Dakota Research Podcast

In today's episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, we will cover ongoing developments in the fundraising landscape for institutional investors. An ever-changing domain at Dakota, we are here to offer valuable market insights and relay developing trends. Tired of fragmented data slowing you down? Book a demo of Dakota Research to centralize critical investment data and intelligence to...

In Episode 17 of the Dakota Research Podcast , we spotlight the Middle East’s transformation into a global investment powerhouse. Once defined by oil exports, the region is now attracting massive capital inflows across AI, renewable energy, infrastructure, and venture capital. National strategies like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and UAE’s Vision 2031 are fueling this shift—powered by sovereign weal...

In this episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, we cover new job changes at major pension funds, including PSERS and OPTrust, and spotlight freshly launched RIAs like Evergreen Wealth Partners and Cambria Wealth Management. Hear consultant updates from Sacramento County, RFP activity out of Florida’s Pembroke Pines Pension Fund, and major investment moves by Illinois’ State Universities Re...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Lara Galloway joins Elevation Point as head of growth alongside Melinda Brodbeck as head of corporate communications, Saibal Mukherjee takes on equities manager research at Mercer, Hunter Brackett becomes public equity portfolio manager at the NC Department of State Treasury, and Pierre Duran joins Trinity University to oversee private markets. Hub I...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Ryan Gardner joins Texas A&M Foundation as Assistant Director of Investments, Isla Chu steps in as Director of Investments at Michigan State University, and Laura Walker moves to NEPC as Consultant after her tenure at Reinsurance Group of America. On the RIA front, Andy Knowles launches Knowles Private Wealth with Raymond James, Tempo Wealth debu...

In Episode 16 of the Dakota Research Podcast , we explore the rapidly expanding space economy, a $2 trillion opportunity redefining infrastructure, defense, and global connectivity. From reusable rockets and smallsat constellations to in-space manufacturing and orbital logistics, space is moving from moonshots to market-making. We break down the investment landscape—highlighting government-backed...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Tom Borghard joins Yale Investments as director, Vivek Jindal is named CIO at Caprock, and Jonathan Grushkin becomes CIO at Sanford Health after roles at Cleveland Clinic and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In RIA news, Mariner Wealth Advisors acquires $1.4B Taurus Asset Management, expanding its sports advisory capabilities, while EP Wealth adds $90...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Diego Liechti is appointed head of investments at Switzerland’s PKG Pensionskasse, Henry Mercer joins Withum Wealth as CIO, and Partners Group names Anastasia Amoroso chief investment strategist for private wealth. On the RIA side, Arax Investment Partners acquires $4B Schechter Investment Advisors in a major Midwest expansion, San Diego-based adviso...

In Episode 15 of the Dakota Research Podcast , we dive into the evolving world of co-investing—how LPs are gaining direct deal exposure, cutting fees, and strengthening GP relationships. From traditional buyouts to infrastructure and private credit, co-investments are reshaping portfolio strategies across the private markets. We explore key structures, benefits, and risks, as well as data from Ste...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, André Mehta joins Michaud Capital Management as senior managing director to lead client success and investment strategy, while Ronald Meraz takes on the role of regional director at Citigroup overseeing over 275 branches across California and Nevada. BNP Paribas sees leadership changes in Southeast Asia as See Piu Chua departs and the Malaysia team e...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Humberto Garcia de Alba is named CEO of BBVA Global Wealth Advisors, Peter Mistina joins QP Global Family Offices as VP of Investments, and Bruno Saintonge takes on a senior private markets role at Quebec’s $3B RRCEGQ pension. On the RIA side, Focus Financial is merging $35B Kovitz into $140B Focus Partners Wealth in a major hub firm consolidation, w...

In Episode 14 of the Dakota Research Podcast , we break down how artificial intelligence is transforming private markets—from infrastructure M&A to private equity strategy. We explore the CoreWeave–Weights & Biases deal, Coatue’s $1B innovation fund backed by Bezos and Dell, and how firms like EQT and a16z are integrating AI into everything from sourcing to value creation. The episode cove...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Chad Oviatt joins First National Bank as CIO, Bola Olusanya is named CIO at MacArthur Foundation, and Sean Olesen heads to the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Hightower Advisors makes its first 2025 deal with a strategic investment in $3.8B Lindbrook Capital, marking the final transaction under outgoing CEO Bob Oros, while Raymond James adds a $450M UBS...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Jim Bethea is joining West Virginia University Foundation as CIO, Karen Horn Welch will be promoted to CIO at Spider Management, and Christopher Schelling joined Aksia as Managing Director. In RIA moves, Sanctuary Wealth recruited a $2B UBS team to form 1280 Financial Partners, &Partners added $650M Geller Private Wealth from Ameriprise, and WLTH...

In Episode 13 of the Dakota Research Podcast , we explore the top real estate investment themes shaping private markets in 2025. From hyperscale data centers and renewable energy infrastructure to life sciences, logistics, and hospitality, real estate is no longer just about buildings—it’s about innovation. We unpack how sectors like AI, power, and global digital transformation are driving capital...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Border to Coast appointed Peter Gent as head of investment advisory, Cetera named John Lefferts to lead Cetera Investors, and Pritzker Alternative Strategies made several key hires as it builds out its investment team. On the M&A front, Blackstone tapped Lazard veteran Jennifer Abate to lead its RIA channel, VisionPoint and Navitas merged to form...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Nicole Puller Ross was promoted to regional head of Northeast private wealth at Goldman Sachs, Cliff Corso became CEO of AAM, and Brian Scharf joined Zell Family Office. On the RIA front, EFE acquired Cahill Wealth Management, Americana Partners added a $1.5B team from Morgan Stanley, and LPL picked up Northern Advisory Group. Institutional activity...

In this Dakota Research Interview, Chris LeRoy speaks with Matt Miller, Founder and Managing Partner of Grey Rock Investment Partners, about the firm’s dual strategy across traditional energy and low-carbon investments. Matt shares how Grey Rock identifies high-return opportunities in upstream oil and gas, while also scaling decarbonization projects in carbon capture, electrification, and methane...

In Episode 12 of the Dakota Research Podcast, we dive into the high-stakes world of aerospace and defense. From major deals like Thoma Bravo’s $10.6B acquisition of Boeing’s digital flight assets to Neuralink’s $500M raise, we spotlight the biggest private market moves this week. The main discussion unpacks why aerospace and defense are drawing increased private equity interest—from counter-cyclic...

In this week’s Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, Jon Ritter joins Texas Municipal Retirement as MD of Real Assets, Dylan Campbell joins the University of Oklahoma Foundation, and Edward Jones launches alts access for $10M+ clients via CAIS. On the RIA front, Redwood Family Wealth launches in Texas, Merit acquires Safeguard Wealth in Wisconsin, and The Northshore Group moves $1.5B from Wells Fargo t...

In this week’s episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast, we cover job changes including Matt Benson’s expanded role at UBS, Stacia Hatfield joining Blue Owl, and Eric Haley’s upcoming retirement from OMERS. On the RIA/FA M&A front, Jeff Purdon joins Raymond James, RBC recruits The MK Group from Merrill Lynch, and Anna Rathbun launches her own RIA. Institutional highlights include Oklahom...

In this episode of Dakota Research, host Chris LeRoy sits down with Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, co-founder and managing partner of Blue Tulip Ventures, to explore the future of human-centric AI innovation. Drawing from her groundbreaking work as an AI scientist and entrepreneur, Dr. el Kaliouby shares the vision behind Blue Tulip Ventures: investing in AI startups that amplify human capabilities in heal...

In Episode 11 of the Dakota Research Podcast, we explore how the investment management industry is rapidly evolving. We kick off with key private equity headlines, including a16z’s $20B AI fundraise, Blackstone’s $10.8B European real estate close, and Bain Capital’s $1B deal for Sizzling Platter. Our deep dive focuses on structural shifts reshaping the sector—from consolidation among asset manager...

In this episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast , Pat and Konch cover job moves including Tony Pritzker launching Pritzker Alternative Strategies, Akshay Patel joining North Dakota Trust Lands, and Dylan Campbell moving to the University of Oklahoma Foundation. In RIA news, Fortgage Capital Advisors launched with backing from Elevation Point, LPL recruited the $350M Synergy Wealth Strategie...

In this episode of the Dakota Fundraising News Podcast , Pat and Konch cover job changes including Ashu Pal joining Nomura Capital from Maryland State Retirement, Jeff Peterson becoming CIO at Dallas-based Gillion Capital, and Alexander Dorf named Deputy CIO at Arizona PSPRS. On the RIA side, Barzideh & Nadeau Wealth launched in Illinois, Angel Oak alumni launched Sardis Group in Atlanta, and...