Krishna K. Memani named chief investment officer

Krishna K. Memani, former vice chairman of investments at Invesco, has been named CIO at Lafayette, effective Oct. 15.

Memani joined Invesco when the firm combined with OppenheimerFunds in 2019, where he was chief investment officer. Before joining OppenheimerFunds in 2009, he was a managing director at Deutsche Bank, heading U.S. and European credit analysis. Earlier, Memani headed global credit research at Credit Suisse, was in charge of high-grade and high-yield portfolios at Putnam Investments, and was the fixed income strategist and manager of mortgage research at Morgan Stanley. He began his career as a research analyst at Morgan Stanley and Price Waterhouse. 

At Lafayette, Memani will manage an endowment of more than $850 million, which ranks among the top 10 percent of American colleges and universities in endowment per student. 

“Krishna is perhaps an unconventional appointment, in that he comes from outside the endowment and foundation community, but his applicable experience is considerable and proven,” said Jefferson W. Kirby ’84, chairman of the Board of Trustees Committee on Investments. “He is certain to bring a fresh perspective informed by a long and successful career that includes overseeing a $230 billion asset management complex. His thoughtful and charitable demeanor will contribute to his success at Lafayette.”

President Alison Byerly said, “We are delighted to welcome Krishna Memani to Lafayette. The economic pressures on higher education have become even more intense as a result of the coronavirus, requiring all of us to be strong stewards of our endowments. We look forward to having Krishna help us to build an even stronger foundation for Lafayette’s future.” 

Memani said of his appointment: “At this point in my life and career, I am very excited and grateful to become part of a mission-focused academic organization and look forward to contributing to the overall growth of the College community.”

Memani earned an MBA and a master’s degree in economics from University of Florida and a bachelor of engineering degree in mechanical engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, India.