Investors have increasingly adopted indexing as part of their mix of investments given in part to the low relative fees and the fact that traditional active managers have had a hard time consistently beating indices over time. Upon a deeper look, indices make many active decisions but do so within a rigid set of rules. This presentation evaluates many of these decisions, and the total costs associated with a rigid process, and proposes a thoughtful and time-tested alternative.

Speaker Bio: Mary Phillips, CFA

Mary Phillips is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, and a member of the Investment Committee and Investment Research Committee at Dimensional. Together with Allen Pu and Joel Schneider, Mary oversees the Portfolio Management team in North America responsible for delivering Dimensional’s US and non-US equity strategies. Mary is involved in the design and implementation of new products and strategies, and frequently speaks with both prospects and clients on topics ranging from Dimensional’s investment philosophy and process to custom solutions that the firm can provide to help clients achieve their goals.

Before coming to Dimensional in 2012, Mary worked as a portfolio manager at Russell Investments, where she designed and implemented derivatives strategies for commingled funds and public and private pensions.

Mary earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She also holds the CFA® designation and completed a BA in business administration at the University of Puget Sound.