CAIS Live Conversations, Building With Alts

The “OG” of Private Credit: Randy Schwimmer on the Middle Market’s Movement (EP. 39)

CAIS — Wed, 13 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Recorded at CAIS Live | Leaders in Wealth, CAIS Co-President Brad Walker sits down with Randy Schwimmer, Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Strategist at Churchill Asset Management, a Nuveen affiliate. Randy shares his view on why he believes the core middle market may be one of the most overlooked corners of the private market and why the current wave of headline risk, from tariffs to rate uncertainty, could reinforce that case. They also discuss Churchill’s origination model, the education gap between institutional and private wealth investors, what Randy believes is driving redemption pressure across the industry, and why he sees illiquidity as a feature, not a flaw.

Chapters

A Career Built in the Middle Market (00:02:54)
Churchill's Role Inside Nuveen (00:06:33)
Bridging the Gap to Private Wealth (00:12:26)
Headline Risk and the "Gift of the Month Club" (00:15:02)
Seeing Through the Macro Noise (00:18:30)
What Private Markets May Solve for in Portfolios (00:27:58)
Redemption Pressure and the Liquidity Question (00:31:57)
Hardest Lesson in 30 Years of Credit (00:40:21)
NAV Marks and Transparency (00:48:07)
The OG of Private Credit (00:50:20)

From Intel to Independence: Jerry Verseput on Correlation, Customization, & Structured Notes (38)

CAIS — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Structured notes, portfolio customization, and rethinking what diversification really means—Jerry Verseput, founder of Veripax (now part of HUB International), brings an engineer’s perspective to wealth management. On this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts, Jerry sits down with CAIS CMO Alex Cavalieri to share how the Great Financial Crisis reshaped his approach to portfolio construction, his views on traditional asset class diversification as “different colors of M&Ms,” and how structured notes may help advisors target outcomes rather than chase benchmarks. They also discuss the realities of building and eventually selling an independent RIA, navigating liquidity conversations, and what Jerry sees ahead for the wealth management industry.

From Products to Portfolio: Jon Diorio on BlackRock’s Private Markets Focus (EP. 37)

CAIS — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Jon Diorio, Head of Alternatives for US Wealth, BlackRock, joins CAIS Co-President Brad Walker on CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts to discuss how he sees alternative investments reshaping wealth management for financial advisors. Jon shares how BlackRock is building its private markets platform across private equity, private credit, and infrastructure. He gets into why he thinks model portfolios may help advisors. They also explore the macro landscape, liquidity , and Jon’s views on why education remains key.

Chapters

The Shift from Brokerage to Advisory (01:38)
Leading Product and Alternatives at BlackRock (06:11)
BlackRock’s Private Market Platform: GIPS, GPS, and Preqin (08:26)
Closing the Adoption Gap in Alternative Investments (11:48)
Model Portfolios and the Convergence of Public & Private Markets (14:39)
The Client Conversation: Access, Opportunity, and Private Credit (19:00)
Navigating the 2026 Macro Landscape (23:30)
Hedge Funds, AI-Driven Investing, and M&A Opportunities (27:13)
Sequencing Private Markets for High-Net-Worth Portfolios (29:37)
Liquidity as a Feature in Private Markets (32:34)
Words of Wisdom: Show Up, Say Yes, and Be a Life Coach (36:39)

REX Shares & CAIS Capital Markets on the Future of Structured ETFs (EP. 36)

CAIS — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Structured ETFs are shaping how financial advisors access yield-oriented strategies. In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations, Brad Walker sits down with Scott Acheychek, COO of REX Shares, and Marc Premselaar, Head of CAIS Capital Markets, on site at CAIS Live | Capital Markets.

They get into how structured ETFs are evolving, what makes them different from traditional vehicles, and how product design, distribution, and education may shape adoption for wealth investors. Scott shares the origin story behind REX’s innovation mindset, while Marc discusses how capital markets execution may impact advisor outcomes.

For financial advisors navigating product innovation and market structure, this conversation may offer practical insight into how structured ETFs could fit within modern portfolio construction.

Chapters

What Is REX Shares? Innovation in ETFs (00:02:52)
ETF Market Growth & Advisor Flows (00:05:00)
The Evolution of Structured Investments (00:06:02)
The CAIS & REX Collaboration: ACTL Autocallable Income ETF (00:11:59)
Portfolio Construction: Where ACTL May Fit (00:15:37)
Covered Call ETFs, Alternative Income & Defined Outcome Strategies (00:17:18)
Market Outlook: Volatility, Geopolitics & Positioning (00:21:35)
The Future of Structured ETFs & Defined Income (00:26:35)
Advisor Education & Structured Notes (00:29:52)
10. Career Advice: Relationships & Mean Reversion (00:34:10)

Arctos and CAIS Advisors on Investing Across Sports Ecosystems (EP. 35)

CAIS — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts, CAIS Co-President Brad Walker sits down with Chad Hutchinson, Partner at Arctos Partners, and CAIS Advisors CIO Neil Blundell to explore sports, media, and entertainment as an emerging asset class. The group discusses how changes in league rules have broadened access to franchise ownership and why teams are increasingly viewed as intellectual property platforms. They also touch on the role of media rights, scarcity, and global fan engagement, along with insights into college sports, the evolving media landscape, and how fandom can influence long-term economic value.

Reading the Market: Cameron Dawson on Signals, Positioning, & Private Markets (EP. 34)

CAIS — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Cameron Dawson, Chief Investment Officer at NewEdge Wealth, joins host Alex Cavalieri on CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts to share how she and her team cut through market noise with a multidisciplinary approach to macro analysis. Dawson shares her views on the role of liquidity, positioning, and valuation as amplifiers in today’s market and why the US consumer remains her most closely watched indicator. She also shares NewEdge’s framework for incorporating private markets into portfolios, built on what the firm calls “functional asset allocation”: the idea that every asset in a portfolio should have a clearly defined purpose. For financial advisors navigating a fast-moving macro environment, this episode offers a, client-first perspective on portfolio construction and the discipline required to stay the course.

Jen Prosek on Brand, Reputation, and Growth in Private Markets (EP. 33)

CAIS — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts, recorded live at CAIS Summit 2025, Alex Cavalieri sits down with Jen Prosek, Founder and Managing Director of Prosek Partners, to explore how brand, reputation, and communication have become important drivers of growth in private markets. They chat through why private market firms can no longer operate quietly, how the wealth channel is changing expectations, and what advisors and asset managers should know about visibility and trust.

Chapter 1: An Accidental Entrepreneur [00:01:49]
Jen shares how an unexpected career path led her into building a communications firm focused on financial services and private markets.

Chapter 2: When Defense Stops Working [00:03:52]
Why the financial crisis forced firms to rethink silence-first communications—and what changed after.

Chapter 3: Why Wealth Is the Biggest Tailwind [00:08:53]
How private market firms began realizing brand matters once wealth entered the picture.

Chapter 4: Institutional vs. Wealth Marketing [00:13:45]
Why reaching advisors requires a fundamentally different approach.

Chapter 5: Nailing the Narrative [00:16:36]
Jen explains why simple, differentiated messaging beats complexity in private markets.

Chapter 6: AI and Reputation Management [00:20:32]
How AI is reshaping perception, trust, and the future of reputation for firms and leaders.

AI, Tokenization, and Alts: Jenny Johnson’s Outlook (EP. 32)

CAIS — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Jenny Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton, joins host Brad Walker on CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts to share her perspective on leading one of the world’s largest asset managers through transformation. Johnson reflects on Franklin Templeton’s client-first culture, its expansion into private markets, and how she sees innovation in AI, tokenization, and infrastructure reshaping the industry. She discusses the growing role of private wealth, the importance of advisor education. For financial advisors and asset managers, this episode offers insight into how Franklin Templeton is balancing tradition and change while staying focused on serving its clients.

Jenny’s Story: Growing Up in the Franklin Templeton Business (00:00:23)
Culture and Long-Term Innovation: “Client First” + The Three C’s (00:04:39)
Macro Signals Franklin Is Watching: Rates, Productivity, and the Yield Curve (00:07:44)
AI at Franklin: Investment, Distribution, and Operational Use Cases (00:10:20)
Tokenization + Public/Private Convergence: What’s Next for Access and Infrastructure (00:14:47)

The Agentic Era: Our World’s Next Chapter with Robert Smith and Jason Graefe (EP. 31)

CAIS — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

In this special edition of CAIS Live Conversations, live from CAIS Summit 2025, Robert F. Smith of Vista Equity Partners and Jason Graefe of Microsoft speak with CNBC’s Scott Wapner about the rise of agentic AI. They explain how the shift from generative to agentic systems may reshape enterprise software, data strategy, and economic value capture. The conversation explores implications for productivity, software development, and the future of work, along with how businesses can adapt through speed, workflow ownership, and reskilling. Advisors can gain insight into how AI may transform operating models across industries.

Chapter 1 — Generative vs. Agentic AI [00:01:22]
Chapter 2 — Why Agentic AI Changes the Economics [00:03:53]
Chapter 3 — Will AI Disrupt Software? [00:06:58]
Chapter 4 — Three Futures for Software Companies [00:08:34]
Chapter 5 — Speed as the New Moat [00:10:46]
Chapter 6 — Reinventing the Go-to-Market Motion [00:13:19]
Chapter 7 — Rethinking Software Development [00:20:17]
Chapter 8 — Precision in Enterprise AI [00:21:35]
Chapter 9 — A New Industrial Revolution [00:29:26]
Chapter 10 — The Future of Work and Redeployment [00:37:51]

Inside CAISey: Kan Kotecha on the Future of Intelligent Alts Platforms (EP. 30)

CAIS — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Kan Kotecha, Chief Technology Officer at CAIS, joins host Alex Cavalieri live from CAIS Summit 2025 to share how artificial intelligence and data are reshaping the advisor experience. Kan discusses the firm’s vision for “alts at scale,” how CAISey, CAIS’ new AI-powered solution, was designed to transform pre-trade, trade, and post-trade workflows, and why clean, consolidated data is foundational. Advisors will gain insight into how technology, autonomy, and AI are driving the next generation of platform innovation at CAIS and the industry at large.

Chapter 1 / 00:05:10 / Defining Advisor Autonomy
Kan explains how CAIS is building end-to-end digital infrastructure for alternatives.

Chapter 2 / 00:07:44 / The AI Dividend
Why replatforming and data consolidation are the foundation for applying AI effectively.

Chapter 3 / 00:09:59 / Introducing CAISey
How CAISey serves as an intelligent alts solution for both new and experienced advisors.

Chapter 4 / 00:12:36 / Data Integrity & Trust
“You can only get it right if your data is in good shape.”

Chapter 5 / 00:15:21 / Scaling With Intelligence
How CAISey supports pre-trade, trade, and post-trade workflows as the platform scales.

Chapter 6 / 00:18:56 / AI & Industry Collaboration
Kan’s vision for an ecosystem where intelligent agents across firms work together.

From Sheep Farm to Stonepeak: Luke Taylor on a Career in Infrastructure Investing (EP. 29)

CAIS — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts, Brad Walker sits down with Luke Taylor, Co-President of Stonepeak, to discuss how infrastructure investing is evolving from traditional assets to data centers, energy transition, and digital networks. Luke shares his journey from a sheep farm in New Zealand to leading one of the world’s largest infrastructure firms, and how that perspective shapes his approach to building enduring businesses. He and Brad explore the intersection of real assets and technology, the influence of AI on demand for data and power, and how innovation in semi-liquid structures is broadening access for advisors.

Benchmarking Private Markets: A New Index for Financial Advisors (EP. 28)

CAIS — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, Alex Cavalieri sits down with Steffen Scheuble, CEO of Solactive, and CAIS Advisors’ CIO Neil Blundell. They discuss Solactive’s launch of the first benchmark designed to track perpetual non-traded business development companies (BDCs), and what this milestone means for the private credit market. They also share their views and explore why greater data access may be fueling index innovation and how transparent, rules-based performance tracking can help advisors more effectively measure and compare private credit allocations.

Chapter 1: Origins—Solactive’s Tech-Driven Indexing & Steffen’s Backstory (00:01:19–00:04:18)
Chapter 2: Framing the Gap—Why Private Markets Lacked Benchmarks (00:04:18–00:09:08)
Chapter 3: Building the Benchmark—Data Access, Rules-Based Methodology & Partnership (00:09:08–00:17:18)
Chapter 4: Inside the BDC Index—Scope, Use Cases & Investor Experience (00:17:18–00:29:19)
Chapter 5: What’s Next—Expanding the Index Suite & Impact for Advisors (00:29:19–00:36:06)

How Leah Wehinger Helped Build a Unified Planning Model at Truist (EP. 27)

CAIS — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Leah Wehinger, Head of Investment Advice & Solutions at Truist Wealth, joins CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts to unpack how her team is scaling advisor education and access to private markets. She and host Alex Cavalieri discuss her views on integrating investment strategy with planning, supporting wealth transfer with a multi-generational lens, and designing products with client objectives in mind. From simplifying alts education to unifying advice, Leah shares how Truist is looking to reshape the wealth experience.

Chapter 1. One Firm, One Voice [05:14]
Chapter 2. Scaling Trust Without Losing the Human Touch [07:45]
Chapter 3. Why She Doesn’t Say “Alts” [11:58]
Chapter 4. Designing the Purpose-Driven Wealth Experience [18:50]
Chapter 5. What Leah Thinks Might Break the $84 Trillion Wealth Transfer [25:12]
Chapter 6. Tech That Actually Helps Advisors [33:50]
Chapter 7. When Public and Private Markets Converge [38:41]
Chapter 8. Advice for the Next Generation [43:55]

From Hedging to Harnessing Volatility: RBC & CAIS Capital Markets on What’s Next for Advisors (EP. 26)

CAIS — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts, CAIS Co-President Brad Walker sits down with Amy Wu Silverman, Head of Derivatives Strategy at RBC Capital Markets, joined by Marc Premselaar, Head of Capital Markets at CAIS. Recorded live from CAIS Summit 2025, the conversation explores what Amy calls a “volatility regime,” the growing role of retail investors in options markets, and how defined-outcome and structured strategies are evolving to meet advisor needs. From AI to correlation risk, Amy and Marc weigh in on how education and innovation can help financial advisors translate complex market dynamics into actionable portfolio insights.

Chapter 1: Getting Comfortable With Uncertainty (00:02:06)
Chapter 2: The “Paddling Duck” Market (00:05:18)
Chapter 3: Structured Notes as a Toolkit (00:09:14)
Chapter 4: When Fear Flipped Sides (00:12:16)
Chapter 5: Volatility as an Asset Class (00:14:01)
Chapter 6: Bridging the Gap With Customization (00:18:21)
Chapter 7: All One Trade (00:21:18)
Chapter 8: Correlation Risk and the Domino Effect (00:23:26)
Chapter 9: Crypto’s Next Chapter (00:27:02)
Chapter 10: FOMO as the New Risk (00:29:00)

The New Playbook for Alternatives: A Conversation with Harvey Schwartz (EP.25)

CAIS — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Recorded live from CAIS Summit 2025, this episode features Harvey Schwartz, CEO of Carlyle, in a candid discussion with Barron’s Editor-at-Large Andy Serwer on how private markets are reshaping access and opportunity for advisors and their clients. Schwartz describes why “alternatives” are increasingly just “capital,” and shares how wealth’s global trajectory are redefining distribution and product design. He also offers a data-driven read on the economy from Carlyle’s portfolio, reflections on risk learned across multiple market cycles, and why cultural fit matters in partnerships.

Chapter 1. Private Credit and Transparency [00:05:11]
Chapter 2. Rise of Private Capital [00:07:55]
Chapter 3. Alternatives Reframed [00:10:05]
Chapter 4. Wealth’s Global Trajectory [00:11:56]
Chapter 5. Thoughtful Expansion into Retirement [00:13:15]
Chapter 6. Risk and Resilience [00:27:26]

From Napkin to Unicorn: Matt Brown on Building CAIS, Industry Trends, and the Future of Alts & Wealth (EP. 24)

CAIS — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this special CAIS Live Conversations episode, host Alex Cavalieri sits down with Matt Brown, Founder and CEO of CAIS, for a fireside chat recorded live at the 2025 CAIS Summit. Matt shares how CAIS grew from an idea in 2009 to the leading alternative investment management platform. He reflects on the Summit’s origins, the firm’s culture of trust and innovation, and the trends shaping wealth management—from the rise of alts to the convergence of public and private markets. Advisors will hear firsthand how access, partnership, and purpose continue to drive CAIS’ mission forward.

Chapter 1: Building the Summit — [00:02:46]

Matt shares the origins of CAIS and the Summit, describing how it was created as a space rooted in trust, connection, and meaningful relationship building.

Chapter 2: Defining the Mission — [00:08:58]

He explains how empowering independent financial advisors became the core mission of CAIS—and the driving force behind every initiative.

Chapter 3: The Power of Partnership — [00:10:30]

“Nothing great is built alone.” Matt emphasizes that collaboration and shared purpose have been essential to CAIS’s growth and impact.

Chapter 4: A Culture of Innovation — [00:11:20]

He discusses how CAIS fosters creativity and continuous learning, encouraging teams to explore new ways to better serve advisors and clients.

Chapter 5: The Convergence of Public and Private Markets — [00:21:07]

Matt outlines how evolving product structures and technology are reshaping opportunity—bridging the gap between public and private market access for advisors.

Chapter 6: Lessons in Leadership — [00:35:36]

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Matt explores the importance of obsession, self-belief, and embracing discomfort as hallmarks of strong leadership.

From Bullpen to Boardroom: Ken Kencel on 40 Years in Credit (EP. 23)

CAIS — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts—Brad Walker talks with Ken Kencel, Founder, President, and CEO of Churchill Asset Management, about the growth in private credit. They explore how Churchill scaled through PE partnerships, what advisors need to know about deal sourcing and underwriting, plus the shift to evergreen funds and secondaries. Ken shares why client education is just as important as performance when it comes to expanding alts access in wealth management.

Chapter 1: Drexel Days & Industry Origins (00:02:19)
Chapter 2: The TIAA/Nuveen Edge (00:13:11)
Chapter 3: LP Strategy: 325+ PE Funds (00:20:19)
Chapter 4: Market Consolidation (00:26:00)
Chapter 5: Structural Innovation (00:31:00)
Chapter 6: Education Over Performance (00:41:06)
Chapter 7: It's All About People (00:54:05)

Doug Krupa on Innovation, Access, and the Future of Alternative Investing (EP. 22)

CAIS — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Doug Krupa, Head of Global Wealth Solutions at KKR, joins Brad Walker for a deep conversation on how private equity is evolving and becoming more accessible. Doug shares how his early advisor experience shaped his perspective on investor access, KKR’s philosophy around product innovation, and how evergreen strategies are changing wealth management. This episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s top private market firms is helping make alts available to more investors.

Chapter 1: Origins & Early Lessons on Access (00:01:19–00:07:13)
Chapter 2: Inside KKR—Evergreen, Culture & “One Firm” (00:07:13–00:14:11)
Chapter 3: Market Landscape & Manager Selection 101 (00:14:11–00:23:31)
Chapter 4: Product Innovation—K-Series & Same-Deal Flow (00:23:31–00:35:05)
Chapter 5: Convergence, Education & Lasting Impact (00:35:05–00:50:01)

From Startup to Scaling With Alts: Chelsea Ganey on Building Client Trust (EP. 21)

CAIS — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Chelsea Ganey, Chief Strategy Officer at Moran Wealth Management, joins Alex Cavalieri to talk about her firm’s evolution after breaking away from Wells Fargo and its growing integration of alternatives. She shares insights on client education, secondaries, advisor operations, and the power of personalization in scaling a practice. Listeners can learn how tech and alts are reshaping high-touch client relationships.

Chapter 1: Origins—Chelsea’s Path & Moran’s Breakaway (00:01:19–00:04:12)
Chapter 2: Bringing Alts to Clients—Education, Structures & the 101 (00:04:12–00:08:38)
Chapter 3: Implementation Reality—Ops, Process & Volatility Conversations (00:08:38–00:13:28)
Chapter 4: Personalization at Scale—Tech, Touchpoints & Segmentation (00:13:28–00:21:36)
Chapter 5: Independence & What’s Next—Breakaway Lessons, Alts Roadmap & Recs (00:21:36–00:28:29)

Beyond Performance: Pam Perskie on Personalization in Modern Wealth Management (EP.20)

CAIS — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:45:04 -0400

Pam Perskie, CEO and Founder of Seven Mile Advisory, joins host Alex Cavalieri for a compelling conversation on the evolution of wealth, trust, and the modern advisor-client relationship. With over 20 years of experience in the multifamily office space, Pam shares how she built a firm centered on serving families with unique complexities—where personalization, not just portfolio performance, is the true north.

In this episode, Pam breaks down how Seven Mile Advisory is rethinking what it means to be a family office—leveraging technology, integrating with best-in-class platforms like CAIS, and helping clients gain access to institutional-quality alternatives across private credit, real estate, and more.

Chapters:

1. Founding with Purpose (00:01:22 – 00:03:15)

2. Personalization Over Standardization (00:03:15 – 00:07:01)
3. Rethinking Access to Alternatives (00:08:08 – 00:11:10)
4. Trust as a Differentiator (00:16:57 – 00:18:58)

Beyond the Daily Grind: Apollo’s Torsten Slok on Finding Opportunity in Market Chaos (EP. 19)

CAIS — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Is the economy heading for a recession or just a slowdown? In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building With Alts, Brad Walker sits down with Apollo Chief Economist Torsten Slok. Torsten breaks down why he sees a “Nike swoosh” recovery ahead—not recession—and the three economic headwinds that could create opportunities in private markets. From his unconventional research process tracking everything from TSA checkpoint data to Broadway show attendance, to why he believes owning the S&P 500 may no longer mean diversification, Torsten shares macro insights driving decisions at one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers. Plus, discover why he wakes up in a church rectory and his upcoming adventure to Greenland.

Chapters:

1. Economic Outlook & Recession Risk (11:49)

2. The Student Loan Crisis (13:09)

3. S&P 500 Concentration Risk (18:29)

4. The Growth Story of Private Credit (21:23)

5. Investment Strategy in Uncertain Times (27:29)

6. Potential Alternative Investment Opportunities (25:00)

7. Advisor Guidance (29:23)

Resilience, Potential Opportunity, and the Evolution of Private Credit with Glenn August (EP. 18)

CAIS — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, Brad Walker sits down with Glenn August, Founder and CEO of Oak Hill Advisors. They discuss four decades of credit cycles, how product innovation is meeting wealth demand, and why partnership and selectivity remain critical as private markets mature.

Chapter 1: Origins in Credit & Early Career (1:24 – 11:45)

Chapter 2: Private Credit’s Evolution (11:46 – 17:46)

Chapter 3: Product Innovation & Convergence (17:47 – 28:19)

Chapter 4: Resilience in Uncertain Times (28:20 – 42:57)

Chapter 5: Leadership, Legacy & Lessons (42:58 – 53:02)

David Chubak & Matt Brown on Expanding Access and Redefining Advice (EP. 17)

CAIS — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:30:00 -0400

Edward Jones is reimagining the future of wealth management, starting with personalization, access, and trusted relationships. In this episode, David Chubak, Head of Wealth Management at Edward Jones, and Matt Brown, Founder and CEO of CAIS, join host Alex Cavalieri to discuss their groundbreaking partnership, the Generations program, and why alternative investments are becoming central to the advisor-client experience. From product innovation to advisor intelligence, this is a roadmap for a new era of wealth management.

Chapter 1: The Edward Jones Generations Vision (00:00 – 05:15)
Chapter 2: Advisor Empowerment & Industry Access Trends (05:16 – 13:45)
Chapter 3: Convergence of Public & Private Markets (13:46 – 22:50)
Chapter 4: Tech-Driven Personalization & Advisor Intelligence (22:51 – 31:30)
Chapter 5: A Shared Future: Partnership, Culture & the Road to 2030 (31:31 – End)

Inside the Mind of a CIO: Brandon Grimm on Investing Beyond the Traditional (EP. 16)

CAIS — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, Alex Cavalieri sits down with Brandon Grimm, CIO and Partner at Gilbert & Cook, Inc. Brandon shares his journey from actuarial science to wealth management, the evolution of his firm, and how he’s reshaping his focus on private markets. From debunking liquidity myths to aligning portfolios with client values, Brandon dives into what it really means to help clients live a life of abundance. Plus, get a glimpse into how one Ironman finisher balances investing discipline with personal passion.

Chapter 1 (00:00 – 05:49) — From Actuarial Science to Wealth Management: Brandon’s Journey
Chapter 2 (05:50 – 13:46) — The Role of CIO: Team Building, Client Trust & the Abundance Mindset
Chapter 3 (13:47 – 22:17) — Private Markets, Client Education & Portfolio Evolution
Chapter 4 (22:18 – 28:22) — Liquidity, Planning, and the Shift Toward Alternatives
Chapter 5 (28:23 – End ~37:58) — Future Trends, Advisor Growth, and Personal Resilience

The Intersection of Public & Private Markets: A CIO’s Perspective (EP. 15)

CAIS — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, host Alex Cavalieri sits down with Shannon Saccocia, Chief Investment Officer - Wealth at Neuberger Berman, to discuss how portfolio construction, private markets, and generational wealth trends are shaping the wealth management landscape. Shannon shares her views on public vs. private market allocations, how Next Gen investors think about wealth, and the evolving role of advisors in alternative investments. She also highlights the importance of technology, education, and structured approaches to integrating alternatives into client portfolios.

Chapter 1 (00:00 – 02:51) — From Medicine to Markets: Shannon’s Career Journey
Chapter 2 (02:52 – 08:14) — Public & Private Markets: A Portfolio Continuum
Chapter 3 (08:15 – 11:55) — Generational Wealth, Risk Mindsets & Private Market Education
Chapter 4 (11:56 – 19:24) — Advisor Challenges, Portfolio Construction & Structural Innovation
Chapter 5 (19:25 – 27:07) — Technology, Client Expectations & the Future of Private Wealth

Alts, Archetypes, and Access: A Conversation with KKR and CAIS Advisors (EP. 14)

CAIS — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:01:41 -0400

How are advisors navigating market volatility, macro shifts, and inflation uncertainty? In this episode, KKR’s Paula Campbell Roberts and CAIS’ Neil Blundell join host Alex Cavalieri to explore how private markets, especially infrastructure and private credit, can contribute to portfolio resilience. From risk factor integration to evergreen structures and strategic asset allocation, hear how firms are helping advisors move from theory to implementation in today’s evolving landscape.

Chapter 1 (00:00 – 05:30) — Setting the Macro Stage
Chapter 2 (05:31 – 13:45) — Beyond 60/40: Building Resilient Portfolios
Chapter 3 (13:46 – 22:30) — Archetypes & Outcomes: Rethinking Portfolio Design
Chapter 4 (22:31 – 34:00) — Products, Structures & Manager Selection
Chapter 5 (34:01 – 43:45) — Looking Ahead: Trends, Tools, and Advisor Education

Culture, Growth, and the Future of Financial Advice (EP. 13)

CAIS — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, host Alex Cavalieri sits down with Michael Nathanson, CEO of Focus Financial Partners, for a wide-ranging discussion on leadership, enterprise evolution, and the future of Investment advisory firms.

Michael shares insights into his leadership at Focus, highlighting his dedication to distributed leadership, the firm’s rebranding journey, and how they are redefining what it means to be both independent and interdependent. The conversation also explores the importance of empowering advisors, building enduring businesses, expanding services such as alternative investments, and the trends that may shape the future of wealth management.

Chapter 1: Leading with Vision and Values (00:00:54 – 00:08:59)
Chapter 2: Interdependence as a Growth Strategy (00:09:00 – 00:17:59)
Chapter 3: Branding, Culture, and Building for the Next Decade (00:18:00 – 00:33:59)
Chapter 4: Elevating Client Experience with Alts and Innovation (00:34:00 – 00:50:29)
Chapter 5: Looking Ahead: Industry Trends and Advisor Readiness (00:50:30 – End)

From Court to Capital: Ted Koenig’s Journey in Private Credit (EP. 12)

CAIS — Wed, 28 May 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations, Brad Walker sits down with Ted Koenig, Chairman and CEO of Monroe Capital, to discuss his path from law and hoops to founding one of the most respected names in private credit. They explore the evolution of the lower middle market, the growth of Monroe Capital, and how private credit fits into today’s investment landscape. Ted also shares his views on private credit’s role in wealth portfolios, convergence with public markets, and how Monroe is innovating product structures to meet the needs of institutional and private wealth clients alike.

Chapter 1: From Basketball Dreams to Private Credit (00:01:32 – 00:03:23)
Chapter 2: Building Monroe Capital—Culture, Discipline, and Market Focus (00:04:21 – 00:08:19)
Chapter 3: Innovating for Private Wealth—The First Private BDC (00:08:59 – 00:13:19)
Chapter 4: Private Credit Today—Stability, Growth, and Market Cycles (00:13:31 – 00:27:11)
Chapter 5: Strategic Growth and Life Beyond the Office (00:33:20 – 00:45:08)

Thriving in Independence With Alts (EP. 11)

CAIS — Wed, 21 May 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Conversations: Building With Alts, David Copeland, Principal and Co-Founder of Strategic Wealth Partners, takes us on a journey from starting his career at a major wirehouse to independence. With over 30 years of experience, David tells the story of how alternatives became a cornerstone of his client-first approach, offering solutions that seek to reduce portfolio volatility and enhance performance. He also reflects on the challenges and rewards of breaking away, the evolution of wealth management, and why he believes alternatives are more critical than ever in today’s market.

Credit, Culture & Clarity: A Conversation with Kipp deVeer (EP. 10)

CAIS — Wed, 14 May 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, Brad Walker, Co-President of CAIS, sits down with Kipp deVeer, Co-President of Ares Management. From the early days of middle-market lending to overseeing a multi-strategy platform with nearly $550B in AUM*, Kipp shares insights into the evolution of private credit, building scalable structures like BDCs, aligning culture in a global organization, and how Ares maintains a competitive edge in a fast-growing market. The conversation also explores how private wealth is converging with institutional trends, an outlook on today’s credit environment, and the value of staying focused in uncertain times.

*As of May 2025

Shaping the Future of Alternative Investments: Policy, Innovation & Access (EP. 9)

CAIS — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 09:00:59 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, host Alex Cavalieri invites Anya Coverman, CEO of the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives (IPA), to discuss the evolving role alternative investments play in wealth management. Anya shares her views on policy advocacy, regulatory developments, and the industry innovation that is shaping access to alts for advisors. Their discussion explores how education, technology, and product innovation are shaping private markets and what the future may hold for accredited investor definitions, retirement plans, and global alternative investments.

(00:00) Introduction & Guest Welcome
(01:18) Anya’s Journey to Leading IPA
(04:06) The Evolving Mission of IPA
(07:06) Expanding Access to Alternatives
(10:13) Regulatory Policy & Accredited Investor Status
(17:03) Wealth Transfer & Retirement Modernization
(21:19) Innovation in Products & Partnerships
(26:15) From “Why Alts” to “How” – Advisor Education

Educating Through Experience: Baird’s Alts Evolution (EP. 8)

CAIS — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 06:30:00 -0400

In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, Nic Reisenbichler, Manager of Investment Products at Baird joins podcast host Alex Cavalieri, Head of Marketing at CAIS for a deep dive into how Baird incorporates alternative investments in client portfolios. Together, they explore the evolution of private markets and the role of technology in facilitating transactions. Nic also discusses his preferred terminology for addressing alternative investments.

Getting to Know Nic Reisenbichler: From Advisor Support to Alts Leadership (00:00 – 03:36)

The Rise of Private Markets at Baird (03:36 – 06:17)

Why 'Private Markets' Is the Better Conversation (06:17 – 08:52)

How Technology Turned a 17-Day Process into a Streamlined Experience (10:56 – 13:01)

Looking Ahead: Curation, Growth, and the Future of Private Market Access (15:06 – 18:04)

From Trading Floors to Real Estate Innovation (EP.7)

CAIS — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 06:30:00 -0400

Michael Episcope, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Origin Investments, went from being one of the world’s top traders to building a $3 billion real estate investment platform. In this episode of CAIS Live Conversations: Building with Alts, he sits down with host Brad Walker, Co-President of CAIS, to share his insights on navigating real estate cycles, the evolution of institutional-quality real estate for high-net-worth investors, and how Origin is leveraging data to drive investment decisions.

Michael breaks down the firm’s expansion from equity into credit and its growing 1031 platform, highlighting how advisors and investors can strategically allocate capital in today’s market. If you’re looking to better understand how real estate fits into a diversified portfolio—this episode is a must-listen.

Chapters:

[00:01:18] A Trader’s Evolution: From Markets to Real Estate
[00:06:24] Choosing the High-Net-Worth Lane
[00:11:59] Navigating the Real Estate Cycle
[00:14:09] The Power of Data and MultiLytics
[00:19:01] Rethinking Real Estate Credit
[00:22:45] Expanding Into 1031 Exchanges

Technology, Trust & Transforming Client Experiences (EP. 6)

CAIS — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Dean Zayed, Founder and CEO of Brookstone Capital Management, has focused on developing a one-stop financial services shop as a Turnkey Asset Management Program with a human touch, which he calls a TAMP-plus. In a conversation with host Alex Cavalieri, CAIS Head of Marketing, Dean speaks about how Brookstone combines technology with personalized advisor support, which, according to Dean, aligns with the broader industry shift from transactional to fiduciary-based, relationship-driven practices.

Chapters
(00:00 - 01:23) Welcome & Introduction

(01:24 - 05:30) Dean’s Career Journey & The Birth of Brookstone

(05:31 - 10:50) Scaling Brookstone & Advisor-Centric Growth

(10:51 - 17:00) Innovation & Industry Disruption

(17:01 - End) Personal Insights & Closing Thoughts

Building Bridges in Private Markets (EP. 5)

CAIS — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 07:30:00 -0500

Michael Rees, Co-President of Blue Owl Capital, graduated as a chemical engineer, but after a stint in consulting, started his career in investment banking. He then embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with private markets manager Blue Owl. In this episode, Michael shares insights with host Brad Walker, CAIS Chief Client and Product Officer, on building Blue Owl’s GP stakes business, his vision for the future of alts in wealth management, and Blue Owl’s foray into sports investing with the NBA.

Chapters
(00:00 - 03:30) Introduction & Guest Background
(03:31 - 08:30) Building Blue Owl & Industry Evolution
(08:31 - 12:45) GP Capital Solutions & Wealth Management
(12:46 - 16:30) Expanding into Sports & Acquisitions
(16:31 - End) Personal Insights & Closing Thoughts

The Age of Implementation (EP. 4)

CAIS — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:23:21 -0500

Neil Blundell, Head of CAIS Investments Team, and Gregg Sommer, US Financial Intermediaries Leader at Mercer Investments, bring their expertise to the forefront as they discuss the increasing adoption of alternative investments in the wealth management channel. With 92% of advisors allocating to alts, their focus has shifted to implementing alts effectively. In this episode, Neil and Gregg join Host Alex Cavalieri, CAIS Head of Marketing, to explore key findings from CAIS’ 2025 The State of Alternative Investments in Wealth Management.

Read the 2025 report, Here

Chapters

(00:01) Introduction to Guests and the 2025 CAIS-Mercer Survey

(00:38) The Shift Toward Alternatives: Key Survey Results

(04:15) The Rise of Registered Funds

(08:04) Blending Registered and Traditional Drawdown Funds

(18:51) Portfolio Construction Tools: From Why to How to Invest in Alts

(33:30) Overcoming Challenges in Alts Implementation

(37:05) Thematic Investing: AI, Infrastructure, and Energy Transition

(42:46) Looking Ahead: The Future of Alts in Wealth Management

Disclosures
This content is for institutional investors and for information purposes only. It does not contain investment, financial, legal, tax or any other advice and should not be relied upon for this purpose. The materials are not tailored to your particular personal and/or financial situation. If you require advice based on your specific circumstances, you should contact a professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers as of the date of the recording, are subject to change without notice and do not necessarily reflect Mercer’s opinions. There are substantial risks associated with investments classified as alternative investments. Investors should have the ability, investing sophistication and experience to bear the risks associated with such investments.

Alts Are Core to What We Do (EP. 3)

CAIS — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 11:56:20 -0500

Aaron Hodari, Schechter’s Chief Investment Officer, talks to host Alex Cavalieri, Head of Marketing at CAIS, about the importance of alternative investments education. The firm focuses on alternative investments education as soon as the client relationship starts. “They wanted to work with us because they knew that was going to be part of their experience,” Aaron says.

(00:00) Introduction and Host Welcome

(00:27) Aaron Hodari’s Journey to Schechter

(02:51) Schechter: From a Life Insurance Advisory to a $3.6 billion RIA

(06:58) The Role of Innovation and Technology in Scaling Wealth Management

(08:25) Alternatives in Wealth Management

(10:08) Schechter’s Client Experience Pillars

(13:29) Product Innovation and the Democratization of Alts

(15:29) Balancing Registered and Traditional Drawdown Funds

(18:10) Aaron Hodari’s Vision for Schechter’s Future

(21:59) Aaron Hodari’s Personal Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

From Value Creation to Product Superiority (EP.2)

CAIS — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 10:47:46 -0500

Robert F. Smith, founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, was first startled by the productivity gains from computer systems as a recent chemical engineer graduate. With more than 600 completed transactions under his belt, Robert now envisions further transformation in enterprise software borne out of GenAI. In this episode, he chats with Brad Walker, Chief Client and Product Development Officer at CAIS, about his early career, Vista’s work to generate value in portfolio companies and his views on achieving product superiority.

(00:00) Introduction and Host Welcome

(01:32) Robert Smith's Early Career and Industry Beginnings

(03:51) Defining Enterprise Software and Its Value

(05:36) Vista’s Approach to Operational Efficiency

(08:27) The Concept of Product Superiority

(11:46) Vista’s Value Creation Framework

(15:00) Generative AI: The Next Frontier

(19:16) Robert Smith’s Personal Insights and Bucket List

(21:42) Closing Remarks

Alternatives Differentiate Us (EP. 1)

CAIS — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 12:04:30 -0500

Marty Bicknell, the founder of Mariner, a $100 billion RIA, aims to go head-to-head with wirehouses, more than doubling the firm's advisor count over the next three years. In this episode, he talks to host Alex Cavalieri, CAIS Head of Marketing, about choosing the fiduciary model, incorporating alternatives into portfolios, and how alts are leveling the playing field across channels.

(00:00) Welcome to CAIS Live Conversations

(01:19) The Journey Begins

(03:36) Founding Mariner Wealth Advisors

(05:48) Facing Challenges and Growth

(08:14) Mariner's Core Philosophy

(11:42) Innovations in Wealth Management

(17:14) Education and Advisor Development

(21:14) The Role of Alternatives in Portfolios

(24:36) Maintaining Culture Amid Growth

(26:03) Marty's Personal Learning Philosophy

(29:36) Vision for the Future

(30:30) Final Thoughts and Recommendations

CAIS Live Conversations, Building With Alts Trailer

CAIS — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:15:55 -0500