In this Executive Spotlight episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Brian Roelke, President and Chief Investment Officer of Kuvare Asset Management (KAM). Brian shares his journey from growing up in Montclair, New Jersey, to his early days as a caddy, and ultimately to leading a rapidly growing investment management firm. He discusses the unique path that led him from TIAA to Kuvare, the importance of a strong investment culture, and the exciting challenges of building an investment team during the pandemic.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, delves into the world of net lease investments with Sharon Kilmer, Managing Director on TPG Angelo Gordon’s Net Lease Real Estate team. Sharon, who brings deep experience in both credit management and fixed income portfolio management, provides an insightful overview of net lease assets and their growing significance in the real estate market. She explains the nuances of net leases, emphasizing why industrial properties, particularly mission-critical ones, make attractive investments for insurance companies seeking stable, long-term cash flows. Sharon also discusses the benefits of net lease investments as a bond substitute, highlighting their role as a volatility dampener in a portfolio.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Mary Lukic, Head of Tax-Advantaged Equity at Northern Trust Asset Management. Mary provides an in-depth overview of tax-advantaged equity (TAE) strategies, explaining how these approaches offer insurance companies a valuable tool for managing gains and losses while maximizing after-tax returns. With over 35 years of experience in running tax-managed strategies, Northern Trust has become a leader in customizing portfolios to meet the specific tax objectives of insurers. Mary highlights the flexibility and customization available through TAE, how it performs in volatile markets, and its role in creating tax alpha. Whether you're an insurance professional looking to optimize your equity investments or simply curious about tax strategies, this episode delivers actionable insights and valuable knowledge.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Matthew Bass, Head of Private Alternatives at AllianceBernstein, to explore the investment opportunities emerging from recent disruptions in the U.S. banking sector. Matthew shares his expert insights into the ongoing trend of bank disintermediation, which has been accelerated by events like the Silicon Valley Bank collapse. He explains how these changes are shifting the financial landscape, particularly in private credit and non-bank lending, creating unique opportunities for insurance companies to step in as key players.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Jeff Menz and Casey Miller, both Managing Directors of Portfolio Management at Principal Real Estate Investors, to delve into the fast-growing data center sector. They discuss what constitutes a modern data center, the key drivers behind its rising demand—such as AI, 5G technology, and the Internet of Things—and the types of tenants typically involved, including hyperscale users like Amazon and Google. Jeff and Casey also highlight important considerations for insurance investors, such as infrastructure needs, the long-term nature of data center leases, and how these investments can provide stable, bond-like returns. They emphasize the sector's resilience and continued growth potential, making it a compelling opportunity for insurance asset managers.

In this episode, Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871, to explore the groundbreaking launch of 1871's first-ever Insurance Innovation Lab. Betsy, who has a deep background in the insurance industry, discusses the lab's focus on key themes such as litigation, claims, subrogation, back-office productivity, and preparing for volatility. She explains how the lab aims to bring together growth companies, established corporates, and industry experts to drive meaningful innovation in the insurance sector.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Stewart Foley, CFA, delves into the world of private distressed credit and special situations with Paul Triggiani, Managing Director and Head of Distressed Credit and Special Situations at Invesco Private Credit. Paul shares his insights on the definition of distressed debt, the types of distressed assets his team specializes in, and how they approach the management of these investments. He highlights the differences between trading distressed debt and pursuing debt for control, explaining that his team focuses on acquiring majority positions in distressed debt to eventually convert it into equity ownership. Paul also discusses the broader macroeconomic environment, emphasizing how the growth of the leveraged credit market, particularly in Europe, has expanded the opportunity set for distressed investors.

In this engaging episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Margot DeMore and Milena Humplik, the co-founders and managing partners of Broad Street Consulting Group, a firm specializing in insurance asset management search. Referred to as the "godmothers of insurance asset management search," Margot and Milena share their unique journeys into the industry, with Milena recounting her family's escape from Czechoslovakia and eventual success in the U.S., and Margot discussing her formative experiences at Boston Latin School that fueled her passion for diversity and inclusion.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley is joined by Steve Liberatore, Senior Managing Director and Head of ESG Impact Investing Global Fixed Income at Nuveen, and Joe Pursley, Head of Insurance the Americas at Nuveen, to debunk myths within the fixed income universe. The conversation dives deep into the evolution of impact investing, particularly in fixed income, challenging the misconception that impact investing is limited to equity strategies. Steve highlights how impact investing in fixed income not only drives positive environmental and social outcomes but also enhances financial performance, emphasizing that responsible investing doesn’t mean sacrificing returns.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, Stewart Foley is joined by Drew Schardt, Vice Chairman and Head of Investment Strategy at Hamilton Lane. With over 30 years of experience in private markets, Drew delves into the evolution of private credit, explaining its role in today’s economic landscape and its appeal to insurance companies. He discusses the key factors driving the expansion of private credit, including the pullback of traditional banks and the increasing demand for private debt solutions. Drew also highlights Hamilton Lane’s unique approach to private equity, offering insights into the firm’s strategic focus on information access and advanced technology solutions to enhance investment decisions.

*figures are as of 6/30/23