Investment Management Operations

Emi Larson is the COO of UCLA‘s endowment. Emi shares what it’s like going from an ops role at an emerging market manager to a hedge fund of funds and how it led to a COO role of a well-known university. We cover how to make that leap from Director of Operations to the COO seat and the key skills needed for that position. We tackle how non-profits keep up with growing business complexity, the challenges with West Coast hiring and how overbuilding select parts of your tech stack can help you scale. I would like to note that we recorded this not long before the fires engulfed Los Angeles. With UCLA being is in the heart of LA, our hearts are with the folks out there.Here is a link to donate to the LAFD Foundation.Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Eric Wortman is the COO and CCO of Stable, a GP stakes firm with over $4.5B in assets.If you are an emerging manager or thinking about spinning out, this is the episode for you. As people will tell you, building your own firm and team is vastly different than managing a portfolio.We cover the fuzzy topic of what it means to be “institutional”, how to select the right service providers, critical tech, talent acquisition and other foundational areas of launching a firm.We then tackle best practices on designing a repeatable sales process, the importance of branding and common areas that slow down early-stage managers.Take Capital Allocator’s Audience Engagement SurveyLearn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Mike Peltier is the COO of VCU Investment Management Company, supporting Virginia Commonwealth University and its related entities in Richmond, Virginia. Virginia Commonwealth University is pioneering what it means to be a public research university while remaining focused on innovation, diversity, and access in the Commonwealth and beyond.Mike shares lessons learned from his audit and tax background helped him lead the operations of the investment office.We discuss the key pillars of the tech stack and some unique ways to leverage common technology to create efficiency. Mike discusses AI use cases you can use today that reduces the friction with investment and operations teams of all sizes.We then turn to outsourcing service providers and the importance of building personal networks to stay on top of an ever-changing industry.Take Capital Allocator’s Audience Engagement SurveyLearn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Ron Lanen is a Partner, Chief Administrative Officer, and General Counsel at HighVista Strategies, an alternative asset manager with approximately $11 billion in assets.  Given the uptick in M&A activity, I was interested in getting Ron’s input following their acquisition of abrdn’s US private markets business.     Ron’s background makes him uniquely positioned to share best practices with acquiring another investment firm. He shares how the organization effectively doubled in headcount and assets and the implications on legal, IR and operations.    We also talk about the importance of culture, integration, hiring for range and the “knock on” effects of managing new service providers. Take Capital Allocator’s Audience Engagement Survey Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

This Sponsored Insight features Troy Pospisil, CEO of Ontra, a legaltech firm created for the private markets industry.  It was great sitting down with Troy to talk about the evolution of how legal and compliance workflows are going digital. We cover his career from management consulting to the investment team at H.I.G. Capital where he saw a glaring need for better solutions with doing deals and raising funds. We discuss product development opportunities and challenges, multi-stakeholder engagements and how digital-native leaders are embracing software to speed up fund closings at a lower cost and compliance risk.Take Capital Allocator’s Audience Engagement Survey Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Richey Reneberg, Global Co-Head of Investor Relations and Marketing at Taconic Capital, is a former pro tennis player who ranked #20 in singles and #1 in doubles. He shares his unconventional journey from the tennis court to the investment world, illustrating how sports discipline impacts professional success. Richey discusses the importance of personal connections in building strong GP and LP relationships, along with key client service traits like transparency. He also addresses evolving investor communication strategies and the significance of operational due diligence in today's market.

Neal Pawar, COO of Enfusion, has a rich background in investment technology, with roles at major firms like UBS and D.E. Shaw. He discusses his journey from hedge funds to developing a unified SaaS platform, emphasizing the significance of a cohesive tech stack. Neal explores the evolution of trade order management systems and the critical role of data integration. He also examines innovative trends in finance, like LLMs and blockchain, and posits that data is becoming a new asset class, essential for decision-making and efficiency in investment management.

Kevin Moran, COO of AlTi Tiedemann Global, discusses the evolution of his firm into a leading multi-family office with over $72B in assets. He shares insights on serving ultra-high-net-worth clients, emphasizing personalized client service with a local touch across global operations. The conversation dives into the dynamics of M&A for sustainable growth, the importance of financial education for wealth transfer, and innovative investment strategies in an evolving landscape, including the rise of alternative investments.

Dan Ricci, Head of Information Systems at Prime Buchholz, dives into the world of fintech with insights on the innovative Prime Plus investment analytics tool. He discusses the move towards digital investment committee reporting and the importance of leveraging third-party SaaS solutions. Dan also reflects on the evolution of technology in finance, emphasizing the potential of data automation and the use of large language models to enhance data integration. His insights showcase the continuous transformation within investment management, driving efficiency and client satisfaction.

Hal Liebes, COO of Alger, shares his journey from law to investment management, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and self-awareness in finding career happiness. He discusses the daily challenges faced by a COO, including consensus-building and managing service providers. The conversation reveals the complexities of decision-making in investments, highlighting the significance of effective mergers and cultural integration. Continuous learning and building strong relationships are also stressed as keys to success in the ever-evolving industry.