Dakota Live! Podcast

In this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, host Robert Morier sits down with Demetrius Sidberry, Managing Director at New Catalyst Strategic Partners, to explore the transformative role GP seeding and strategic capital are playing in shaping the future of private markets.From early-stage seeding opportunities to structured partnerships and growth capital, Demetrius walks us through the increasingly institutionalized world of GP staking and how his team is catalyzing success for fund managers launching their first through fifth funds.The conversation dives into the rise of pre-consensus investing, the nuances of underwriting next-gen managers, and why building institutional-quality businesses—not just portfolios—is essential for long-term value creation.With the backing of Apollo and a team built from some of the industry's most respected platforms, New Catalyst is helping emerging GPs scale with purpose, equity, and vision.If you're curious about what it takes to stand up a new private equity firm, attract strategic capital, or differentiate your strategy in a competitive market, this episode offers the blueprint.

In this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, host Robert Morier sits down with Alec Garza, Managing Partner at Epic Funds, to explore how smaller, differentiated private market investments can drive superior risk-adjusted returns.Epic Funds specializes on identifying and partnering with managers in niche, under-the-radar segments of private markets, collaborating through primary funds and co-investments to unlock distinct sources of returns and risk. Alec shares how his time at IWP Family Office shaped his investment philosophy, leading to the launch of Epic Funds and the development of a scalable due diligence process to underwrite hard-to-access, high-potential opportunities in private markets.In this episode, we discuss:✅ The challenges and advantages of small and emerging managers✅ Where private credit and real assets fit in today’s evolving investment landscape✅ The long-term approach to manager selection and building trust in due diligence✅ The rise of continuation vehicles and evergreen funds—are they here to stay?✅ Lessons from endurance sports that apply to investingAlec also shares his firm’s competitive edge—leveraging network effects, pattern recognition, and a hands-on investment process to identify managers others may overlook.Tune in to discover what it takes to succeed in private markets, why niche managers matter, and how patience, persistence, and deep research drive long-term investment success.

With increasing market volatility and shifting capital allocations, experienced hands are invaluable. On this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, we sit down with Brian LaBore, founder of LaBore Investment Partners, to take a top-down view of today’s markets and the trends shaping manager selection. With over 25 years of investment research and advisory experience, including two decades at Greycourt, Brian has been at the forefront of manager due diligence for ultra-high-net-worth families and family offices. His insights into active vs. passive capital flows, the shift from public to private markets, and the challenges of China allocations offer a clear-eyed perspective on where institutional investors are focusing their attention. Brian also discusses the critical role of behavioral finance in portfolio decision-making, how investors react to underperformance, and why short-term relative performance often matters more than many assume—even for long-horizon strategies. He highlights where opportunities may be emerging, particularly in U.S. small caps, long value/short growth, and biotech, while addressing the growing headwinds in asset management, including continued talent migration to private markets and increased market volatility. For asset managers looking to break into institutional portfolios, Brian shares practical advice on how to position an investment strategy, communicate competitive advantages, and align interests with investors. If you’re navigating today’s investment environment—whether as an allocator, asset manager, or investment professional—this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

Ethan Devitt, a Senior Investment Advisor known for his allocators podcast, joins Stephanie Szymanski, CIO of Lakeview Capital, and Katharine Wyatt, CIO at Loyola University Chicago, for an engaging discussion on investment strategies. They explore the evolving landscape of manager research and the balance between active and passive investing. The trio shares insights on the importance of relationships in due diligence, the challenges faced by emerging managers, and the role of technology and ESG considerations in selecting high-performing funds.

In the latest episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, host Robert Morier welcomes Chris Paolino, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Titan Advisors, a global alternative investment firm managing approximately $3.7 billion for institutional investors. family offices, and high net worth individuals.With decades of experience in manager research and due diligence, Chris shares his insights into hedge fund investing, portfolio construction, and the evolving landscape of alternative investments.He reflects on how his early exposure to financial markets, coupled with his deep institutional experience at Hartford Investment Management and United Technologies Corporation, shaped his approach to absolute return strategies, manager selection, and risk management.Key topics include:🔹 Hedge Fund Due Diligence – What separates top-performing managers from the rest?🔹 Evolving Investment Trends – The rise of private credit, hedge funds, and commodities in institutional portfolios.🔹 The Importance of Contrarian Thinking – Why Titan Advisors focuses on out-of-favor areas and where they see opportunity today.🔹 Macroeconomic Shifts & Market Volatility – How liquidity, interest rates, and geopolitical risks impact portfolio construction.🔹 Emerging Manager Programs – Why Titan invests early in new hedge fund managers and how they assess a firm’s durability and edge.🔹 Advice for Young Investors – Chris’s thoughts on career longevity, continuous learning, and the power of networking.With a passion for capital markets and a strong conviction in risk-aware investing, Chris offers a masterclass in how institutional investors navigate manager selection, due diligence, and portfolio construction in a rapidly changing world.

In this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, host Robert Morier sits down with Chris Burrows, Partner at Cerity Partners, to explore the modern allocator’s toolkit for private market manager selection.With nearly two decades of experience leading private markets research, Chris shares how data, technology, and deeper qualitative insights have reshaped due diligence—going far beyond past performance.From virtual due diligence to the increasing role of culture in manager assessments, this conversation dives into the key trends shaping private markets today.Chris also reflects on the importance of relationships in capital allocation, the growth of private markets, and how Cerity’s scaled fiduciary approach is redefining client and manager partnerships.Tune in for insights on:✔️ How manager selection has changed over the years✔️ The balance between quantitative and qualitative diligence✔️ The rise of non-traditional and emerging managers✔️ Navigating liquidity challenges in private investmentsPlus, Chris shares his own career journey, from Home Depot cart collector to leading private market investments at a $100B+ firm.Join us for this informative and insightful episode with Chris Burrows and Cerity Partners.

In this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, host Robert Morier welcomes Amanda Kane, Director of Private Investments with Windrose Advisors, for an in-depth discussion on private market manager research and its critical role in portfolio construction.With extensive experience in asset allocation, investment due diligence, and manager selection, Amanda shares insights on navigating private equity, private credit, and venture capital allocations for families, foundations, and endowments.Amanda discusses Windrose’s rigorous due diligence framework, how they identify and evaluate managers, and the importance of vintage year diversification in building resilient private market programs.She also provides valuable advice for asset managers looking to establish relationships with allocators, emphasizing the balance between persistence and professionalism.Key topics include:✔ The evolving landscape of private equity and private credit✔ The sourcing and selection process for alternative investment managers✔ How Windrose ensures a diversified private market allocation✔ The role of co-investments in their strategy✔ Insights into venture capital trends and early-stage investment opportunities✔ How asset managers can effectively engage with allocatorsIf you're an allocator, asset manager, or investment professional looking to gain a deeper understanding of private market investing, this episode is packed with actionable insights from an experienced industry leader.

In this episode of The Dakota Live! Podcast, host Robert Morier sits down with Yasir Mallick, Executive Director and Head of Public Markets at CIBC Pension Fund.Yasir shares insights into the evolving landscape of Canadian institutional investing, detailing his experience in manager selection, due diligence, and portfolio construction across public equity, fixed income, hedge funds, and private markets.With a career spanning major institutions like UBC Investment Management, Ontario Power Generation, and the University of Toronto Asset Management, Yasir discusses his approach to reactivating investment programs, optimizing portfolio allocations, and navigating the complexities of sourcing and underwriting managers.He also delves into the challenges and opportunities facing Canadian pension funds today, from global diversification strategies to the shifting role of hedge funds and private markets.Tune in to hear Yasir’s unique perspective on aligning investment decisions with institutional goals, balancing innovation with stability, and what he looks for in asset managers.Whether you're an allocator, manager, or investment professional, this conversation offers valuable takeaways on institutional investing and a masterclass on the Canadian pension market.

In this episode of the Dakota Live Podcast, Robert Morier sits down with Isabella Mandis, the inspiring founder of Girls Into VC, to explore her journey in venture capital and the future of private markets.With the increased adoption of private markets in retail portfolios, Isabella shares her insights on how venture capital serves as both a starting ground for company growth and an incredible platform for career development.As a Harvard undergraduate studying statistics and data science, Isabella brings a unique perspective to the VC world, blending analytical skills with entrepreneurial passion. We dive into what it’s like finding a career in venture capital, the importance of networking with purpose, and how aspiring VCs and founders can break into this dynamic field—even while still in school.If you have a student at home who’s starting to think about internships or future career paths, this episode is a must-listen for both of you.Isabella offers invaluable insights from the importance of networking with purpose to actionable steps for building entrepreneurial and analytical skills. Isabella’s advice is tailored to students navigating their early career journeys.Listening to this episode together can spark meaningful conversations about career exploration, the value of internships, and the opportunities in fields like private markets and venture capital, offering both inspiration and practical guidance.Whether you’re curious about navigating venture capital, fostering a career in private markets, or how initiatives like Girls Into VC are reshaping the industry, this episode is packed with actionable advice.Tune in to hear Isabella’s story and learn how you can grow your career and knowledgebase in one of the most innovative spaces in finance.🔗 Visit www.girlsintovc.com for more information on Isabella's groundbreaking organization.

In this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, Robert Morier sits down with Marquette Chester, Head of Alternatives, and Michael A.B. Orr, Chief Investment Officer at Xponance Alternative Solutions (XAlts), a subsidiary of Xponance focused on GP stakes investing and emerging manager research.Headquartered in Philadelphia, Xponance Alternative Solutions brings decades of experience in private equity, private credit, and real assets, with a mission to support the growth and success of diverse and lower-middle-market managers.Marquette and Michael have built a robust platform that combines innovative portfolio construction with a commitment to partnership and transparency.Xponance specializes in GP stakes investing, a rapidly growing asset class that involves taking equity stakes in asset management firms. Unlike traditional fund investments, GP stakes investing enables allocators to participate in management fees, carried interest, and balance sheet growth of the firms they back.Marquette and Michael share how Xponance approaches this space with a focus on fostering the next generation of alternative investment managers and creating long-term value for their investors.Join host Robert Morier as he delves into the intricacies of GP stakes investing, the importance of people-first investment strategies, and the critical role of diversity and innovation in alternatives. Hear about the challenges and opportunities of identifying and supporting emerging managers, Xponance’s partnership with Investcorp, and their vision for shaping the future of private markets.Whether you're an institutional investor, an emerging manager, or simply curious about the mechanics of alternatives, this episode provides a fascinating deep dive into a key segment of the investment landscape.Tune in to learn more about Marquette and Michael’s personal journeys, their insights on portfolio construction, and their advice for thriving in today’s dynamic private markets.