Sadikot will lead Tufts’ Investment Office and oversee its $3.1 billion endowment
Photo: Alonso Nichols
Tufts University has appointed Rishad Sadikot as its next chief investment officer, effective May 18, 2026.
Sadikot will oversee the university’s endowment and all related investment activities, drawing on deep experience in institutional portfolio management and asset allocation. Working closely with the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees and university leadership, he will lead the university’s investment office and guide its long-term investment strategy, with a focus on strengthening portfolio performance and generating strong returns in support of Tufts’ mission.
“Exceptional endowment management is essential to our long-term financial strength,” said Mike Howard, Tufts’ executive vice president. “Rishad is a proven leader with a track record of delivering disciplined strategy and strong results.”
Tufts’ endowment is a perpetual resource designed to support the university’s mission across generations. It helps fund financial aid, faculty and research, and the continued development of academic programs, while also providing stability when other revenue sources fluctuate. The Tufts Investment Office oversees approximately $3.1 billion in assets in support of the university’s long-term financial sustainability.
“If we do our job well, there are more dollars over time for financial aid, research, and scholarships—for everything Tufts makes possible,” Sadikot said. “The goal is to generate strong returns so the university can expand the ability of all talented students, irrespective of financial background, to come here. That’s the driving motivator behind what we’re trying to do.”
Rishad Sadikot
Sadikot brings nearly two decades of experience in institutional investment management. Since 2014, he has served as a managing director at Cambridge Associates, where he advised universities, foundations, and other institutions on portfolio construction, asset allocation, manager selection, and overall investment strategy.
In that role, he has worked extensively with endowments and mission-driven organizations, helping to design and evaluate investment programs across asset classes and market environments. His experience includes developing long-term strategic allocations, identifying and selecting external investment managers, and assessing performance in the context of institutional goals.
Sadikot said his time at Cambridge Associates played a formative role in shaping his approach to investing. “I’ve absolutely loved my time at Cambridge. It’s been critical to how I’ve developed as an investor, and I wouldn’t be in this role without that experience,” he said.
Earlier in his career, Sadikot worked in infrastructure project finance with Global Clearinghouse for Development Finance, with a focus on East Africa in sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, and transportation. He also held roles at HDFC Asset Management Company, one of India’s largest asset management companies, where his work spanned product development and research across asset classes.
Sadikot holds a master's in international business from The Fletcher School and a bachelor’s in economics and commerce from the University of Mumbai.
“Tufts and the Fletcher School changed my life. I’ll never be able to give back what I’ve gotten from it, but if I can help the endowment compound over time, that’s the most meaningful thing I could do professionally.”
