Scott Wilson ’98 Named Chief Investment Officer


Grinnell College is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Wilson ’98 as the College’s new Chief Investment Officer. Wilson will succeed David Clay on Jan. 1, 2014.

Wilson’s hire was the outcome of a rigorous global search for a College CIO who will usher in a new era of outstanding investment performance and endowment growth for one of the best-known and most respected portfolios in higher education, currently valued at nearly $1.7 billion. He will work closely with the College’s new Treasurer and Vice-President for Finance, Kate Walker, who joined the College in October.

“The hire of Scott Wilson, while it comes from within our campus ranks, is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Grinnell President Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D. “As both an alumnus of the College and an accomplished investment professional, Wilson is ideally equipped to manage the College’s portfolio in service of our enduring mission and core values.”

Wilson is a familiar face at Grinnell, where he has served as Director of Investments since 2010. He previously managed a team of traders specializing in interest rate option trading for Barclays Capital Japan. He has also worked in option trading for Bank of America Securities and as an equity research analyst for Merrill Lynch. Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics, with honors, from Grinnell and is a chartered financial analyst.

“As an alum, with such great memories of Grinnell College and my experiences here, it’s an honor to be chosen as Grinnell’s next Chief Investment Officer,” Wilson said. “I’m looking forward to working with our outstanding Investment Committee, senior leadership and the talented staff in the Investment Office to help grow the resources used to support the College’s mission.”

Wilson has exceptional experience for the position, Clay said of his colleague. “His skills and capital market experience have prepared him well to serve as Chief Investment Officer.”

Clay is working closely with the College to ensure a smooth transition. “It has been an honor to serve the College, formerly as Treasurer and then as Chief Investment Officer,” Clay said. “I have appreciated the opportunity to work alongside so many committed Trustees, faculty and staff.”

President Kington lauded Clay’s leadership during his nearly three decades of service to the College.

“David Clay has provided exceptionally loyal and scrupulous investment leadership during his 27 years at Grinnell,” Kington said. “He has held many titles and fulfilled many roles, including Treasurer 1990–2012, as well as CIO. He worked closely with legendary Grinnell Trustees Joe Rosenfield ’25, among our many influential Board members past and present. His careful financial stewardship was central to the growth and stature of the College’s endowment, one of the most respected in American higher education.”