Nolan Bean, Fund Evaluation Group
Since 2010, Fund Evaluation Group’s Nolan Bean has helped the firm move to a risk-based investment model, landing an appointment to FEG’s investment policy committee and several nonprofits as clients. He also created a presentation that the firm’s consultants rolled out to their clients, and created an exposure report—now used by the firm to pitch new business—that tracks total portfolio risk. The strategy was well-received by clients keen to limit risk in a volatile environment.
Bean advises 12 clients, 11 of which are endowments or foundations. He landed three new ones since the start of 2010—a big haul for the nonprofit space. Among his new pickups were Franklin & Marshall College and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Clients tout Bean’s investment knowledge and ability to work with staff and committees and a fearless attitude to inform them when he believes too much risk is being taken. Bean also wins praise for his ability to find opportunistic investment opportunities. “Nolan has helped us transform from a 60-40 model to an endowment model that’s very liquid—thus, we can consider opportunities as they arise,” said Jim Bethea, director of investments at University of Iowa Foundation. Bean is also accessible, willing take phone calls or trade emails 24 hours a day, he added.