Monthly Alts Pulse Ep. 12: Taking the pulse of private markets and the future of AI and automation in private markets with Eileen Duff, Managing Partner & Chief Client Success Officer at iCapital
Oct 4, 2024
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Eileen Duff, Managing Partner & Chief Client Success Officer at iCapital, shares her extensive expertise in alternative investments. She delves into the transformation of distribution in private markets and the role of technology, especially AI and automation, in enhancing client experiences. Eileen discusses strategies for engaging diverse clients and the significance of improved data connectivity. She emphasizes the need for better education on investment products and the efficiencies gained through automation in post-investment processes.
Eileen Duff highlights the importance of educating independent financial advisors about alternative investments to enhance client engagement and understanding.
The integration of technology and automation in post-investment processes is crucial for improving client experiences and operational efficiency in private markets.
Deep dives
Transformation in the Alternative Investment Space
Eileen Duff discusses her extensive experience in the alternative investment sector, highlighting the significant changes she has observed throughout her career. While at Credit Suisse, she managed relationships with a limited set of financial advisors, which allowed her to closely understand client needs and educate them about alternative investments. Transitioning to iCapital, she found it challenging to engage a wider audience of independent financial advisors, who had more options and less guidance. This shift emphasized the importance of educating more clients in the independent broker-dealer landscape to nurture their understanding of alternatives.
Adapting to Client Needs and Market Structures
iCapital has evolved to service different types of clients, including wire houses, independent broker-dealers, RIAs, and international firms, by focusing on their unique needs. Eileen emphasizes that serving these diverse clientele effectively requires a deep understanding of their specific requirements and preferences. From her experience, she illustrates how iCapital's approach to meeting clients where they are stems from her background in building product platforms tailored to client needs at Credit Suisse. This adaptability continues to play a crucial role in iCapital's growth and success in the evolving alternative investment landscape.
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Client Experience
Eileen emphasizes the importance of technological integration within the alternative investment ecosystem to enhance overall client experience. At iCapital, efforts are underway to streamline operations by automating post-investment processes through enhanced data management practices. The focus on achieving impeccable client experiences involves collaboration with various intermediaries, ensuring efficient data sharing and operational connectivity. Eileen believes that as technology advances, it will fundamentally reshape the post-investment experience, allowing the firm to better serve its clients while also scaling its operations efficiently.
Welcome to the 12th episode of the Monthly Alts Pulse, a collaboration between iCapital x Alt Goes Mainstream.
This month’s episode features one of iCapital’s senior executives, Eileen Duff, Managing Partner & Chief Client Success Officer, and a private markets veteran who was Head of Alternative Investments, North America for Credit Suisse for a number of years. At iCapital, she oversees Investor Relations, Enterprise Integration, and Client Operations teams to optimize the client experience. Eileen has had a number of senior and instrumental roles at iCapital. She's also a member of iCapital's Operating Committee. She was previously Head of Fund Management & Research for iCapital, where she was responsible for origination and development of new investment products and lifecycle management of existing offerings. She also led Distribution for iCapital, leading the sales and relationship management function after joining from Credit Suisse.
iCapital, as the leading platform that is responsible for the majority of individual and advisor-led investment flows into the alts space, has its finger on the pulse of what’s happening in private markets.
Eileen and I had a fascinating and lively discussion about how technology innovation, and AI and automation in particular, are revolutionizing alternative investments and how technology can drive growth and operational efficiency.
We covered:
How and why alternatives distribution has evolved.
The importance of meeting clients where they are.
The evolution of wealth channel strategies.
How much does structure matter?
When and why Eileen saw registered funds as a major driver of the future growth of private markets well before they became mainstream.
The impact of registered and evergreen funds on operations and fund administration.
Where will the biggest efficiencies come from in the automation of post-investment processes?
How AI and automation will enhance operational efficiency?
Thanks Eileen for a great episode … looking forward to next month’s Monthly Alts Pulse conversation!
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