E284: Why Family Offices Invest Differently w/Robert Blabey

23 snips

Jan 16, 2026

In this engaging conversation, Robert Blabey, Founder and CIO of Align, shares insights on how family offices differ in their investment strategies. He discusses the unique market gaps that inspired him to create Align, focusing on capital preservation and a downside-first investment approach. Robert highlights the importance of private credit and opportunistic investments, explaining how families collaborate rather than compete. His take on mid-duration investments reveals strategies for reducing macro risk, making this a must-listen for those interested in innovative investment tactics.

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INSIGHT

Resource-Capital Mismatch In Family Offices

Family offices often have institutional-scale capital but lack institutional-level resources and processes.
That mismatch creates an opportunity for specialized firms like Align to bridge capability gaps.

ADVICE

Build An Opportunistic Platform

Build an opportunistic investment platform focused on absolute returns rather than forcing thematic constraints.
Use a curated network of family LPs to source diverse alternative opportunities and anchor the strategy.

INSIGHT

Private Credit As A Flexible Alpha Source

Private credit remains a high conviction area because Align can act as sole capital and design bespoke structures.
Private credit offers many flavors and can deliver equity-like upside with credit protections when structured well.

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How do family offices approach investing differently from institutional capital? David Weisburd speaks with Robert about building Align, identifying gaps between capital and resources in family offices, and why downside protection shapes every investment decision. Robert discusses private credit, opportunistic investing, shorter-duration strategies, and how collaboration among families creates a distinct and disciplined investment ecosystem.

All investment advisory services are offered through Align Private Capital LLC (“Align”). Align is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Information presented herein should not be construed as investment advice. All investments involve some degree of risk, including the potential loss of principal. The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily wholly represent the opinions of Align.

Highlights:

The market gap that led to the creation of Align
Why family offices often lack institutional-scale resources
How Align evolved into an opportunistic investment platform
The role of private credit in generating risk-adjusted returns
Why inbound deal flow differs between families and institutions
A downside-first approach to evaluating all investments
The benefits of shorter-duration, mid-term investments
Why family offices collaborate rather than compete
Viewing alternatives as a portfolio rather than isolated bets

Guest Bio:

Robert is the Founder and CIO of Align, an investment firm serving family offices and managing an opportunistic investment platform focused on absolute returns. He has extensive experience overseeing alternative investments across private credit, public and private markets, and structured transactions, and previously served as CIO for multiple family offices. His work emphasizes capital preservation, disciplined risk management, and collaborative investing.

Our Podcast now receives more than 300,000 downloads a month. Are you interested in sponsoring an episode? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

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Stay Connected with David Weisburd:

X/Twitter: @dweisburd LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dweisburd/ Weisburd Capital: https://www.weisburdcapital.com/

Stay Connected with Robert Blabely:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-blabey-260202/

Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.com.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to participate in any investment strategy. All opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the views of Weisburd Capital. Participants may hold positions or have financial interests in the companies, funds, or investments discussed. Any references to specific investments are for illustrative purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Any third-party data or opinions have not been independently verified. Listeners should conduct their own research and consult their own advisors before making any investment decisions.

(0:00) Introduction (2:30) Opportunities and discipline in the alternatives market (6:14) Family office co-investment dynamics and risk management (14:00) Investment strategy and comparison to legendary investors (19:04) Investment opportunities in uranium and nuclear energy (22:46) Themes in the alternatives universe and yield curve control (25:53) Career advice: Investing in networks and learning from experiences (29:04) Conclusion and appreciation (29:14) Closing remarks