Critical thinking

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Critical thinking

Mercer

117 episodes

2 days ago

We're excited to launch the first episode of our new Critical Thinking series: 1 Theme, 2 CIOs, 3 Questions. Each episode focuses on one key investment theme, featuring two leading Chief Investment Officers who tackle three big questions shaping today's investment landscape. In this debut episode, Mercer's Andre Boucher sits down with Jim Mahoney, CIO of Bon Secours Mercy Health, and Leslie Lenzo, CEO/CIO of the Hershey Trust, to explore how to navigate markets in a macro-driven environment....

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We're excited to launch the first episode of our new Critical Thinking series: 1 Theme, 2 CIOs, 3 Questions. Each episode focuses on one key investment theme, featuring two leading Chief Investment Officers who tackle three big questions shaping today's investment landscape. In this debut episode, Mercer's Andre Boucher sits down with Jim Mahoney, CIO of Bon Secours Mercy Health, and Leslie Lenzo, CEO/CIO of the Hershey Trust, to explore how to navigate markets in a macro-driven environment....

Show more...

Episodes (20/117)

Critical thinking

1 Theme, 2 CIOs, 3 Questions: Navigating Markets in a Macro-Driven Investment Environment with Bon Secours Mercy Health and the Hershey Trust

We're excited to launch the first episode of our new Critical Thinking series: 1 Theme, 2 CIOs, 3 Questions. Each episode focuses on one key investment theme, featuring two leading Chief Investment Officers who tackle three big questions shaping today's investment landscape. In this debut episode, Mercer's Andre Boucher sits down with Jim Mahoney, CIO of Bon Secours Mercy Health, and Leslie Lenzo, CEO/CIO of the Hershey Trust, to explore how to navigate markets in a macro-driven environment....

3 weeks ago

20 minutes

Critical thinking

Frontier markets debt’s breakout moment

With developed markets facing higher debt burdens, elevated rates, and ongoing uncertainty, investors are increasingly considering frontier market debt as a means of diversifying portfolios and achieving long-term growth potential. In this episode of Critical Thinking, host Jean de Kock is joined by Anja Needham and Adam Shenton. Together, they discuss the fundamentals of frontier market debt, the characteristics that make the asset class so compelling, whilst also addressing the risks and pr...

1 month ago

15 minutes

Critical thinking

Good governance: The hidden lever behind investment success

With increasing uncertainty and market complexity putting decision makers under mounting pressure, governance shines through as a tool for gaining a potential competitive edge. In this episode, Helen Hope is joined by Jay Love and Boutros Thierry, to unpack what good governance is, explain why poor structures may hinder investors, and break down how to make governance work for your individual needs. This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It...

1 month ago

18 minutes

Critical thinking

Private markets in motion: Navigating complexity and innovation in today’s private markets

Private credit has evolved rapidly over the past decade, becoming one of the most in-demand asset classes for investors seeking diversification, income, and resilience in portfolios. Yet with this growth has come added complexity, from structural shifts in lending markets to new product innovations and heightened regulatory changes. In this episode, host Alecia DeCuollo introduces Private markets in motion, a new Mercer series tracking the key trends shaping capital flows. Joined by Dav...

2 months ago

15 minutes

Critical thinking

The evolution of private markets

As private markets have evolved, investors have shifted their approach away from a one-size-fits-all portfolio structure focused on closed end funds towards more bespoke constructions. Alongside this, liquidity concerns amongst both LPs and GPs have prompted a strategic reassessment of the role co-investments and secondary transactions play in modern portfolios, shifting them from the periphery of private markets to central tools for portfolio construction. Meanwhile, the increasi...

2 months ago

19 minutes

Critical thinking

Into the mainstream: how semi-liquid funds may be improving access to private debt

In recent years, the role of private debt has transformed, with the potential for higher returns and greater portfolio diversification seeing the asset class become a more frequent feature in institutional portfolios. Now, the way that investors are accessing private debt has changed too. Semi-liquid fund structures have emerged, with asset managers seeking to address the traditional barriers to entry for wealth managers and other non-institutional investors, potentially offering greater flex...

4 months ago

14 minutes

Critical thinking

Janet Yellen on Economic Resilience, Global Stability, and the Path Ahead

In this milestone 100th episode of Critical Thinking, U.S. Treasury Secretary Dr. Janet Yellen joins Mercer’s Niall O’Sullivan for a wide-ranging conversation on the forces reshaping the global economy. From inflation and interest rates to geopolitical fragmentation and the green transition, Dr. Yellen offers her perspective on the challenges facing policymakers and markets alike, as well as the opportunities for long-term investors to support a more resilient, inclusive global financial syst...

4 months ago

19 minutes

Critical thinking

International CIO Perspectives

In this podcast episode, Mercer’s U.S. CIO Olaolu Aganga sits down with fellow Mercer CIOs Christine Tessier, Garvan McCarthy, and Kylie Willment. Together, they tackle a big question swirling in markets today: Is the U.S. still the top spot for investors, and do better opportunities lie elsewhere? They explore how market uncertainty is creating both risk and opportunities around the world and why investors should stay invested despite the current volatility. This content is for institutional...

5 months ago

20 minutes

Critical thinking

Cross-border governance

What does investment governance look like when success is defined by more than just returns? In this episode, Andy Farrington, Mercer's Multinational Investments Leader, is joined by Lee House of ABB’s Group Pension Management Team and Deborah Frost, Chair Elect of Mercer UK Master Trust, to discuss how large asset owners may navigate complex decisions across global pension plans. Together, they explore how to seek to balance risk, stakeholder alignment, long-term sustainability, and va...

5 months ago

16 minutes

Critical thinking

Real assets and Asia-Pacific: Global diversification and regional opportunity

In this episode, Jo Holden is joined by Alan Synott and Robert Ronneberger to explore the evolving real assets landscape. They discuss where we are in the real assets cycle, the case for global diversification, opportunities and challenges in Southeast Asia, and practical strategies for asset owners navigating today’s dynamic market environment. This podcast contains statements on historical performance which may not be repeated in the future. Please note that returns on investments ar...

5 months ago

12 minutes

Critical thinking

The Total Return Conundrum — Rethinking Portfolio Strategy for Endowments and Foundations

In this episode of Critical Thinking, Anubhuti Gupta and Adeline Tan tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing endowments and foundations: delivering sustainable returns amid rising market concentration, volatility, and lower future expectations. They discuss how diversification beyond traditional equities, smarter liquidity management, and strong governance frameworks are essential to building resilient, future-ready portfolios. Whether you are a CIO, investment committee membe...

6 months ago

20 minutes

Critical thinking

Investing in Insurance Portfolios Amid Market Turbulence

In this episode of Critical Thinking, Andreas Vermeiren, Principal in Mercer's Insurance Solutions team, is joined by William Gibbons, Principal in the Insurance Solutions team, and Eryn Bacewich, Head of US Insurance Solutions, to discuss their thoughts on risk management in insurance portfolios during a period of increased market volatility and the opportunities this presents to agile investors. Drawing on their experience and conversations with clients, including some of the world's large...

6 months ago

17 minutes

Critical thinking

Going global: How real estate is evolving in institutional portfolios

In this episode, Alan Synnott, Mercer’s Global Head of Real Assets, is joined by Anne Koeman-Sharapova and Simon James to explore how institutional investors are repositioning their real estate allocations in light of market resets and evolving sector dynamics. They discuss why real estate remains a core private markets asset, where valuation corrections have opened potential opportunities, trends they are seeing across different geographies and sectors, and how global diversification of real...

6 months ago

11 minutes

Critical thinking

The value proposition of hedge funds

In this episode, Robert Ronneberger, Head of Business Development for Asia, is joined by Dave McMillan, Chief Investment Officer, Hedge Funds, to explore how investors can future-proof their portfolios — specifically within hedge funds. Robert and Dave examine the most common mistakes seen in hedge fund investing, the impact of recent market volatility and other significant changes, such as the normalization of interest rates, and the potential opportunities in today's markets. Th...

6 months ago

11 minutes

Critical thinking

Navigating change: How liability-driven investing is shaping Europe's financial portfolios

As trade tensions, uncertainty over the direction of interest rates, and pension reforms reshape the investment landscape, liability-driven investing (LDI) may provide a source of stability. In this episode, Jeffrey Dissmann, who leads Mercer’s Investments business in Germany, is joined by Sheena Frost, Lead of the Europe ex-UK Portfolio Management Solutions Team at Mercer and Rik Klerkx, Chief Investment Officer LDI and Private Markets at Cardano Netherlands, to discuss how investors across ...

6 months ago

22 minutes

Critical thinking

Enhancing resilience amid shifting trade policy

In this episode, Niall O’Sullivan, Global Solutions Chief Investment Officer, is joined by Olaolu Aganga, US Chief Investment Officer, Rupert Watson, Global Head of Economics & DAA, and Mike Forestner, Global Chief Investment Officer, Private Markets, to examine the causes of recent market volatility and the implications across public and private markets. The conversation leverages Mercer’s investment relationships with both asset owners and asset managers to share insights on how industr...

7 months ago

19 minutes

Critical thinking

The future of wealth management: Balancing innovation, regulation, and client expectations

In this episode of Critical Thinking, Amit Popat, Global Head of Financial Institutions at Mercer, is joined by Han Dieperink, Chief Investment Officer of Auréus, and Richard De Groot, Head of Global Investment Center at ABN AMRO Bank. Recorded live at Mercer’s Global Investment Forum, together they explore how the wealth management industry is adapting to shifting client expectations, regulatory pressures, and advancements in technology. Key takeaways include: Evolving client expectati...

7 months ago

13 minutes

Critical thinking

Why Operational Due Diligence is important

In this episode of Critical Thinking, Manish Solanki, Head of Mercer Sentinel Group Europe, is joined by Tony Martinez, Head of Mercer Sentinel Americas, and Ashleigh McDowell, Principal at Mercer Sentinel Group, to explore why Operational Due Diligence is becoming an essential component of investment decision-making. With increasing market volatility, regulatory pressures, and rapid technological advancements - including the rise of AI and cybersecurity threats - asset managers are facing ne...

8 months ago

29 minutes

Critical thinking

Insurance and investment risk - where are we in the cycle?

In this episode, William Gibbons, Senior Insurance Investment Consultant at Mercer, is joined by Tom Davies, Head of UK Placement, Marsh, and Olaolu Aganga, US Chief Investment Officer, Mercer, to explore how non-life insurers can potentially capture opportunities while maintaining resilience in an economic and market environment that's in a state of flux. The conversation covers how diversification could help insurers achieve long-term portfolio resilience, adapting to a new insurance market...

8 months ago

19 minutes

Critical thinking

Portfolio resilience in 2025 - Top considerations for endowments and foundations

Marieke de Roo, Mercer's Leader in Europe for Single Family Offices and Endowments & Foundations, is joined by Texas Hemmaplardh and Cori Trautvetter, both Partners and Co-Leads of Mercer's US Endowment and Foundation Investment Practice, to explore how endowments and foundations can potentially achieve portfolio resilience in an economic and market environment that's in a state of flux. The conversation covers the challenge of diversification amidst a strong U.S. market, managing liquidi...

8 months ago

21 minutes