Finance Summit Examines Investments to Address Global Issues

A large group of alumni, students, and industry professionals gathered for the “Investing in Global Innovation: The Role of Alternative Investments” conference in New York City on Oct. 22, co-sponsored by the Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and the Financial Times.

A session on “Innovation and Transformation for the Global Society” moderated by Reena Aggarwal, director of the center and Robert E. McDonough Professor of Business Administration and Professor of Finance, examined important critical needs facing the global society and discussed how alternative investments can play a role in addressing those needs.

“In a world where you have very different levels of income across countries, there are fantastic opportunities to take part of portfolio through alternative investments, private equity, venture capital, and think where you want to allocate the money,” said Kenneth Miranda, SFS ’82, director of the investment office at the International Monetary Fund.                                                                                                                                  

Sujeet Indap, U.S. editor of the Financial Times Lex Column, moderated the second panel, “Nurturing Enterprises and Technology of the Future.”

“Alternative investments are a great industry,” said Peter Clare, B ‘87, managing director and deputy chief investment officer, The Carlyle Group. “Think of the lower returns in fixed income, but increased allocations. There is plenty of growth yet to go, but due to dynamics of returns now it supports alternatives assets class.”

The final panel discussion, moderated by Matthew Klein, Alphaville columnist for the Financial Times, focused on “Disruptive Innovation in Energy.

“Invest highly in renewable energy,” said Sean Klimczak, senior managing director at the Blackstone Group. “Some renewables – like wind in Mexico – require no governmental subsidies. We hold a relatively optimistic view on renewables that will require some level of government support but where the intent is to take those down to modest levels over time.”

For more information about the Georgetown Center for Financial Markets and Policy, visit http://finpolicy.georgetown.edu.