Erik L. Knutzen, CFA, CAIA

Erik joined NEPC in 2008 as Chief Investment Officer. Erik is responsible for overseeing Investment Research at NEPC, and developing and communicating investment strategy.  NEPC Research is comprised of more than 40 professionals working closely with NEPC's consultants and client support analysts.  The Research group has dedicated teams focusing on Alternative Investments (including Absolute Return Strategies and Private Markets Strategies), Traditional Strategies, and Asset Allocation.  Erik leads investment strategy development including: asset allocation recommendations, market assessment and outlook, and new asset class and investment strategy identification. Erik is a member of the Traditional and Alternative Research Due Diligence Committees and a member of the Emerging Managers Advisory Committee.  The committees meet regularly to evaluate investment strategies for recommendation to clients and to review events that impact the investment management community. Additionally, Erik is a member of the firm's Management Group and was elected a partner in 2009. 

Erik’s career in the financial services industry began in 1986. Most recently he was Director, Institutional Strategies at RiverSource Investments, LLC. Prior to joining RiverSource, Erik worked at several investment firms including: Standish Mellon; Garret Capital Management; Putnam Investments; and Jeffrey Slocum & Associates.

Erik earned his M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1990 and his B.A. from Williams College in 1986.  Erik holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations and is a member of the CFA Institute and Boston Securities Analyst Society.  He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, where he Chairs the Investment Committee, and is a member of the Samsung Global Investment Advisory Council.