Diverse Manager Outreach Portal
The Diverse Manager Outreach Portal is an opportunity for diversely-owned investment management firms with greater than 51% ownership by minorities, women, or people with a disability to present to the SURS investment team, its manager-of-manager partners, and/or its consultants. The goal of this outreach is to promote visibility of MWDB firms to an audience of institutional level asset allocators. SURS consultants and investment partners are encouraged to conduct further due diligence on participating firms. Potential SURS allocations are possible upon successfully completing the selection process outlined by the SURS procurement policy. Meetings conducted are introductory and do not replace or bypass the SURS procurement process. For additional details on the procurement process, please see the SURS procurement policy.
SURS is committed to providing opportunities for Emerging Investment Managers and Minority Owned Broker/Dealers. SURS is also committed to providing ongoing opportunities for minority-, woman-, and persons with a disability-owned (“MWDBE”) managers that have advanced beyond the statutory definition of Emerging Investment Managers. In determining the status of a business enterprise, SURS will use the definitions found in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, 30 ILCS 575/2(A), and (B) (30 ILCS 575/ Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. (ilga.gov))
If you have any questions or issues, please reach out to Alex Ramos and Stephany Brinkman at diversemanager@surs.org.
Public Markets
Contact: Alex Ramos, Investment Officer
Consultant: Meketa Investment Group
Manager-of-Managers Partners: Xponance (Global Equity), Bivium (Public Fixed Income)
Minimum requirements to be considered for a SURS allocation: SEC registered and 51%+ ownership by minorities and women. Note: SURS does not invest in equity hedge fund strategies.
Public Markets is currently scheduling 30-minute meetings for Feb. 25, 2026.
Click the Schedule Now button to be redirected to our Microsoft Bookings site for sign up.
Private Equity
Contact: Joe Duncan, Senior Investment Officer
Discretionary Private Equity Advisor: Aksia
Fund of One Partner: Fairview Capital Partners
Minimum requirements to be considered for a SURS allocation: SEC-registered and 51%+ ownership by minorities and women, as highlighted above
Aksia – focuses on funds over $300 million in size
Fairview – primarily focuses on diverse-owned funds (as defined in Illinois statute) up to $750 million in size; North American venture capital and small buyout funds
Private Equity is currently scheduling 45-minute meetings for Mar. 25 and Jul. 1, 2026.
Click the Schedule Now button to be redirected to our Microsoft Bookings site for sign up.
Real Assets
Contact: Shane Willoughby, Senior Investment Officer
Consultant: Callan
Minimum requirements to be considered for a SURS allocation:
See the minimum qualifications requirements for private real estate equity, private real estate debt, private infrastructure equity, and private agriculture equity funds on Callan’s website.
Real Assets is currently scheduling meetings for Mar. 11, 2026.
Click the Schedule Now button to be redirected to our Microsoft Bookings site for sign up.
Private Credit
Contact: Joe Duncan, Senior Investment Officer
Discretionary Private Credit Advisor: Meketa
Minimum requirements to be considered for a SURS allocation: SEC registered and 51%+ ownership by minorities and women, as highlighted above. Preferred fund size is $500 million and above. Smaller fund sizes could also be considered.
Private Credit is currently scheduling 45-minute meetings for Mar. 24 and Jun. 30, 2026.
Click the Schedule Now button to be redirected to our Microsoft Bookings site for sign up.
Diversifying Strategies (Low Beta)
Contact: Jessica Pickens, Senior Investment Officer
Consultant: Meketa Investment Group
Minimum requirements to be considered for a SURS allocation: SEC registered and 51%+ ownership by minorities and women.
Preferred Strategies: Trend, Global Macro, ARP, Market Neutral, Long Volatility
Diversifying Strategies is currently scheduling 45-minute meetings for Mar. 24, 2026.
Click the Schedule Now button to be redirected to our Microsoft Bookings site for sign up.