Operational Leaders

More than twenty years ago, Brian Davis left his legal practice and became one of the top legal recruiters in the profession. He focused his talents on financial services and later became a recognized pioneer for concentrating his work in the alternative asset space. Today, Brian serves as the Managing Partner in New York for Major, Lindsey & Africa, the world's premier legal executive search firm.

In this episode, Brian shares his perspective on the alternative asset management industry. He discusses the hiring process for in-house counsel and the critical importance of finding the right cultural fit. He also describes the skills that make a candidate a successful hire, including the importance of listening. Brian observes some of the changing trends in the industry that are reflected in the demand for legal talent. He concludes with a few tips for both candidates and firms looking to hire.

To learn more about Brian and his firm, please visit the website for Major, Lindsey and Africa.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.

John Phinney has held almost every C-Suite position in the investment management industry. He has seen some of the best practices - and the worst - on the operational side of the business. In 2013, he left the in-house world behind and co-founded Convergence, Inc., a firm committed to filling a void in data, research and analytics coverage of the Alternative Investments space.

In this episode, John shares experiences and insights from his noted career. He talks about the importance of "tone at the top" for any firm to achieve sustained success, the correlation between the quality of a firm's regulatory filings and its commitment to operational soundness, and how financial crisis are typically brought on by bad actors exploiting regulatory cracks in the system. John also discusses how data and analytics can be a helpful tool in identifying potential problems and improving the efficiency of a firm's internal operations.

To learn more about John and his firm, please see the Convergence website.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.

John D'Agostino is one of the industry's leading experts on cryptocurrency. He sits on the board of several of the industry's largest crypto-focused hedge funds, leads the Digital Asset Working Group for AIMA and much more. He is also the former Head of Strategy for the New York Mercantile Exchange.

John joins this episode to provide an overview to digital currency. He explains what people typically mean when they refer to "crypto," and why a single definition can prove elusive. John talks about the origin of digital assets, how the market has evolved and some basics mechanics behind investing in the asset class. He also shares his advice on the immediate steps a Chief Operating Office should take if his or her firm decides that it's time to invest in cryptocurrencies.

John can be contacted through LinkedIn. He's the John D'Agostino with NYMEX blue in the background.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.

Michelle Noyes serves as a Managing Director and Head of the Americas at the Alternative Investment Management Association (or AIMA), where she has worked since 2012.

In this episode, Michelle provides an inside look at the industry's top global trade associations and some of the challenges the organization faced and overcame this past year. In particular, she describes the goals of AIMA and how the organization set about fulfilling them on a remote basis, AIMA's quick pivot after COVID to the use of digital technology to provide critical information and quality content, and some of the trends AIMA is seeing on the operational side of their member firms.

To contact Michelle and to learn more about AIMA, its content and events, please visit the AIMA website.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.

In 2001, David Lewis founded a one-person consulting practice that has since grown to become OperationsInc, one of the largest HR consulting practices in the U.S. When the COVID pandemic hit nearly twenty years later, David and his team set out to become nationally recognized experts on all matters related to managing companies through the crisis and its eventual aftermath.

In this episode, David discusses the crisis and some critical early lessons. He then shares his thoughts on why compensation arrangements are harder to predict in the near term than in the medium term. David also talks about how COVID forced the move to a work-from-home model, why it will become a permanent option, how it changes the employer-employee dynamic, and why firms need to make the option a key consideration when it comes time to re-opening offices.

To learn more about David and OperationsInc, please visit the firm's website.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.

A key to every successful investment management firm is the ability to attract and retain capital. And that key begins with a story. Kathleen Muir, founder and CEO of the Muir Network brings her twenty plus years of experience in the alternatives industry to help managers develop and communicate their story or their brand.

In this episode, Kathleen talks about lessons learned from her experience as both an in-house branding and marketing specialist as well as a trusted outside adviser. She explains the importance of developing a narrative that cuts through all the data, images and content, and helps form a personal connection with investors. She also provides advice on strategic steps for developing a strong brand and some of the pitfalls to avoid.

To learn more about Kathleen and her consultancy, please visit the Muir Network website.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.

Ron Biscardi has spent the better part of his career in finance focusing on connecting investors and managers. Along the way, he built the world's largest capital introduction conference.

In 2020, Ron saw the impact of the global pandemic and the resulting food insecurities that impacted so many. He decided to combine his ability to connect people with charitable efforts to address hunger issues. The result was iConnections, a software platform that serves the alternative investment world bringing together allocators and managers.

In this episode, Ron tells his story – how he got started in the alternatives industry, the challenges of building a business and the circumstances that led to the creation of iConnections. He also offers up a few insights along the way for start-up managers looking to raise capital.

To learn more about iConnections and the firm's upcoming charity event in May, titled Funds4Minds, please visit the iConnections website.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.

Mark Fordyce had an idea to create a firm that provides a full suite of outsourced services to alternative investment managers. Then he executed on it. The result - in 2009 Mark co-founded Blue River Partners which has since grown to become the preeminent outsourced service provider to the alternative asset management industry.

In this episode, Mark talks about starting and growing Blue River Partners and a key early decision to combine legal and compliance support with accounting and operations. He also discusses the advantages to outsourcing, the trend and gradual acceptance of the outsourcing option. Along the way, Mark describes the recent acquisition of Blue River Partners by global Investor Services provider IQ-EQ and what that will mean for Blue River and how it reflects ongoing changes in the industry.

To learn more about Mark and Blue River, part of IQ-EQ, please visit the company's website.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.

After spending the better part of his 20-year career at top multinational law firms, Rich Chen decided to strike out on his own. In 2019, he started the boutique law firm of Richard L. Chen PLLC. He focuses on providing legal and business advice to investment management firms.

In this episode, Rich discusses his career path, the vision for his legal practice, and why he believes that leading his own firm offers the best way to channel his passion and expertise to help clients. Rich adds his thoughts about the potential advantages a boutique law firm can offer clients. He then makes some suggestions for how investment managers can find a firm that fits their needs. A two-time Harvard graduate, Rich switches gears a bit to describes how he uses technology to improve efficiency and better deliver client services.

Outside the office, Rich participates in a number of charitable activities, including on the Board of Open Hands Legal Services. This not-for-profit organization provides free legal services to those in need in New York City. To learn more about the charity, please visit the Open Hands Legal Services' website.

To learn more about Rich and his practice, please visit his firm's website.

Grace Reyes has become one of the most prominent voices in finance when it comes to promoting diversity and inclusion in the investment industry. In 2020 she founded The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE) to focus on these goals and create a united voice for diversity.

In this episode, Grace talks about her career in finance and some of her experiences that lead to the creation of TIDE. She also discusses a core mission of TIDE to connect asset owner with managers to expand the scope of investment considerations. In addition Grace provides some helpful advice on networking and the importance of authenticity.

TIDE promotes its mission through regular conference events, including its annual event in June. To learn more about Grace, TIDE and upcoming conferences featuring some the investment industry's biggest movers and shakers, please visit the TIDE website.

Thanks also to our sponsor, DiligenceVault, creators of the first two-sided digital ecosystem for asset managers and allocators.