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.
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)
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]
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)
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]
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.
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, 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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
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
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)
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)
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.
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