Nuveen’s Willis Tsai on global equities and active management
INTERVIEWSERIES
Willis Tsai, Head of Global Equities, Nuveen
May 2026
In this exclusive interview, Willis shares how he thinks about portfolio construction across the diverse global equities opportunity set. He explains why now is a particularly compelling moment for active management and highlights what separates managers who succeed over the long term from those who don’t. Willis also discusses the most interesting ideas he is exploring today in pursuit of opportunities and how he is managing risk along the way.
Watch the full interview which covers:
00:11 - Global equities represent the world's largest opportunity set. What makes this moment particularly compelling for active management?
00:58 - U.S. tech has driven markets for years, but you highlight opportunities beyond the Magnificent Seven. Where are you finding the most interesting ideas today?
02:16 - Global equities span developed and emerging markets, growth and value, large and small cap. How do you think about portfolio construction across such a diverse opportunity set?
03:05 - Active management is notoriously difficult. What separates managers who succeed over the long term from those who don't?
04:03 - Nuveen has invested in equities on behalf of teachers and nonprofit workers for over seventy years. How does that mission shape how you think about risk and responsibility?
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Willis Tsai, Head of Global Equities, Nuveen
Willis is Head of Global Equities for Nuveen and serves as portfolio manager on global and emerging markets strategies. He also provides analytical coverage for the global technology sector. He is Chair of the Nuveen Equity Investment Council. Willis has been instrumental in growing our equities business around the world.
Prior to his current role, Willis served as Head of Nuveen Equities Global Portfolio Management and co-head of Global Research for the Nuveen equities research team. He joined the firm in 2006 and prior to that, held a position at Goldman Sachs & Co. in sell-side equity research.
Willis graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University.
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