Drew R. Smith, CFA, CAIA Vice President, Portfolio Manager–Alternative Assets

Drew manages alternative assets on behalf of Advantus and its clients, including the Minnesota Life General Account. He is responsible for sourcing, due diligence, ongoing oversight and the construction of portfolios containing venture buyout, mezzanine, distressed debt and hedge fund investments. He also manages a portfolio of post-venture stocks, and is a member of the Minnesota Life defined benefit plan portfolio management team.

Drew has been part of the Minnesota Life General Account investment process for 13 years, initially working as an analyst focused on sub-advised accounts and asset allocation. He has been focused on alternative asset portfolios since 1999.

Drew is a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Minnesota and the CAIA Association. He serves as a member of the advisory boards and valuation committees of more than a dozen private equity firms. He also serves on the Investment Committee of the Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Professional Experience

• Advantus Capital Management, Due Diligence Analyst
• Voyageur Asset Management, Product Development Analyst
• Active in the investment industry since 1992

Degrees and Designations

• Master of Business Administration, Thunderbird School of Global Management
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and German, University of Rochester
• Chartered Financial Analyst
• Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst