Educational Alpha

In this episode, Bill welcomes Eoin Motherway, a seasoned finance professional whose career spans investment banking, fund accounting, and digital asset management. Eoin recounts his path from chartered accountant to head of a major asset management platform, and now, to a portfolio career bridging TradFi and DeFi. They explore the impact of regulatory change, the rise of tokenization, and the increasing intersection of technology ...

In this episode, Bill sits down with Annelise Osborne, author of From Hoodies to Suits and a veteran in both traditional finance and the evolving digital asset space. Annelise shares her journey from commercial real estate and structured finance at Moody’s to becoming a leading voice in blockchain innovation. They explore the institutional adoption of crypto, the role of blockchain in transforming back-office operations, and the sh...

In this episode, Bill speaks with Jon Caplis, founder and CEO of PivotalPath, to explore how his firm is redefining hedge fund transparency and trust for institutional investors. Jon walks through his career path—from early hedge fund experience to founding PivotalPath—and the core challenges investors face when accessing reliable hedge fund data. They examine the systemic flaws in commercial databases, the necessity of strategy-le...

In this episode, Bill welcomes Steve Novakovic, Managing Director of Educational Programs for CAIA Association, to discuss the evolving nature of endowment investing, the growing role of total portfolio approaches (TPA), and the shifting responsibilities of asset allocators. Steve shares his journey from working at the Cornell University Investment Office to shaping the CAIA curriculum, emphasizing how events like the global financ...

In this episode, Bill welcomes Roger Vincent, founder of Summation Capital, to explore the evolving private equity landscape. Roger shares insights from his 30-year career, including his pivotal role at Cornell’s Endowment and his motivation for creating Summation to deliver institutional-quality private equity access to high-net-worth investors. They address private equity’s shift from an exclusive asset class to a complex industr...

In this episode, Bill welcomes Ruth Yang, Global Head of Private Market Analytics at S&P Global Ratings. Ruth shares her extensive background in credit and leveraged finance, highlighting her unique perspective on the expansion of private credit markets. They explore how private credit has evolved, the role of club deals, rating methodologies, and the growing involvement of high-net-worth investors. Ruth also discusses the impa...

In this episode, Bill welcomes Andre Maciel, founder of Volpe Capital and former leader of SoftBank’s Latin America operations. They explore the evolution of venture capital in the region, from post-dot-com investments to today’s AI-fueled innovations. Andre reflects on his career at J.P. Morgan and SoftBank, the rise of Latin American startups, and the importance of timing in tech investing. The conversation also addresses AI adop...

In this episode, Bill sits down with George Aliferis, founder of Orama, host of the Investology podcast, and a fellow CAIA Member, to explore the evolving dynamics of private markets, democratized investing, and the importance of long-term thinking. George shares his unconventional path—from financial markets to filming Michelin-star chefs, and back into fintech content creation. Together, they probe the marketing practices in alte...

In this episode, Bill welcomes Fernando De Leon, founder of Leon Capital Group, to explore the intricacies of private capital, real estate investments, and long-term wealth creation. Fernando shares his unique upbringing along the U.S.-Mexico border and how it shaped his approach to business and investment strategy. He discusses his early career at Goldman Sachs, his transition into entrepreneurship, and how he successfully navigat...

In this episode, Bill welcomes Independent Directors Council Managing Director Thomas Kim to explore the evolving role of independent fund directors in today’s financial landscape. They discuss the history and growth of the mutual fund industry, the importance of fiduciary responsibilities, and the growing complexities of investment oversight. Tom shares his perspective on how governance has changed since the introduction of the 40...

In this episode, Bill welcomes Daniel Liebau, an expert in blockchain and decentralized finance, to discuss the evolving world of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Daniel shares insights into his background in traditional finance and technology, his transition into blockchain research, and his work in the DAO space, including co-authoring a book on the subject. The discussion covers key aspects of DAOs, their governanc...

In this episode, Bill welcomes James Cheo, Chief Investment Officer for HSBC Global Private Banking and Wealth for Southeast Asia and India. They explore James' journey from his early days at the Monetary Authority of Singapore to his leadership role in asset allocation and wealth management. The discussion traverses crucial themes like intergenerational wealth transitions, democratization of private markets, and the evolving r...

In this episode, Bill interviews Monique Frederick, a CFA Charterholder and financial expert passionate about empowering women through financial literacy. Monique shares her journey from a background in computer information systems to a career in wealth management, emphasizing her dedication to educating and guiding women toward financial freedom. They discuss the generational shifts in financial decision-making, the importance of ...

In this episode, Bill is joined by Tom Tull, former CIO of the Employees Retirement System of Texas. Tom shares his journey from a career in the military to becoming a prominent figure in public fund management. They discuss Tom's approach to building teams, redefining public funds as businesses, and the shift toward alternative investments. The conversation explores the challenges of asset allocation in a changing economic lan...

In this episode, Bill welcomes Andrew Akers, lead quantitative research analyst at PitchBook, to dive deep into private equity and private market replication strategies. Andrew shares his journey from traditional finance to quantitative analysis, discussing the key findings from his seminal paper on private equity replication. The conversation examines the nuances of equity risk premia, operational alpha, and the challenges of buil...

Welcome back to Season three of Educational Alpha! In this first episode, Bill welcomes Harry Markopolos, the renowned financial fraud investigator and whistleblower best known for uncovering the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme. Harry shares his journey from portfolio management to forensic finance, detailing his relentless pursuit of exposing fraudulent financial schemes. The conversation covers the challenges he faced in getting the S...

In this season finale of Educational Alpha, host Bill Kelly welcomes John Bowman, the incoming CEO of CAIA Association. Reflecting on the evolution of CAIA and their professional journeys, the two explore major themes shaping the investment landscape—diversification, digitization, and democratization. They discuss the organization's transition from Bill's tenure to John's, emphasizing CAIA's mission to educate and advocate for bett...

In this episode, Bill interviews Kenneth Heinz, President of HFR, to explore the evolving landscape of hedge funds. Kenneth shares insights into HFR’s growth from its inception in 1992 to its current position as an industry leader. The conversation delves into hedge fund strategies, performance benchmarking, and the role of transparency in driving trust and innovation. Kenneth also highlights emerging trends such as the rise of pod...

In this episode, Bill sits down with David Frazee, a Silicon Valley-based venture capitalist and innovation advocate, to explore the dynamic intersections of venture capital, global entrepreneurship, and the democratization of innovation. David shares his fascinating career journey from high-tech law to investing in groundbreaking startups, many of which have become unicorns. The conversation covers the challenges and opportunities...