Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry John-Austin Saviano – Emerging Managers and IC Governance (Capital Allocators, EP.294)
Jan 30, 2023
John-Austin Saviano, founder of High Country Advisors and former allocator at prestigious institutions, shares insights from nearly two decades in the investment sector. He discusses the vital role storytelling plays for emerging managers in a challenging fundraising landscape. Segments cover the dynamics between general and limited partners, the misalignment of incentives in governance, and the importance of effective communication amidst evolving investment strategies. Saviano also highlights lessons from his career shifts and the need for customized risk management in institutional investing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Career Transition to Moore Foundation
- John-Austin Saviano transitioned to the Moore Foundation after the dot-com bubble burst.
- He was hired as an early employee due to his diverse skillset.
Building Moore Foundation's Portfolio
- At Moore Foundation, Saviano initially worked as a generalist, managing the liquidation of Intel stock.
- This provided the opportunity to build a diverse institutional portfolio from scratch.
Working with Fund-of-Funds
- At UC Berkeley, Saviano used fund-of-funds strategically, including Protege Partners, to manage portfolio transitions and gain access to emerging managers.
- This approach allowed for quicker portfolio restructuring and valuable insights from experienced allocators.