The Brothers Chavez In Conversation: Tom & Marty Chavez on AI, Investing, + More
Jun 25, 2024
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In this engaging conversation, Marty Chavez, Partner and Vice Chairman at Sixth Street and former CFO of Goldman Sachs, joins his brother Tom, Founding General Partner at super{set}. They explore the dynamics of their sibling relationship, share insights on the evolving landscape of AI and investing, and discuss the importance of talent development in startups. Marty reflects on his personal journey as an LGBTQ individual in finance, addressing representation and the accountability of social media. Expect a mix of humor and profound insights!
Marty Chavez's diverse career journey from medicine to Silicon Valley illustrates the dynamic interplay between personal aspirations and external expectations in career choices.
The conversation underscores the importance of cultivating a supportive corporate culture that empowers employees, particularly in retaining top talent within today's evolving business landscape.
Marty advocates for sensible regulations in technology and finance, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent future crises involving misinformation and data manipulation.
Deep dives
The Journey of Marty Chavez
Marty Chavez, the oldest brother of host Tom Chavez, has had a multifaceted career path that began with his studies in computer science before pivoting to medicine due to family expectations. After graduating from medical school, he opted to leave the medical field and become an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, where he started several companies. Eventually, he transitioned to Wall Street, taking on significant roles at Goldman Sachs, including Chief Information Officer and Chief Financial Officer. His career reflects not only a remarkable personal journey but also provides insights into the evolving landscape of technology and finance.
Creating Conditions for Success
The discussion highlights the importance of fostering the right environment—or 'soil conditions'—to enable individuals to thrive within a company. Both Tom and Marty reflect on how, as former engineers, they initially believed their role was to provide all the answers, but later learned the value of empowering others. Attracting and retaining top talent in a post-recession world presents challenges, necessitating a culture where team members feel supported and enabled to contribute their best work. The thoughtful integration of leadership and teamwork is essential for growth in both startup contexts and established corporations.
Navigating AI Developments
Marty's expertise in technology is underscored by his strong advocacy for the effective use of APIs and discussions around the rapid advancements in AI and machine learning models. The conversation touches on the competitive landscape between AI systems such as ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, especially with regards to model orchestration, which poses engineering challenges that must be addressed. The rapid evolution of AI technology generates excitement but also brings the potential for displacement in tech startups as foundation models become increasingly sophisticated. Amidst this, the podcast emphasizes the need for developers and companies to continuously adapt and innovate.
The Case for Ethical Regulations
The conversation shifts to the topic of ethical technology and the regulatory landscape surrounding both finance and tech industries, particularly in light of the financial crisis of 2008. Marty argues for the implementation of stress tests in tech platforms to mitigate risks associated with misinformation and data manipulation. He highlights his advocacy for sensible regulations that can ensure responsible innovation in both the financial and technology sectors. Despite the lack of immediate action on this idea, the dialogue illustrates the necessity of foresight in preventing future crises.
Paving the Way for LGBTQ Representation
Marty Chavez's experiences as an openly gay man in finance showcase the evolution of LGBTQ representation in corporate America. He recounts how he initially navigated the challenges of being one of the few out gay professionals on Wall Street, advocating for changes that would benefit LGBTQ employees. However, despite the progress made, there are concerns about the current state of LGBTQ networks, which may lack the vibrancy seen in earlier years. Marty's reflections suggest that while strides have been made, there remains work to do in ensuring visibility and support for diverse identities in the corporate world.
Tom Chavez, Founding General Partner at super{set}, in conversation with his brother - R. Martin Chavez, Partner and Vice Chairman, Sixth Street, Board Member at Google, and former CFO of Goldman Sachs.
Tom and Marty discuss their brief stint as roommates, their brotherly relationship, and R. Martin's experiences as an investor, entrepreneur, and corporate leader. Listen for insights on startups, leadership, investing, artificial intelligence, ethical technology, and being part of the early LGBTQ+ community on Wall Street.
super{set} is a startup studio where great data+AI ideas become transformational software companies. With our people-first performance culture and company-building playbooks, we found, fund, and scale high-potential businesses.
Learn more about super{set} - including co-founding with us and open roles across our portfolio of companies - at
Learn more about our VECTOR program - a 12-week fully-paid launchpad for technical product leaders to receive direction, build magnitude, and co-explore company creation alongside super{set} - at superset.com/vector
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