Episode 4: Trailer Series 4 of 2024: The Rise of the Custom Portfolio

As we enter high summer here we come with some summer bounty here at Fiftyfaces Podcast as we launch Series 4 that is bursting with wisdom and insights. Because life is not linear, these stories are not linear either – and they stress the power of the individual. Hear from an introvert who found her calling in connecting with people in private wealth, a pensions expert whose entire career has been driven my members first, a legendary business builder and a private credit expert forging her own path.

We start with asking about the arc of the investment world, then look to the evolution of private wealth and what matters, we talk about the development of institutional portfolios and how our work is changing, even though certain areas remain overlooked. 

Guest descriptions:

Keri Findley, who is Chief Executive Officer of Tacora Capital, which focuses on Asset-Based Private Credit Opportunities in Specialty Finance and Insurance.  She was previously a partner at Third Point.

Tony Dote, who just recently retired from a role of Managing Director at Lazard Asset Management, where he spent over 40 years. He started his career in insurance and then investment consulting.

Jai Jacob, who recently ended a 25+ year career at Lazard Asset Management where he headed up the Quantitative, Alternatives and Multi-Asset Investment Group which oversaw c. $35 bn in AUM. 

Penny Green who is finally retiring from the investment industry at the end of the month following an over 30-year career.  

Jennifer Devine, who is Head of Wiltshire Pension Fund, and a thought leader in the field of sustainable investing.

Kristina Blaschek, who is Director of Business and Technology within the Investment Management division of William Blair, based in Chicago. She started her career in investment banking, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Auditorium Theatre. 

Jessica Karr, who is the founder and managing director of Coyote Ventures, an investment firm that focuses on backing founders who are solving problems that disproportionately affect overlooked populations with a foundation in women's health. 

Ghiané Jones, who is Deputy CIO at the Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois, where she is based in their Chicago office. She previously was Managping Principal at Meketa Investment Group, a role she held for over 6 years, and prior to that worked in a range of financial services roles including in institutional ETF Sales at Invesco and Northern Trust, and as a Regional Consultant at Goldman Sachs.

Marguerita Cheng, is CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth, based in the Washington DC area, as well as being a Founding Member of Kiplinger Advisor Collective and The Authentic Asian. A keen runner, she was co-founder of 261 Fearless Incl, a global non-profit organization that uses running as a vehicle to empower and unit women, as well as Girls on the Run, where she is a Soulmate. She is a podcast host – of Margaritas with Rita, where she shares financial literacy and financial planning advice.

Cary Carbonaro, who is an award-winning financial advisor, a women and wealth expert and a CFP board ambassador. She is currently senior vice president of Advisors Capital, where she was noted in the 2024 NASDAQ Advisor Council and as a Top Advisor in 2023 Investopedia.