Dakota Live! Podcast

On the latest episode of Dakota Live!, dive deep with our guest, Jason Chang - the Managing Director and Head of External Equities at Lockheed Martin Investment Management Company. With nearly two decades in manager research, Jason unpacks his unique methodologies for manager sourcing, due diligence, and selection. He also provides a glimpse into the collective thought process behind their research decisions. This episode is more than just an interview; it's an exploration into Jason's professional journey and how it has reshaped his perspective on the investment industry. In a financial world full of clamor, discover how a scientific approach can fine-tune your perspective and filter out market distractions. Join us as we delve into the science of risk management and decision-making with Jason and his colleagues at Lockheed Martin.

Join us as Taylor Jackson, Investment Director with Verger Capital Management, delves deep into the intricacies of manager research in this interesting and informative discussion. Verger Capital Management is an SEC registered investment adviser providing Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services to a select group of non-profit institutions. Verger’s mission is to invest in the lives of others, which has led the firm to exclusively serve clients focused on improving lives and providing opportunity. The Verger team’s unique non-profit heritage offers a deep understanding of this segment’s needs, as well as the ability to benefit from the scale and purchasing power of approximately $2.6 billion in assets under management. Verger was founded in 2014 and was created out of the Wake Forest University Office of Investments.Taylor offers insights into the rigorous due diligence processes that Verger employs to identify top-tier investment managers. We discuss the challenges and rewards of private market investing and the crucial role it plays in a diversified portfolio. Throughout the conversation, Taylor sheds light on how Verger balances risk and reward for its clients. Whether you're an investment novice or a seasoned pro, this episode promises to enhance your understanding of the dynamic world of private markets, asset allocation, and manager research.Stay tuned throughout the entire episode as Taylor’s colleague, Inge Smith, Marketing Coordinator for Verger Capital closes our discussion with the firm’s approach to community engagement, partnerships, and developing talent.

Join us as Tracy Cao and Adam Choppin of Xponance discuss the firm’s unique approach to identifying and nurturing up-and-coming investment talent, the challenges, and rewards of supporting emerging managers, and the role of technology and data-driven approaches in shaping manager research decisions. Xponance is a Diverse, Woman-led multi-strategy investment firm founded by Tina Byles Williams in 1996. The firm offers global and non-U.S. equity investment strategies through a multi-manager construct that harnesses the investment edge and focus of entrepreneurial, emerging, and diverse managers. Tracy and Adam guide our audience through Xponance’s proprietary due diligence process and seeding of capacity constrained strategies. Whether you're an investor, a financial enthusiast, or just curious about the discovery of emerging talent in the investment industry, this episode promises a wealth of insights. Along the way, learn more about Xponance's commitment to diversity and inclusion and the importance of supporting emerging managers in the modern financial ecosystem. Tune in and discover what sets Xponance apart in the realm of emerging manager research and advice for aspiring managers and professionals entering the investment world.

Join us as Sean Montesi, Partner with Gerber Taylor, dives deep into the nuances of investment management in this interesting and informative discussion. Gerber Taylor is a multi-asset class investment management firm with a heritage rooted in deep fundamental investment research. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Gerber Taylor has $7 billion in assets under management as of June 2023 and an additional $6 billion in assets under advisement as of December 2022. Sean sheds light on the evolution of Gerber Taylor’s investment strategies, offering a closer look at their diversified asset class allocation process that leads to them to a rigorous manager research and selection process. Along the way, Sean shares how the firm’s research and monitoring provide the framework to know when to stay the course or to make a change when an investment has sufficiently deviated from the underlying thesis. Memphis isn't just the home of blues, BBQ, and Elvis; it's also a burgeoning hub for innovative finance. Join the discussion on the evolving financial landscape with one of Tennessee’s leading investors.

In this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome R.J. Smolenski, Managing Director of Investment Research at Pitcairn. Based in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, Pitcairn stands as a beacon in the multi-family office space, steering the financial course for over 125 client families, encompassing around 500 households throughout the U.S. Their expertise also extends to managing 20 single-family offices, overseeing nearly $7 billion in assets. With a rich legacy spanning two decades at the firm, R.J. Smolenski joins us to unravel the nuances of Pitcairn's manager research and selection methodology. Delve deep with us as R.J. delineates the evolutionary journey of their approach, characterized by meticulous planning and incremental adaptations over the years. This conversation promises to shed light on the sophisticated evolution of Pitcairn's investment strategies, offering a closer look at their diversified asset class allocations. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a richer understanding of Pitcairn's success story, and the wisdom that has guided their trajectory over the years. Tune in for an episode brimming with insightful narratives and invaluable perspectives.

Mike Negussie, a pivotal investor in pediatric healthcare, joins Dakota Live! Podcast to discuss CHOA's investment strategies and shaping a healthier future. The topics covered include biotechnology, life sciences, emerging manager relationships, trends in the field, asset allocation, and influential people in their lives.

Narayan Chowdhury, Partner, and Co-Founder of Franklin Park joins Dakota Live! to discuss the company's private market investment and advisory business. Founded twenty years ago, Franklin Park is an SEC-registered private markets investment firm that provides their clients access to private equity, private debt, and venture capital. At Franklin Park, Narayan is responsible for the analysis and evaluation of private equity investment opportunities, monitoring clients’ portfolios and conducting industry research. He is also involved in the development and implementation of Franklin Park’s technology platform, and regularly interacts with clients on investment and portfolio matters. Whether you are interested in learning how to access inefficient areas in private markets, how investment strategies deploy capital to early-stage companies, or the mechanics of private market due diligence, we encourage you to watch and listen to how Narayan and Franklin Park find the answer to the why behind a founder’s motivation.

Sam McFall is a Managing Director of Investments with Mill Creek Capital Advisors. Mill Creek was founded in 2006 to provide customized advice to help clients achieve their financial goals. The firm serves over 300 families and institutions as an independent, fully staffed investment office, managing over $8 billion of assets on their behalf. Sam takes the Dakota Live! team in this special edition episode through Mill Creek’s approach to manager research and selection and what a potential client partnership looks like with their firm. Join us as we come to better understand Mill Creek and their allocation to various asset classes and investment strategies.

Michael Marvelli, Deputy Chief Investment Officer of the UCLA Investment Company joins Dakota Live! to discuss the company's investment strategy, its approach to asset allocation, and investment manager research and selection process. Along the way, Michael walks us through UCLA’s lower middle market (LMM) private equity portfolio from its first LMM commitment in 2016 through today’s investment opportunities. With the increasing availability of dry powder driving activity in the LMM market, Michael walks us through UCLA’s LMM strategy and approach to sourcing investment partners. The UCLA Investment Company provides professional stewardship of investment assets entrusted to The UCLA Foundation for the advancement of UCLA and related charitable purposes. Join us as we come to better understand Michael and his more than twenty-five years of investment and capital markets experience. Whether you are interested in learning about LMM private equity, how endowments are approaching alternative assets, or how UCLA aligns its mission with its investment objectives, I encourage you to watch and listen to how Michael and UCLA uncover new opportunities in this increasingly interesting and challenging area of the market.

Frank Mihail, Chief Investment Officer of the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands joins us to share his experiences over his first year in the role and how he is approaching the strategic investments for the $7 billion sovereign wealth fund. The Land Board, which oversees the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands manages 2.4 million mineral acres with interest in more than 8,600 of the 17,400 producing oil and gas wells in the state. The Land Board manages 13 permanent education trusts, including the Common Schools Trust Fund, the state’s primary education trust fund. Over the last decade the Land Board has distributed more than $1.8 billion to K-12 education. Join the conversation as we explore the dynamic landscape of managing North Dakota’s valuable land and resource assets, and the importance of its mission in giving back to public education. Discover the strategies that drive the decisions behind allocating the state’s resources. In this thought-provoking conversation, we learn about the CIO’s approach to identifying investment opportunities that align with the state’s values and objectives. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the mindset of an investment leader who understands the significance of managing state assets with a forward-thinking perspective. Whether you're interested in investments, land management, or the responsible utilization of resources, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge that will leave you inspired and informed.