The Allocators Playbook

In this episode of The Allocators Playbook, Danny Popescu, founder and CEO of Harbourfront Wealth Management, shares how he transformed the firm from a founder-funded startup into a nationally recognized wealth advisory firm. Hear his insights on advisor empowerment, strategic acquisitions and expanding access to alternative investments the alchemy powering Harbourfront’s rapid growth.

How venture-backed Savvy Wealth’s CIO Sharma increased AUM 4.5x in 2025.

In this episode, Markets Group Deputy Editor sits down with Thom Williams, the recently retired Executive Director of the Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), to reflect on a transformative decade at the helm of one of the nation’s most closely watched public pension funds. Williams shares how he rebuilt the organization by shifting investment decision-making from the board to a newly formed internal team, strengthening accountability and expertise across the fund.He walks through ERS’ post-2008 investment evolution, including its taking a disciplined de-risking approach centered on diversification, uncorrelated assets and the philosophy of “winning by not losing.”Beyond investments, Williams discusses his pivotal role in navigating complex legislative challenges to protect the fund’s tax status and long-term health.Watch the video below to hear Williams’ candid reflections on leadership, team building and lessons learned from a career at the intersection of markets, policy and public service.

Join us in Ohio to hear him live during his strategy award discussion. Or, next best thing: listen here to how CIO Farouki Majeed stayed in the top 2% of earnings while being one to the top funds in Private Equity in 2025. 03:21 - Navigating Financial Crises: A Journey Through Experience12:04 - Current Market Insights and Future Risks17:50 - Market Outlook and Economic Risks19:44 - Investment Strategies and Asset Allocation21:22 - Real Estate and Infrastructure Investments24:18 - Governance and Organizational Structure in Investment32:35 - Private Equity and Co-Investment Strategies33:43 - Income Generation and Funding Strategies41:20 - Advice for Allocators and Closing Thoughts 

Being awarded with a lifetime achievement award at our DACH Retreat in May, Martin Roth, CEO of Pensionskasse Manor has witnessed multiple financial cycles in his career. This conversation explores his plans for 2026, what he learnt and advice for Gen Z leaders.

How San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association's CIO, Don Pierce, engineered a credit strategy designed to perform in any market environment.

RFG Advisory Chief Investment Officer Rick Wedell, who is being honored this month for his innovative approach to providing sophisticated investment opportunities for mass affluent retail clients and the advisors who serve them, sat down with Markets Group to share his take on tech, markets and global currency dynamics.

CIO Peter Madsen’s research-driven strategy — blending private market insight with defensive positioning — has strengthened the Utah School and Institutional Trust Funds portfolio, driving 61% growth over FY2014–FY2023 and record distributions. He shares his data-driven approach with Markets Group

Join us in this exciting conversation about whether private credit is in a bubble or whether this is a good time to hike investments in public equity. CIO and DCEO Mark Delaney has an interesting viewpoint.

How Aaron Bennett and the University Pension Plan investment team built and scaled a disciplined, risk-aware investment strategy during a period when markets were swinging wildly — delivering strong performance within its first three years.

Learn from a top 1% Chief Investment Officer: Hall of Famer Larry Krummen, CIO of MoDOT and Highway Patrol Retirement discusses strategies that have placed him in the top decile for 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 years.

How do modern pension systems shape economies, strengthen retirement security, and evolve for a multi-generational workforce?In this episode, Markets Group Deputy Editor Lauren Bailey speaks with Celine Chiovitti, Chief Pension Officer at OMERS, about the expanding role of pension systems as both long-term financial anchors for retirees and essential contributors to economic growth and community stability.Chiovitti discusses how large pension plans function as critical economic infrastructure, why younger generations are showing greater engagement with retirement planning, and how pension organizations are simplifying complex retirement concepts to improve accessibility and long-term participation. She also explores how innovation, AI, and service modernization are helping pension systems strengthen governance, transparency, and operational efficiency while adapting to demographic shifts, longer life expectancy, and changing workforce patterns.Key topics discussed:• The economic and societal impact of pension systems• Growing generational engagement in retirement planning• Governance, demographic, and longevity challenges facing pensions• The role of AI and digital innovation in pension modernization• Accessibility, portability, and the future sustainability of retirement systemsThis conversation offers valuable insights for institutional investors, asset owners, policymakers, pension leaders, and professionals focused on long-term capital allocation and retirement security.

Jon Johnsen, the CEO of PKA is one of the biggest private equity investors in Denmark, and also is a front-runner in climate investments.

York University's treasurer Arijit Banik examines the shifting global investment landscape through the lens of economic history, policy, and institutional capital, drawing on lessons from past monetary regimes to assess today’s macro risks and investment opportunities.

Faisal Baig, former CIO at Asfar (Saudi Tourism Investment Company) has spent years building a bridge between Saudi and US investors. Through his investments, he has been able to open new doors in Saudi. Catch him speak about the benefits of investing in Saudi and how that can reshape a US allocator's portfolio.

In this podcast, Michael Hyatt talks intolerable burdens of the past, AI in the VC space, and leaving a lasting family legacy.

Interview with the chief investment officer of Colorado on the changing demographics of pensioners, applying the defined benefit investment team to the defined contribution plan, real estate strategy and allocation and portfolio changes.

Hear from the top leaders in the APAC region from the former group chief investment officer at GIC to the current CIO at Korean Investment Corporation about adopting TPA, navigating private credit and more.

A look back at 2023 with the story of an investor who turned his airline fund toward success during the pandemic, when planes weren't even flying. 

Despite two recessions, and numerous economic challenges, Chief Investment Officer and executive director Cheryl Alston has been able to deliver an average return rate of approximately 9% for the past 20 years. Also a past Presidential appointee to the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation Advisory Committee, she is known for her strong leadership and her ability to navigate as a visionary, sometimes as a contrarian a solid leader who created a great culture for the fund to succeed. When she recently retired from the City of Dallas, she held a 1 year return of 10.6% in February 2025.

Marc Gauthier, Concordia University’s corporate treasurer and chief investment officer, has built an “investment playbook’ that removes beta from its pension plan and an impact-driven strategy for its intergenerational fund. In this interview, he outlines his career journey to his current role and how he developed such distinctive investment frameworks to meet the university's evolving needs.

Larry Johansen shares how actuarial insight drove 9.3% returns and doubled assets. He will be given a Lifetime Achievement Award in September.

Revisit the conversation with Elias (LES) Bachmann, Director of Private Investments and Senior Portfolio Manager at BSW Wealth Partners, who joined the firm in 2009. In this conversation, he delves into impact investing, identifying red flags in managers, and his contrarian approach to investment decisions.

Chris Ailman, former CIO Hall of Famer and retired from CalSTRS, gives his candid advice from heading one of the largest funds in the world.

Peer nominated for a New Strategy award, TJ Carlson, Chief Investment Officer of the Missouri State Employees Retirement System (MOSERS) discusses winning strategies in portable alpha, applying his Marines military background, building strong investment teams, getting investment discretion from the board, returns and complexity premiums in credit, and investment philosophies.

Revisit this insightful conversation where Sovaida Noronha sat down with Reggie Ford, Motivational Speaker, Bestselling Author, and President of RoseCrete Wealth Management. They discussed the enduring power of perseverance, the evolving challenges of mental health and DE&I, and the impact of the "Black Tax.”

As fund managers and allocators gravitate towards investing in AI, Meier discussed the strategies and sectors he finds most attractive in a look back at 2024. Steven Meier is the chief investment officer for $278 billion New York City Retirement Systems, which includes New York City Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS), the Teachers' Retirement System for the City of New York (TRS), the New York City Police Pension Fund (POLICE), New York City Fire Pension Fund (FIRE), and the New York City Board of Education Retirement System (BERS). As fund managers and allocators gravitate towards investing in AI, Meier discussed the strategies and sectors he finds most attractive.

A look back at 2024: With extensive experience in risk analysis, portfolio management, and alternative investments, Ron shares his insights in this interview. We dive deeper into the bi-annual playbook, manager selection, risk mitigation strategies, and more.

In a look back at 2024, Maddi Heckman sits down with Rob Roy, SVP and CIO at AdventHealth, to explore the intersection of investment strategy, retirement business, and sustainability initiatives. Rob elaborates on how these elements are intricately intertwined, driving towards AdventHealth's mission of whole person care. He discusses the importance of understanding environmental impacts and shares transformational projects aimed at reducing the organization's carbon footprint. Rob also sheds light on the role of the CIO and the critical need for diversity of perspectives in senior management teams.

A look back at 2024: Mika Malone, Managing Principal at Meketa Investment Group, shares her perspectives on shifting sentiment toward mid-market buyout strategies, investment opportunities in Japan and India, and key red flags to watch for when evaluating managers.

As president of a family office, Scott Richland bought a sports team and gives advice on due diligence around sports investing. He also became Caltech’s chief investment officer for 14 years, where he inherited a business and raised its value from $10 million to $100 million. We also discuss the mortgage market, emerging market investments and much more.

A look back at 2024: Mark Steed, CIO of Arizona's $21 billion Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), discusses his journey of growing the fund from $10 billion to $21 billion since 2018. Known for his innovations and focus on blending new and traditional solutions, Steed shares how he's incorporated artificial intelligence into his investment strategies, highlighting case scenarios where AI can be effectively used, as well as the challenges, risks, and best practices from an investor’s perspective.

In this inspiring conversation of 2024, Olympian-turned-financial advisor Lauryn Williams reflects on the challenges she faced early in her athletic career, from managing finances as a professional athlete to the struggles of finding the right financial guidance. Revisit Lauryn’s empowering journey of self-education and perseverance as she shares her path from sports to financial advising.

A look back at 2024 as Kevin Killeavy, CIO of Montgomery County Retirement Plans, shares his approach to managing over $8 billion in assets, maintaining a 100% funding level, and navigating challenges in commercial real estate and energy. Learn about his team's strategic long-term investment success and the key factors driving sustainable growth.

A look back at 2024 as CIO Donald Pierce shares insights with Muskan Arora on how the denominator effect is shaping his portfolio and why he finds real assets appealing in last year’s market.

Meet Frank Mihail, Chief Investment Officer, North Dakota Department of Trust Lands With a 3 person team, and a mandate to divest from energy, how he still made 9.4% in returns during his first year. Discussion includes hedge funds, tariffs, core investments, who he's hiring, his goals for the plan, and what experience primed him for the CIO seat.

In our exclusive conversation from 2024 that shaped the year with Chris Ailman, CIO of CalSTRS, he discusses the intersection of debt, climate change, and what it takes to be an effective CIO.

A look back at 2024, as Bob Fontana, Chief Investment Officer at Investors Trust Company, delves into the outlook for the last year’s markets, explores disruptive healthcare trends, shares thoughts on private credit, and discusses the evolving role of artificial intelligence in investment strategies.

Gary Bruebaker, retired Washington State InvestmentBoard (WSIB) Chief Investment Officer, imparts lessons learned on how hedeveloped one of the most successful funds in state history after receiving theLifetime Achievement award. During his career, he mentored both Marcie Frost,CEO of CalPERS and Allyson Tucker, CEO of WSIB. After he retired, his fund, nowled by Allyson Tucker and Chris Hanak, was one of the few to show positivereturns for the challenging fiscal year in 2022. Interview by Christine Giordano.

A Look Back at 2024: Navigating Equity Markets with Daniel DusinaAs market dynamics continue to evolve—especially in equities across the U.S. and overseas—we’re revisiting insights from Daniel Dusina, Chief Investment Officer at Blue-Chip Partners. In this conversation, recorded last year, Daniel shares his approach to equity allocations, manager selection, and strategic initiatives since stepping into the CIO role.

After the City of Detroit filed the largest bankruptcy in municipal history, and did not make pension contributions for 10 years, it hired Lorenzo Newsome as chief investment officer for the Police and Fire Retirement System. Watch what he's up to, the special dashboard he built to communicate with his board, and what it's like to be a one person investment team for The Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit.

Retiring in June 2025, CIO Patrick Fleming of $30bn Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office discusses about how adopting the KISS (keep it simple stupid) strategy has allowed him to take more risks in his portfolio. In this exciting conversation, the hedge-fund connoisseur talks about the challenges in the current environment, the elections and growing his portfolio from $19bn to $30bn.

An investment strategy review of with Jeb Burns, Chief Investment Officer of Municipal Employees' Retirement System of Michigan, including private equity, commodities, emerging markets, election investing, where he outsources to investment managers and how he finds talent.

David Smith dives deep into healthcare, one of the darlings of PE allocations in the current environment. He opens up about asub-sectors and sub-strategies which work well for the allocators. He further talks about how technology has driven healthcare to its full potential. Catch him talk about manager selection, PE investments and more.

As a strategic investor, Tim Barrett discusses recent allocations, what he's watching, what looks promising, his recruiting process, and the scariest and most rewarding moments of his career. He is one of the few who has been a chief investment officer at a public plan, a corporate plan and now, an endowment.

One of the most influential chief investment officers in the industry discusses what she sees as threats to the industry, what she looks for in managers, how she mentors, her work in creating lifetime income for all workers, her career advice, and making changes on a national scale as a Presidential appointee to the PBGC.

Top Chief Investment Officer Recruiter Michael Kennedy reviews sought after skills allocators need for their next positions. He also gives an insider's view of the Federal Thrift, the largest pension plan in the United States, which he chaired for 10 years. Follow us on socials: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Twitter