n this special live episode recorded at First Rate’s 2025 WealthTech Connect conference in Dallas, host Alex Serman sits down with Martin Tarlie and Matt Kadnar, co-founders of Nebo Wealth, for a fascinating conversation about the evolution of goals-based investing.

They unpack how Nebo bridges the long-standing gap between financial planning and portfolio construction—helping advisors deliver personalization at scale while driving client confidence and better life outcomes. The trio dives into:

• How Nebo’s goals-based optimization engine turns asset allocation into an output, not a starting point.
• Why personalization at the asset allocation level is the next frontier for wealth management.
• How tools like Nebo empower advisors to balance autonomy, compliance, and efficiency.
• The rise of alternative investments—and why advisors need frameworks, not just products.
• The human side of investing: building understanding to reduce emotion and improve decision-making.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Whiskey & WealthTech without a pour—this time, the First Rate Private Label Single Malt from Andalusia Whiskey Co., shared in front of a live audience.

In this Toronto edition of Whiskey & WealthTech, Alex Serman sits down with Carol Penhale, Head of Canada at RIMES Technologies, for a spirited discussion on private markets, data granularity, and wealth trends shaping the future. Over a glass of Glen Breton—the first North American single malt—they explore how institutions are navigating the complexities of private asset data, the growing role of target date funds, and Canada’s outsized position in the alternatives space. Carol also shares her insights on the generational wealth transfer, the shift from paper to digital, and the most rewarding aspects of her career in financial technology and data.

In this episode of Whiskey & WealthTech, Alex Serman sits down with Greg Woolf, founder and CEO of AI Think Tank, to sip Knob Creek whiskey and dive into the evolving role of AI in wealth management. From whiskey tasting notes to wealthtech trends, Greg shares his take on generative and agentic AI, the changing expectations of wealth managers, and how firms can stay competitive. Whether you're into bourbon or big data, this episode has something for every modern advisor.

In this episode of Whiskey & WealthTech, host Alex Serman sits down with Mouctar Bah, Co-Founder and President of the Brussels Africa Hub (BAH), to explore how BAH is creating a frictionless flow of capital between Africa, Europe, and the U.S..

Mouctar shares how BAH bridges investors, policymakers, and financial institutions to unlock investment opportunities across the African continent—beyond traditional aid models. They discuss the four pillars of BAH’s mission:

• ✅ Capacity building for African financial professionals
• ✅ Business networking to connect global investors
• ✅ Policy engagement for economic collaboration
• ✅ Research to support data-driven decision-making

Mouctar highlights key investment trends, including infrastructure, digital expansion, and near-shoring opportunities. As the world’s economies are becoming deeply interconnected, BAH’s mission is to facilitate seamless investment flows and unlock economic growth and wealth creation for all.

Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on how technology, wealth management, and capital markets can drive sustainable investment in Africa.

In this milestone episode of Whiskey and WealthTech, host Alex Serman welcomes back Nayan Madhamshettiwar, Managing Director of Professional Services at First Rate. Together, they celebrate two years of the podcast with a toast to Amrut Fusion, the world's best whiskey of 2024. The conversation dives deep into the advancements in AI within wealth management, exploring the transformative potential of Agentic AI. Nayan explains how this next-generation technology moves beyond large language models to deliver goal-oriented, compliant, and efficient solutions, transforming client-advisor interactions and driving innovation across the industry. Don’t miss insights on AI trends and the future of wealth management.

Our latest episode of Whiskey and WealthTech, Alex Serman, Managing Director of Wealth and Institutional at First Rate, sits down with Bart Vanhaeren, CEO and co-founder of InvestSuite. Together, they explore the rapidly evolving WealthTech landscape and how InvestSuite is partnering with First Rate to pioneer solutions that blend advanced technology with a deep understanding of human behavior. Bart shares insights into how InvestSuite’s tools are empowering financial institutions to enhance the client experience and meet the unique demands of modern investors. From robo-advisory to hybrid investment platforms, this episode dives into the technology transforming wealth management and the importance of keeping the human touch at the heart of innovation.

The wait is over! 🎉 We are thrilled to release a Special Edition of our Whiskey & WealthTech Podcast, featuring an exclusive panel discussion from the London Performance and Risk Summit! Moderated by Steve O’Brien, and including expert panelists Alex Serman, Alexander Shalson, and Paul Farrar.

In this insightful episode, the panel delves into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in wealth management. Alex Serman offers a behind-the-scenes look at how First Rate is using AI to revolutionize performance reporting, making it more efficient, accurate, and impactful. Learn how AI is changing the way wealth managers approach data, reporting, and client outcomes.

If you’re interested in the future of wealth management, performance measurement, and how AI is disrupting traditional models, this episode is for you. Gain valuable insights from some of the most forward-thinking minds in the industry as they explore the exciting developments that are shaping the future. 

Tune in now for this engaging discussion packed with actionable takeaways!

In this episode of ‘Whiskey and WealthTech, host Alex Serman, Managing Director of Wealth and Institutional at First Rate, sits down with Jay Morison, a seasoned wealth management professional to share his journey through major firms like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, highlighting his role as an architect of new ventures. The conversation delves into the nuances of managing multiple stakeholders as a COO, the importance of aligning technology with client-advisor relationships, and the impact of global trends on wealth management. Jay also discusses his passion for mentoring young professionals and fostering a culture where individuals can bring their whole selves to work. The episode wraps up with Jay's insights on the future of wealthtech, particularly the role of AI in enhancing operational efficiency for advisors.

In our latest episode of Whiskey and WealthTech, our host, Alex Serman, Managing Director of Wealth & Institutional at First Rate, sits down with Bruce McKenzie, Senior VP of Northern Trust Company. Bruce delves into the critical role of trust in his enduring career and the esteemed reputation of his firm. As an advisor that is constantly and consciously working towards building and maintaining trust with clients, he discusses how critical it is to vet and leverage trusted technology to serve his clients better. Listen to the full podcast to see how Bruce and his team at Northern Trust cultivate an environment of innovation as well as collaboration internally and with their clients. 

Don't miss this insightful discussion on the intersection of trust and technology in the financial world.