Join host Stewart Foley on the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast as he sits down with Tim Antonelli, head of Insurance Multi-Asset Strategy and portfolio manager at Wellington Management. In this episode, Tim shares his 2025 outlook for insurers, focusing on themes like locking in structural income, optimizing surplus portfolios, and navigating regulatory changes.

 

With insights drawn from over 150 meetings with insurers worldwide, Tim discusses how the industry is evolving, the importance of fighting recency bias, and the growing role of asset-based finance. From managing surplus assets with a Swiss Army knife approach to uncovering yield opportunities in hybrid securities and private placement debt, this episode offers a deep dive into strategies for the year ahead.

 

Tune in for expert advice on positioning insurance portfolios in a more dynamic, volatile market environment.

Join host Stewart Foley, CFA, on the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast as he explores the dynamic world of commercial real estate debt with Jack Gay, Global Head of Commercial Real Estate Debt, and Jason Hernandez, Head of Real Estate Debt in the Americas at Nuveen Real Estate. In this engaging conversation, Jack and Jason share their unique perspectives on the evolving CRE debt market, highlighting areas of opportunity and caution in today’s economic landscape. From the surging demand for housing and logistics to the ongoing challenges in the office sector, they unpack the factors driving investment decisions and risk management strategies.

 

The discussion delves into the importance of relative value across core, core-plus, and value-add strategies, emphasizing how investors can capitalize on current market conditions. Jack and Jason also provide a thoughtful analysis of the role insurance companies play in CRE lending, offering actionable insights for institutional investors looking to expand their allocations. Whether you’re navigating portfolio diversification or assessing the impact of macroeconomic trends, this episode delivers valuable takeaways for navigating today’s real estate environment.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Maggie Coleman, Chief Investment Officer for North America Real Estate Equity at Manulife Investment Management, for a timely discussion on real estate investing. Maggie shares her insights on the current macroeconomic environment, the challenges and opportunities in today’s market, and the long-term trends shaping the real estate landscape.

 

They dive into themes such as affordability, industrial growth, and the emerging sectors driven by demographic and technological shifts. Maggie also provides a candid perspective on office real estate, risk management strategies, and the importance of ESG considerations in portfolio construction. This conversation offers valuable insights for investors looking to navigate the complexities of real estate during a market reset.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Blerina Uruci, Chief US Economist in the Fixed Income Division of T. Rowe Price, for an in-depth conversation on the critical macroeconomic trends shaping the investment landscape. From the impact of US elections to the Fed's rate policy and the rising influence of productivity growth, Blerina offers expert perspectives on how these developments could influence investor sentiment and economic performance.

 

With a unique global perspective, Blerina shares her take on trade policies, fiscal uncertainties, and the evolving role of inflation in a higher-for-longer interest rate environment. Don’t miss this engaging conversation packed with actionable insights for navigating the complexities of today’s economy.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Jeff Akers, head of private equity secondaries at Adam Street Partners, to discuss the growing importance of private equity secondaries in insurance portfolios. Jeff shares his expertise on how this asset class helps investors avoid the J-curve, provides a shorter duration investment with predictable cash flows, and delivers fixed-income-like characteristics with equity-level upside.

 

From the basics of private equity secondaries to their strategic fit for insurers prioritizing stable returns, this conversation dives deep into the advantages of investing in a market that has grown from $10 billion to $150 billion over the past 18 years. Learn why this undercapitalized market offers insurers opportunities for diversification, lower risk, and potentially enhanced portfolio performance.

Join host Stewart Foley as he sits down with Doug Bouquard, Partner and Head of Real Estate Credit at TPG, to explore the evolving landscape of real estate debt. Doug shares his journey into the industry and highlights the current shifts in the market, including the retreat of banks from traditional lending and the growing role of private credit. He discusses how these changes create new opportunities for insurers to fill the gap and capitalize on asset-backed lending that aligns with their long-term liabilities.

 

The conversation dives into key trends driving real estate credit, from dislocations in specific sectors like office to opportunities in housing and industrial properties. Doug explains how scalable strategies in real estate debt can be customized to meet insurers’ unique needs, offering attractive risk-adjusted returns and downside protection. With insights into market dynamics, borrower relationships, and the growing institutionalization of newer asset classes like build-to-rent, this episode delivers actionable perspectives for insurance investors.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, our host Stewart Foley, CFA, dives into the fascinating world of quantitative methods in insurance asset management with experts from Principal Asset Management, StepStone Group, and Fidelity Investments. Together, they explore how data-driven strategies are transforming portfolio construction, risk assessment, and liquidity management in private markets. From understanding how quants develop models to navigating the unique challenges of private markets, this episode delivers actionable insights for institutional investors.

 

Learn how quantitative approaches help identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and drive smarter investment decisions. Whether you’re curious about how quants build tailored solutions or the latest trends in private real estate and equity, this conversation is packed with expert perspectives and practical knowledge for today’s insurance asset managers.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes Nailah Flake, Managing Partner and Head of Real Estate Debt at Brookfield. Nailah shares her unique career journey, from teaching dance to leading real estate credit at one of the largest asset managers globally.

 

Together, they discuss the vast and diverse real estate market, touching on compelling sectors like industrial, housing, and alternative asset classes. Nailah provides insights into the mechanics of real estate credit, its differences from corporate credit, and the evolving landscape amid rising interest rates, market volatility, and bank retrenchment. She also highlights Brookfield’s approach to lending, leveraging its extensive expertise and global footprint.

 

In addition to offering a masterclass on real estate debt, Nailah shares career advice for young professionals, emphasizing adaptability and resilience in navigating a changing industry. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with actionable insights.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes Nelson Correa, Head of Private Placements at NEAM. Nelson discusses what makes private placements an attractive asset class for insurers, offering higher spreads than public bonds while maintaining strong covenant protections. He addresses liquidity misconceptions, explains how private placements are structured, and highlights their role in helping insurers achieve long-term investment goals.

 

Nelson also shares insights into NEAM’s enhanced private placement capabilities following his team’s addition and provides a market outlook, identifying opportunities in infrastructure and family-owned companies. Tune in to learn how private placements can offer insurers a compelling mix of yield, security, and diversification.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Bill Maclay, CFA, portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments, to explore the evolving landscape of high-yield real estate lending. With banks pulling back and a significant volume of commercial real estate debt maturing over the next three years, Bill shares how private lenders are stepping up to fill the gap. He provides an in-depth look at Fidelity's real estate platform, their approach to navigating current market challenges, and the opportunities for investors in middle-market lending.

 

From bridge loans to construction financing and gap funding, Bill explains how Fidelity has positioned itself to address a supply-demand imbalance in commercial real estate debt. This episode offers valuable insights into the dynamics of property types, regional bank exposure, and the role of private capital in shaping the future of high-yield real estate lending.