Philip Halpern joined EdgeLine Capital Partners as the Chairman of the Advisory Board in August 2009.  He serves a critical role in helping EdgeLine and its clients better understand how institutional investors think and facilitate investment decisions.  He consults with the firm on strategic initiatives, collaborates with the team on potential client due diligence, and advises existing clients on their business and marketing plans.  Mr. Halpern is exclusive in this capacity with EdgeLine and participates on the weekly management calls with the partners. 

Mr. Halpern has enjoyed an extensive institutional investment management career as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for the endowments of The University of Chicago and Caltech, and for the pension plans of The Washington State Investment Board and J.C. Penney Company.  While having retired from full-time single commitments, he continues to be engaged in the investment management industry.  Mr. Halpern has served as a director on various corporate boards in the U.S. and in India, has sponsored private equity portfolio companies, and has participated actively on advisory boards of many GP’s during his long career.  He also has advised two large wealth management firms, Oxford Financial Group and M Financial Group.  After serving over twenty years as Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman of one of the largest and highest performing REIT’s in the U.S., DWS RREEF America REIT II, Mr. Halpern recently retired from this position.

Mr. Halpern previously has consulted to the governments of Egypt and Kazakhstan on financial market reform, lectured at The University of Chicago Booth School, and presented at investment forums worldwide.  In addition, Mr. Halpern has authored numerous technical articles, as well as a book that has helped shape many investment advisors’ marketing strategies today:  Marketing Institutional Money Management Services: Meeting the Needs of Today’s Plan Sponsors and Corporate Treasurers.  Philip currently is on the board of The University of Chicago’s independent bookstore, gives tours to people of all ages at the university’s famed Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (formerly Oriental Institute) and is writing a book on Mesopotamian law and religion.  He lives with his wife in downtown Chicago and is blessed with two children and four grandchildren.