Robert Organ, Director of
Private Debt & Equity of Northwestern Mutual Capital visited the AIM
program.
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| Bob Organ of Northwestern Mutual Capital in the AIM Room |
Northwestern Mutual Capital (NMC) is a key part of the firm’s
overall investment portfolio. While NMC’s investment-grade assets represent the
majority of their total Assets under Management (AUM); it is the private equity
assets that generally occupies the majority of NMC’s evaluation time.
Bob Organ made his fourth visit to the AIM
classroom – it should be noted that NMC’s portion of the firm’s overall assets
is roughly equivalent to Harvard University’s endowment. Additionally,
Northwestern Mutual’s total assets are more than half of CalPERS, the nation’s
largest pension fund.
Mr. Organ joined Northwestern Mutual Capital in 1997. Prior to
joining Northwestern Mutual Capital, he was a consultant for Hewitt Associates.
Bob received an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management
and a BS from Marquette University. Bob is a CFA charterholder.
Mr. Organ’s presentation focused on disruptive technology. Dr.
Krause, AIM director said, “Mr. Organ provided the AIM students with an
excellent introduction to the fast-changing world of technology. He gave them a
lot to consider – for example, they should think about the how nearly every
business should be viewed as a technology business – and to consider how
algorithms and machine learning are increasingly guiding nearly every function
in the modern enterprise.”
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| Bob Organ and David Krause |
Using numerous examples of how technology has disrupted
industries and companies (i.e. Kodak, taxi, research, retailing, etc.), he was
able to help students think within a framework about how to view technological
disruption.
Identifying inflection points (‘knees of the curve’) is essential
for analysts…. Looking around corners and thinking about how major industries
might be transformed (i.e. taxis vs. Uber) is a vital skill for the young
analysts to develop.
Dr. Krause commented, “I love to bring Bob into the classroom
early in the semester because he stimulates creative and critical thinking. He challenges
and pushes students to think about the change around us and how to evaluate in
advance who is likely to thrive or fail. The discussion about quantum computing
was especially intriguing. Students asked great questions and began to see more
of the global trends related to technology – and he helps to force students to
think about the future and to assess how the investment process will continue
to evolve. Over the years Bob has helped me create an assignment that requires
the students to identify a disruptor within their sector and to evaluate how
existing holdings in the AIM fund might be helped or hindered by disruptors
within their industries. It was a pleasure having him back on campus.”
