CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
George Cook
Institutional Consultant, Graystone Consulting
George Cook is an Institutional Consultant with Graystone Consulting, where he is responsible for setting strategic policy and determining the team's big picture economic and investment view. He also handles portfolio optimization and investment manager selection, and provides a quarterly capital markets conference call for clients and industry insiders.
George has worked in the financial industry for 34 years. As a Consulting Group Associate, he pioneered the institutional consulting program in the firm's Barrington, Illinois, branch. In 1990, he became a Consulting Group Director, focusing on key institutional relationships.
In 1997, George earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst designation at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He attained the Alternative Investments Director designation in 2014 and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Designation in 2009. He is a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association and has served on the board and on the Best Practices committee of the Association of Professional Investment Consultants.
George is a past recipient of the H. John Ellis Award from Morgan Stanley's Consulting Group unit, which is given to the consultant who "provides the highest quality of service to the institutional marketplace and who demonstrates the highest level of professionalism." In 2011, Registered Rep magazine awarded George the "Altruism Award: Advisors with Heart," honoring advisors who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and are active in charitable giving and mentoring. In 2013, George was awarded the Community Leadership Award by Morgan Stanley for his efforts in eradicating human trafficking around the globe, and was also awarded the John J. Mack Leadership Award from the firm, recognizing his efforts to put clients first, lead with exceptional ideas, act with integrity, and be generous with his time, resources and talents.
He speaks frequently at conferences for various associations, including Healthcare Financial Management Association, Association of Professional Investment Consultants, Investment Management Consultant Association, Chicago Treasury Management Association, the Center on Philanthropy, Indiana University, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, Association of Small Foundations, and Christian Leadership Alliance. He is also a frequent moderator at the SkyBridge Alternatives Conference.
George is passionate about community service, particularly issues of justice and poverty, and has made regular humanitarian trips to Cuba. He volunteers for a number of nonprofit agencies, including Bright Hope International, International Justice Mission and Willow Creek Community Church.
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