Institutional Consulting

Strategic Investment Guidance for Institutions

Cerity Partners’ Institutional Consulting Practice provides objective, research-driven investment counsel to organizations entrusted with long-term capital. We advise public plans, multiemployer plans, nonprofit institutions, and corporate retirement plans; helping fiduciaries navigate complexity with clarity, discipline, and independence while maintaining an unwavering commitment to fiduciary standards.

Meeting Clients Where They Are

Every institution faces a unique set of objectives, constraints, governance dynamics, and stakeholder responsibilities. We tailor our advice accordingly and rely on objective observation, rigorous research, and measurable results to help guide our clients. Yet the true value of our work lies beyond what can be measured – what we do impacts people’s lives.

Clients engage us along a continuum, from nondiscretionary, discretionary, and blended Portfolio Solutions, allowing each organization to retain the level of control that best fits its needs. Our role is to strengthen and support decision-making to maximize investment success.

“We believe the future of investment advice belongs to organizations that align institutional-grade research with relationship-driven counsel, maintaining independence, transparency, and a long-term partnership mindset at every step.”

Partner & Practice Leader / Jeffrey MacLean

Who We Serve

Public Plans

We partner with state governments, state treasuries, counties and municipalities, and public safety, transportation, and utility agencies to protect the retirement income and health benefits of government works across the country. We help fiduciaries meet their obligations with integrity, prudence, and transparency.

Multiemployer Plans

We work with jointly administered, collectively bargained benefit plans across industries, providing them with a complete range of services deployed professionals dedicated to serving Taft-Hartley clients. Our experience spans retirement, health & welfare, and training trusts, with deep familiarity navigating funding challenges, regulatory change, and complex governance environments.

Nonprofit Organizations

We are a trusted resource for many types of not-for-profit organizations, from small private foundations to multi-billion healthcare systems, higher education endowments to faith-based charities and tribal governments. We help them fulfill the missions of their organizations and the communities they serve.

Corporate Retirement Plans

We serve defined benefit and defined contribution plans to help serve their fiduciary obligations and satisfy liabilities. These include seeking thoughtful oversight, risk management, and efficient plan design appropriate for the plan type and lifecycle stage.

Nondiscretionary Investment Consulting

Our consulting approach begins with a thorough understanding of each client’s objectives, risk capacity, and governance framework. We develop customized investment policies and portfolio strategies, provide disciplined manager research and selection, and deliver ongoing monitoring and reporting to support informed fiduciary decision-making. We act as an extension of our clients’ staff, advocating on their behalf with managers and service providers to promote alignment, efficiency, and accountability.

We Provide

Research >

Economic and capital markets research supports a comprehensive understanding of the forces which drive investment outcomes and provide for capturing opportunities

Strategic Asset Allocation >

Rigorous, data-driven analysis to determine the optimal mix of assets aligned with your return requirements, liabilities and risk tolerance

Investment Policy Development >

Clear, actionable policies that guide decision-making and fulfill fiduciary obligations

Manager Research and Selection >

Comprehensive due diligence across public markets, real assets, and private investments to identify best-in-class managers

Portfolio Monitoring and Reporting >

Ongoing oversight and transparent performance reporting to keep trustees informed

Risk Management >

Sophisticated tools and expertise to understand, measure, and manage portfolio risks

Governance Support >

Education and guidance for investment committees, board, and staff navigating complex decisions

Portfolio Solutions

For institutions that elect to delegate aspects of portfolio implementation, we offer Portfolio Solutions designed to align precisely with each client’s governance structure, resources, and desired level of discretion.

These solutions can range from partial discretion, where we assume responsibility for defined components of portfolio construction or execution, to full discretion, where we serve as a delegated fiduciary responsible for day-to-day investment management. In all cases, portfolios are implemented within a policy framework established with the client, ensuring clarity of objectives, accountability, and ongoing transparency.

Portfolio Solutions is purpose-built for institutions that value flexibility, thoughtful governance integration, and disciplined execution, allowing fiduciaries to retain appropriate oversight while benefiting from dedicated investment management, operational efficiency, and timely decision-making.

Why Cerity Partners Institutional Consulting

Institutional Expertise

Our professionals bring decades of experience advising institutional investors across plan types, asset classes, and market cycles. Many serve on nonprofit boards and investment committees, providing practical insight into the real-world challenges fiduciaries face.

Research-Driven, Objective Judgment

Independence defines our work. In accordance with fiduciary standards, our advice is shaped entirely by the goals and objectives of each client. Our research platform delivers rigorous fundamental analysis across public markets, private investments, and real assets, supporting disciplined decision-making and delivery of advice with transparency to meet client needs.

Scale and Resources

We offer deep research capabilities, technology, and operational infrastructure, while maintaining the specialized focus and high-touch service institutional clients expect.

Stewardship Grounded in Rigor

We view each client relationship as a long-term partnership built on trust, candor, and shared responsibility. We are stewards of capital that serves a broader purpose, and we approach our work with humility, intellectual honesty, and a commitment to measurable outcomes.

Get Started

Our clients deserve candid counsel backed by rigorous research. Whether you are evaluating your current advisory relationship, navigating a significant portfolio transition, or seeking an objective second opinion, we welcome the opportunity to help.

Thank You!

This 30-minute call with me is designed to better understand your unique financial and life goals and match you with the advisor most well suited to help.
Looking forward to  speaking with you!

Jeffrey MacLean

Partner & Practice Leader