Commonfund Names New CIO

In this role Nelson will report directly to Verne O. Sedlacek, President and CEO of Commonfund Group.  He will also chair the Commonfund Investment Policy and Asset Allocation Committee, and will have direct oversight of Commonfund’s equity and fixed income programs as well as its $11-billion outsourced solutions business.   

According to the announcement, before joining Commonfund, Nelson was Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of ING Investment Management Americas, from 2003-2009, where he led more than 300 professionals managing over $165 billion in assets.Before that, he was Managing Director, Head of U.S. Equity for JP Morgan Investment Management, from 2000-2003, where he led 120 professionals managing over $90 billion in assets.  

Prior to his role at JP Morgan, Nelson was with Bankers Trust Company for 13 years, most recently as Managing Director and Head of the Quantitative Investments Group. Nelson earned an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a B.S. in Business from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.  

Commonfund also announced that A. Nicholas De Monico, who served as Deputy CIO during the search for a new one, has been named CEO of Commonfund Marketable Alternatives (a division of Commonfund Asset Management Company), reporting to Sedlacek.  In this role De Monico will have investment and business leadership for Commonfund’s hedge fund portfolios, including funds and separate accounts in directional and relative value strategies.    

Commonfund Chief Economist Michael Strauss, will also assume the title of Chief Investment Strategist of Commonfund Asset Management Company, reporting directly to Nelson.  Susan Carter will remain President and CEO of Commonfund Capital, reporting to Sedlacek.