Highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator
POPULARITY
Categories
Episode 148: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Dan Johnson, Senior Managing Director and Head of Wealth Management Practice at F2 Strategy. Dan is an industry leader in portfolio management systems implementation, investment performance conversions, centralized portfolio management, and integrations with advisor-driven toolsets. Dan talks with Kyle about scaling the wealth and asset management business without technology overload. From the pitfalls of shiny object syndrome in tech to the discipline required to scale, Dan discusses the real role of technology, not as a collection of tools, but as a strategic amplifier of a firm's value proposition. He also shares the powerful shift in the industry from "next best actions" to "next best experiences," where advisors use technology and data not just to optimize operations but to create meaningful, human-centered client relationships. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:13) - Dan's money moment (03:56) - Are RIAs just reinventing wirehouses? (06:06) - The challenges of becoming the accidental CEO and CTO (10:22) - Scaling through discipline and reducing tech bloat (14:18) - How to evaluate technology effectively (19:40) - How AI is driving change in wealth management today (27:52) - Why data strategy is the foundation of AI (31:38) - Dan's outlook about the future of the financial services industry (32:31) - Dan's Milemarker Minute Key Takeaways Stop trying to be great at everything. The best firms intentionally choose two to three areas where they'll be exceptional and accept being average everywhere else. Focus creates differentiation. The firms that scale well identify their true differentiators and build their tech stack around those. "Interesting" doesn't build your business—"useful" does. It's easy to get caught in the hype of AI and emerging tech. But if it doesn't improve efficiency, increase margin, or drive revenue, it's just noise. There's a difference between being curious about AI and actually deploying it in a way that moves the needle. The next frontier isn't efficiency, it's experience. AI is already proving its worth in the back office. The real opportunity now is using that freed-up capacity to create genuinely memorable client experiences. Think less "next best action" and more "next best experience." Data is no longer optional. It's the foundation. AI is only as powerful as the data behind it. Firms that own, structure, and govern their data effectively will be the ones that actually unlock value from AI. Quotes "Technology is meant to amplify your value proposition to your client." ~ Dan Johnson "You can't be exceptional at everything. Pick two or three areas where you're going to hang your hat, and they're going to be unique components when it comes to technology." ~ Dan Johnson "If you don't invest, take it seriously, and put together proper data structures, you're never going to get the AI." ~ Dan Johnson Links Dan Johnson on LinkedIn F2 Strategy Joshua Brown Doug Fritz Dennis Moseley-Williams Unreasonable Hospitality Connect with our hosts Milemarker.co Kyle on LinkedIn Jud on LinkedIn Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Produce game-changing content with Turncast Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.
Send us Fan MailChair succession is a pivotal moment for boards. It presents an opportunity to reflect on the organisation's future needs and steer it forward strategically. For this reason, organisations must proceed carefully in their Chair searches, eschewing the obvious in favour of what's truly needed. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Louise Angel. Louise is Senior Managing Director at Teneo and a leading board headhunter, specialising in Chair and Non-Executive Director appointments for UK companies. She works closely with boards on succession planning, board composition and effectiveness, and complex and high-profile chair appointments. “Chair succession is one of those moments where you can genuinely change the trajectory of how a board operates.“To Louise, while companies often refer to Chairs as “running” the board, the reality is much more subtle. Chairs set the tone for the quality of the debates, challenges, and discussions. High-quality conversations lead to higher perceptions of board effectiveness, CEOs feeling better supported, and stakeholders being happier and more engaged. For this reason, when succession comes up, it is a key moment to reflect on what the company needs for its next phase of evolution, and what an effective Chair would need to look like to support and lead that evolution.“The Chair shouldn't be choosing their own successor.” Ideally, Chair searches begin 18 to 24 months in advance. Louise notes that the conversation around succession planning is less awkward if it is a consistent agenda item. The Senior Independent Director (SID) is best suited to drive the conversation, and the board should also consider the timing of Chair succession with CEO transitions to avoid too much change at once."I would always encourage boards to challenge themselves on some of their assumptions. Do you really need someone who has chaired before or who has direct sector experience? Or are you potentially ruling out some very strong candidates by default?”Louise notes that Chair succession is an inherently conservative process. This leads selection committees to choose people with traditional profiles and lean on prior experience as an easy proxy for suitability. However, by questioning assumptions and expanding the search pool, firms can go beyond the handful of people everyone is chasing to uncover other strong candidates who may be better suited for the firm's unique needs.“If you spend the time upfront getting as much clarity as possible on the necessary candidate skillset and profile, you increase your chances of a quick and clean process, which you will only have to run once.”For Louise, investing extra time at the beginning to clarify must-haves, nice-to-haves, and wish lists reduces the overall length and complexity of the search. Support for the SID, a decision on internal vs. external candidate tracks, and keeping the process moving also improves the search experience. Louise further advises firms to remember that candidates are assessing them as well, so appearing well-organised and aligned during the search is an advantage. The three top takeaways from our conversation for effective boards are:1. See Chair succession as a real opportunity for strategic development and not just a tick-box process.2. Spend time getting the brief right.3. Run a process that is both rigorous and thoughtful. The mechanics matter, but so do the human dynamics — and it's the combination of the two that leads to the best outcomes.Come Join The Better Boards Community We'd love to get to know you! If you'd like to become part of the Better Boards community, discover our unique approach, and explore ways to work with us or share your ideas on The Better Boards Podcast series, drop us a line at info@better-boards.com.
The podcast opens with updates on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a German state-owned energy company contracting for Canadian West Coast LNG, and the Pope's theological document warning about AI. Next, Peter and Jackie introduce this week's guest, Marc Spieler, Senior Managing Director for the Global Energy Industry at NVIDIA, joining from Houston, Texas, to discuss the latest developments at the intersection of AI and energy. Energy and AI are deeply interlinked. Energy companies are using AI to improve efficiency across oil and gas, renewables, and emerging sources such as next-generation fission and fusion. At the same time, AI's explosive growth is driving significant new electricity demand, requiring a build-out of both generation and grid infrastructure. Predicting future power demand from AI remains uncertain; it depends on the pace of adoption and whether GPUs, along with other delivery components of the digital infrastructure stack, will become more efficient over time. Marc highlights that data centres are becoming more flexible, with the ability to reduce consumption during periods of grid stress. This would allow new data centre capacity to be added without straining the grid, while also lowering costs for all power consumers by improving system utilization during off-peak periods. Content referenced in this podcast: NVIDIA Blog with examples of energy company AI applications: Efficiency at Scale: NVIDIA, Energy Leaders Accelerating Power‑Flexible AI Factories to Fortify the Grid (March 2026) NVIDIA's NeMo Framework was used for asset integrity and reliability at Petrobras (March 2025) NVIDIA's Earth-2 library of open models, libraries, and frameworks that democratize global access to professional-grade weather and climate AI NVIDIA Vera Rubin DSX AI Factory reference design to maximize efficiency (March 2026) NVIDIA and Emerald AI, along with other energy companies, pioneer flexible AI factories (March 2026) Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence (May 25, 2026) Please review our disclaimer at: https://www.arcenergyinstitute.com/disclaimer/ Check us out on social media: X (Twitter): @arcenergyinstLinkedIn: @ARC Energy Research Institute Subscribe to ARC Energy Ideas PodcastApple PodcastsAmazon MusicSpotify
Gordon Hamilton, Senior Managing Director for Kayne Anderson, Portfolio Manager for the Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure fund, says that there will be a big call on U.S. energy infrastructure companies to meet global demand for propane, butane, crude oil and natural gas as the world gets through the current energy crisis created by war in Iran. Coupled with an energy "supercycle" driven by artificial-intelligence needs, it is creating a positive long-term demand picture where infrastructure should be able to have persistent performance even if current events or A.I. expectations add concerns to the market.
Tech salaries trends to watch Irish tech roles now command salaries that compete with – and often exceed – those in other key global economies and tech markets, reinforcing the country's position as a top-tier destination for skilled professionals, according to the latest Hays Tech Talent Explorer. While much of the global conversation around Artificial Intelligence has focused on job displacement, the research highlights how AI is instead reshaping tech roles. Routine and administrative tasks are becoming increasingly automated, allowing professionals to focus on complex, high-impact work. In Ireland, this shift is contributing to continued salary growth as demand rises for professionals who combine technical expertise with critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making skills. Ireland's Growing Global Competitiveness The research benchmarks Ireland against other key international markets, focusing on salaries in each economy across a range of tech roles. Ireland maintains a significant pay advantage in several key roles, such as Data Engineers and Solutions Architects. When compared to markets like the UK and Germany, Ireland performs strongly, with overall tech salaries in those countries trailing by 17% and 19% respectively. While the United States remains the global leader in compensation – with average tech salaries reaching approximately €108,387 compared to €81,338 in Ireland – the data reveals a tightening gap in specialised fields such as Data Scientists. The findings suggest Ireland offers employers access to highly skilled technical talent at a more sustainable cost base. Furthermore, salary benchmarks in Ireland remain closely aligned with major global markets like Australia and Singapore, while contractor day rates rival major hubs including Luxembourg and Hong Kong, reflecting the country's strategic importance as a centre for global tech operations. Despite broader economic uncertainty, Irish tech wages continue to be driven by sustained demand for advanced, future-ready skill sets rather than AI-led disruption. Senior Managing Director for Hays Ireland, Barney Ely, said: "Ireland is no longer just a European branch office for major tech companies, it is now a primary engine of global tech innovation. We are seeing a shift where AI is enabling tech professionals to move away from routine tasks and towards work that is more strategic and globally impactful. "We've recently seen layoffs at major players across the tech industry, but the continued strength of salaries demonstrates the resilience of the Irish market. "For talent, Ireland offers a landscape where technical skills are met with high-value rewards. For employers, the challenge is no longer just finding people – it's partnering with experts who can navigate an increasingly AI-enhanced environment." See more breaking stories here.
Tom Shapiro is the President and Founder of GTIS. In addition, Mr. Shapiro is the Chief Investment Officer responsible for overseeing all investment activity and strategy of the firm. Mr. Shapiro is also Chairman of the General Partner's Investment Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors of Brazil Hospitality Group, one of the largest owners and managers of hotels in Brazil. Mr. Shapiro's experience in the real estate industry began in 1988. Prior to starting GTIS, Mr. Shapiro was a Senior Managing Director at Tishman Speyer and a member of the firm's Investment and Management Committees. Most recently, Mr. Shapiro was responsible for Tishman Speyer's global equity capital markets and dispositions groups. Previously, Mr. Shapiro ran GTS Properties, an acquisitions joint venture between Tishman Speyer and Goldman Sachs. Mr. Shapiro serves on the Undergraduate Executive Board and the Carol and Lawrence Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Review's Private Sector Advisory Board for The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from which Mr. Shapiro received a B.S. and graduated magna cum laude.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today's episode brings commercial real estate credit investing to life with someone who has real estate in his blood. Michael Comparato's grandfather started building single-family homes in upstate New York in 1946. He built his first shopping center in 1958. Michael was born into a family where he was on construction sites from a young age. At 13, he was doing landscaping. At 15, he was hanging drywall. Today, Michael is a Senior Managing Director, Head of Real Estate and Portfolio Manager with Benefit Street Partners, as well as Chief Executive Officer of Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: FBRT). He also serves on the US Executive Committee.Prior to joining BSP in 2015, Michael was Head of U.S. Equity Investments at Ladder Capital. Before that, he was President at Bank Atlantic Commercial Mortgage Capital.Benefit Street Partners is part of Franklin Templeton's family of specialists in private markets. BSP is a specialized private credit firm with over $92B in AUM. The firm manages a wide range of private credit strategies, including direct lending, special situations, commercial real estate debt, infrastructure debt, asset-backed finance, structured credit, and liquid credit. It also manages a non-traded Business Development Company and publicly-listed mortgage REIT.Since BSP was acquired by Franklin Templeton in 2019, it has partnered with the $1.7T investment manager to expand how it structures various products and funds, enabling more access to the private credit asset class for wealth investors.From his perch as the Head of BSP's Real Estate business, Michael has the perspective of how one of the industry's scaled real estate investment firms is approaching commercial real estate credit and where the firm sees opportunity. Michael and I had a fascinating conversation about the evolution of CRE credit and why now might be an interesting time in the CRE credit space. We covered:Why CRE, why now.What bank retrenchment means for CRE credit investors today.The relative resilience of multi-family.The maturity wall myth.Is the “extend and pretend” activity a reality?How AI impacts commercial real estate.Thanks Michael for sharing your passion, wisdom, and expertise on commercial real estate credit.Show Notes00:00 Meet Michael Comparato01:17 Real Estate Roots03:25 Early Lessons and Purpose03:35 Hurricanes And Tenants05:05 Story Over Spreadsheet06:49 Why Origination Wins08:43 Family Business Ethos10:59 Trust And Transparency11:27 Lending Through Covid13:05 Structuring For Uncertainty13:56 Boom Times Underwriting Shifts16:54 Crowded Class A Trade18:19 Are Values Fair Today21:46 Operator Shakeout23:59 Scale and Market Structure26:16 Banks Pull Back Credit27:59 Private Credit Fills Gap29:24 Who Holds Last Dollar Risk29:29 Returns and Competition30:35 Competition Compresses Yields30:58 Maturity Wall Myth33:05 How Investors Bucket Credit36:04 Wealth Channel Opportunity37:49 Why Credit Beats Equity Now41:58 Megatrends and AI Fears44:40 Shelter and Multifamily Focus46:11 Community and Social Real Estate48:16 Real Estate Constant Evolution51:06 CRE Credit vs Direct Lending53:21 Final Wrap and OutroA Word from Our Sponsor, UltimusThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus, the full-service fund administrator and transfer agent powering asset managers in private and public markets. As alts go mainstream, you need real expertise to handle complex fund structures, connect with key distribution partners, and handle sophisticated compliance, reporting, and transparency demands.That's Ultimus: high-tech, high-touch solutions for over 450 clients and 2,500 funds with $775B in assets under administration. Backed by an expert team of over 1,200 employees, they place client service at the core of their business, helping you navigate complexity during your fund structuring or launch and then supporting you through every stage of growth. Whether you're already in the market or thinking about entering private wealth, you can trust their team's deep expertise in retail alternatives to help you reach your goals.Learn more at ultimusfundsolutions.com or email info@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.
In this episode of the Brandon Hall Group™ Excellence at Work podcast, host Rachel Cooke, COO of Brandon Hall Group, sits down with Lisa Cannell, Senior Managing Director of University of Virginia Darden Executive Education and Lifelong Learning, for a conversation that is equal parts strategic wake-up call and practical playbook. Lisa brings 25 years of HR and organizational development experience across corporations and higher education, and what she offers is not a technology perspective on AI but a deeply human one. Her argument is simple and urgent: organizations are getting AI adoption wrong not because they lack tools or talent, but because they are underestimating the people challenge at the center of it. This conversation covers why CHROs are sitting on a rare strategic opportunity, what most organizations are missing in their AI rollouts, and how Darden is helping leadership teams move beyond pilots and into transformation.
What if Wall Street's real secret isn't a trading algorithm, but a giant network of relationships powered by genuine human connection?In this episode of Thrive LouD, Lou Diamond sits down with Glenn Schorr , Evercore's Senior Managing Director and host of "Evercore's Flow of Funds," to unpack the rapid-fire world of financial research analysis and how trust and humanity win in a high-stakes, data-driven industry.Discover how Glenn Schorr pivoted into the financial services arena, why relationships are the bedrock of serious market insight, and how AI and technology are reshaping the work of top analysts without replacing their essential human touch. Plus, hear behind-the-scenes stories from his podcast, strategies for staying ahead in an industry where information moves faster than ever, and the happy accident that makes creating content so rewarding.Whether you're intrigued by the human side of finance or curious about how top analysts navigate today's hyper-connected landscape, this episode delivers both insight and inspiration.Timestamped Overview00:00 Introduction to Glenn Schorr and episode kickoff01:05 Glenn Schorr shares his unique start in financial research02:45 Evolution of his career and choosing financial services03:53 The day-to-day reality and complexity of being a research analyst05:45 How tech, data, and AI are transforming the industry09:42 The irreplaceable power of relationships in financial services12:47 Inside "Flow of Funds"—Glenn Schorr 's approach to content and audio15:08 Asking the right questions and extracting deep industry insights17:34 Surprising moments and memorable guests from his show20:29 The fulfilling (and unexpected) rewards of creating content23:27 Where to connect with Glenn Schorr and find his work24:12 Fun Street—movies, food, music, and card counting confessions29:51 Lou Diamond's wrap-up and final thoughtsApplicable current disclosures regarding the companies discussed in this video are available at the offices of Evercore ISI: 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055, and at the following site: [evercoreisi.mediasterling.com/disclosure](http://evercoreisi.mediasterling.com/disclosure)
Join our Patreon for less than a cup of your favorite coffee and unlock 25+ full-length bonus episodes, ad-free weekly episodes, mp3 downloads of our original songs, exclusive Discord access, and more! Welcome back to Lez Hang Out, the podcast that truly believes lesbians can save the world. This week, Leigh (@lshfoster) is once again holding down the fort without Ellie, but she's far from lonely! We are excited to present an intergenerational panel of talented filmmakers from the Cinema Systers Film Festival (@cinemasystersfilmfestival), the ONLY all-lesbian film festival in the United States, as they join Leigh for an inspirational discussion about finding “systerhood” and the power of sharing our stories in community. Leigh speaks with Laura Petrie, the founder and producer of the CSFF, about planting her acorn by bringing her vision for a lesbian film festival to life in her beloved hometown of Paducah, Kentucky. Next, we hear from Nicole de Meneses (@darkrainbowfilms), a freelance writer, producer and director who was introduced to the CSFF through a documentary on the festival (available on Lesflicks). She has had several films now featured at the festival, including the mermaid romcom, Fishy, and the vampire horror short, Last Bite. Next up is Jennifer Trujillo, the Senior Managing Director of the Gilbert Baker Film Festival (@gilbertbakerfilmfest), who faced serious anxieties over trekking to Kentucky (and subsequently fell in love with Paducah) to represent Last Bite in 2025 as a Supporting Producer. Last but not least, we are joined by Krissy Mahan, a working class film maker (and lesbian of a certain age), who has been documenting our stories since the AIDS crisis of the late 80s and is now well-known for her “dykeumentaries”, a visual record of queer people living as themselves during times when the official record may not reflect that reality. At this year's festival, Krissy and Jenn will be leading a workshop titled "Accessibility is for Every Body”, aiming to liberate films from ableism from the pre-production stages forward. They dream of creating a cultural shift where films are truly accessible to all people regardless of their bodies' unique sensory inputs. Together we can normalize our stories, break free of the patriarchal, homophobic, racist, ableist world we've inherited and celebrate one another while using film as a mechanism for thought experiments on how to create a better world where we can all survive. Stick around to the end to hear an impassioned debate (ie. dyke fight) over the lesbian Christmas classic, Carol. We hope you'll journey to Paducah, Kentucky for the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Cinema Systers Film Festival taking place from May 21st to the 24th, 2026. In addition to a full roster of films, the festival provides tons of events to take part in throughout the long weekend including panels, musical performances, and workshops. Find out more about the festival, see the line-up, buy tickets, and book your stay at cinemasysters.com. Looking to experience even more of our stories in community? Check out the Gilbert Baker Film Festival, an accessible, virtual worldwide film festival returning in late June 2026 and running through August. Don't forget to show your support for our tiny podcasting team by shopping small at bit.ly/lezmerch & picking up Lez-ssentials songs on Bandcamp. Give us your own answers to our Q & Gay on Instagram and follow along on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and BlueSky @lezhangoutpod. Email us @lezhangoutpod@gmail.com. Connect with us individually: Ellie Brigida (@elliebrigida). Leigh Holmes Foster (@lshfoster). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Most entrepreneurs try to build everything alone. Very few understand how much that decision limits their growth. In this episode of the New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul & Vanessa sit down with Mark Seruya, Senior Managing Director at KSR, investor, and capital raiser, to break down how partnerships actually work in business. This conversation goes beyond the idea of "finding a partner." It's about leverage, trust, decision-making, and why the biggest opportunities rarely happen alone. Mark has built and operated across capital markets, real estate, and multiple industries for decades. He has been part of over 20 partnerships and has seen firsthand how the right partner can accelerate growth… and how the wrong one can destroy value. This episode challenges the way most entrepreneurs think about control, ownership, and scaling. This is not theory. This is how real partnerships are built. If you're building a business, considering a partnership, or currently working with partners, this episode will change how you evaluate people, structure deals, and think about growth.
This week, I sat down with Justin Hildebrandt, Senior Managing Director and Head of Europe at Affinius Capital, to explore a career that began on construction sites in Napa Valley and has taken him to the forefront of one of the most quietly formidable real estate platforms operating in Europe today. Justin's path into real estate was shaped early. A father in construction, summers spent on job sites, and a year in Germany as a 16-year-old exchange student that he credits with permanently expanding his ambitions and ultimately pulling him back to Europe decades later. That move to London on the day of the Brexit vote, intended as a short term expat stint, is now approaching a decade. We discuss the journey from USAA Real Estate, where Justin joined a 3 billion dollar business in 2011 and helped grow it to the 62 billion dollar platform it is today, and what that kind of growth actually requires in terms of creativity, discipline and the willingness to pivot into new strategies before the market catches up. Justin is candid about how the business got there and why AUM for its own sake was never the point. The conversation unpacks each of Affinius Capital's European strategies in detail. The Mount Park logistics platform that started with a handful of transactions and became a wholly owned pan-European business. The data centre strategy in West London that took three years to get through planning and is now a 140 megawatt site. The living strategy built in partnership with Package Living. And a credit platform that has grown to around 20 billion dollars of AUM globally and is increasingly active in Europe at exactly the right point in the cycle. Justin also shares a perspective on the European market that is genuinely unusual. Having sat on the global investment committee and seen both sides of the Atlantic in real time, he makes a striking observation about where Europe now sits relative to the US in the current recovery. And of course, I asked Justin the big question: Who are the People, what Property, and which Place would you invest in if you had £500 million to deploy? Drop your thoughts in the comments. We would love to hear your take. Key Topics ✅ From Napa Valley to a Decade in London. The Career That Followed Opportunity Wherever It Led ✅ Growing a Business From $3Bn to $62Bn. What It Actually Takes ✅ Mount Park, Data Centres, Living and Credit. Inside the Affinius Capital European Platform ✅ Why Europe May Be Leading the US for the First Time in Several Cycles ✅ AI, Heat Mapping and the Future of Smarter Real Estate Decision Making The People Property Place Podcast is powered by Rockbourne, recruiting leadership talent for real estate funds, owners, investors, and developers.
Most banks want the casino loan. Few understand the full scope of what tribal banking actually looks like, and what it takes to do it right.In this episode of Travillian Next, host Amber Buker, Chief Research Officer at Travillian, sits down with Mike Lettig, Senior Managing Director and Group Head of Native American Financial Services at Huntington Bank, and Jackson Brossy, Vice President of Native American Financial Services at Huntington Bank, for an in-depth conversation on Native American banking, tribal sovereignty, and the growing opportunity in Indian Country that most financial institutions are overlooking.Mike and Jackson cover how Huntington built a fully integrated Native American Financial Services practice, why Indian Country is one of the safest places in the private sector to do business, and how tribal sovereignty works in practice when structuring deals, including a landmark unsecured credit facility completed entirely under Navajo law. Jackson also breaks down the $26 billion federal contracting sector, why tribes and Alaska Native corporations are uniquely positioned to access it, and why every financial institution should be paying attention.Whether you are a banker exploring tribal markets for the first time or a financial professional looking to deepen your understanding of Indigenous economic development, this conversation is a must-listen.
Jim Murphy, Senior Managing Director at LLR Partners, shares his path from CFO and COO roles into leading value creation across a lower middle market private equity portfolio. Drawing on decades of operating experience, he explains how firms identify scalable businesses, assess management teams, and execute disciplined growth plans. Jim also outlines LLR's functional approach to value creation, including operational excellence, ideal customer targeting, and retention strategies that drive outcomes. This is a practical look at what separates good companies from great ones in private equity—hit play. Episode Highlights 2:15 - Starting in public accounting and the path into a CFO career 11:10 - Becoming a public company CFO at 29 and learning in real time 18:45 - What private equity looks for: market size, product fit, and team 21:30 - Why management quality is the single biggest driver of outcomes 27:40 - Building a functional value creation team with real operators 33:10 - Operational excellence: uncovering hidden cost and margin opportunities 37:45 - Ideal customer profiles and retention as drivers of durable growth For more on LLR Partners, visit: https://www.llrpartners.com/ For more information on Jim Murphy, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-murphy-59097b5/
Food industry labor strategies, leadership, supply chain resilience, talent retention, and operational excellence take center stage in this episode of Food for Thought Leadership. Chris Campbell sits down with Sharon Aho, Senior Managing Director at Korn Ferry, to discuss how food and beverage companies can navigate labor challenges, transformation initiatives, supply chain disruption, M&A activity, and the growing pressure to balance cost efficiency with talent excellence.
On this Walker Webcast, Willy sat down with Walker & Dunlop experts Kris Mikkelsen, Justin Nelson, and Ivy Zelman to break down the forces shaping housing and commercial real estate in 2026. They shared their perspectives on key market indicators - including consumer confidence, inflation, cap rates, and Treasury yields - while also exploring broader trends shaping the landscape, from shifting mobility patterns and population growth to the impact of AI. The conversation also touched on where they see the greatest opportunities ahead, highlighting areas of demand and growth despite ongoing macroeconomic volatility. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For more than 40 years, Michael Rothman has made a career out of data-driven analysis of the global oil market. He has attended every meeting of OPEC since 1986. His clients are a roster of major industry players and governments. State of Tel Aviv and Beyond spoke with Rothman almost one week ago….just as the tensions over the Iranian chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz flared into a full-blown global crisis. Overnight, it seemed, everyone knew about the Strait of Hormuz and Kharg Island - the Iranian island about 400 miles (660 km) north of the shipping choke point controlled by Iran in the Persian Gulf. Virtually all critical infrastructure supporting the Iranian oil and gas industries are based on Kharg Island, making it a potential target for a U.S. military operation. Occupying Kharg - would be a highly complex adventure (which was discussed in our recent podcast with military analyst, Andrew Fox). Rothman, however, dismisses any talk of occupying Kharg as “fantasy.”Michael Rothman takes us through a series of slides and explains the fundamentals of the global oil market and why it is almost impossible to predict how high energy prices may go, when and for how long.This podcast is different from our usual work and will be of interest to those of you who have a business background, and a thing for numbers, graphs, economics, and uncertainty.Please note that all slides presented in this podcast are the proprietary work of Cornerstone Analytics and are reproduced in this podcast with permission from Cornerstone. These slides may not be reproduced and/or distributed without the permission of Cornerstone Analytics.Mike Rothman has researched the global energy markets for more than 40 years. He founded Cornerstone Analytics in 2009, serves as a consultant to government agencies, and has attended Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meetings since 1986.In 1984, Mike joined Merrill Lynch and became Chief Energy Strategist and Co-Head of the Global Energy Equity Team, which was ranked #1 in the Global Research Survey by Institutional Investor Magazine. Mike was responsible for formulating the company's outlooks for the petroleum and natural gas markets, which were integrated into the firm's commodity, equity, debt, strategy, economic and emerging markets research.In 2005, Mike joined ISI and built the firm's energy research platform. He was a Senior Managing Director, Head of Integrated Oil Research, and ranked #1 for Independent Energy Research by Institutional Investor Magazine.Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Business Economics, and a Master of Science in Applied Economics/Econometrics, both from Rutgers University.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe
In this episode, we sit down with Sue Saikia, Senior Managing Director at North Highland, to explore what it means to lead through transformation. Drawing on decades of experience in management consulting and organizational change, Sue shares how she's helped global businesses navigate complexity, empower teams, and build cultures that thrive on collaboration.From reimagining leadership in hybrid environments to addressing the human side of change, this conversation unpacks what it takes to stay relevant, resilient, and purpose-driven in today's rapidly shifting landscape. Expect thoughtful insights, candid reflections, and actionable lessons for anyone passionate about people, progress, and purposeful growth.This episode is sponsored by Treatwell, who treated Stef to a gorgeous blow-dry so she could step into the studio feeling like her best self. You can book your own treatment today and get that same “fresh chapter” energy before your next big moment.This season of In Her Shoes is brought to you in partnership with RISER. When we spoke to women about how they'd moved through the highs and lows of their careers, one thing came up again and again: network – visibility, connection and real relationships. RISER is the space built to help you do exactly that, at scale. Upload your 60-second video CV and let its responsible AI use context (not clichés) to understand who you are and connect you directly with hiring managers, so you can unlock the opportunities and financial gains you actually deserve.
Three highly experienced communications professionals join Richard to dissect some recent high profile PR gaffes.Guests:Henry Chappell, Founder and CEO of Pitch Marketing GroupNeil Daugherty, Senior Managing Director at TeneoJon Tibbs OBE, Founder and Chair of JTA Group.Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartnerWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 500 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series and live events, you can reach us via the website.
Retail earnings season just wrapped, and the headlines are telling one story while the data tells another. Consumer sentiment is dismal. Tariffs are squeezing margins. Geopolitical uncertainty looms. Yet average retail revenues grew 7-9% in Q4, and consumers keep spending. How do you reconcile these contradictions? Simeon Siegel, Senior Managing Director at Guggenheim Securities and one of Wall Street's most data-driven retail analysts, cuts through the noise with a simple philosophy: "The first thing I look at is revenues. Because it's very easy to conflate growth rates with revenue sizes."In this episode of The Retail Pilot, Ken sits down with Siegel to dissect what's really happening in retail beyond the sentiment surveys and macro doom-scrolling. From Nike's "dying" $47 billion business to Gap's viral comeback, from the D2C myth to why NPS scores should be banned from boardrooms, Siegel brings his signature contrarian analysis backed by hard numbers. This isn't about feelings—it's about what consumers are actually doing with their wallets, which stocks are positioned to win, and why the retail industry's most cherished beliefs might be leading CEOs astray.In this episode you'll learn:Why consumer spending remains strong despite abysmal consumer sentiment—and what that divergence really meansThe revenue vs. narrative disconnect: How Nike can be "dying" with $47-49 billion in salesWhich retail subsectors are winning and losing in the K-shaped economy (hint: it's a market share story, not a demographic one)Simeon's top stock picks for 2026: Why he's bullish on Nike, TJX, Ross, Birkenstock, Planet Fitness, and CapriThe real impact of tariffs on Q4 earnings: What retailers passed through vs. what they absorbedWhy Gap Inc.'s comeback under Richard Dickson is working—and whether it's sustainable beyond the hypeThe one KPI Simeon wants banned from retail boardrooms: Net Promoter Score (NPS) and why it misleads executivesWhy "D2C is not all it's cracked up to be": The data-driven case for wholesale distributionHow the Iran conflict could impact consumer spending, gas prices, and petroleum-based athleisure costsThe department store survival blueprint: What Macy's, Nordstrom, and off-price retailers are getting rightWhy TJ Maxx's lack of e-commerce is actually an asset for moving premium brand inventory "invisibly"Don't forget to subscribe to The Retail Pilot podcast for more conversations with retail industry leaders and visionaries shaping the future of commerce.If you missed our last episode, where Terry Lundgren (former Macy's CEO) and Jan Rogers Kniffen dissect the Saks Global bankruptcy, predict the future of department stores, and reveal why some retailers will survive while others won't, be sure to tune in.Connect with Ken:-Follow Ken Pilot Ventures on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In recognition of International Women's Month, I'm releasing a montage of advice from some of the most accomplished women in our industry. These remarkable leaders have navigated one of the most demanding and historically male-dominated corners of business and have done it with conviction, resilience, and extraordinary leadership. If you're a young professional, a student considering this industry, or a leader developing the next generation of talent, this episode is worth your time. Sunaina Sinha - Global Head, Private Capital Advisory, and Senior Managing Director, Raymond James https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000667167867 Shannon Zoller - Founder, Tephra Advisors https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000552841977 Neha Markle - Managing Director, Morgan Stanley https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000633494095 Caroline Stevens - Investor, MPK Equity Partners https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000597747344 Chrisanne Corbett - Managing Director, KPMG https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000432826264 Deborah Smith - Co-Founder and CEO, The CenterCap Group https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000557619821 Devon Kirk - General Partner, Portage Capital Solutions https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000658066071 Franny Jones - Partner, Investor Relations, The Sterling Group https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000452341799 Gina Luna - Partner, GP Capital https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000555838972 Gretchen Perkins - Partner(Origination), Avance Investment Management https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000453890941 Kristin Johnson - Managing Director, Altamont Capital Partners https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000726285319 Lauren Moohalland - Waypoint Ridge Capital https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000468986627 Lucy Heintz - Partner, Head of Energy Infrastructure, Actis https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000701104377 Michelle Noon - Founder and Managing Partner, Clearhaven Partners https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000733152917 Neda Vakilian - Partner, Actis https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-equity-fast-pitch/id1359329939?i=1000713638680
CRE Exchange: Commercial Real Estate, Property Valuations, Real Estate Analytics and Property Tax
Note: This episode was recorded prior to recent developments in the Middle East and the associated impact on global energy markets. Some macroeconomic context discussed in this episode reflects conditions at the time of recording. Lenders are re-engaging, origination activity is picking up, and the market is beginning to find its footing around the wall of maturities, but rising operating expenses are outpacing rent growth in select segments, and a new set of macro uncertainties is changing the capital markets math for CRE. In this episode, we're joined by Brian Bailey, Senior Managing Director and Head of Research at Trimont, to examine CRE debt market conditions, sector-level operating trends, and the risks the industry may be underestimating heading into 2026. Brian draws on 14 years as the Federal Reserve System's CRE subject matter expert and Trimont's $700B loan servicing portfolio to share what the data is revealing about credit conditions, expense pressures, and lender behavior across the market. Key moments01:29 - Brian's career journey07:00 - From Fed to Trimont09:09 - Office lending sentiment11:55 - Trimont data advantage14:11 - Stagflation and expenses18:20 - Capital markets inflection22:03 - Wall of maturities25:54 - Non-bank lending risks29:52 - 2026 themes by sector32:37 - Underappreciated 2026 risks34:36 - An industry wish for transparency Resources mentionedBrian Bailey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bailey-1a73888/Trimont - https://trimont.com/
If you're wondering whether your role is becoming obsolete, maybe it's time to build the next one. Every job Paulita David has ever had didn't exist before she stepped into it. She's the U.S. Large Customer Sales Lead at Reddit and spent a decade at Google, where she became the highest-ranking Latina at the company. She built teams that consistently outperformed. Google even studied her leadership to understand why. The answer? An unconscious bias toward diversity. In this episode of The Breadwinners, host Rachael Lowell talks with Paulita about and why diverse teams outperform, why the best careers are often the ones you invent yourself, and of course, how not to punch yourself in the face. Social Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulita-d-8554a31 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paulitadavidofficial Bio Paulita David is Reddit's Senior Managing Director, Head of US Large Customer Sales. She leads a team that oversees the US business for Reddit's advertising. Previously, Paulita worked at Google for a decade, holding several roles including Head of Strategy & Operations for the Americas Sales Team, and Google's internal creative agency known as Creative lab. Most recently she served as Head of US Multicultural, where she led efforts to inspire and educate multicultural consumers and connect them more closely with the brands they love. With her deep understanding of multicultural consumers, Paulita founded PD Strategies to be an advisor to business leaders wanting to dedicate more resources to their multicultural efforts. Paulita has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Northwestern University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, continuing her advocacy work, and browsing her favorite Reddit community r/MadeMeSmile. Croutons The Cultural Impact of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show [PBS] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-cultural-impact-of-bad-bunnys-super-bowl-halftime-show Bad Bunny's Halftime Show Wasn't a Gamble. It Was an NFL Growth Strategy. https://www.adweek.com/media/bad-bunnys-halftime-show-wasnt-a-gamble-it-was-an-nfl-growth-strategy/ [AdWeek] Reframe the Value Proposition of Diversity {HBR] https://hbr.org/2024/11/reframe-the-value-proposition-of-diversity *** The Breadwinners Season 7 is a joint production between Reworking Leadership and The Smart Friends Network, generously supported by Ruth Ann Harnisch.The Breadwinners was founded by Rachael Lowell and Jennifer Owens in 2019. Host: Rachael LowellExecutive Producers: Rachael Lowell, Rachel SklarAudio Engineer: Ron PassaroOriginal Music: "Perfect" by Hannah BakkeRick Snell: GuitarCesar Moreno: BanjoNyssa Grant: FiddleErik Alvar: BassJustin D. Cook: Keyboard, Percussion, and OrchestrationVocals: Hannah Bakke, Cassidy StonerHannah Bakke: Music and LyricsTo stay up to date with The Breadwinners, please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebreadwinnerspodcast If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review & share! Thank you for listening. Still we rise! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this special mini episode of Elevated Access, host Chad Hughes welcomes Blandon Granger, Chair of the International Electric and Utility Committee, along with Gina Cannova and Taylor Doyle, to spotlight the upcoming IEUC Symposium taking place April 9, 2026, in New Orleans. The conversation centers on the mission of the International Electric and Utility Committee within the International Right of Way Association and its role in advancing technical knowledge, education, and networking opportunities for professionals in electric, telecommunications, water, sewer, and natural gas sectors. The group discusses the expanding demand for electric transmission projects, data center development, and grid modernization, all of which are driving new right of way challenges and opportunities. Gina outlines the educational lineup, featuring speakers from Encore, Xcel Energy, Duke Energy, SMUD, and leading industry attorneys. Topics include legal risk where construction meets right of way, federal utility relocation guidelines, infrastructure project conflicts, asset management, and real-world case studies covering eminent domain, mineral rights, conservation, and large-scale transmission development. Blandon and Taylor highlight the networking, dining, and entertainment opportunities in the host city of New Orleans. From the historic hotel located in the heart of the French Quarter to delicious local cuisine, the visit will be one to remember. Beyond the educational and cultural content, attendees will meet peers across the electric and utility sectors. With registration nearing capacity and sponsorship opportunities limited, the committee emphasizes early registration. Scholarships are also available for utility professionals seeking support to attend. For those involved in electric transmission, land acquisition, regulatory compliance, infrastructure planning, and right of way project delivery, this IEUC Symposium offers both timely education and meaningful industry connection. “Anybody that wants to stay ahead of trends, learn best practices, and connect with peers that are shaping the future of electric utilities in the right of way space should be there.” – Blandon Granger For more information on the IRWA SPARK event in New Orleans on April 9, 2026, visit LinkedIn ___ About Taylor Doyle: With a multifaceted career and roles spanning from Project Manager to General Counsel to Business Development Lead, Taylor's insights into the Energy Industry are both deep and broad. Taylor is passionate about his current position managing Doyle's Business Development Department. He loves to meet and connect with fellow industry professionals and find ways to work together in improving America's energy infrastructure. As a licensed attorney in both Louisiana and Illinois, Taylor's core legal proficiencies include crafting client agreements, ensuring regulatory compliance, and steering corporate governance frameworks. Further, Taylor holds a Bachelor's Degree in Leadership Studies and is enthusiastic about his team members' development and helping Doyle employees be better leaders. In 2017, he moved from New Orleans to Chicago, so feel free to ask him about the city, except for how cold it gets. (His Southern spirit is still in denial that winter is coming every year). When Taylor is not working, he enjoys cooking, volunteering in his community, and exploring Chicago with his wife, daughter, and dog. Taylor Doyle on LinkedIn Website: DoyleLandServices.com About Gina Cannova, MAI, SR/WA, R/W-AC: Ms. Cannova is the Senior Managing Director for the O'Brien Right of Way Valuation Public sector, overseeing Transportation and Water projects, as well as Electric. She has managed and appraised numerous right-of-way projects on both transportation and utility projects over the past decade, including a 300-mile HVTL project on the West Coast. She has extensive knowledge of performing complex assignments for eminent domain in all types of real estate and has testified in over 150 Special Commissioners' hearings in various counties within the state of Texas. Prior to re-joining O'Brien Right of Way, Ms. Cannova was the Senior Director within the Infrastructure Practice Group for Valuation & Advisory at Cushman and Wakefield, and prior to that she was the Managing Director for Transportation at O'Brien Right of Way Valuation. She also serves on the Planning & Zoning Commission for the City of Southlake, the Board for Chapter 36 International Right of Way Association (IRWA), the Board for the IRWA International Electric & Utility Committee, and is an approved IRWA PEAK Instructor. Gina Cannova on LinkedIn Website: obrien-row.com About Blandon Granger, SR/WA: Blandon Granger is Supervisor of Real Estate Services at Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), the sixth-largest publicly owned electric utility in the United States. With over 25 years of experience in public infrastructure real estate, Blandon specializes in electric utilities and telecommunications, managing critical land rights that support renewable energy, thermal and hydro generation, electric and gas transmission, distribution, and utility operations. He currently serves as Chair of the International Right of Way Association's International Electric and Utilities Committee (IEUC) and has a long-standing commitment to advancing technical knowledge, education, and best practices within the utility right of way industry. Blandon also served on the City of Roseville Public Utilities Commission, providing strategic guidance on utility policy and regulatory compliance. Blandon Granger on LinkedIn Website: smud.org --- Chad Hughes | CEO, Entrepreneurial Leader, Author: website |linkedin Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The AI infrastructure boom is rapidly reshaping how the data center industry thinks about power. What was once a relatively straightforward utility procurement exercise is evolving into a complex strategy spanning onsite generation, fuel logistics, financing, and system architecture. That reality framed a recent special edition of The Data Center Frontier Show Podcast, which recast and updated a pivotal DCF Trends Summit 2025 session: From Grid to Onsite Powering: Optimizing Energy Behind the Meter for Data Centers. Moderated by Fengrong Li, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, the panel explored how operators are responding as interconnection timelines stretch and AI workloads surge. Li's framing emphasized a core shift: onsite power is moving from contingency planning to critical-path infrastructure. From the OEM perspective, David Blank of Siemens Energy noted that behind-the-meter deployments have accelerated sharply over the past year as developers confront multi-year waits for firm utility capacity. “Everyone would prefer grid power,” Blank said. “But in many cases, reliable access isn't available for five, ten, even ten-plus years.” Panelists agreed that AI's scale and speed are driving a structural rethink. Brian Gitt of Oklo described the moment as a return to industrial roots, with large loads once again building dedicated generation to meet growth timelines. At the same time, new technical pressures are emerging. AI clusters can produce sharp load swings, forcing developers to deploy fast-response buffering technologies such as batteries, flywheels, and supercapacitors to maintain stability. Despite differing technology paths—including gas turbines, hydrogen fuel cells, and advanced nuclear—the panel aligned on one common theme: modularity. Phased power blocks increasingly mirror how AI campuses are actually built and financed. The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of contract structures. Long-term offtake commitments, capacity reservations, and credit support are increasingly required to unlock equipment queues and fuel supply. Other panelists included Marty Trivette of AlphaStruxure and Yuval Bachar of ECL. The event was hosted by Data Center Frontier's Matt Vincent. The takeaway was clear: in the AI era, energy strategy has moved to the critical path—and for many operators, that path now runs behind the meter.
Investors react to latest Fed minutes. Omar Aguilar, CEO of Schwab Asset Management, and David Bahnsen, CIO of The Bahnsen Group, break down what the policy signals mean for equities, positioning and the path forward. DoorDash, Carvana, and Booking Holdings report numbers. Mark Mahaney, Senior Managing Director at Evercore ISI, analyzes those results plus the latest on Meta. Tyler Radke, Co-Head of U.S. Software Equity Research at Citi, on if software has finally found a bottom. MLS Commissioner Don Garber on expectations for growth ahead of the new season—and what the World Cup impact could be. Plus, a look ahead to Walmart's earnings as Corey Tarlowe of Jefferies outlines expectations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Wayne Anthony Miller, II, is the Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Hale & Associates, an independent nationwide financial services firm. Hale & Associates has over 40 years of industry leadership. Wayne specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees protect their life savings, maximize income, and build durable multigenerational legacy plans. Wayne's mission is to safeguard assets families have worked a lifetime to build and empower every client to retire with clarity, confidence, and long-term peace of mind.Darren Grunberg is a fiduciary advisor who helps retirees protect their savings and create dependable income for life. After years as a professional trader, he saw how quickly markets could rise or fall — and how fast a lifetime of savings could be affected. That experience led him to focus on helping people avoid unnecessary risk and build retirement plans that feel safe, steady, and easy to understand.Darren works with retirees across the country to protect their savings from market volatility, create guaranteed income, and reduce the uncertainty so many people face in retirement. He believes every retiree deserves clarity and confidence, not guesswork. His goal is simple: to help people enjoy a retirement they can trust.Learn More: https://haleandassociates.net/Wayne Anthony Miller, II – 0G30788 Vice President of Sales Hale & Associates, LLC CA DBA Hale and Associates Financial and Insurance Services, LLC – LIC #6013528 CA DBA Wayne Miller Insurance and Financial Services – LIC #6014459 PH. 317-677-7178 PH. 949-943-5266 FAX. 317-614-7508wayne@haleandassociates.net Investment advisory services are offered through RLB Financial a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents.Darren Grunberg-CA LIC#4333498 Managing Director Hale & Associates, Inc. PH: (516)313-6413 PH: (317)677-7178 darren@haleandassociates.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-wayne-miller-and-darren-grunberg-with-hale-associates-discussing-income-retirement-planning
Wayne Anthony Miller, II, is the Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Hale & Associates, an independent nationwide financial services firm. Hale & Associates has over 40 years of industry leadership. Wayne specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees protect their life savings, maximize income, and build durable multigenerational legacy plans. Wayne's mission is to safeguard assets families have worked a lifetime to build and empower every client to retire with clarity, confidence, and long-term peace of mind.Learn More: https://haleandassociates.net/Investment advisory services are offered through RLB Financial a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents. California insurance number OK13849. Wayne Anthony Miller, II CA LIC# 0G30788 Vice President of Sales Hale & Associates, LLC CA DBA Hale and Associates Financial and Insurance Services, LLC – LIC #6013528 CA DBA Wayne Miller Insurance and Financial Services – LIC #6014459Influential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-wayne-miller-and-darren-grunberg-with-hale-associates-discussing-fixed-index-annuities-for-union-retirees
Wayne Anthony Miller, II, is the Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Hale & Associates, an independent nationwide financial services firm. Hale & Associates has over 40 years of industry leadership. Wayne specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees protect their life savings, maximize income, and build durable multigenerational legacy plans. Wayne's mission is to safeguard assets families have worked a lifetime to build and empower every client to retire with clarity, confidence, and long-term peace of mind.Darren Grunberg is a fiduciary advisor who helps retirees protect their savings and create dependable income for life. After years as a professional trader, he saw how quickly markets could rise or fall — and how fast a lifetime of savings could be affected. That experience led him to focus on helping people avoid unnecessary risk and build retirement plans that feel safe, steady, and easy to understand.Darren works with retirees across the country to protect their savings from market volatility, create guaranteed income, and reduce the uncertainty so many people face in retirement. He believes every retiree deserves clarity and confidence, not guesswork. His goal is simple: to help people enjoy a retirement they can trust.Learn More: https://haleandassociates.net/Wayne Anthony Miller, II – 0G30788 Vice President of Sales Hale & Associates, LLC CA DBA Hale and Associates Financial and Insurance Services, LLC – LIC #6013528 CA DBA Wayne Miller Insurance and Financial Services – LIC #6014459 PH. 317-677-7178 PH. 949-943-5266 FAX. 317-614-7508wayne@haleandassociates.net Investment advisory services are offered through RLB Financial a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents.Darren Grunberg-CA LIC#4333498 Managing Director Hale & Associates, Inc. PH: (516)313-6413 PH: (317)677-7178 darren@haleandassociates.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-wayne-miller-and-darren-grunberg-with-hale-associates-discussing-income-retirement-planning
Wayne Anthony Miller, II, is the Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Hale & Associates, an independent nationwide financial services firm. Hale & Associates has over 40 years of industry leadership. Wayne specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees protect their life savings, maximize income, and build durable multigenerational legacy plans. Wayne's mission is to safeguard assets families have worked a lifetime to build and empower every client to retire with clarity, confidence, and long-term peace of mind.Learn More: https://haleandassociates.net/Investment advisory services are offered through RLB Financial a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents. California insurance number OK13849. Wayne Anthony Miller, II CA LIC# 0G30788 Vice President of Sales Hale & Associates, LLC CA DBA Hale and Associates Financial and Insurance Services, LLC – LIC #6013528 CA DBA Wayne Miller Insurance and Financial Services – LIC #6014459Influential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-wayne-miller-and-darren-grunberg-with-hale-associates-discussing-fixed-index-annuities-for-union-retirees
Wayne Anthony Miller, II, is the Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Hale & Associates, an independent nationwide financial services firm.Hale & Associates has over 40 years of industry leadership. Wayne specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees protect their life savings, maximize income, and build durable multigenerational legacy plans. Wayne's mission is to safeguard assets families have worked a lifetime to build and empower every client to retire with clarity, confidence, and long-term peace of mind.Darren Grunberg is a fiduciary advisor who helps retirees protect their savings and create dependable income for life. After years as a professional trader, he saw how quickly markets could rise or fall — and how fast a lifetime of savings could be affected. That experience led him to focus on helping people avoid unnecessary risk and build retirement plans that feel safe, steady, and easy to understand.Darren works with retirees across the country to protect their savings from market volatility, create guaranteed income, and reduce the uncertainty so many people face in retirement. He believes every retiree deserves clarity and confidence, not guesswork. His goal is simple: to help people enjoy a retirement they can trust.Learn More: www.haleandassociates.netWayne Anthony Miller, II – 0G30788 Vice President of Sales Hale & Associates, LLC CA DBA Hale and Associates Financial and Insurance Services, LLC – LIC #6013528 CA DBA Wayne Miller Insurance and Financial Services – LIC #6014459 PH. 317-677-7178 PH. 949-943-5266 FAX. 317-614-7508wayne@haleandassociates.net Investment advisory services are offered through RLB Financial a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents.Darren Grunberg-CA LIC#4333498 Managing Director Hale & Associates, Inc. PH: (516)313-6413 PH: (317)677-7178 darren@haleandassociates.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-wayne-miller-and-darren-grunberg-with-hale-associates-discussing-retirement-risks
Wayne Anthony Miller, II, is the Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Hale & Associates, an independent nationwide financial services firm.Hale & Associates has over 40 years of industry leadership. Wayne specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees protect their life savings, maximize income, and build durable multigenerational legacy plans. Wayne's mission is to safeguard assets families have worked a lifetime to build and empower every client to retire with clarity, confidence, and long-term peace of mind.Darren Grunberg is a fiduciary advisor who helps retirees protect their savings and create dependable income for life. After years as a professional trader, he saw how quickly markets could rise or fall — and how fast a lifetime of savings could be affected. That experience led him to focus on helping people avoid unnecessary risk and build retirement plans that feel safe, steady, and easy to understand.Darren works with retirees across the country to protect their savings from market volatility, create guaranteed income, and reduce the uncertainty so many people face in retirement. He believes every retiree deserves clarity and confidence, not guesswork. His goal is simple: to help people enjoy a retirement they can trust.Learn More: www.haleandassociates.netWayne Anthony Miller, II – 0G30788 Vice President of Sales Hale & Associates, LLC CA DBA Hale and Associates Financial and Insurance Services, LLC – LIC #6013528 CA DBA Wayne Miller Insurance and Financial Services – LIC #6014459 PH. 317-677-7178 PH. 949-943-5266 FAX. 317-614-7508wayne@haleandassociates.net Investment advisory services are offered through RLB Financial a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents.Darren Grunberg-CA LIC#4333498 Managing Director Hale & Associates, Inc. PH: (516)313-6413 PH: (317)677-7178 darren@haleandassociates.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-wayne-miller-and-darren-grunberg-with-hale-associates-discussing-fixed-index-annuities
Today we had the exciting opportunity to host Bill Anderson, Senior Managing Director at Evercore and Global Head of the firm's Activism/Raid Defense team and Strategic M&A Advisory practice. Bill is a pioneer in activism defense and has advised more than 500 companies facing activists or strategic raids, including many of the largest proxy fights and defense situations of the past two decades. Prior to joining Evercore in 2016, Bill spent more than 15 years at Goldman Sachs as an M&A partner and leader of its defense team. Earlier in his career, he was an M&A attorney at Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett, clerked on the Second Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, worked as a CPA at Coopers & Lybrand, and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. It was our pleasure to hear Bill's perspectives on the latest M&A activity, activism and hostile preparedness, board composition and alignment, and the evolving dynamics between companies, shareholders, and capital markets. In our conversation, we explore Bill's career path from classic M&A work into defense and special committees as markets changed, and how activism became a major driver of M&A. Bill shares his top takeaways from 2025 activity, noting the wide range of deal types and attributing the acceleration in deal flow to greater antitrust optimism, liquid financing, and strong buyer stock performance. We discuss why activism has become a core risk-management issue for public companies, how activists can build positions via derivatives and broker-dealer exposure with limited disclosure (and why 13F filings can be an important early-warning signal), and how shareholder bases have evolved with index funds now a dominant ownership block alongside the continued influence of ISS and Glass Lewis. We cover the difficulty of mobilizing retail votes and related regulatory/state-law considerations, the deal approval environment under Trump versus Biden (including CFIUS as a wildcard), why companies are more careful describing synergies, the impact of universal proxy, and the importance of diversity, tenure, and sector expertise in board refreshment. We touch on the drivers of positive acquirer stock reactions, how companies communicate value at deal announcement, activist dynamics in M&A and when activism becomes contentious, the importance of board alignment and cohesion, increased spin-off activity, and much more. We ended by asking Bill for his thoughts on how companies can attract long-only capital. Throughout the discussion, we reference several elements of Evercore's “2025 Year in Review Report.” It was a fascinating discussion and we appreciate Bill for sharing his time and insights. Mike Bradley kicked us off by noting that the 10-year U.S. bond yield plunged this week following an unexpectedly soft December Retail Sales report. Bond volatility could remain elevated with January CPI set for release on Friday. On the crude oil market front, WTI price appears to have temporarily settled into a $60-$65/bbl trading range, given there have been no major new geopolitical surprises over the past week. In natural gas, prompt natural gas price has completely roundtripped since the Arctic blast started and is now trading back at ~$3.15/MMBtu. U.S. gas storage is back near normal levels (around the 5-year average) and winter weather from here through the end of withdrawal season will determine how constructive the setup is for summer gas price. On the broader equity market front, the DJIA has been one of the real winners this past week (up ~2.5-3.0%), especially versus the S&P 500 (up ~0.5%). Cyclical sectors (Energy, Industrials, and Materials) continue to be the market leaders, while Tech/Telecom continue to lag. In energy equities, most large-caps (Oil Majors, Oil Services, and Refiners) have already reported Q4 results, and the next few weeks will be dominated by E&Ps reporting. E&P commentary will likely be do
Wayne Anthony Miller, II, is the Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Hale & Associates, an independent nationwide financial services firm.Hale & Associates has over 40 years of industry leadership. Wayne specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees protect their life savings, maximize income, and build durable multigenerational legacy plans. Wayne's mission is to safeguard assets families have worked a lifetime to build and empower every client to retire with clarity, confidence, and long-term peace of mind.Darren Grunberg is a fiduciary advisor who helps retirees protect their savings and create dependable income for life. After years as a professional trader, he saw how quickly markets could rise or fall — and how fast a lifetime of savings could be affected. That experience led him to focus on helping people avoid unnecessary risk and build retirement plans that feel safe, steady, and easy to understand.Darren works with retirees across the country to protect their savings from market volatility, create guaranteed income, and reduce the uncertainty so many people face in retirement. He believes every retiree deserves clarity and confidence, not guesswork. His goal is simple: to help people enjoy a retirement they can trust.Learn More: www.haleandassociates.netWayne Anthony Miller, II – 0G30788 Vice President of Sales Hale & Associates, LLC CA DBA Hale and Associates Financial and Insurance Services, LLC – LIC #6013528 CA DBA Wayne Miller Insurance and Financial Services – LIC #6014459 PH. 317-677-7178 PH. 949-943-5266 FAX. 317-614-7508wayne@haleandassociates.net Investment advisory services are offered through RLB Financial a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents.Darren Grunberg-CA LIC#4333498 Managing Director Hale & Associates, Inc. PH: (516)313-6413 PH: (317)677-7178 darren@haleandassociates.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-wayne-miller-and-darren-grunberg-with-hale-associates-discussing-retirement-risks
Wayne Anthony Miller, II, is the Senior Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Hale & Associates, an independent nationwide financial services firm.Hale & Associates has over 40 years of industry leadership. Wayne specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees protect their life savings, maximize income, and build durable multigenerational legacy plans. Wayne's mission is to safeguard assets families have worked a lifetime to build and empower every client to retire with clarity, confidence, and long-term peace of mind.Darren Grunberg is a fiduciary advisor who helps retirees protect their savings and create dependable income for life. After years as a professional trader, he saw how quickly markets could rise or fall — and how fast a lifetime of savings could be affected. That experience led him to focus on helping people avoid unnecessary risk and build retirement plans that feel safe, steady, and easy to understand.Darren works with retirees across the country to protect their savings from market volatility, create guaranteed income, and reduce the uncertainty so many people face in retirement. He believes every retiree deserves clarity and confidence, not guesswork. His goal is simple: to help people enjoy a retirement they can trust.Learn More: www.haleandassociates.netWayne Anthony Miller, II – 0G30788 Vice President of Sales Hale & Associates, LLC CA DBA Hale and Associates Financial and Insurance Services, LLC – LIC #6013528 CA DBA Wayne Miller Insurance and Financial Services – LIC #6014459 PH. 317-677-7178 PH. 949-943-5266 FAX. 317-614-7508wayne@haleandassociates.net Investment advisory services are offered through RLB Financial a registered investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents.Darren Grunberg-CA LIC#4333498 Managing Director Hale & Associates, Inc. PH: (516)313-6413 PH: (317)677-7178 darren@haleandassociates.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-wayne-miller-and-darren-grunberg-with-hale-associates-discussing-fixed-index-annuities
80% of new apartments built in the last ten years are luxury class A. As a result, the supply of B class workforce housing has not nearly kept up with demand. Unless someone can afford to own a home or pay close to $4,000 per month for an A class two bedroom or $1,500 for an A class one bedroom unit, they are relegated to renting a B class apartment. Class B apartments cost 30%-50% less. As $800 Billion of floating rate loan maturities are coming due, great opportunities are emerging to acquire workforce housing for 75 cents on the dollar. Mitch Siegler, Co-founder and Senior Managing Director at Pathfinder Partners, finds smaller deals in the Western U.S underneath the radar of larger institutions that have significant value-add opportunities.
John Chang interviews Josh Jacobs about why the long-anticipated wave of multifamily distress is finally showing up across select Sun Belt markets. Josh explains how aggressive bridge financing, rising interest rates, slower rent growth, and new supply have converged to force lender-driven sales, receiverships, and recapitalizations—particularly in Gulf Coast states. He breaks down how debt funds, banks, LPs, and preferred equity are navigating defaults, why many sponsors are being wiped out, and what actually happens when lenders step in. The conversation closes with a clear-eyed look at where disciplined investors may find opportunity as pricing resets heading into 2026. Josh JacobsCurrent role: Senior Managing Director, Marcus & MillichapBased in: Birmingham, AlabamaSay hi to them at: josh.jacobs@marcusmillichap.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-jacobs-b142461b2/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app Visit www.tribevestisc.com for more info. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to quo.com/BESTEVER Join us at Best Ever Conference 2026! Find more info at: https://www.besteverconference.com/ Join the Best Ever Community The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It's free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria. Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at www.bestevercommunity.com Podcast production done by Outlier Audio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Season 5, Episode 4: In this episode of Season 5, Jack and Alex are joined by Alex Killick, Senior Managing Director at CW Capital, one of the largest special servicers in the US. Alex pulls back the curtain on how CMBS special servicing actually works, who controls key decisions once loans move into workouts, and why today's distress looks very different from past downturns. The conversation covers pressure points across multifamily and office, the rise of tenant fraud and insurance costs, and why many resolutions are happening quietly rather than through forced sales. A rare, ground-level view of how distress moves through the real estate system. Shoutout to our sponsor, Bracket. The AI platform transforming how we underwrite deals. TOPICS 01:00 – Alex's Path to CW Capital and the GFC 06:29 – How Special Servicing and CMBS Work 08:35 – B-Piece Control and Servicer Power 14:20 – Why This Cycle Is Different 16:15 – Multifamily Stress in the Sun Belt 21:10 – Tenant Fraud, Insurance, and NOI 24:50 – Workout Decisions vs. Asset Takebacks 26:40 – Office Distress and Capital Costs 38:45 – Private Credit and Quiet Extensions 42:35 – The Metrics CW Capital Tracks For more episodes of No Cap by CRE Daily visit https://www.credaily.com/podcast/ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoCapCREDaily About No Cap Podcast Commercial real estate is a $20 trillion industry and a force that shapes America's economic fabric and culture. No Cap by CRE Daily is the commercial real estate podcast that gives you an unfiltered ”No Cap” look into the industry's biggest trends and the money game behind them. Each week co-hosts Jack Stone and Alex Gornik break down the latest headlines with some of the most influential and entertaining figures in commercial real estate. About CRE Daily CRE Daily is a digital media company covering the business of commercial real estate. Our mission is to empower professionals with the knowledge they need to make smarter decisions and do more business. We do this through our flagship newsletter (CRE Daily) which is read by 65,000+ investors, developers, brokers, and business leaders across the country. Our smart brevity format combined with need-to-know trends has made us one of the fastest growing media brands in commercial real estate.
In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, hosts Paul Barnhurst and Glenn Snyder sit down with Jeffrey Bernstein to explore how finance leaders can better communicate financial insights and influence decision-making across an organization. The conversation focuses on the gap between technical financial knowledge and the ability to clearly explain what the numbers actually mean to non-finance stakeholders.Jeffrey is a Senior Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets Advisory at Riveron, a leading advisor to the Office of the CFO and Private Equity. Early in his career, Jeff was a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, where he helped execute IPOs in the technology sector for over a decade. Afterward, he spent more than 15 years as a portfolio manager investing in disruptive public and private companies. For the last eight years, Jeff has served as a trusted strategic advisor to pre-IPO companies, guiding them toward successful public exits.Expect to Learn:Why finance professionals play a crucial role in the IPO processHow to prepare a company financially for a successful public listingThe importance of building financial trust with public investorsHow to evaluate the readiness of your financial systems and team for the IPO processHere are a few relevant quotes from the episode:“The biggest change from private to public is transitioning from over-promising to under-promising and over-delivering.”- Jeff Bernstein“Financial integrity isn't just about the numbers; it's about being transparent, avoiding gimmicks, and sticking to metrics that have real meaning.”- Jeff BernsteinJeff shares valuable insights on the complexities of going public, managing quarterly earnings, and maintaining investor trust. He also discusses how FP&A teams can help steer the company through financial reporting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making post-IPO.Follow Jeffrey:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-bernstein-498a23158/Company - https://www.linkedin.com/company/riveron/Website - https://riveron.com/Follow Glenn:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenntsnyder/Earn Your CPE Credit For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.In Today's Episode[01:42] – Meet Jeff Bernstein[04:58] – Transitioning to Public Company[08:36] – The Role of FP&A in IPO[12:44] – Investor Trust and Forecasting[17:10] – Financial Integrity[21:58] – Preparing for the IPO Process[26:35] – Stress-Testing Forecasts[30:42] – Earning Investor Trust[34:18] – Organizational...
In this episode of Private Markets 360°, we welcome David Fann, Partner, Senior Managing Director and Head of Investor Relations at VSS Capital Partners, to explore the evolution of structured capital, the unique needs of lower middle market businesses, and how VSS is helping entrepreneurs unlock value and scale through flexible creative capital solutions. Drawing on 30 years of experience across private equity, credit, real assets and real estate, David shares his perspective on building resilient companies, adapting to economic and geopolitical challenges, and the future of investor relations. Credits: Host/Author: Chris Sparenberg and Jocelyn Lewis Guests: David Fann, VSS Capital Partners Producer: Georgina Lee Published With Assistance From: Feranmi Adeoshun, Kimberly Olvany www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence
In this episode, experts discuss the United States' renewed interest in Greenland—which the Trump administration argues is vital to U.S. national security—and what it means for Arctic security, the NATO alliance, and great power competition. Background Reading: This article unpacks Trump's increasingly assertive push to bring Greenland under U.S. control and what that means for the NATO alliance and the Arctic. Host: David E. Sanger, White House and National Security Correspondent, New York Times; CFR Member Guests: Heather A. Conley, Nonresident Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute, Foreign and Defense Policy; Former President of the German Marshall Fund of the United States; CFR Member Rebecca Pincus, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Research Institute; Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security, German Marshall Fund of the United States; Former Director, Polar Institute, Wilson Center Geoffrey Pyatt, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates; Former Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources and U.S. Ambassador to Greece and Ukraine Want more comprehensive analysis of global news and events sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to CFR's Daily News Brief newsletter. To keep tabs on all CFR events, visit cfr.org/event. To watch this event, please visit it on our YouTube channel: Greenland in the Geopolitical Spotlig
Brent Erickson, a senior managing director in Newmark's Minneapolis-St. Paul office, talks to F&C reporter Brian Johnson. Erickson talks about wrapping up his long career in commercial real estate, the downtown Minneapolis office market, and his experience with properties such as Butler Square and the TractorWorks building.
Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc open the first episode of 2026 with a clear-eyed look at the retail news shaping the year ahead. Holiday sales landed largely as expected. Online sales grew faster, but at a decelerating pace, reinforcing the continued centrality of stores—particularly as click-and-collect represented a meaningful share of holiday fulfillment. The hosts also dig into sector-level performance, noting continued softness in big-ticket home categories alongside strength in apparel, beauty, and sporting goods.Attention then turns to structural stress in retail. The looming Chapter 11 filing of Saks Global underscores the limits of debt-heavy consolidation strategies and the difficulty of rationalizing oversized store portfolios. Steve outlines why store closures, vendor confidence, and new leadership will be critical to any successful reorganization. The news segment closes with a sobering look at U.S. job growth, which has slowed sharply, particularly in retail and manufacturing. While unemployment remains low, constrained labor supply and weak hiring momentum raise important questions for 2026.From there, the episode shifts to a wide-ranging discussion with The Analysts, this time featuring Simeon Siegel, Senior Managing Director at Guggenheim Partners, and Sucharita Kodali, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester. Reflecting on 2025, both describe a year marked by cognitive dissonance: record retail spending alongside low consumer confidence and wildly uneven outcomes. Rather than a simple “K-shaped” economy, Simeon argues that execution matters most, pointing to stark performance differences between retailers selling similar products to similar customers.The Analysts explore where market share is truly shifting, why off-price and value leaders continue to gain ground, and how e-commerce growth is normalizing as the channel matures. Sucharita explains why physical retail remains resilient in the U.S., while Simeon adds that rising friction—fees, returns, and fulfillment costs—has dulled some of e-commerce's original advantages. The conversation also tackles tariffs, AI, and technology hype. The episode concludes with Steve and Michael's perspectives on Amazon's surprising new physical retail stores plans and a possibly big Supreme Court ruling on tariff policy. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.
Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.Today's episode takes us inside the world of wealth from the perspective of one of the industry's largest alternative asset managers that has made the wealth channel core to its firm's DNA from the beginning.We sat down with Sean Connor, Senior Managing Director and the President & CEO of Global Private Wealth at Blue Owl Capital, a firm with almost $300B in AUM. Sean highlighted a number of key insights for navigating and working with the wealth channel as he shared lessons learned from building a successful private wealth business at a large alternative asset manager.Sean is responsible for bringing the breadth of the Blue Owl investment platform to the global private wealth market. He's at the forefront of Blue Owl's private wealth initiatives globally and oversees fund formation, product structure innovation, capital raising, and client servicing. He also oversees business development, marketing, and operations for Private Wealth at the firm. Prior to his current role, Sean was one of the first employees at Owl Rock (now the Direct Lending division of Blue Owl) and was responsible for building out the private wealth business.Prior to joining Blue Owl and Owl Rock, Sean served as a Managing Director of CION Investment Management for over 10 years. Sean was a member of CION's Investment Committee and was responsible for all aspects of CION's business including originating, underwriting, and negotiating corporate finance transactions globally. In 2020, Sean was recognized by Private Debt Investor as one of the industry's Rising Stars.Sean and I had a fascinating conversation about what it's like to work with the wealth channel. We discussed:The biggest drivers of AUM growth for Blue Owl and how the wealth channel has been a major part of the firm's story of scale.Lessons learned from growing and scaling a private wealth business in the US and internationally.The differences between the wealth channel a few years ago and the wealth channel today.What the wealth channel wants and needs from its alternative asset manager partners.Why Blue Owl focuses on investing in megatrends, like AI, digital infrastructure, and private credit.The opportunity in the 401(k) and retirement channels.Thanks Sean for coming back on the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast to share your expertise and wisdom on private markets and private wealth.Show Notes00:00 Introduction to Ultimus, our Sponsor01:57 Welcome to the Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast and Episode Overview02:10 Guest Introduction: Sean Connor04:07 Growth Drivers for Blue Owl04:45 Diversification and Market Strategy05:17 Focus on Private Credit and Real Assets06:54 Brand Essence and Market Leadership11:25 Client Education and The Nest14:21 Implementation Challenges in Wealth Channel17:56 Customization in Wealth Management19:20 Product Structuring and Client Needs23:41 International Expansion and Market Strategy26:23 Building Brand Internationally28:01 Maintaining Entrepreneurial Culture28:42 Challenges and Success in Scaling30:38 Future Growth Areas in Wealth Business30:42 Evolution of the Wealth Business31:08 Expanding Product Strategies31:37 Growth Opportunities in the US Market32:23 Global Expansion and Execution33:01 Retirement Market Potential34:10 Bringing Parity to Retirement Ecosystem35:19 Challenges and Opportunities in Retirement35:39 Regulatory Changes and Education36:38 Long-Term Investment Strategies39:03 Private Credit and Direct Lending40:47 Market Structure and Underwriting43:47 Competition and Market Share45:54 Private Companies and Direct Lending47:56 Digital Infrastructure and AI50:18 AI Bubble Concerns51:46 Risk Management in Digital Infrastructure55:11 Focus on Downside Protection56:12 Future Investment Strategies57:23 Excitement for the Future59:13 Closing RemarksEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund SolutionsThis episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus' technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.
In this episode, Evercore's Nigel Dawn, David Markson, Ryan Rohloff, and Micki Haber of the firm's Private Capital Advisory (PCA) group sit down to discuss the state of the secondaries market and key insights from their newly released 2025 Secondary Market Report.Nigel Dawn – Senior Managing Director and Head of Evercore's PCA groupDavid Markson – Senior Managing Director, EvercoreRyan Rohloff – Senior Managing Director, EvercoreMicki Haber – COO of Evercore's PCA group© Evercore Inc. 2026 All rights reserved.The material contained herein is intended as a general market and/or economic commentary and is not intended to constitute financial, legal, tax, accounting or investment advice. The information contained in this podcast does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities from any Evercore entity to the listener and should not be relied upon to evaluate any potential transaction. The information contained in this recording was obtained from publicly available sources, has not been independently verified by Evercore, may not be current, and Evercore has no obligation to provide any updates or changes. This podcast is not a product of Evercore Investment Research and the information contained in this podcast is not financial research. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of Evercore and may differ from the views and opinions of other departments or divisions of Evercore and its affiliates. In addition, the receipt of this podcast by any listener is not to be taken to constitute such person a client of any Evercore entity. Neither Evercore nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in this podcast and any liability therefore (including in respect of direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage) is expressly disclaimed.
The temptation to get something for nothing, whether it be knowledge, riches, or power has plagued individuals since the dawn of time. Examples from the Garden of Eden, Wall Street, Main Street, and election results across the country are easy to find as people long for quick-fixes and easy answers to their problems. However, history has shown us that depending on government to provide needs only leads to increased dependency and a loss of freedom. With that in mind, the focus of this episode is the recent mayoral race in New York City which has led to great speculation about the loss of liberty expected for New Yorkers if the new mayor's policies are enacted. Linda's guest, Eric Michael Anton, Senior Managing Director at Marcus & Millichap, has lived and worked in the heart of the city nearly all his life and provides first-hand insight regarding the effects of public policy on business and quality of life in the city. He also provides examples on how to support American values in a diverse, world-class city that is often polarized politically. ©Copyright 2025, Prosperity 101, LLC __________________________________________________________ For information about our online course and other resources visit: https://prosperity101.com To order a copy of Prosperity 101 – Job Security Through Business Prosperity® by Linda J. Hansen, click here: https://prosperity101.com/products/ Become a Prosperity Partner: https://prosperity101.com/partner-contribution/ If you would like to be an episode sponsor, please contact us directly at https://prosperity101.com. You can also support this podcast by engaging with our Strategic Partners using the promo codes listed below. Be free to work and free to hire by joining RedBalloon, America's #1 non-woke job board and talent connector. Use Promo Code P101 or go to RedBalloon.work/p101 to join Red Balloon and support Prosperity 101®. Connect with other Kingdom minded business owners by joining the US Christian Chamber of Commerce. Support both organizations by mentioning Prosperity 101, LLC or using code P101 to join. https://uschristianchamber.com Mother Nature's Trading Company®, providing natural products for your health, all Powered by Cranology®. Use this link to explore Buy One Get One Free product options and special discounts: https://mntc.shop/prosperity101/ Unite for impact by joining Christian Employers Alliance at www.ChristianEmployersAlliance.org and use Promo Code P101. Support Pro-Life Payments and help save babies with every swipe. Visit www.prolifepayments.com/life/p101 for more information. Maximize your podcast by contacting Podcast Town. Contact them today: https://podcasttown.zohothrive.com/affiliateportal/podcasttown/login Check out VAUSA, America's choice for virtual assistants- https://hirevausa.com/connect" Thank you to all our guests, listeners, Prosperity Partners, and Strategic Partners. You are appreciated! The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast do not necessarily represent those held or promoted by Linda J. Hansen or Prosperity 101, LLC.
Valbridge's Josh Wood joins The Crexi Podcast to explore evidence based property valuation, fee simple disputes, expert testimony, and how AI will reshape appraisal work.The Crexi Podcast connects CRE professionals with industry insights built for smart decision-making. In each episode, we explore the latest trends, innovations and opportunities shaping commercial real estate, because we believe knowledge should move at the speed of ambition and every conversation should empower professionals to act with greater clarity and confidence. In this episode of the Crexi Podcast, Shanti Ryle sits down with Josh Wood, Senior Managing Director at Valbridge Property Advisors. The conversation covers Josh's unique journey from philosophy and computer science to becoming an expert in property valuation and law. Josh shares his insights on the fundamentals of real estate appraisal, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the nuances of working as an expert witness and arbitrator in valuation disputes. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the etymology of terms like 'value' and 'worth,' the role of appraisers in litigation, and the evolving technology shaping the industry. Josh also offers invaluable advice for newcomers entering the field and an in-depth look at the complexities of commercial real estate valuation.Meet Josh Wood: A Multifaceted ExpertJosh's Academic and Professional JourneyThe Path to Becoming an AppraiserEarly Challenges and Learning in AppraisalThe Intersection of Appraisal and LawThe Role of Appraisers in Legal DisputesHistorical Context and Etymology of Value and WorthUnderstanding the Appraisal ProcessThe Evolution of Fee Simple OwnershipEncumbrances and the Value of Real EstateThe Role of Appraisers in Property ValuationChallenges in Appraisal MethodologyThe Future of Appraisal with AI and TechnologyAdvice for Aspiring AppraisersConclusion and Final Thoughts About Josh Wood:Josh Wood is a valuation expert whose work sits at the intersection of appraisal theory and the law. His background in both disciplines gives him a distinctive perspective on complex valuation issues, including bilateral monopoly situations, eminent domain matters involving rights of reverter, and the taxation of Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties.His academic foundation includes economics, computer science, logic, game theory and philosophy, followed by a master's degree earned during his time in a philosophy PhD program. He entered the appraisal field in 1998 with a firm that later became part of Valbridge Property Advisors, where he has valued nearly every major commercial property type for purposes such as lending, tax appeals, eminent domain, litigation and environmental claims. He became a Valbridge shareholder in 2021.While working full-time, Josh earned his JD from the University of Arizona in 2007, graduating cum laude. He served on law review, competed in Moot Court and published an award-winning article on servitudes. His legal training strengthened his expert witness practice, and he has testified in courts in Arizona and Texas and served as an arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association, joining its Panel of Neutrals at a notably young age in 2008.Josh also teaches and develops education for the Appraisal Institute and the International Right of Way Association. He contributed to the 15th edition of The Appraisal of Real Estate and reviewed the 7th edition of The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal. He regularly presents to professional and government audiences. For show notes, past guests, and more CRE content, please check out Crexi's blog.Looking to stay ahead in commercial real estate? Visit Crexi to explore properties, analyze markets, and connect with opportunities nationwide. Follow Crexi:https://www.crexi.com/ https://www.crexi.com/instagram https://www.crexi.com/facebook https://www.crexi.com/twitter https://www.crexi.com/linkedin https://www.youtube.com/crexi
As markets evolve and the traditional 60/40 portfolio faces new challenges, are hedge funds becoming the next core allocation for resilient investing? In this episode of Beyond Markets, William Fong, Head of Alternatives Specialists at Julius Baer for Asia and the Middle East, speaks with Joe Dowling, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Blackstone's Multi-Asset Investing, about how the endowment model is reshaping portfolio construction.Joe shares insights on why institutions have leaned heavily into alternatives, how multi-strategy hedge funds are delivering uncorrelated returns, and what private investors can learn from the playbook of elite endowments. From risk management to the “democratisation of alternatives”, this episode explores how hedge funds may just be part of the new 60/40 for long-term investors seeking durability and diversification.This episode was recorded on 28 October 2025.(00:10) - – The endowment model (03:24) - – Is it limited to institutional investors? (05:02) - – A typical allocation split (06:28) - – The importance of a long-term approach (07:16) - – Recent criticisms of the endowment model (09:03) - – Hedge funds: a bond substitute? (11:23) - – The rise of multi-strategy funds (13:24) - – How multi-strategy funds have performed throughout volatility (15:13) - – What to look for in a good multi-strategy fund (16:33) - – Absolute return vs index investing (18:33) - – Are multi-strategy funds getting too big? (20:17) - – Are single-manager, single-strategy funds still relevant? (21:32) - – Rebalancing – a critical element (22:44) - – Fund manager expertise, and the art of portfolio construction (27:01) - – Thoughts on private equity and infrastructure (31:33) - – An ivy league education? Or an alternatives portfolio?
Nick Galakatos, Senior Managing Director, & Global Head of Life Sciences at Blackstone joins Daniel Cassidy at the UBS podcast studio in New York for a comprehensive discussion on trends and developments within Life Sciences, including a look at funding innovations, the regulatory landscape, and the investment case for Life Sciences.
As global energy systems evolve, emerging economies face a defining challenge: how to secure affordable power for today while investing in the low-carbon solutions that will drive tomorrow's growth. Can energy diversification unlock a new era of industrial development, resilience, and inclusive prosperity?In the third and final episode of our special series ahead of ADIPEC 2025, host Ed Crooks is joined by Charlotte Wolff-Bye, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at PETRONAS, and Andrew Smart, Senior Managing Director at Accenture. Together, they explore how countries in Asia, the Middle East and beyond are using integrated energy strategies to build stronger, fairer economies.Charlotte explains how PETRONAS is redefining its role as a national energy company: supporting Malaysia's growth through lower-carbon development, capacity-building, and nature-based solutions. She outlines how the company's investments in renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture are creating skilled jobs, building local supply chains, and delivering a “just transition” that lifts communities.Andrew shares Accenture's perspective from the Middle East, where nations are emerging as pivotal connectors between the Global North and South-linking capital, technology, and opportunity. He discusses how digital innovation, AI, and regional interconnection are reshaping resilience and competitiveness, while new financing and regulatory models aim to make clean-energy investment bankable at scale.The message from emerging economies is clear: energy transition and economic development can must advance hand-in-hand. Finally, the group considers what a decade of progress might bring us, including more collaborations across borders and across sectors. They explain why new connections such as regional power grids, diversified supplies, and joined-up policies and corporate strategies point to brighter futures for energy and human development.This is the third and final special episode sponsored by ADIPEC 2025, where the theme is Energy Intelligence Impact. The event brings together 205,000+ attendees and 1,800+ speakers in Abu Dhabi from 3–6 November 2025. The Energy Gang will be recording live at the event. Join us there to be part of the conversation.Learn more and register at adipec.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.