Investment Management Operations

Byron Pavano is a Managing Director of Fund Strategy and Counsel for Audax Group, one of the most active private equity firms in North America with $36B in assets under management.Our conversation covers Byron’s path from outside counsel for private funds to inside counsel at Audax, insourcing vs outsourcing, the regulatory landscape across countries, and managing communications. We discuss AI disruption and use cases, the Audax deal process, and the operational interplay between the operations and investment teams. We close on ESG, DEI initiatives and advice on how high performers manage themselves and their relationships with investment-oriented founders.Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Ken Meister is a Founding Partner, President, and COO at Evanston Capital Management – a $4.3 billion hedge fund of funds focused on early-stage investment managers in complex, innovative strategy areas. Ken co-founded Evanston in 2002, and today oversees all business and operations of the firm plus operational due diligence. Before Evanston, Ken spent time at William Blair, Ameritech Corporation, and Northern Trust.Our conversation covers Ken’s path to Evanston, its operational makeup, and the firm’s approach to ODD, technology, and communication. We close with Ken’s perspective on the hedge fund industry and advice to aspiring fund managers.Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Annie Kerns and Blake Fischer from UVIMCO discuss the importance of investment technology and research management systems. They highlight the benefits of using Bipsync for easy access to information, improved communication, and data analysis. They also explore the potential of AI and automation. The podcast covers implementing a new system during COVID and the success of the switch to Bipsync with extensive preparation and training.

Scott Pomfret, former SEC branch chief and Chief Compliance Officer at Highfields Capital Management, discusses best practices in fund compliance. Topics include relationship between compliance and investment staffs, building teams, scaling operations, managing routine SEC exams, and the importance of organizational values in staying on track.

Jenn Birmingham is a Managing Director at the Princeton University Investment Company (or PRINCO), one of the world’s largest and most prestigious university endowments, where she has been leading efforts in finance and operations since 2010. Prior to PRINCO, Jenn spent over eight years at Deutsche Bank Asset Management where she was a Managing Director and Global CFO of DB Advisors and Deutsche Insurance Asset Management.Jenn and PRINCO are a prime example of how operations can provide leverage to the investment organization. For context on PRINCOs investment philosophy, longtime and retiring CIO, Andy Golden, is a repeat guest on Capital Allocators, and his first appearance is replayed in the feed.Jenn and I discuss her transition to the endowment world from Deutsche Bank and how PRINCO has evolved operationally since her arrival. We turn to the nuances of working at an endowment, collaboration across teams, and practical ways to drive adoption of new technology. We close by examining organizational challenges facing endowments today along with operational advice for emerging managers.Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Andy Golden, President of Princeton University's Investment Management Company, discusses topics such as shifts in thinking about asset allocation, team development, partnership with managers, and the importance of alignment of appetites in the investment management industry. The conversation also includes casual topics like parental phrases, favorite sports moments, and dream professions.

Antoine Forterre is the CFO for Man Group, a $140 billion asset manager focused on liquid alternative hedge funds. Since recording, Antoine has passed off the official title of COO but still maintains responsibilities in HR, risk, and communications.Our conversation covers Antoine’s career path to Man Group, the dynamic history of the firm, and managing regulations across a large global footprint. We discuss managing human capital, interfacing with clients and investment teams, and driving differentiation through technology. We close on headwinds facing new hedge funds and successful M&A integration for asset managers.Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Jennifer Choi is the CEO of Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA), a non-profit that engages, empowers, and connects limited partners to maximize their performance. Jennifer leads the implementation of ILPA’s responses to emerging issues impacting the industry. Prior to ILPA, she served as Vice President of Industry and External Affairs for the EMPEA.Our conversation covers ILPA’s mission, engagement with LPs and GPs from an operations perspective, and pertinent topics to each. We dive into her views on standardization in the industry, technology, DEI and ESG, and how ILPA is supporting the industry on all fronts.Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium Membership

Lauren Dillard is the CFO of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm with over $96 billion in assets under management and over 20 years investing exclusively in enterprise software. Before joining Vista, she was the Executive Vice President of Nasdaq’s Investment Intelligence Division, where she oversaw the company's data, index, and analytics divisions. Prior to Nasdaq, Lauren spent 17 years at Carlyle where she served as the Head of the Investment Solutions unit and was a member of the Management Committee, and she began her career at Arthur Anderson’s tax practice.Our conversation covers Lauren’s early career at Arthur Anderson and her transitions to Carlyle, Nasdaq and eventually Vista. We discuss the dynamics of being an executive in investment management, operational flexibility, outsourcing vs. insourcing, and internal deal processes. We close on the increasing sophistication of LPs and GPs and the importance of a growth mindset.Learn MoreFollow Capital Allocators at @tseides or LinkedInSubscribe to the mailing listAccess transcript with Premium MembershipConnect with Vista LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

It’s our pleasure to bring you Investment Management Operations. This show explores the inner workings of the most sophisticated institutions in the industry.We’ll share conversations with key operating partners who don’t typically get in front of the microphone. In each episode, we’ll profile executives across operations, compliance, legal, finance, and other non-investment roles to better understand how the world’s most sophisticated investment institutions run their businesses. Whether you’re a current operator, an investor looking to start your own fund, or new to the game, this show has nuggets of wisdom for you.You’ll likely notice an new voice as the host of this show. We’ve tapped career operator, Scott MacDonald, to host the new series.Subscribe to Investment Management Operations wherever you get your podcasts. You can access Capital Allocators content and join our mailing list at www.capitalallocators.com .