CFA DFW Charterholder Chatter

We speak with Micah Pellerin about what it takes to be a successful start-up founder, how to identify businesses that succeed, and the AI revolution. Micah Pellerin is Senior Development Manager with Microsoft, leading their efforts to build partnerships with high-tech platforms, late-stage start-ups, and independent software vendors. A former NFL athlete, Micah received his MBA from Indiana Unive...

We speak with David Blanchette about his career, both in research and in investment management for individual investors. We talk about his public tiff with finfluencer Dave Ramsey, common investment mistakes, some surprising results from his research, and, of course, the only dirty word in finance.   David is Head of Retirement Research with Prudential Financial, and a Portfolio Manager for PGIM....

We speak with Mark Adams and Joe Sando of Fortuna Funds about their latest project, a hedged bitcoin ETF. We discuss the nature of options, the value of hedging, and their story from idea to ETF launch.   Mark is a Co-Founder and CIO of Fortuna Funds, an ETF manager specializing in alternative strategies for traditional asset classes. Previously, Mark spent 23 years with Warrington Asset Managemen...

Episode 65: Building Tomorrow's Advisor with Martin Tarlie We speak with Martin Tarlie about his research and work building Nebo, an award-winning fintech for goals-based investing that aligns financial plans with investment management. We discuss the uniqueness and challenges of goals-based investing, interesting things in the goals-based research, and the future of investing for individuals. Mar...

Episode 64: Hacking Good Luck with Christian Busch We speak with Christian Busch about his work in the science of serendipity and how we can cultivate good luck in our own lives. We talk about his journey as a boy in Germany to his current role as an internationally best-selling author and professor at USC Marshall School of Business. Christian is author of the bestselling book, The Serendipity Mi...

We speak with Sasha Lund about her book, The Rising Role of Women in Family Offices and Family Businesses . We discuss the advantage of speaking multiple languages (she speaks 11!), what pulled her into the family office world, the challenges women face in business families, common misconceptions about family offices, and the importance of values in family businesses. Sasha Lund is a Schulze-award...

We speak with Michaela Berglund about her journey as a young girl from Uppsala, Sweden to her role founding FemInvest, a female-oriented ecosystem including a Venture Capital fund, a membership network with over 50,000 members, and a magazine. She also hosts the FemInvest podcast – all places where she encourages women entrepreneurs across the Nordics. Michaela has a background in marketing, telev...

We speak with Michael A Gayed, CFA about his journey in the business from watching his father trade, to his market research, to launching products of his own. We discuss the nature of risks, the market today, and the biggest mistakes professional investors make. Michael A. Gayed is publisher of the  The Lead-Lag Report , He also runs the Lead Lag report podcast where he interviews the top names in...

We speak with Dr Gregg Robins about his journey from a young musician living in the Bronx to finding himself at the center of major geopolitical events, including the fall of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Euro. We discuss his time at Oxford, his years in Moscow, and his thinking on the family office world. Gregg Robins runs Robins Advising, a family-office consulting firm based in Gene...

We speak with Dr Mara Harvey about her journey from a young girl in England to her role as CEO of a Swiss bank. We discuss her passion for teaching children about money and looking into ourselves for the unconscious money lessons we have been taught. Mara was Swiss CEO of VP Bank Region Europe where she pioneered a dedicated female finance network. She won the TechFace Hidden Figures Diversity All...

We talk with Jennifer Wines about her journey, from moving 10 times by the age of 20 to her career in private wealth management with Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, and JPMorgan. We discuss her book, Invisible Wealth , the current and future state of the wealth management industry, and how changing demographics are shifting the industry. Jennifer is the founder of Invisible Wealth Consulting, partnering...

We talk with Gautam Dhingra about his journey from a young boy in New Delhi, to managing over $1 billion as the founder of High Pointe Capital, to his diagnosis with terminal cancer. We discuss how he thinks about investment valuation, his decision to become an entrepreneur, and his thinking on life. Gautam is the founder of High Pointe Capital. He has served as the President of Chicago's CFA Soci...

We talk with Rob Price about how he thinks about cryptocurrency investing. We cover what it is, how he thinks about valuation and investment in the space, crypto regulation, and the role it might play in the future. Rob is the founder and CIO at Sound Money Capital, an actively-managed cryptocurrency fund. Prior to Sound Money, Rob was head of asset allocation for South Africa's largest pension fu...

We talk with Wojtek Buczynski about whether AI will live up to its hype, AI regulation around the world, the use cases of AI in financial services, and whether general artificial intelligence is possible. Wojtek is a consultant, speaker, and AI researcher specializing in AI regulations and use cases. He was an early advocate of AI at Fidelity International, and ran a team at EY specializing in AI...

After my book was published, I spent many hours on podcasts with all sorts of hosts. None, however, were nearly as warm, engaged, and thoughtful as Paul Olschwanger – his questions were informed and incisive, demonstrating understanding, but also warm and human. I could tell immediately that Paul is a man who cares deeply about others, which might help explain his success on this very podcast. Pau...

Our next to final episode of season 3 represents the best of the best in terms of relevant topics and the voice you will primarily hear throughout the conversation. Rare to find such a high level of intelligence, courage, leadership, and willingness to give back, all in one person. One such individual is Tina Byles Williams, who is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Chief Investment O...

Our podcast started a few years ago with the aspirations of having local CFA charterholders share their unique journey. After a few episodes, we realized the high level of interest and impact with hearing about the challenges, proudest moments, and inspirations along the way. No longer am are we searching for the hot topic of conversation, rather the individual who teaches and motivates you to car...

When our podcast was established a few years ago, the initial focus was on local investment legends such as Luther King, Susan Byrne, Jim Hille, and Dan Meader. Finally, as we wind down Season 3, it is time to have another true legend who has dedicated her career to education, leadership, and impacting our investment community. Since 2015, Dr. Marilyn Wiley has served as the Dean of the G. Brint R...

Within and outside the investment management industry, there are many well-intentioned initiatives established to make a significant contribution and difference. Not as difficult to find people who have an opinion as it is to find true leaders willing to climb up and through walls. One such exceptional leader is our guest today. Sarah Maynard is Global Senior Head, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (...

Some people think, others say, and rarely do you find someone who thinks, says, and does. Our special guest today is that rare individual and he is super-fast at all three. He is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, financial advisor, podcast host, and proud father and husband. John Hagensen serves as a Managing Director and Partner at Creative Planning, overseeing offices in Arizona and North Dakota,...

Several years ago, I traveled to Toronto thinking this would be just another business trip, meeting with colleagues, figuring out ways to collaborate, perhaps developing new coaching relationships where I could help individuals and teams reach their potential. My expectations were far exceeded when I met today's guest who has the rare combination of intelligence, compassion, humility, and willingn...

If you have listened to our podcasts, you know by now that we strive to have a diverse set of guests, from allocators to leaders and everything in the middle, while maintaining our requirements for humility and inspiration. Today's guest has plenty of letters after his name covering the liability and asset pieces along with all asset classes. And he is an exceptional leader and communicator. Tim M...

Episode 46: Sticking to Calling Balls and Strikes – Talking OCIO Performance Integrity with Brian Schroeder Outsourcing the CIO or OCIO function at a university endowment, corporate pension plan, or healthcare system has become commonplace over the past 10 years. In the early days, the deciding factors were operational efficiencies, meeting a target goal objective, and cost. Today, these same orga...

Too often in our industry, we want to talk about strategies, processes, and achieving alpha. Today, you are in for a treat if you want to hear more about the importance of self and team awareness, culture, making better decisions, and taking advantage of science and research as we better understand personalities, preferences, and motivations.  Zach Wieder is the Chief Executive Officer of Principl...

Our podcast is all about the journey, not the destination and today's special guest has dedicated her professional journey to areas she deeply cares about as she is an inspiration to many throughout the world with her research, writing, and speaking, all in her unique style of communication, which is clear, valuable, and humorous. Meredith Jones is a well-known expert in the investment industry wi...