Investment Management Operations Lisa Dallmer, COO – Dimensional Fund Advisors (EP.60)
Sep 23, 2025
Lisa Dallmer, COO at Dimensional Fund Advisors, brings a wealth of experience from her time in sell-side and buy-side operations. She discusses the challenges of scaling global fund operations and highlights the importance of outsourcing partnerships to overcome cross-border hurdles. Lisa shares insights on utilizing technology for productivity, emphasizes the unique investment philosophy at Dimensional, and advises emergent managers on fostering leadership and collaboration to thrive in a complex industry.
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From Cold Call To Exchange Leader
- Lisa cold-called Archipelago's founder and joined as about employee number 50, bringing derivatives and tech experience to equity trading.
- That startup later IPO'd and was acquired by the NYSE, launching her into exchange-level roles.
Study The Motion Of The Ocean
- When integrating firms, study the "motion of the ocean" to preserve what made each successful while adding innovation.
- Balance respect for existing culture with deliberate change to move the combined firm forward.
Leading Markets Through Crisis
- Lisa moved to Europe to lead cash markets during the Euronext integration and the global financial crisis.
- She learned to prioritize transparency and keeping markets open to preserve investor trust during volatility.