Arta Spotlight: Live Long & Prosper

Caesar sits down with Tracy Gallagher, head of private markets at Arta Finance, to discuss how she works to demystify private markets and help everyday people invest in them. Tracy began her career working for a private endowment, before transitioning to one of the top private banks in the world and finally landing at Arta. As Caesar points out, it’s a career path that mirrors the trend toward democratization in the finance industry. Tracy explains to listeners why that is and how the move toward democratization aligns with private wealth managers wanting to diversify their customer base. Tracy gives an overview of private markets and the advantages of investing in them. She addresses some misconceptions about private market investments, including that they are inherently more risky. Tracy discusses how working at Arta opened up a new world of financing to her and how her customers span a wide range of backgrounds. She breaks down how technology plays a huge role in democratizing the finance industry. She expounds on how financial services professionals use Arta and the impact of self-service tools on their experience. And she also admits to not being as intentional in the past with her personal finances and wishing she had the tools available at Arta sooner in her investment journey.

Caesar is joined by Madhav Rajan to discuss his journey to becoming dean of the Chicago Booth School of Business and how Madhav has factored the risks and rewards of a career in academia. Madhav started out as a faculty member at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, before teaching at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and finally joining the Chicago Booth School of Business as its dean. Madhav shares transparently about the transition from working as a faculty member to serving as a dean, including how he calculated the impact the career leap would have on his family. As dean, Madhav said he is the face of the school, driving fundraising, managing alumni relations and more. He breaks down what type of students are drawn to the Chicago Booth School of Business and the newly launched master’s in management and master’s in finance programs.  Madhav also unpacks his experience serving as Director of BlackRock's iShares, Inc. While the position took him by surprise, he came to understand that his role on the board capitalized on his accounting background as he represented investors and measured profitability. Ultimately, Madhav said, being a board member is all about people skills. He now also serves on the boards of CM Capital Corporation and WellBe Holdings. Madhav shares his approach to personal finances and how his career intersected with his partner’s career and parenting. He discusses how tenure, faculty housing and diversifying investments all informed his financial planning over the years. As listeners consider the next steps in their professional or academic path, Madhav encourages them to always be learning and have resilience.

Sopnendu Mohanty sits down with Caesar at a turning point in the fintech expert’s career.  Mohanty has served as the chief fintech officer of Singapore’s central bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore for almost a decade. But last month, February 2025, he took on a new role focused on expanding global fintech innovation.Mohanty is now the Group Chief Executive Officer at the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), a non-profit organization launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In this talk, Mohanty breaks down how GFTN plans to generate capital for the purpose of doing public good and boosting tech investments in the “global south.” Caesar also dives into Mohanty’s outlook on the overall fintech ecosystem and the future of the Singapore FinTech Festival, the largest FinTech festival in the world, first launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore in 2016. For listeners who are considering a career change, Mohanty encourages them not to settle. Instead, “make a drastic change.” He also shares his three-fold framework for life: family, friends and fortitude. Diving into how to build your fortitude, Mohanty reflects back on the start of his journey growing up in a small town in India, and having to fight for every possible opportunity. Unpacking his own financial strategy, Mohanty admits that he relies on outside partners to make smart financial decisions for him. While money is not his primary goal, Mohanty recognizes the importance of sound investments in order to generate sufficient income to not only support his lifestyle but also to do good in the world.

In this episode, Arta CEO Caesar Sengupta sits down with Arta's newly appointed Chief Marketing Officer, Melissa-Ann "Mel" Chan, for an insightful conversation on her journey and vision for Arta's marketing strategy.From their time working together at Google, where they helped launch Google Pay (formerly Tez), to Mel’s decision to join Arta as it embarked on its mission to transform wealth management, she shares her unique perspective on the evolving fintech landscape.Mel explains how the company’s commitment to innovation and user-centric design sets it apart in the crowded fintech space. She also describes the role AI will play in Arta's future. Mel calls Arta’s approach a "breath of fresh air" in the finance space as she discusses the importance of trust, transparency, and experimentation in building a brand that resonates with members.Marketing sophisticated financial products within a highly regulated industry is no small feat. Mel opens up about how she’s built and shaped Arta’s marketing team, her approach to educating and inspiring change in how people engage with their finances, and how her personal experiences have shaped her understanding of Arta’s members.Tune in to hear how Mel and her team are setting the stage for Arta’s future

Caesar sits down with Samir Kaji, founder and CEO of Allocate, to discuss how the greatest generational wealth transfer of all time is revolutionizing the world of venture capital investing. Samir explains how hyper personalization and data-driven intelligence are factoring into that revolutionary shift. He breaks down how Allocate offers family offices and individual investors access to highly curated private capital funds and direct investment opportunities in a clearly laid-out portfolio that they can pull up at any given time. Samir also explains why he embraced the entrepreneurial path and launched Allocate after decades in banking in Silicon Valley. Wealth creation opportunity is his focus at Allocate. Samir shares how his own family background influences that mission, and the role his father played in developing his business mindset. He advises listeners that startup founders have to be resilient, and that as a founder, you are constantly putting out fires. Leaving First Republic Bank to found Allocate put Samir outside his comfort zone. But he shares the inspiring experience of developing a company he believes in. Samir also digs into his personal investing strategies. For Samir, money is about securing flexibility, and he now has his sights set on earning enough money to make an impact. He admits to making mistakes early on, but what he learned now informs his work at Allocate. Samir encourages listeners to cultivate an insatiable curiosity and says he views each and every day as an opportunity to learn more.

Ralph Hamers is a true game-changer in finance. As former CEO of ING and UBS, he’s been a pioneer in digital and mobile banking, witnessing firsthand how technology has reshaped finance—from transformations in trading and retail banking to the latest advancements in AI and wealth management.In this episode, Ralph shares his unique insights on how tech has revolutionized the financial landscape and where it’s heading next. He discusses leading digital revolutions at two of the world’s largest banks, why AI is set to be the next major disruption in wealth management, and how personalized finance will continue to evolve.Ralph also reveals what excites him about his new advisory role at Arta Finance and how AI can empower everyday investors to manage their wealth like never before.Interesting links from this episodeFollow Ralph on LinkedIn

Caesar is joined by Brett King, renowned futurist, founder, and bestselling author, to explore the future of banking and finance in the age of digital transformation and AI. Brett shares personal stories of entrepreneurial resilience, including the critical moments that shaped his career. We dive deep into the digitization of banking, the rise of mobile wallets, the role of AI in financial advisory, and the eventual decline of traditional banking models like physical branches.Brett discusses the evolution of the financial sector, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in fintech, and explores how artificial intelligence will drive the next wave of automation and personalization in finance. From the impact of real-time payments to the future of wealth management, Brett's insights give a glimpse into the technological innovations reshaping our financial systems.We also touch on Brett’s personal journey, his approach to balancing work, life, and finances, and his bold vision for the future, including his latest focus on health tech and longevity. Whether you're a fintech enthusiast, banking professional, or simply interested in the future of finance, this episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and financial services.

Caesar is joined by Wells Fargo and S&P Global Board Member Maria Morris as she chronicles key moments in her decades-long career that illustrate her drive and financial savvy. Maria has been breaking glass ceilings from an early age. She advises listeners to trust their instincts and be their own advocates as she shares her journey from a young professional at MetLife, Inc., with no industry experience, to becoming Executive Vice President and Head of Global Employee Benefits three decades later.A seasoned leader and innovator, Maria steered MetLife's $16 billion acquisition of American Life Insurance Co. and expanded the Global Employee Benefits business to dozens of new countries. She explains how she builds a symbiotic leadership team and stresses the importance of lateral career moves that provide new perspectives on customer engagement. Highlighting the unparalleled impact of developing sponsors, Maria emphasizes that successful sponsorship is about building relationships based on personal and professional bonds.Maria reflects on the key financial principles instilled in her by her Italian immigrant father and shares how she began deferring compensation in her final years at MetLife. Retiring after 33 years, she secured the financial freedom to reinvent herself without financial worry. Celebrating the accessibility of investment banking today, Maria underscores the importance of curating data and seeking financial advice from trusted sources when deciding where to invest.This episode offers not only inspiring anecdotes from Maria’s leadership roles at MetLife but also uplifting guidance for professionals at any stage of their careers looking to take the next step.

Caesar sits down with Rahul Roy-Chowdhury, CEO of Grammarly and former Google executive, to discuss the pivotal moments that have shaped his illustrious career. Rahul’s journey is a testament to the power of introspection, bold decision-making, and the pursuit of meaningful impact.Rahul shares how he transitioned from academia to tech, driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Despite initial success in AI research, he found more fulfillment in the tech industry, starting as a software engineer and eventually leading the Chrome browser team at Google. His story highlights the importance of tuning out external noise and listening to one’s inner voice when making major life decisions.The episode also covers Rahul’s move from Google to Grammarly, motivated by a mission to improve lives through better communication. He discusses the challenges and rewards of leading a smaller company during a transformative period, particularly in the context of AI advancements. Rahul’s leadership style, focused on clarity, transparency, and responsibility, has been crucial in navigating this transition.Beyond his professional achievements, Rahul emphasizes the importance of aligning financial decisions with life goals, valuing experiences over material possessions, and fostering a sense of gratitude and responsibility in his children. His personal finance philosophy revolves around simplicity, consistency, and focusing on what truly matters.Tune in to hear Rahul’s reflections on his career, financial beliefs, and the lessons he imparts to his children about money and responsibility. This episode is a rich blend of personal anecdotes, practical advice, and deep insights into leading a purpose-driven life.

Former tech leader Gokul Rajaram discusses the importance of being helpful in career growth. He emphasizes focusing on the company's mission, working with high-caliber professionals, and seeking new challenges. Rajaram shares insights on career decisions, transitioning from ads to fintech, and engaging with invested companies as an investor.