July 18, 2024
CBIS, through our Catholic Responsible Investments approach, promises investors that we will seek to provide sound financial returns while remaining faithful to the moral and social teachings of the Church. Executing on this commitment is no small task.
That is why we are pleased to announce that Thomas Digenan, CFA, CPA, will join John Geissinger serving as CBIS co-chief investment officers. Mr. Digenan brings 37 years of investment industry experience at a pivotal time, as CBIS looks to deploy additional resources gained through its expanded strategic relationship with Mercer.
Mr. Digenan’s professional experience includes designing and implementing investment solution strategies for one of the industry’s largest asset management firms. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for portfolio construction, research, and the management of mutual funds and relationship organizations.
Mr. Digenan previously served as a board member and board chairman of the CFA Society Chicago. He also served on the advisory board for the Driehaus Center for Behavioral Finance at DePaul University. From 2012 to 2016, he was an adjunct professor in the Marquette University Graduate School of Business and currently serves as an adjunct professor at DePaul University.
Working side by side
In his role as co-CIO, Mr. Digenan will serve as chair of the newly formed Catholic Responsible Investments Committee. Plans call for a significant increase in the number of U.S. and non-U.S.-based investment professionals. The committee will include voting members and subject matter experts from both CBIS and Mercer and will focus on sub-adviser selection, portfolio construction, portfolio risk management, and performance analysis. CBIS will retain final decision rights on all committee matters.
On a day-to-day basis, Mr. Digenan, alongside Mr. Geissinger, will oversee the Catholic Responsible Investments team’s service, portfolio management, and impact and justice initiatives.
As part of this effort, the co-CIOs will reshape the team to support a greater global presence. As Mercer expands CBIS’ reach and product development capabilities, CBIS will gain access to a broader range of asset classes and investment strategies to serve Catholic investors worldwide. Plans were already in place to build out the non-U.S. team, and following Hoa Quach’s departure, CBIS will move forward with hiring a Europe-based portfolio manager.
Mr. Digenan will also travel with Mr. Geissinger to meet CBIS constituents around the world. These in-person meetings will help build long-lasting relationships and allow the new co-CIO to better understand investors and their individual charisms.
Exciting Times for CBIS
Mr. Digenan’s arrival comes at a historic moment for CBIS. The firm’s strategic relationship with Mercer positions CBIS to deliver a more robust suite of Catholic investment solutions than at any point in its forty-plus-year history. CBIS looks forward to Mr. Digenan applying his expertise to the expanded resources supporting the Catholic Responsible Investments team.
Important Information
Carefully consider the funds’ investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses. This and other information can be found in the funds’ full and summary prospectus, available at www.cbisonline.com or by calling 1-866-348-6466. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Asset allocation may not protect against market risk. There is no guarantee that these strategies will result in positive performance. Catholic Responsible Investment is an investment strategy designed to seek sound financial returns while remaining faithful to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Funds applying CRI criteria may underperform similar funds that do not consider such guidelines.
The funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Company, which is not affiliated with CBIS or Mercer.