese companies approaching ESG reporting
30:10 – Taiwan / China relationship
33:50 – Supply chains, impact and investment opportunity
37:30 – portfolio themes and structure
41:40 – U.S. inflation and Taiwan considerations
44:30 – How do you get away, any hobbies?
46:30 – Do you know other Taiwan portfolio managers
47:30 – Thank you and closing

This webinar is the first in a new series that explores the role of impact-focused investment programs in the strategies of Catholic institutions. This premiere edition features Tim Connors, Founder of PivotNorth Capital, Mario Giannini, CEO of Hamilton Lane, and Bryan Pini, President and CIO of Mercy Investment Services. These leaders share their views on the evolving ESG landscape in private markets, while dispelling some performance myths regarding ESG or Impact investing.

00:00 – Webinar opens, attendees join
00:10 – Tom Lanctot, CIS CEO, welcome and introductions
04:15 – Opening prayer
05:45 – What is ESG? How to approach, understand and navigate the terminology
12:45 – How do you evaluate ESG factors and measure impact?
15:15 – How to align mission through investment partnerships?
17:15 – Can Impact investing outperform?
26:15 – Practical advice to alignment for institutions on the call?
29:45 – Program Related Investments & the mechanics
31:30 – How to get started with Impact investing?
36:15 – Impact investment examples
39:45 – Q: Clean energy transition and considerations for investment
42:00 – Q: Concessionary vs market rate returns, How Mercy allocates
44:30 – Q: How to align Catholic Social Teaching in private market portfolios
47:40 – Q: Can the U.S. electrical infrastructure handle the Electric Vehicle and Green-power transition, capacity considerations
50:05 – Q: Crypto-currency & ESG considerations
53:15 – Q: How do you approach investments in water?
53:40 – Thank you and closing

This webinar represents the first in a new series that delves into the market strategies of CIS’s esteemed investment partners. This premiere edition features Chris Begg, Chief Investment Officer and Co-Founder of East Coast Asset Management. Joining Chris for this engaging and enlightening session is Scott Malpass, CIS Co-Founder and Board Chair, and retired Chief Investment Officer for the University of Notre Dame.

00:00 – Webinar opens, attendees join
00:10 – Tom Lanctot, CIS CEO, welcome and introductions
01:40 – Opening prayer
03:20 – Scott Malpass, CIS Board Chair & Co-Founder, opening remarks
05:30 – Chris Begg, President & CIO, opening remarks
06:30 – Heros & Mentors, Who has influenced you?
07:25 – Joys of compounding interest, Warren Buffett’s early partnership letters
08:50 – East Coast Asset Management overview
10:20 – How has your philosophy evolved over the years
14:20 – Can you describe how you define and source exceptional businesses?
16:00 – What are the layers of competitive advantage?
19:00 – The Grove of Titans
19:50 – Portfolio Concentration and evaluating IRRs
23:20 – The source built Arches; Portals, Bridges & Domes
27:00 – How have ESG factors informed your decision making?
29:20 – CPI +5%, is this still a reasonable benchmark?
32:00 – How do you value a business?
34:20 – What are the main themes expressed in the portfolio today?
37:00 – How did you build your team at East Coast?
39:00 – Holding periods and portfolio turnover
40:30 – What have you learned from any mistakes made along the way?
42:50 – How do you think about disruptive innovation as a trend?
44:30 – Is your strategy tax efficient?
46:50 – How do you engage and build relationships with the management teams you own?
48:20 – Thoughts on Europe’s investment opportunity set?
50:00 – IRRs and valuation considerations
51:30 – China and investment opportunities
53:00 – Continuous improvement, describe your experience as an adjunct professor at Columbia’s Business School
55:00 – What makes a great investor?
55:30 – Thank you and closing

This webinar represents the first in a new series that explores the innovations of Catholic non-profits as they advance their missions around the world. In this webinar, Sister Irene O’Neill CSJ, President of Sisters Rising Worldwide joins Jack Brennan, CIS Founding Chair, for a dynamic conversation about her work and how her organization uses technology to unite sisters around the world in pursuing their vital mission.

00:00 – Webinar opens
00:02 – Michael Nagy, Managing Director, welcome and introductions
01:01 – Opening prayer
01:55 – Jack Brennan, CIS Founding Chairman, opening remarks
03:10 – Introduction to Sister Irene O’Neil
06:30 – What inspires you?
08:55 – How did you become a great leader?
11:50 – What is the Mission of Sisters Rising Worldwide?
14:40 – How does the Platform work?
18:00 – Can you describe the Peace Room, and how sisters learn about the platform?
20:42 – Technology, Outcomes, Connectivity and collaboration
22:30 – How has the platform been received by the Catholic community?
26:30 – How was Sisters Rising Worldwide funded?
31:10 – How can we help grow public support for the platform?
35:45 – Where do you see Sisters Rising in 10yrs? How do you think about it?
40:15 – What is the organization governance structure? Is there a board?
42:15 – Q&A
43:20 – Q1: How do you incorporate other languages on the platform?
44:20 – Q2: What is Talithakum.info ? & Why is it important for everyone to know about?
45:32 – Q3: Does Sisters Rising Worldwide receive funding from the Catholic church?
46:55 – Q4: How does Sisters Rising Worldwide facilitate resources/treasures?
49:00 – Q5: Do you work with local Catholic Foundations?
51:20 – Q6: How are you growing the platform?
52:21 – Thank you and closing

This webinar features an exploration of sound governance practices in a time of uncertainty. This session offers insights into 5 imperatives for keeping your institution’s goals and investment strategy aligned to maintain focus and momentum. Sharing their views are industry leaders: Paul Schott Stevens, CIS board member and recently retired CEO of the Investment Company Institute, and Chris Merker, Director at Robert W. Baird & Co.

00:00 – Webinar opens, attendees join
00:10 – Tom Lanctot, Chief Executive Officer, welcome and panelist introductions
03:10 – Serenity, opening prayer
03:40 – Overview of our Board governance empirical research study
06:10 – The Trustee Governance Guide: 5 Imperatives for 21st Century Investing
06:50 – 1st Imperative: Be well governed
21:00 – Sample questions from the committee self-assessment survey
24:40 – 2nd Imperative: Be knowledgeable
35:30 – 3rd Imperative: Be diversified in your investment strategy
40:10 – 4th Imperative: Be disciplined
51:20 – Q&A
52:00 – Q: Can you discuss Board composition & diversity?
55:00 – Q: Did the research examine ESG factors and considerations?
57:00 – Q: How did the data help formulate the hypothesis that weak governance affects investment performance?
58:00 – Thank you and closing