AAAIM High ELI

Our guest for today's podcast is Damien Dwin, Founder and CEO of Lafayette Square, a national investment platform he founded in November 2020. Lafayette Square aims to create investment opportunities in overlooked places and underserved markets. We invest across asset classes and seek to provide robust risk-adjusted returns to investors while positively supporting people and communities. By increasing access to economic opportunity, Lafayette Square is helping to build a more inclusive American economy. Previously, Damien served as Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Brightwood Capital Advisors for 10 years, and prior to that, Damien had a very successful Wall Street career with the majority of his time spent at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse. Damien is an active thought leader on mass incarceration, economic inclusion, racial justice and representation, and the use of purpose and profit for good. Without further ado, here is our conversation with Damien Dwin

Our guest for today's podcast is Chris Shen, Co-Founder and COO of Revere VC, a start-up that he co-founded with Eric Woo, a veteran of the venture capital fund of fund business. Revere VC is looking to become "the Morningstar of Venture Capital" and is building the first rating system for evaluating early-stage venture capital firms.

Chris' professional work experience is deep and wide where he has spent time as an investor and lawyer for over 15 years in the US and Greater China across public and private investments, asset management, and financial products.

Chris shares many insights on this podcast, from his journey to working in China, his time as a lawyer, building out a family office and starting Revere VC. Without further ado, here is our conversation with Chris Shen.

Our guest for today's podcast is Victor Hu, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Lumos Capital Group, an investment firm focused on growth companies in the human capital development and education technology sectors globally. Lumos partners with companies that are creating better outcomes for individuals and institutions in the learning, teaching and talent markets.

Victor believes deeply in the power of education to transform society and help people reach their full potential. Growing up in Asia and Africa, he saw how a commitment to investing in human capital is the foundation for lifting entire societies out of poverty. Victor's career has been focused on the intersection of education, finance and technology. Prior to Lumos, Victor was a Managing Director and Global Head of Education Technology & Knowledge Services Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Victor also spent time as an attorney at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. Victor received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA from Amherst College.

Without further ado, here is our conversation with Victor Hu.

Our guest for today's podcast is Jon Grabel, CIO of the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, also known as LACERA. In his role, Jon has the responsibility for managing over $70 billion in AUM on behalf of LACERA's active and retired members. Prior to LACERA, Jon was the CIO for New Mexico PERA and the Montgomery County Public Schools. In total, Jon has served the important role of CIO for over 12 years in the second act of his highly accomplished career. Previously, Jon was a general partner at a private equity firm focused on growth-stage investments in technology, networking industries, and digital communications. Jon spent his formative years as an investment banker and licensed CPA. He received his Bachelor of Science in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

I have to say, despite all his credentials and accomplishments, I am not sure if you will find a more humble and down to earth guy than Jon. Without further ado, here is our conversation with Jon Grabel.

Our guest for today's podcast is Scott Chan, Deputy Chief Investment Officer of the California State Teachers' Retirement System (better known as CalSTRS). CalSTRS is the largest teachers' retirement system and second largest public pension fund in the United States. A world-class financial services institution and state agency, CalSTRS is known for its unique organizational culture which emphasizes customer service, leadership and respect for its members and colleagues.

What a pleasure it was for me and fellow AAAIM Board member, Susan Soh, to hear Scott's background and his path to becoming one of the most powerful people in finance. As Deputy CIO, Scott oversees CalSTRS' investment division and is responsible for leading a diverse and growing team of over 200 investment professionals. He manages eight critical investment functions including investment strategy and risk, global equities, fixed income, real estate, private equity, risk mitigating strategies, inflation sensitive and sustainable investment and stewardship strategies. What a mouthful… And, he reports directly into the great Chris Ailman who is highly regarded to be one of the best CIOs in the business.

Direct investing; getting to net zero; embracing diversity, equity and inclusion – you want it, Scott delivers it… Without further ado, here is our conversation with Scott Chan.

Our guest for today's podcast is Amie Patel, CEO of Elevar Equity, a venture capital impact firm with headquarters in India. Elevar Equity fuels the economic resilience and vibrancy of underserved customers and low income communities by investing early growth capital in entrepreneurs building at the intersection of inclusivity, affordability and massive scale. Led by an entrepreneurial emerging markets team passionate about addressing issues of access and inequity, Elevar invests in businesses that demonstrate a direct correlation between high impact and returns. So far in its 15-year journey, the Elevar Method of investing has democratized essential products and services for over 40 million households and catalyzed billions of dollars of capital into 40+ companies across India and Latin America. What a treat it was for me to interview Amie who is one of the kindest, most authentic do gooders" that I have come across in the business. Without further ado, here is our conversation with Amie Patel.

Our guest for today's podcast is Brian O'Neil, Chief Investment Officer of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Brian is a legend in the business and has been at the helm of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the past 20 years helping to grow its foundation to well over $14 billion in AUM. Effective January 1st, 2023, Brian will be retiring from his role as CIO.

What a pleasure it was for me and AAAIM Executive Committee Board Co-Chair Brenda Chia to interview Brian, a long time supporter of AAAIM since its founding in 2006. In addition to being known as a great investor and steward of capital, Brian is also known for having started an emerging manager program and being a great developer of talent. We are grateful to Brian for sharing his insights on the topics of diversity and inclusion, talent management, and the secrets for how to get promoted to the coveted CIO position at an E&F.

Without further ado, here is our conversation with Brian O'Neil.