Financial Perspectives: Insights from Investment Professionals

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Discover how to align your charitable intentions with your investment goals as we chat with Sanem Alkan on smart philanthropy and impact investing. Sanem's expertise brings to light the transformative shifts in philanthropy, from the pivotal 1969 Tax Reform Act to today's cutting-edge trends like the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), blended finance, and venture philanthropy. Learn how to merge financial returns with social impact, leveraging strategic philanthropic tools such as program-related and mission-related investments. Sanem also explores the critical role of planning and advisory support for achieving tax-efficient charitable giving.

For business owners, Sanem unveils advanced strategies like charitable remainder trusts, donor-advised funds, and corporate foundations, which not only offer tax benefits but also bolster legacy planning and business reputation. She provides a wealth of resources for those eager to deepen their knowledge in this evolving field, including books, organizations, and certification programs. Tune in and transform your approach to philanthropy and impact investing on this month's Financial Perspectives episode.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

On this episode of Financial Perspectives: Chats, we'll discuss how donor-advised funds (DAFs) revolutionizing the philanthropic landscape in America. Join us as we sit down with Alyssa Heath - Chief Operating Officer & Director of Social Impact at Fire Capital Management – and Pamela Doherty - Senior Director of Gift Planning at The San Francisco Foundation to explore the mechanics and impact of DAFs. 

Holding nearly $230 billion in assets and boasting an annual payout rate of over 20%, DAFs are changing the way donors think about charitable giving. Discover why these funds are gaining attention and how they are becoming a cornerstone in modern philanthropy. We delve into potential regulatory changes and their broader implications, while also discussing strategic approaches for wealth advisors to integrate philanthropy into client conversations. 

Whether you're a seasoned donor, a wealth advisor, or simply curious about the future of philanthropy, this episode offers a comprehensive look at how DAFs are engaging multiple generations and reshaping charitable giving.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

Unlock capital allocator hacks and discover the secrets to optimizing long-term oriented pools of capital with our special guest - Sami Mesrour, CFA - partner at Jasper Ridge and Board President of CFA Society San Francisco. In this episode, Sami shares key tips and innovative strategies that promise to revolutionize how we approach long-term capital allocation. He delves into several critical areas of portfolio management, including strategic factor allocation, using derivatives prudently, and the integration of illiquid assets.  

Sami shares tactical strategies for maintaining equity exposure, ensuring your portfolio remains robust and aligned with your benchmarks. The episode also dives deep into the complexities of managing hedge funds, private equity, and real estate. Sami highlights the importance of measuring illiquidity exposure accurately, considering factors like unfunded commitments and spending needs. 

Whether you're managing an endowment, foundation, or family office, this episode is packed with valuable tips from a seasoned expert on optimizing your investments for long-term success.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

Curious about the CFA Society San Francisco podcast, Financial Perspectives? Hear all about the exciting changes coming to Financial Perspectives this season, straight from the show's creators. 

Listen in as Tanya Suba-Tang - our seasoned host - and Lindsey Helman - the show's producer - take you through the evolution of the podcast and what's in store for the upcoming season. Discover why we decided to rebrand and what that means for you, our valued listeners.

In this special episode, Tanya and Lindsey reveal the enhancements planned for season five, ensuring that the podcast remains a treasure trove of insights for everyone—from students to individual investors to C-suite executives. Whether you're new to the show or just discovering us, this episode promises a fresh look at how Financial Perspectives will continue to enrich your listening experience and industry knowledge. Don't miss out on the exciting journey ahead!

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

Dr. Matthew Faulkner, CFA - Finance Professor at San José State University and Trustee for the City of San José Pension Fund - discusses bridging the gap between financial theory and real-world practice on our latest episode of the CFA Society San Francisco podcast. 

Join our show's host, Tanya Suba-Tang - Membership Director at CFA Society San Francisco - as she delves into Dr. Faulkner's compelling journey from academia to practical application. Dr. Faulkner's perspective and experiences highlight the importance of collaboration between academics and practitioners, emphasizing the unique contributions each group can make to the field of finance and paving the way for future financial innovations.

Whether you're an academic, a practitioner, or someone considering a career in finance, this episode is packed with valuable insights on leveraging both theoretical and practical knowledge to make more informed financial decisions.


Meet Dr. Matthew Faulkner

Dr. Matthew Faulkner, CFA is a Finance Professor at San José State University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate students in corporate finance and business valuation. His research interests intersect corporate finance and behavioral finance to understand why and how companies and management make decisions while his private consulting work is in valuation. 

In addition to his academics, he is a Trustee for the City of San José pension fund, serves as a FINRA arbitrator, and a volunteer with CFA Institute. Dr. Faulkner holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from UNC-Wilmington, an MBA in international finance and investments from the University of Valencia, Spain, and UNCW, and a doctoral degree from Florida Atlantic University.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

On this episode of the CFA Society San Francisco Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Alex Chitea, CFA, Founder and Managing Partner of Funston Capital, an entrepreneurial investment fund. 

Prior to founding Funston, Alex led the programs and startup partnerships for cybersecurity and identity at Orange Silicon Valley - a subsidiary of Orange, a French multinational telecommunications company, that collaborates with startups, investors, researchers and other partners to bring innovation to the group’s operations around the world. He started his career as an early employee at Google and also held an intrapreneurial role at The Walt Disney Company. Alex holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Computer Science and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Listen to the full interview, where Alex discusses leveraging generative AI within private equity. Our conversation delves into the transformative impact of AI on small and medium-sized businesses within the private equity market, and how it's shaking up traditional approaches to due diligence, operational efficiency, and beyond. Alex shares his experiences and strategies for harnessing AI to drive business growth, enhance investor expertise, and unlock new avenues for value creation. 

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

On this episode of the CFA Society San Francisco Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Heidi Ridley, CFA, Co-Founder and CEO of Radiant Global Investors, on ESG 3.0 and its application to small cap investing. Radiant is a female-owned, independent asset management firm focused on active equity strategies and thematic listed-impact investment solutions for institutional and wealth management clients.

Prior to establishing Radiant, Heidi spent 18 years at AXA Investment Managers, rising to Global Chief Executive of Rosenberg Equities, and serving on the AXA Rosenberg Group and AXA IM Management Boards. Under her direction, Rosenberg Equities substantially added to its reputation by becoming the first ESG-integrated quantitative equity investor to be focused on the intersection of ESG insights and advanced factor solutions.

She is a member of the Advisory Council for the Center for Equity Gender and Leadership at the UC Berkeley HAAS School of Business, an Advisory Board member for DiversityQ, and a member of the Stewardship Council for the ACT Standard of Corporate Culture created by City Hive UK. Heidi is a champion of ESG investing and a two-time finalist for Woman of the Year in asset management.

Listen to the full interview, where Heidi discusses ESG 3.0 and the next evolution in investing.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

On this episode of the CFA Society San Francisco Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Pooja Malik, CFA, Founding Partner and Managing Member at Nipun Capital. Nipun Capital is a specialized asset management firm that focuses on alpha extraction from Asia and emerging markets.

Pooja founded Nipun based on the outlook that Asia ex-Japan equity markets would double in size from 2010 to 2030 as a portion of global market cap. She is a strong advocate for sustainability and impact investing which she integrates into Nipun’s investment process with the goal of outperforming benchmarks and delivering above average market returns. She has over 20 years of asset management experience, with a focus on portfolio management and research.

Prior to Nipun, Pooja was a Managing Director at Barclays Global Investors (BGI)/BlackRock in the Active/Scientific Equities group, where she led teams that managed various long-only and long-short portfolios in excess of $100 billion for institutional investors. Pooja graduated from Delhi University and received an MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and has earned the CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing.

Listen to the full interview, where Pooja discusses emerging markets.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

On this episode of the CFA Society San Francisco Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Julian Vogel, Assistant Professor of Finance at San Jose State University.

Dr. Vogel earned his PhD in Business Administration, Finance from The University of Texas at El Paso, and has lived, studied, and worked in several countries and regions across Europe and the United States. In his research and teaching, he focuses on corporate finance - especially capital structure - corporate payout policy, diversity, and corporate governance, as well as investments, and capital markets and institutions.

Listen to the full interview, where Julian discusses new trends in financial research.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

Send a message to the Financial Perspectives podcast and receive a shout out!

On this episode of the CFA Society San Francisco Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nadia Patel, CFA, Executive Director at Pacific Alliance Group (PAG). PAG is an Asian investment firm that manages multiple asset classes, including private equity, private debt, real estate and hedge funds.

Prior to joining PAG, Nadia served as director and head of west coast distribution for BlackRock’s Financial Institutions Group, where she was responsible for overseeing the firm’s investment management relationships and activities with insurers. She serves as the Chair of Finance on the board for Pivotal, a Silicon Valley non-profit that supports foster youth to realize their educational and career goals and ensure their equitable access to opportunity.

Listen to the full interview, where Nadia discusses trends impacting insurance investment portfolios. 

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email [email protected].


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.