InsuranceAUM.com

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, speaks with Jon McKeown, Head of Portfolio Strategy and Analytics at Northleaf Capital Partners. Jon shares how Northleaf approaches portfolio construction in private credit by applying a risk- and analytics-driven lens, enabling investment teams to maintain strong relative value discipline and better navigate sector and geographic exposure. With over $30 billion in commitments, Northleaf brings a global, middle-market focus across private equity, infrastructure, and credit making their insights especially relevant to insurance asset managers.   Jon outlines how his team supports investment decision-making across origination, underwriting, and portfolio monitoring. He also dives into NAV-based lending, European private credit opportunities, and how his team leverages a custom “composite risk” metric to assess return per unit of risk. Listeners will appreciate Jon’s perspectives on downside protection, portfolio design thinking, and how insurance investors can enhance outcomes through a strategic lens.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Dmitri Rabin, Rates and Securitized Portfolio Manager at Jennison Associates, for a deep dive into the current state of the investment-grade securitized markets. From the performance dynamics of agency MBS versus corporates to the shifting role of banks and foreign buyers, Dmitri offers a clear-eyed view of spread, convexity, and relative value through the lens of insurance portfolios. The conversation also covers asset-backed securities, subprime auto credit risk, and policy considerations around GSE privatization. Dmitri shares sector-level insights into CLOs, CMBS, and non-agency RMBS, drawing attention to structural risks and supply-demand trends shaping investor positioning. The episode closes with a candid discussion about Jenison’s culture and Dmitri’s career reflections offering both technical insight and human perspective for insurance investment professionals navigating today’s credit markets.

Allysen Mattison, Director of Investment Risk and Vice Chair of the Investment Committee at Income Research & Management, joins the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast to deliver a deep dive into the art and science of fixed income risk management. Drawing on her experience overseeing a $122 billion portfolio, Allysen explains how her team approaches interest rate sensitivity, duration positioning, and risk decomposition to ensure that the risks taken align with high-conviction investment ideas.   In the conversation with host Stewart Foley, Allysen unpacks complex topics such as tracking error models, the importance of aligning risk metrics with portfolio construction, and the nuanced role of downside risk analysis. She emphasizes the value of relative value assessment, systematic thinking, and cross-team collaboration, offering practical strategies for balancing active risk-taking with the protection of principal.   From philosophical approaches to tactical frameworks, Allysen’s perspective provides a rare inside look at how one of the industry’s leading fixed-income managers evaluates, measures, and responds to risk. Whether you’re an investment professional, an insurance CIO, or simply a fixed income enthusiast, this episode offers a masterclass in managing risk for long-term performance.

Anna Paglia, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at State Street Investment Management, joins host Stewart Foley, CFA, for a wide-ranging discussion on innovation and disruption in asset management.   She shares her unconventional career journey from international law to leading one of the industry’s largest investment platforms, offering a unique perspective on how evolving client needs, technological change, and strategic partnerships are reshaping the industry. Anna discusses State Street’s $5 trillion milestone, its rebrand, and initiatives designed to democratize access to both public and private markets, including the launch of a public–private credit ETF.   The conversation covers insurer-specific solutions, the role of ETFs and cash management, the importance of team culture, and the next decade’s potential for convergence, tokenization, and blockchain in portfolio management. For asset managers, insurers, and institutional investors, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how to thrive in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, welcomes Bryan Donahoe, Partner & Head of U.S. Real Estate Debt, and Brent Canada, Partner in the Infrastructure Debt Group at Ares Management, for a deep dive into the evolving role of real asset credit in insurance portfolios.   They explore the benefits of infrastructure and real estate debt — from generating durable income streams to diversifying risk and matching long-term liabilities. The conversation covers how market dislocation, rising interest rates, and the pullback from traditional lenders are creating compelling opportunities for private credit investors, particularly in sectors like logistics, housing, utilities, and digital infrastructure.   Bryan and Brent also share insights on Ares’ collaborative approach, their perspectives on market resilience, and why insurance capital is poised to play an increasingly important role in real asset lending.

Patrick O’Sullivan, PhD, Head of International Insurance Solutions at Barings, brings a global perspective to this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast. Drawing from his background in financial economics and extensive experience at leading asset management firms, Patrick explores how private and alternative investment-grade strategies can help insurers enhance returns, diversify portfolios, and address evolving liability needs.   Hosted by Stewart Foley, CFA, this conversation dives into the appeal of structured credit, CLOs, and private placements for insurers navigating today’s market. Patrick shares insights on key considerations such as capital treatment, interest rate risk management, and the growing demand for private IG driven by demographic and regulatory shifts worldwide. For insurers looking to expand their toolkit and capture new opportunities, this episode offers practical insights and strategic takeaways.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Tim Gill, Portfolio Manager, and Juan Tavarez, Research Analyst, from Fidelity Investments’ High Income and Alternatives team to explore the evolving landscape of emerging market corporate debt. With decades of combined experience, Tim and Juan provide a deep dive into how they identify resilient, dollar-denominated credits in complex geographies—and why a bottom-up, credit-focused approach is essential in today’s environment.   The conversation covers everything from navigating country-level macro risk and assessing restructurings, to uncovering “hidden castles” in misunderstood sectors. The duo emphasizes the value of sovereign overlays, disciplined portfolio construction, and the role of diversification in managing volatility for insurance investors. Whether you’re seeking long-term yield, capital-efficient allocation, or simply a better understanding of EM corporates, this episode offers highly actionable insights grounded in experience.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes Dane Graham, Managing Director at 17Capital, for an insightful conversation about the growth and evolution of NAV finance. Dane breaks down what NAV finance is, how it works, and why it’s increasingly being considered as a strategic tool for insurers looking to access liquidity while maintaining exposure to private assets. He shares how 17Capital has positioned itself in this space and how NAV-based lending has matured into a more accepted part of the capital stack.   The conversation explores how NAV finance can complement an insurer’s investment toolkit—especially in today’s environment where flexibility and downside protection are crucial. Dane also discusses the growing demand from institutional investors, the risk considerations, and how insurers can assess whether this approach aligns with their long-term goals. Whether you’re new to NAV finance or looking to refine your understanding, this episode offers valuable insights into an innovative and expanding segment of private credit.

Charlie Rose, Managing Director at Invesco Real Estate, shares his expertise on navigating the current state of commercial real estate credit markets. He discusses the fundamentals of bridge lending and the firm’s ‘credit over yield’ strategy. Insights into the comparative dynamics of U.S. and European markets reveal emerging opportunities in real estate debt. Charlie also emphasizes the importance of integrity and diversity in building successful teams. This engaging conversation offers valuable perspectives for institutional investors.

Direct lending has grown at a staggering pace—more than tripling in just six years. But what are the consequences of that kind of scale? In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes Audie Apple, Head of Equity Capital Formation at Fidelity Direct Lending, to dive deep into the risks, innovations, and structural shifts shaping private credit today.   Together, they unpack how loan documentation, leverage, and covenant structures have evolved in a rapidly expanding asset class. Audie offers valuable insight into pricing dynamics, sponsor versus non-sponsor deals, and how direct lenders are navigating today’s tighter spreads and changing risk profiles. If you're an institutional investor evaluating direct lending strategies, this conversation offers key takeaways—especially around the importance of current toolkit strength over historical track record. From PIK toggles to dispersion metrics, this episode brings clarity to the forces reshaping private credit.