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the declarations. podcast with Host Todd S. Rich
14 Episodes
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In this episode of declarations., Host Todd Rich sits down with Michael Spies, Founder of Fuse Strategies, to explore a lifetime of insight at the intersection of global real estate, urban development, and innovation. Michael reflects on his early experiences growing up as the child of immigrants, his time in public service in New York City, and his 30-year career at Tishman Speyer leading global expansion and innovation. The conversation traces his journey from city planning to venture inves...
In this episode of declarations., Todd Rich is joined by Francisco Alvarez-Demalde, co-founder and managing partner of Riverwood Capital. Francisco shares how his upbringing in Argentina shaped his entrepreneurial spirit, how he defines success as the constant pursuit of building, learning, and creating opportunity for others and how he and his partners built a global growth equity platform focused on scaling technology businesses. Their discussion also covers lessons from cycles in the...
In this episode of declarations., Host Todd S. Rich sits down with Jack Dwyer, CEO of Capital Funding Bancorp, Inc. and CFG Bank, to explore his journey from accountant to founder of Capital Funding Group and owner of CFG Bank. Jack shares how his early years in New Jersey, family values, and a passion for entrepreneurship shaped his approach to business and leadership. The conversation covers the evolution of his one-stop shop model for healthcare financing, his strategic expansion into bank...
In this episode of declarations., Host Todd S. Rich sits down with Fred Klein for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation about law, legacy, and leadership. Fred reflects on a distinguished legal career shaped by meaningful mentorship, rigorous standards, and his enduring commitment to human connection. From his early influences at Mercersburg Academy to his pivotal role in Washington D.C.'s real estate legal landscape, Fred shares stories that illuminate how relationships, empathy, a...
In this episode of Declarations, host Todd Rich sits down with Dan Mueller and Les Baquiran, co-founders of Alpine Capital Advisors, to explore their unique paths from immigrant family upbringings to building a global placement and advisory firm. Dan and Les share how personal values like humility, resourcefulness, and long-term thinking have shaped Alpine’s cross-border business model. The conversation dives deep into the nuances of fundraising across geographies, the shifting behaviors of i...
In this episode of the declarations. podcast, Host Todd S. Rich welcomes Michael Glosserman, longtime real estate executive, member of Declaration's Real Estate Advisory Board and Trustee of JBG Smith, for a wide-ranging conversation about career evolution, institutional alignment, and the long-term view required to build something enduring. From growing up in a small Texas town to co-leading one of the most prominent real estate firms in Washington, DC, Michael shares pivotal lessons from hi...
In this episode of declarations., host Todd S. Rich sits down with Sean Plummer, founder of Haystack Capital Partners, for a thoughtful conversation on how high-net-worth families invest differently from institutions—and why that difference matters. With deep experience from his time at Fidelity Family Office Services and now as a trusted advisor to over 160 family offices, Sean shares how he's built a business around relationships, alignment, and thoughtful capital allocation. Sean reflects ...
In this episode of Declarations, host Todd S. Rich sits down with Jon Qvistgaard=Peterson, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with deep roots in oil and gas, private equity, and automotive retail. From his family’s pioneering ventures in the energy sector to building Louisiana’s largest Honda dealership, Jon shares the philosophies that have guided his career and personal life. The conversation explores: Lessons in leadership and resilience from his grandfather, a Danish immigrant who found...
In this episode of declarations., Todd S. Rich sits down with Marco Peschiera, CEO of Grupo Romero Investment Office (GRIO) and its asset management arm GRAM. Marco traces his journey from childhood on a Peruvian farm to leading global investment teams at Citigroup and Carlyle, where he helped build Carlyle’s Latin America buyout business. He shares lessons from navigating crises in emerging markets, investing in iconic assets like the Inca Rail to Machu Picchu, and now guiding Grupo Romero’s...
In this episode of Declarations, Todd Rich sits down with Kari Firestone, Co-Founder & Chair Emerita of Aureus Asset Management. Kari shares her remarkable journey — from a childhood stock-picking contest in Boston to working with legendary investor Peter Lynch at Fidelity and ultimately building her own firm. She reflects on lessons in risk-taking, balancing career and family, and why listening and learning remain central to her “declaration” in life. The conversation also t...
In this episode of declarations., Host Todd S. Rich speaks with Robert Picard, Head of Alternative Investments at Hightower Advisors. Robert shares his remarkable journey — from his multicultural upbringing and Swiss military service as a tank commander, to a career spanning derivatives trading, hedge fund selection, and leadership in private markets. He offers candid lessons from avoiding the Bernie Madoff fraud, launching alternative platforms at top firms, and why he believes investo...
In this episode of declarations., Todd S. Rich welcomes Dave Roux, co-Founder and Executive Chairman of BayPine. Dave is a pioneering technology investor, serial entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Dave is best known as the Co-Founder of Silver Lake, the first large-scale private equity firm focused exclusively on technology, which today manages over $100 billion. More recently, he co-founded BayPine, a private equity firm dedicated to transforming traditional economy companies thr...
In this episode of declarations., Todd S. Rich sits down with Bennett Goodman, Executive Chairman of Hunter Point Capital and formerly of Blackstone/GSO. Bennett shares his remarkable journey—from his formative years influenced by his uncle, the famed LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, to his groundbreaking career in credit markets, and ultimately to building Hunter Point Capital and his family office, Hunter Creek. The conversation explores Bennett’s guiding philosophy, the importa...
In the inaugural episode of the declarations. podcast, Todd S. Rich is joined by David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Carlyle Group and principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Mr. Rubenstein reflects on his career in private equity, his philosophy on partnership and legacy, and his broader pursuits as an author, interviewer, and owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Mr. Rubenstein shares insights from his investment career, the role of family offices, and the value of partnershi...

















