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Steven Novakovic, Managing Director of Educational Programs at CAIA, discusses the monumental shift from strategic asset allocation to the Total Portfolio Approach (TPA), a change recently highlighted by major moves at CalPERS. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of private markets, specifically how secondary markets are providing crucial liquidity and entry points for investors dealing with slowed distributions and the "denominator effect". Novakovic also provides a candid look at the friction between hedge fund fees and beta-heavy returns, arguing that sophisticated limited partners will not pay for beta. As alternative investments become more accessible to retail wealth, he emphasizes the critical need for education regarding evergreen funds and the unique risks of private market liquidity. Finally, the episode looks forward to 2026 educational initiatives at CAIA.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Governance Changes in Pension Plans

00:45 Strategic Asset Allocation vs. Total Portfolio Approach

03:24 Early Adopters and Global Trends in TPA

05:06 Benchmarking and Decision-Making Shifts

09:58 CalPERS Case Study: Governance and Tactical Opportunities

17:32 Impact on Managers and Investment Strategies

22:08 Current Market Trends and Private Credit

25:54 Private Equity Distributions and Secondary Markets

35:32 Reinvesting Portfolio Proceeds

36:39 Understanding Secondary Market Buyers

37:09 Benefits of Secondary Allocations

39:14 Challenges and Strategies in Secondary Markets

45:03 Hedge Funds vs. Equity Markets

46:35 Evaluating Hedge Fund Performance

49:02 Active Management and Fee Structures

56:53 Educating Investors on Alternatives

01:03:00 CAIA's Educational Resources

01:05:44 Upcoming CAIA Programs

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