Billion Dollar Backstory

It's not every day that you get to sit down with a true industry visionary who has reshaped the landscape of asset management. But today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with the innovative force behind RadiantESG Global Investors – Heidi Ridley.  With over 30 years of expertise, Heidi’s captivating story will inspire you and challenge your perception of what's possible in the investment world. In this episode, Heidi shares: ●      Her backstory – from immigrating from Iran to co-founding an investment boutique investing in positive change●      The challenges and triumphs of launching her own firm amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the 2020 pandemic ●      Why she is a firm believer in embracing innovation, defying an industry that resists change ●      Why qualitative and quantitative both play a role in investing●      How ESG and sustainability are the keys to future growth Most importantly, you’ll hear about the brave step Heidi took to stop toning herself down to “fit in” in the finance world and how revealing her glorious, outspoken, caring personality allowed her to forge deep relationships and flourish as a team leader.  Get your headphones on and brace yourself for a conversation that will revolutionize your perception of authentic leadership.More About Heidi Ridley Heidi is the Co-Founder, CEO and Chair of the Board of RadiantESG Global Investors,culminating 30 years of leadership in asset management roles that encompass business management, investments, product development, institutional and intermediary business development and marketing. She has extensive experience leading and motivating diverse teams globally. Want More Help With Storytelling?  +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe  Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Open: An AutobiographySong: Legendary by Welshly Arms  ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

This is the first of a 4-part miniseries with Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion and host of Standard Deviations podcast. We are joining forces because selling successfully requires combining art and science. Right brain and left brain.  In this episode, Dr. Daniel Crosby and I discuss 3 behavioral biases:Mere Exposure Effect: our tendency to develop preferences for things simply because we are familiar with themLoss-Aversion Bias: a cognitive bias that describes why the pain of losing is psychologically twice as powerful as the pleasure of gainingStatus Quo Bias / Inertia: aversion to changeAbout Dr. Daniel Crosby Dr. Daniel Crosby is a psychologist, behavioral finance expert, and New York Times bestselling author who helps organizations understand the intersection of mind and markets. He is also a father of 3, a fanatical follower of the St. Louis Cardinals, an explorer of the American South, and an amateur hot sauce chef. Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: The Behavioral InvestorBook: AlchemyWant more help with sales and storytelling? +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth: https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe  ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

Join me for an inspiring talk with Heather Fortner of SignatureFD, a $6B+ RIA in Atlanta. She joined SigFD as a client service associate 20 years ago when they had $250 mm. Now as the CEO and Chair of the Board, she is leading the firm to $10B by 2025. In this episode, Heather and I discuss:Her backstory and the key traits that gave her the ability to adapt and succeed — from a surgical intern to CEO of a $6B+ RIAThe importance of failing (hope you don’t want Heather to bake you cookies!)How surrounding herself with a trustworthy circle allowed her to stand authentically in the face of adversityWhy specialists and niches are the future of wealth advisoryA culture of humans first, profit secondHow financially healthy families create generational impact and healthy communitiesMore About Heather FortnerHeather was awarded CEO of the Year by Wealth Management Magazine in 2021 and Most Admired CEO by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2022. In 2023, she was selected to the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2023 and named to the Titan 100 List. As a longstanding advocate of DEI initiatives, Heather has helped SignatureFD achieve a 90% female executive leadership team. Heather is recognized as a thought leader, writer, and speaker, and also has extensive board experience, currently serving on the Fidelity RIA Leader’s Council, the Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions Panel, and the Advisory Board for Mammoth Investors.Want More Help With Storytelling?  +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth: https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe  ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

In this episode I discuss: Why different is better than better (even in the investment industry where we love to rank and chart errrthing) If you want to lean into what makes you different, you need to go to the edges. You need to get radical.  The Bain study that reveals: 80% of executives think their company's offerings are differentiated but only 10% of their customers agree How to create a category of one What differentiation is and what it is not Why you must be brave enough to attract and repel  Want More Help With Storytelling? +  Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth: https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe + To get more storytelling help and listen to stories of the people behind the portfolios, subscribe to Billion Dollar Backstory on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

Bob Dorsey is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Ultimus Fund Solutions. In this episode, Bob and I discuss:His backstory: from butcher markets to financial marketsWhy FinTech is a people business How the root of solving problems doesn’t differ based on your industryHow to keep a “people first” culture as you scaleAn important lesson he learned about complacency from an old TV commercialAdvice for people who are contemplating an angel investment venture or private equityMore About Bob DorseyBob has over 35 years of mutual fund industry experience. Prior to co-founding Ultimus in 1999, he was President of Countrywide Fund Services, Inc. (formerly MGF Service Corp.), a registered transfer agent and mutual fund service provider. Prior to Countrywide, Bob was the Assistant Controller and Tax Manager at Carlisle Enterprises, Inc. He began his career in the tax department of Arthur Andersen’s Cincinnati office. He is a graduate of Christian Brothers University and a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive).Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life by John O’Leary ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

As Managing Director and Head of UniFi by CAIA™, Aaron Filbeck oversees content and product strategy for the UniFi by CAIA™ Program. In this episode, Aaron and I discuss:His backstory: from wanting to be an architect to becoming a Director at CAIAWhy the world needs an association like CAIA / Who CAIA is forCAIA’s research on qualitative vs quantitative due diligence (AKA culture eats Sharpe ratio for breakfast)Why allocators and asset managers fail to communicateThe key questions managers can ask to identify their own differentiatorsHow the alt space has expanded from just hedge funds to many other types of strategiesWhy the fascination with 60/40 allocation is misguidedMore About Aaron FilbeckAaron’s work has been published by Oxford University Press and The Journal of Investing, and covers topics such as ESG/sustainable investing, liquid alternatives, commodities, and asset pricing/factor investing. He is a frequent writer and speaker on these topics. Aaron is also an adjunct professor and serves on multiple advisory boards for Penn State University.Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

UK’s award-winning fund manager Simon Evan-Cook was a senior member of the Premier Miton Multi Asset team, which managed over $5B. He’s now establishing the Downing Fox Fund Range at Downing LLP in London. In this episode, Simon and I discuss:His backstory: from taking a load of jobs he disliked to discovering a love for writing, which brought him to the investment industryWhy the world would need another fund, let alone a fund of fundsThe power of nicheWhy you must be disagreeable to excelWhat role qualitative plays in his research processHis flexibly dogmatic approach to assessing a fundProof that authenticity works in asset managementAdvice for boutiques on their journeyMore About Simon Evan-CookSimon also writes on investment (and beyond), including a monthly column for Citywire Magazine and his investment blog on Medium.com. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and dog, devouring movies and books, and superficially damaging European golf courses. Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Any Human Heart by William BoydBook: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David EpsteinArticle: Investors: The one thing separating excellent from competentArticle: Should you invest with Han Solo or C-3PO?Article: Should you invest with Indiana Jones?Article: Should you invest with Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

As a partner at Lane Clarke and Peacock, a UK consulting firm advising on $300B, Dan Mikulskis helps wealth managers and pension funds make better decisions. He meets with hundreds of asset managers every year. Get perspectives from the other side of the table and the other side of the pond.   In this episode, Dan and I discuss:His backstory: From growing up in a family of mathematicians, to investment consulting, to writing and podcastingThe communication gap between fund managers and allocators — and his advice to bridge that gapHow founders and fund managers can get more comfortable sharing authenticallyHis shift in perspective on storytelling — and what type of stories we need more of How allocators influence the future for boutiquesMore About Dan MikulskisAt LCP, Dan currently advises 4 of the largest 30 pension schemes in the UK. He is a member of LCP’s Responsible Investment team, leading thinking around how to invest for Net Zero. Dan also co-hosts LCP’s weekly investment podcast, Investment Uncut, and edits LCP’s investment magazine, Vista. Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

James Fletcher is an experienced Emerging Markets portfolio manager. He's the CEO and founder of Ethos Investment Management, a $100M boutique EM fund. In this episode, James Fletcher and I discuss:James’ backstory: From 9 years old sitting on his grandpa’s lap reading the Wall Street Journal, to living in Brazil falling in love with emerging markets, to running Ethos Investment Management and Young Investors SocietyThe importance of culture and how it changes conversations with investorsHow James finds companies in emerging markets growing 10XThe power of people and story to win clients - even in the investment industryHow changing one student’s life inspired James to run a non-profit serving over 70 countriesThe fulfillment of entrepreneurship despite the laundry list of challengesMore About James Fletcher Prior to founding Ethos Investment Management, James was the Director & Senior PM of the EM SMID Cap fund at APG Asset Management, where he managed a ~$1.2B portfolio based in Hong Kong, one of the largest EM SMID cap funds in the world. APG is the largest pension fund manager in the Netherlands and a global leader in ESG investing. Before that, James was the Lead PM at Kayne Anderson Rudnick’s EM Small Cap fund (ticker VIESX), a Morningstar 5-Star rated fund and a Senior Analyst at Westwood Global Investments from 2005-2013. James is a CFA charterholder.  James is also the founder of the global non-profit, Young Investors Society (www.yis.org), a non-profit that teaches financial literacy and investment principles to high school students. As of March 2023, Young Investors Society serves over 1,700 high schools in 71 countries and over 10,000 students per year.  James has an undergraduate degree in Finance from Brigham Young University and is fluent in Portuguese and proficient in Spanish and has lived in Brazil and Hong Kong.  Resources mentioned in this episode:Volunteer Opportunity: Young Investors SocietyBook: How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen and James Allworth ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap

Ron Carson is an icon in the independent advisor space. He's the CEO and founder of the $20B Carson Group, a platform that serves over 44K families through their advisory network, including 135 partner firms and 35 Carson Wealth locations. In this episode, Ron and I discuss:Ron’s backstory: The heartbreaking moment that veered him from his predetermined path as a small town Nebraska farmer to the world of financeHis adventures in entrepreneurship, sometimes a bit illegal (but we’re not judging)How his mom’s death and overworking took a toll on his mental healthThe rewards of switching from a fear-based mentality to an abundance mentalityHis drive to make an impact, solve world hunger, improve mental wellness, and help others find their freedom3 important things to consider as you scale: Taking care of your client, taking care of your community, and profitabilityAttracting a target market whose values and passions align with yours: from helping farmers invest to taking on Carson Group clients who make a charitable impactMore About Ron CarsonRon is actively involved in charitable giving and his personal mission is to “do the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people.” He has:Co-founded the Dreamweaver Foundation with his wife, Jeanie, a non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling end-of-life dreams for seniors with terminal illnessLed the charges at Carson Group to provide 600,000+ meals to children in Kenya through work with No Hungry ChildrenFounded the American Charitable Foundation, a foundation established for a more efficient disposition of charitable assetsServed as President of the Child Saving InstituteEstablished a global partnership with charity: water and Global CoalitionHis journey of finding freedom in his own personal life has ignited a profound mission to help others find their freedom.Resources mentioned in this episode:Book: The Infinite Game by Simon SinekBook: Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill ---Running a fund is hard enough.Ops shouldn’t be.Meet the team that makes it easier. | billiondollarbackstory.com/ultimus- - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap