Preparing for the Next Era of Endowment Investment Governance and Oversight
Tracks
Philanthropy
| Monday, January 12, 2026 |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| 208 |
Overview
208
Details
As CSU auxiliaries navigate an era of rapid change and evolving fiduciary expectations, effective endowment investment governance is more critical than ever. This session will provide auxiliary boards, finance leaders, and investment committees with practical insights to strengthen oversight of their investment programs in alignment with the conference theme, “The Next Era of Auxiliaries: Shaping Tomorrow.”
Led by North Pier, a Los Angeles-based firm that has completed over 150 projects covering $200 billion on behalf of institutional investment fiduciaries, the session will explore the distinctions between periodic evaluations, full searches (RFPs/RFIs), and ongoing oversight disciplines, including when and how to apply each. The discussion will focus on building confidence in endowment investment programs and partners while identifying opportunities to optimize fees, simplify strategies, and integrate values-based considerations such as ESG and DEI priorities.
The session will feature a campus perspective from Sonoma State University, on how Sonoma partnered with North Pier to strengthen investment committee governance. This case example will demonstrate how one CSU auxiliary identified the need for a governance review, implemented practical tools and checklists, and achieved measurable outcomes that improved committee alignment, fiduciary confidence, and oversight discipline.
Importantly, attendees will gain access to practical tools and checklists designed to enhance governance, fulfill fiduciary duties, and avoid common pitfalls. Participants will leave with an actionable framework to strengthen board and committee alignment, improve oversight practices, and ensure their endowment investment governance effectively supports the educational, social, and economic impact of the CSU system for generations to come.
Speaker
Ian Hannah
COO, Sonoma State University Foundation & Secretary, Sonoma
Sonoma State University Foundation
Preparing for the Next Era of Endowment Investment Governance and Oversight
Abstract
As CSU auxiliaries navigate an era of rapid change and evolving fiduciary expectations, effective endowment investment governance is more critical than ever. This session will provide auxiliary boards, finance leaders, and investment committees with practical insights to strengthen oversight of their investment programs in alignment with the conference theme, “The Next Era of Auxiliaries: Shaping Tomorrow.”
Led by North Pier, a Los Angeles-based firm that has completed over 150 projects covering $200 billion on behalf of institutional investment fiduciaries, the session will explore the distinctions between periodic evaluations, full searches (RFPs/RFIs), and ongoing oversight disciplines, including when and how to apply each. The discussion will focus on building confidence in endowment investment programs and partners while identifying opportunities to optimize fees, simplify strategies, and integrate values-based considerations such as ESG and DEI priorities.
The session will feature a campus perspective from Sonoma State University, on how Sonoma partnered with North Pier to strengthen investment committee governance. This case example will demonstrate how one CSU auxiliary identified the need for a governance review, implemented practical tools and checklists, and achieved measurable outcomes that improved committee alignment, fiduciary confidence, and oversight discipline.
Importantly, attendees will gain access to practical tools and checklists designed to enhance governance, fulfill fiduciary duties, and avoid common pitfalls. Participants will leave with an actionable framework to strengthen board and committee alignment, improve oversight practices, and ensure their endowment investment governance effectively supports the educational, social, and economic impact of the CSU system for generations to come.
Led by North Pier, a Los Angeles-based firm that has completed over 150 projects covering $200 billion on behalf of institutional investment fiduciaries, the session will explore the distinctions between periodic evaluations, full searches (RFPs/RFIs), and ongoing oversight disciplines, including when and how to apply each. The discussion will focus on building confidence in endowment investment programs and partners while identifying opportunities to optimize fees, simplify strategies, and integrate values-based considerations such as ESG and DEI priorities.
The session will feature a campus perspective from Sonoma State University, on how Sonoma partnered with North Pier to strengthen investment committee governance. This case example will demonstrate how one CSU auxiliary identified the need for a governance review, implemented practical tools and checklists, and achieved measurable outcomes that improved committee alignment, fiduciary confidence, and oversight discipline.
Importantly, attendees will gain access to practical tools and checklists designed to enhance governance, fulfill fiduciary duties, and avoid common pitfalls. Participants will leave with an actionable framework to strengthen board and committee alignment, improve oversight practices, and ensure their endowment investment governance effectively supports the educational, social, and economic impact of the CSU system for generations to come.
Biography
Ian Hannah serves as COO & Secretary of the Sonoma State University Foundation and participates on the Foundation Board as well as the Executive, Investment, Advocacy & Philanthropy, Governance, and Audit Committees. Ian moved to University Advancement in 2017 after serving a dozen years in the area of Finance and formerly held the position of University Treasurer at SSU. In his dual role as the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Operations, he serves as the Business Officer for the Advancement division, overseeing budget, endowment management, strategic planning, reporting, compliance, human resources, Foundation/Board operations, gift processing, prospect research, and systems/data/database management. Ian received his BA in Economics and his MBA from SSU. He also holds a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) designation from CSU Long Beach. Ian was Chair of AOA Philanthropy Committee in 2023 and 2024 and served on the AOA Executive Committee during that time. He is currently serving on the AOA CSURMA AORMA Committee.
James Scheinberg
Managing Partner
North Pier Search Consulting
Preparing for the Next Era of Endowment Investment Governance and Oversight
Biography
Jim Scheinberg is the Founder and Managing Partner of North Pier Search Consulting, an industry pioneer in independent fiduciary evaluation and search consulting. Under his leadership, North Pier has completed over 150 projects on behalf of institutional investment fiduciaries, serving organizations collectively totaling over $200 billion in committed assets. Jim is widely recognized for his expertise in procedural prudence, guiding institutions to strengthen governance, align investment strategies and structure with mission, evaluate partners, and fulfill fiduciary responsibilities with confidence.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Jim began in venture capital and progressed to senior institutional consulting roles at Oppenheimer & Co., where he founded their fiduciary consulting arm, the Corporate Services Group. In 2008, he launched North Pier, creating an independent, conflict-free resource dedicated solely to fiduciary advocacy.
Jim holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation from the Wharton School of Business. A published author and regular Forbes.com contributor, he is a frequent resource to financial media and press, conference lecturer, speaker, and expert witness for landmark ERISA litigation, including regular service to the U.S. Department of Labor. Jim’s work continues to set national standards for fiduciary excellence, transparency, and prudent stewardship in institutional investment management.
