AAAIM High ELI

Our guest for today's podcast is Josh Lerner, the Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking at Harvard Business School. This podcast is a replay of an AAAIM Virtual Webinar held in late 2020 and discusses the findings from an AAAIM commissioned study by Bella Private Markets, a consulting firm led by Professor Lerner. The AAAIM Study is the first in the market to quantify AAPIs' representation, AUM, and performance. The results uncover a disturbingly low representation of AAPI ownership compared to the community's population in the U.S. and other relevant benchmarks. In addition, the returns delivered by AAPI-sponsored investment vehicles meet or exceed industry benchmarks across asset classes. These findings echo earlier studies, which found that Diverse-owned funds collectively accounted for only 1.3% of total asset management AUM, despite performance in line with industry benchmarks. Brenda Chia, AAAIM Co-Chair and Founding Board Member, interviews Professor Lerner for this podcast. Without further ado, here is our replay with Professor Lerner and Brenda Chia.

Our guest for today's podcast is Jason Hsu, Founder and CIO of Rayliant Global Advisors. Jason spun Rayliant out of Research Affiliates in 2016 after a very successful stint as co-founder of Research Affiliates with legendary thought leader and finance guru, Rob Arnott. At present, Rayliant has $26+ billion in AUM linked to its strategies and, beginning in 2021, launched an ETF in the US, symbol: RAYC, the Rayliant Quantamental China Equity ETF which is designed to give US investors access to beta in China A shares market. Jason takes us through his path attending top universities including Caltech, Stanford and UCLA culminating in earning his PhD in finance and tells the story of how Research Affiliates became successful and why he decided to form Rayliant as an independent company. Asian-led multi-billion AUM firms are rare so Jason's story is inspiring and we look forward to the great impact Jason and Rayliant will have for investors for a long period of time. Without further ado, here is our conversation with Jason Hsu.

Our guest for today's podcast is Geeta Kapadia, Associate Treasurer, Investments at Yale New Haven Health where she leads a team of 5 that manages a $5 billion pool of investment assets.

Geeta takes us through her personal and professional path globetrotting the world before landing at Yale New Haven Health over 12 years ago. In 2020, Geeta was named the Associate Treasurer for Investments effectively the CIO, a highly coveted position in the allocator world.

I found Geeta to be very personable, approachable, and welcoming. Geeta is a role model for investment professionals aspiring to be CIO one day. She takes pride in setting the example that, with hard work, patience and a commitment to excellence, anything is possible.

Without further ado, here is our conversation with Geeta Kapadia.

Our guest for today's podcast is Rendel Solomon, Strategic Advisor to Goalsetter and Founder of One Stock One Future. I sought out Rendel after watching his TedXChicago Talk called "Sharecropper to Shareholder." One word comes to mind when I think about Rendel, his vision for the future, and his selflessness to make his vision a reality: PROFOUND.

Rendel is the rare example of someone who has actually left high finance and a high paying job in private equity in his pursuit to change the trajectory of future generations: the mission for One Stock One Future is to make 1 million underserved youths into public company shareholders. Again, I'll say it again: PROFOUND.

Joining me on this podcast as guest co-host is Brenda Chia, Board Co-Chair and Founding Board Member of AAAIM. What a treat it was for Brenda and me to interview someone of Rendel's caliber and character. We were awe struck as we do believe Rendel will become known as a "generational leader of our time" one day.

Without further ado, here is our conversation with Rendel Solomon.

Our guest for today's podcast is Lorence Kim, Venture Partner, Third Rock Ventures and Former CFO of Moderna. If there was ever someone you wanted to picture as having a perfect life, that's Lorence. Lorence graduated magna cum laude from Harvard, then went on to earn a dual degree (Doctor of Medicine and MBA) from Penn. Upon graduation, he joined Goldman Sachs and rose through the ranks becoming a Managing Director and co-head of the Biotechnology Investment Banking division. In 2014, Lorence pivoted and joined a little known biotechnology firm called Moderna. The rest is history!!! What I admire about Lorence, in addition to his awesome professional career and accomplishments, is that deep down inside, he is a humble guy and a loving father and husband. I look forward to all the amazing things he will continue to do in the industry, Without further ado, here is our conversation with Lorence Kim.

Our guest for today's podcast is Sammy Suzuki, Co-CIO of Strategic Core Equities at AllianceBernstein, also known as AB, a $686 billion research driven, asset manager. Over a 26+ year career at AB, Sammy shares his perspective and experience on what it took for him to climb the corporate ladder at AB, shattering the bamboo ceiling, and building out a new $12 billion AUM business. I tried to get Sammy to pound his chest a bit more on the podcast but he wouldn't take the bait being his Asian self, ha ha. Note to audience, what he has accomplished at AB is no small feat and AAAIM is very proud to highlight his success. Away from his personal achievements, Sammy is also viewed as a leader in the AAAIM and extended finance community. Sammy has been instrumental in building out AB's Asian network as well as serving on the board of the CFA Society New York. I look forward to Sammy's continued ascension in the finance world. Without further ado, here is our conversation with Sammy Suzuki.

Our guest for today's podcast is Evelyn Chen, Founder and Portfolio Manager of Grand Alliance Asset Management, an asset management firm focused on growth equity in Asia with a specific expertise in Taiwan and China.

What I love about interviewing different portfolio managers is the individual stories on what it takes to be the best at their craft. Growing up, Evelyn's initial interest was to become a biologist given her love of insects and the patience required to be an expert in dissecting insects and understanding how they function. Luckily for investors, she pivoted to become an equity analyst and, leveraging that same level of patience and precision required to be a biologist, refocused her skills to eventually become a top stock picker. It is a cool story!

Joining me on this podcast as guest host is Meisan Lim, Head of Macro and Quantitative Strategies for Cambridge Associates, one of the top consulting firms in the hedge fund business. When I asked Meisan for her thoughts on an awesome Asian female hedge fund manager, Evelyn's name immediately came to mind. Thank you again Meisan for inviting Evelyn.

Without further ado, here is my conversation with Evelyn Chen and Meisan Lim.

Our guest for today's podcast is Maeley Tom, California State Legislature Extraordinaire and Founding Co-Chair of AAAIM. I stepped aside for this podcast and asked Gordon Liao, AAAIM Board Vice-Chair and ELI Committee Chair, to conduct this interview given their long history and friendship. In listening to Maeley's story, I have to admit that a few (happy) tears came to my eyes, after hearing about her upbringing.

Maeley touches upon many important topics including being on her own from the age of 16, how she developed the grit to be successful, her views on the current Stop AAPI Hate Movement, how the idea for AAAIM was conceived, her personal journey in mustering up the courage to ask for the top job to become the Chief Administrative Officer of the California State Assembly, and the rationale for writing her book to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Atypical of Asian tendencies of "being humble, not speaking up, not being the nail that stands out, not talking about your achievements; Maeley shares why being the opposite was key for her success in a Western culture society". Be prepared to be inspired.

Without further ado, please enjoy Gordon's conversation with Maeley Tom.

Our guest for today's podcast is Susan Oh, a 25 year veteran at the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System, a $64 billion defined benefit pension plan. Over her career at PSERS, Susan has been a serial entrepreneur and a true innovator for the fund including 1) establishing their $13 billion swap overlay program, 2) building out their currency hedging program, 3) launching their internally managed risk parity program leveraging Bridgewater, and 4) now taking on the new challenge of implementing ESG for impact and returns. Susan is the epitome of GSD (Getting Stuff Done!)

Away from her personal accomplishments, we were inspired by Susan's strong faith and her recognition that she has a higher calling. Having shattered both the bamboo and glass ceiling, Susan is a role model for Asian Americans and women in the industry, a responsibility she cherishes and doesn't take lightly.

Joining me on the podcast as lead host is fellow AAAIM board member, Susan Soh, Chief of Strategy and Capital Development for the Private Investments arm of Two Sigma.

Without further ado, here is our conversation with Susan Oh.

Our guest for today's podcast is Suzanne Yoon, Founder and Managing Partner of Kinzie Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on providing creative solutions through equity investments in lower middle-market businesses going through transitions.

Suzanne openly takes us through her personal journey overcoming tragedy at a young age after the death of her father and jumping head first into world of finance. Through grit, determination, and a strong belief in "diversity and inclusion", Suzanne successfully navigates the ultra competitive world of private equity, culminating in launching her own private equity firm in 2017. Her story not only sends chills through my body but also brings a bright smile to my face.

Joining me on the podcast as lead host is fellow AAAIM board member, Susan Soh, Chief of Strategy and Capital Development for the Private Investments arm of Two Sigma.

Brace yourself and prepare to hear what it takes to be the best. Without further ado, here is our conversation with Suzanne Yoon.