Eagle Fund students present to FGCU Foundation

During my investment career as a portfolio manager, I attended hundreds of plan sponsor board meetings to provide updates on my investment performance. The tenor of these meeting could range anywhere between congratulatory (when returns were strong) to highly contentious (when performance fell short of benchmark). Luckily for my students , their investment returns have been quite good and their presentation was well received by the board ??.

After reviewing the Eagle Fund's key accomplishments during 2023 and providing portfolio updates on our investments strategies, students were invited to sit in on the entire board meeting. Students were able to see firsthand the inner workings of Foundation; including reviewing the fund's investment policy, manager selection, performance monitoring, risk management, compliance and governance.

The Foundation's consultant CAPTRUST, gave an update on the current status of the plan, its current asset allocation, and potential additions and other recommended changes to the plan. Students learned about the benefits of private equity investment, and its various forms including buyout, growth, and venture capital.

Here are some quotes by my students

Lily Hobson "Not only was it a great privilege to witness the board meeting and to see the level of professionalism as the members discussed and came to conclusions about important?issues, but it was also an amazing?experience to be able to present to the board. This experience is one that I will remember for years to come.?"

Cazimy Coulanges "This was the first time I have been able to listen to a board meeting of any kind in person. I enjoyed the fact that each Director was able to draw upon their own professional experience and contribute commentary over the course of the meeting. It was great to see how the Directors knew the decisions they would make and the motions they went on to pass could drastically affect not just their own careers, but also the University itself and FGCU students in the future."

Jordy Fuentes "I was most impressed by the process of the pitch made by CAPTRUST and the discussion amongst the foundation members to execute a decision. Members raised problems, concerns, thoughts, and they were resolved quickly by having a simple, open discussion. Being in the room with highly successful individuals made me realize that my career is just getting started, motivating me to at some point help my community in any way I can just like they are now".??

To learn more about FGCU's student managed investment fund, please visit

https://www.fgcu.edu/eaglefund