The future is our focus. We employ sound management strategies to safeguard the endowment and ensure K-State remains strong and vibrant for generations to come.
How we invest
To maintain a resilient endowment that successfully weathers economic storms, we aim to capture maximum gains when markets are up while minimizing losses when they’re down. The investments team manages resources wisely by underwriting and partnering with best-in-class external fund managers to build a balanced 60/40 portfolio. That means:
- Approximately 60% is invested in equities for long-term growth.
- Approximately 40% is committed to non-equity investments to keep volatility low and deliver predictable returns that support annual distributions to campus.
Building an effective investment portfolio involves balancing risk and reward according to our goals, timelines and risk tolerance.
Equities are growth assets projected to increase in value over time. These offer potential for capital appreciation while outpacing inflation.
They tend to carry higher risk but offer higher potential returns.
Examples: stocks, ETFs, comingled equity funds and private equity.
This bucket is split into two groups:
Safe-haven assets preserve capital and provide stability during market volatility. They usually generate lower returns but offer more predictable outcomes and can provide liquidity if there’s a need for quick cash.
Examples: government bonds, high-quality corporate bonds, money market funds and cash.
Diversifiers are assets that behave differently from traditional stocks and bonds, helping to reduce portfolio volatility. Their value might not move in tandem with broader markets, which can smooth out returns by adding asset classes that can perform well when others lag.
Examples: commodities, real estate, hedge funds, infrastructure, other currencies or alternative investments such as private debt.
Our investments team
Meet the stewards behind the growth of K-State's endowment
The investments team combines integrity and expertise with an unwavering commitment to K-State’s core values. Our team works to ensure that every endowed resource is managed for maximum impact. Their vigilant oversight of market trends, paired with strong partnerships across the world of trusted fund-management firms, keeps them attuned to every nuance that may affect the endowment’s health.
The Asset Management Committee, composed mostly of members from the KSU Foundation’s Board of Directors alongside other accomplished and devoted K-Staters, provides thoughtful oversight of the policies that guide this team’s work.
Paul Chai, CFA, CAIA
Vice President of Investments/CIO
Dylan Zheng
Assistant Director of Investments
Matt Smagacz, CFA, FRM
Director of Investments
Janessa Nelsen
Investment Operations Analyst
Student intern program
Each year we hire two K-State students from the College of Business Administration for a yearlong internship through a rigorous selection process. During their time at the foundation, these students gain hands-on experience in underwriting investment management firms, analyzing strategies and understanding market impacts on the endowment.
The KSU Foundation has served as a launch pad into successful finance careers at firms across the globe for more than 15 years.
Contact the investments team
785-775-2000