Leslie Alba: Positioning Portfolios Purposefully—Lessons from CIBC AM's $90B Head of Portfolio Solutions

Dec 19, 2025

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Explore the evolving world of portfolio construction with Leslie Alba, CFA, CIBC Asset Management's $90-billion Head of Portfolio Solutions. Discover how to move beyond traditional diversification and embrace a total portfolio approach, balancing risk exposures for uncertain markets. Learn actionable insights for managing expectations and navigating market volatility. In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Leslie Alba 02:16 Leslie’s Career Journey and Philosophy 06:00 Promising and Challenging Market Dynamics 08:16 Bonds: Diversification and 60/40 Limitations 11:48 Total Portfolio Approach and Regime Shifts 16:42 Evolving Capital Market Assumptions 23:29 Purpose-Driven Portfolio Construction 30:18 Overcoming Dogmatism and Risk Tolerance 35:02 Private Markets and Investment Selection 39:30 Total Investment Solutions for Advisors 44:22 Behavioral Finance and Staying Invested 50:21 CIBC’s Client-Centric Value Proposition Key Takeaways:

Rethink Diversification: Understand that traditional 60/40 portfolios may not offer sufficient defensive positioning due to overlapping risk factors.

Adopt a Total Portfolio Approach: Manage portfolios holistically, focusing on achieving client objectives and balancing risk exposures rather than isolated asset classes.

Embrace Alternatives: Consider diversifying into alternatives to reduce correlation and economic risk, as they react differently in various market conditions.

Prioritize Purpose: Anchor portfolio design around client objectives and the unique purpose each asset class or strategy serves to achieve those goals.

Manage Behavioral Biases: Equip clients with insights and plans to stay invested and calm during market volatility, mitigating emotional decision-making.

Resources Mentioned:

Connect With Leslie Alba: LinkedIn Subscribe to Insight is Capital: Hit the Subscribe button Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/insight-is-capital-podcast/id1270978994 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EXEqj0Vv12rp8bLPPTk6X

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