Allison K. Thacker is a special advisor to Rice University. Ms. Thacker joined Rice University in 2011 and served as Chief Investment Officer and President of the Rice Management Company through September 2024. In that role, she was responsible for managing the endowment’s long-term investment pool valued at $7.5bn. Rice University’s endowment ranks in the top 20 of U.S. private research universities, and the annual distribution from the endowment is the single largest revenue source to the operating budget, supporting ~40% of the University’s operating expenses. Over the 5- and 10-year periods ending on June 30, 2024, the endowment generated annualized returns of 9.6% and 8.6%, respectiv