On Friday, September 25, 2015, we had two guests visit
campus from the investments function of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company. Christi Kubiak (CFA), Director, and Kristin Holzhauer (Marquette AIM
2011, CFA), Associate, in the Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Co.
talked with students about fixed income investing. This marks the tenth year
that personnel from Northwestern Mutual have visited Dr. Krause’s classes at
Marquette University.
Formerly known as Mason Street Advisors, the Northwestern
Mutual Investment Management team manages: Public Fixed Income, Public
Equities, Convertibles and Derivatives for the NM’s General Account. Chrisit
and Kristin work with public investments and their group manages portfolios
with the goal of outperforming market benchmarks over a full market cycle and
industry peers over the long-term. The team has over 50 investment
professionals who manage more than $100 billion in assets with each portfolio
guided by investment professionals who have specific, but linked, roles in
distinguishing security opportunities.
Christi and Kristin talked with the students about their
investment process and their approach to bottom’s up credit research. They
employ a combination of approaches including: Relative Value, Fair Value, and Internal
Ratings – to complement their strong Fundamental Credit Analysis.
Chris Swain, Vice
President of NM’s Public Investments, Fixed Income Group, is also a Marquette
graduate and is the MBA instructor for Marquette’s fixed income course in the
spring semesters. Amie Hahn and Quinn Noel, other Marquette alumni, were unable
to participate this year; however, they have made frequent visits to Dr. Krause’s
classes in past years. We appreciate all of the support of that Northwestern Mutual has provided Marquette and the AIM program over the past ten years.
