Vidrio podcasts promote thought leadership from across the institutional investor community. Every few weeks you will see a new episode is posted to all the major podcast networks, YouTube, and this destination below showcasing leaders from asset management, endowments, foundations, family offices, OCIOs, pensions, and sovereign wealth funds. Start listening today.
March 3, 2025
Sourcing alternative investment data can only be aided by cutting-edge researchers that provide intelligence on policy issues, alternative investment trends, diversification strategies, and more. In this latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, host Michael Oliver Weinberg chats with Gregory Brown, professor of finance at the university of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, and found of the institute of Private Capital. Learn more about Greg here...
February 3, 2025
In our latest entry into the Improving Alpha podcast, host Michael Oliver Weinberg is joined by Robert C. Wolcott to discuss the Proximity Revolution and how this concept can improve allocator strategies in the future. Learn more about Robert here....
January 13, 2025
How will regulations for institutional investors change under a Trump presidency? How valuable will a shadow SEC be in helping to identify regulatory issues and avoid systemic risk? John C. Coffee, Columbia Law School explores more in our latest Improving Alpha podcast. Listen to this episode now...
December 16, 2024
There's a lot of discussion around cryptocurrency and the impact on institutional investing. With almost $2-$3 trillion in market cap, could it ever take on wider adoption in allocator portfolios? Koray Caliskan, co-Director, MS Strategic Design and Management, the New School, shares his thoughts on cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence for investors, and more. Listen now...
November 4, 2024
What is the future strategy for a $340 billion pension aiming to enhance alpha, cut costs, and manage risks? Scott Chan, the new CIO of CalSTRS, joins Michael Oliver Weinberg on the latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast. Discover his insights on private credit, public markets, fixed income, the contentious issue of ESG, and much more. Listen now.....
September 30, 2024
How can investors avoid the pitfalls of governance disengagement and better understand zombie organizations in the S&P 1500. On this episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, Shivaram Rajgopal discusses his theories on corporate governance. Listen in as he discusses how governance can impact innovation, why the S&P1500 has economic zombies, and more. Listen and learn more about Shivaram here...
September 9, 2024
How can a leading endowment CIO or portfolio manager navigate the volume of financial statements, capital calls, risk/reward ratios, and more?
Please welcome our latest Improving Alpha podcast guest, Catherine Ulozas, Chief Investment Officer, Senior Vice President, Investment, Drexel University. Catherine shares her extensive background from the early years at ING Direct prioritizing safety in fixed-income investments and how that brought her to the CIO role at Drexel University. Learn more about Catherine here...
July 30, 2024
Balancing underwriting with asset allocations at the nations largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurance company is no easy task. Our latest guest to the Improving Alpha podcast navigates this balance with ease, please welcome TC Wilson, CIO, The Doctors Company, to the guest seat. Learn more about his asset allocation strategies here...
July 8, 2024
In this episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, Chris H. Wiggins, Chief Data Scientist, The New York Times and Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, discusses whether institutional investors have enough 'scar tissue' when it comes to artificial intelligence and LLMs. Can AI get it right and help us solve some of the larger data challenges that allocators are facing today? Find out, and learn more about Chris here...
June 24, 2024
How can artificial intelligence be leveraged to better understand human and optimize business operations for institutional investors today? In this latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, host Michael Oliver Weinberg is joined by Olivier Toubia, Glaubinger Professor of Business Marketing Division, Columbia Business School to discuss the granular applications for AI and how it relates to Wall Street and other allocators. Learn more about Olivier here...
June 17, 2024
In our latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, host Michael Oliver Weinberg is joined by David Teten, Venture Partner, Coolwater Capital to discuss thoughts on becoming a serial builder of venture capital firms, how investment tools being used to generate alpha are evolving, and more. Learn more about David here...
April 15, 2024
Mazen Jabban, Chairman and CEO of Vidrio Financial, joins host, Michael Oliver Weinberg on this latest installment of the Improving Alpha podcast. The podcast agenda will take the listener through the potential for AI in allocation decision-making, the rise of data challenges for investors, the total portfolio view, and plenty more. Learn more about Mazen here...
March 18, 2024
In the latest installment of the Improving Alpha podcast, Michael Oliver Weinberg speaks with global organization leader and executive coach Karen Yeyinmen to unravel the intricacies of leadership psychology for asset managers (particularly Private Equity firms) and allocators. Learn more about Karen and listen in now.
February 26, 2024
Is bitcoin a ‘safe-haven’ or still too risky for institutional investors to include as part of a larger portfolio allocation? How is systematic investing changing today with the influence of neural networks and artificial intelligence? Michael Oliver Weinberg, host of the Improving Alpha: Innovation in Investing ESG, and Technology podcast invites Ciamac Moallemi, William von Mueffling Professor of Business Decision, Risk, and Operations Division, Columbia Business School, to unravel some of the mysteries behind decentralized finance (DeFi) and quantitative investing. Learn more about Ciamac here....
In our latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, our host, Michael Oliver Weinberg, sits down with Russell L. Carson, Founder & General Partner of Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe and Chairman of The Carson Family Charitable Trust.
Russ explores his own journey in both venture capital and private equity, what led him to create the Carson Family Charitable Trust, succession planning for his business, and why he’s become a student of improving the human condition. Learn more about Russell here...
January 8, 2024
Join host Michael Oliver Weinberg as he sits down with Sandro Salsano, President, Salsano Group, for the latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast. Together, they delve into the Latin American investment markets, providing insights into what institutional investors can anticipate for 2024. They'll also touch upon Sandro's philanthropic ventures and discuss how he attributes his success to being humble and applying a measure of psychology in his investment approach. Learn more about Sandro here...
December 11, 2023
As institutional investments become increasingly intricate, it is crucial to bring transparency (and perhaps even enlightenment) to both GPs and LPs.Serving as a cautionary tale for this installment of Improving Alpha, a famous quote by renowned British Economist Ronald H. Coase once said, “ if you torture the data long enough, it will confess to anything”. Please join us as Michael Oliver Weinberg speaks to William J. Kelly, CAIA, President & CEO. Learn more about William here...
December 4, 2023
Mastering the timing of investment markets is a formidable challenge that demands unwavering commitment to a well-defined methodology. It entails navigating through risks, optimizing volatility, and steering clear of managers who adopt a reckless "spray and pray" approach. Join Michael Oliver Weinberg as he engages in a captivating conversation with Paul C. Sohn, Chief Investment Officer at Mont Alto Capital. Paul provides his front row insight and expertise on what he has observed over the last 20 years in hedge fund investing, macro portfolio management, and the formation of his family office, Mont Alto Capital. Learn more about Paul Sohn here...
October 31, 2023
Experience the latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, where Michael Oliver Weinberg is joined by Christopher J. Ailman, Chief Investment Officer, CalSTRS. With an impressive 40 years of experience in the business, Christopher’s unwavering passion for constant learning in the face of market volatility and seeking alpha strategies shines through. Learn more about Chris here...
September 20, 2023
In this highly anticipated episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, join Michael Oliver Weinberg as he engages in a compelling conversation with Scott Pittman, SVP and Chief Investment Officer at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Gain valuable insights into Scott’s visionary objectives for the future and discover how he strategically harnesses the power of research, fundamental and quantitative analysis to drive exceptional performance and unlock investment value. Listen in now.
August 7, 2023
Michael Oliver Weinberg, Host, The Improving Alpha podcast is joined by Tobias Read, State Treasurer, Oregon, where Tobias discusses the approach that his team has taken towards innovation, why running a pension isn’t simply about just maximizing a return number, or why a pension plan can’t do it alone when it comes to climate change regulations. Listen in now.
July 10, 2023
Michael Oliver Weinberg, Host, The Improving Alpha podcast, introduces us to Jose Eduardo Siman, President, Intradeco Inc. Listen to how Jose is striving for a more 'Warren Buffet' model of decentralization for his global subsidiaries. Michael will also dive into how Jose is thinking about succession and retail innovation. Learn more about Jose here...
March 13, 2023
In our latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast, Michael Oliver Weinberg speaks with Gitanjali Swamy, PH.D., Senior Legislative and Policy Advisor, Massachusetts State Senate, Managing Partner, IoTask on how leaders approach the more social aspects of ESG. Learn how those in the asset community are creating their own collective intelligence approaches and more about Gita here...
February 6, 2023
In this episode, Michael Oliver Weinberg, co-founder, Improving Alpha Podcast Series, is joined by Tensie Whelan, Clinical Professor of Business and Society and Director, Center for Sustainable Business, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, NYU, to discuss more on the topic of sustainability, and how companies can look at their profiles in the market when considering risk, competitor analysis, competitor advantage bottom-line. Learn more about Tensie here...
January 24, 2023
In this episode, Greg Steinmetz, Author & Securities Analyst, Ruane, Cunniff and Goldfarb sit down to discuss his latest research into the world of Fugger and Gould. Learn how these two men surpassed the likes of Vanderbilt and Rockefeller and shaped the financial landscape that investors navigate today. Learn more about Greg here...
January 6, 2023
In this episode, Shai Davidai, Assistant Professor, Management Division, Columbia Business School, goes under the hood of economic behavioral psychology at work across asset managers and owners. Learn more about Shai here...
December 9, 2022
In this episode, Jonathan Grabel, Chief Investment Officer, LACERA discusses his career journey, ESG views, the evaluation of new investments, and more. Learn more about Jonathan here...
November 28, 2022
In this episode, Ben Samild, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Construction, Future Fund, discusses post-pandemic portfolio strategies, red flags in the decision-making process, and much more. Learn more about Ben here...
November 14, 2022
Jeff Mindlin, Chief Investment Officer of ASU Enterprise Partners, discusses how ASU Enterprise Partners encourages growth to the next generation of financial advisors, how tech and innovation feature in his allocations, and more. Learn more about Jeff here...
April 9, 2025
Given the recent volatility that we've seen in financial markets, how are emerging market credit opportunities performing for institutional investors? Genna Lozovsky, Founder & Managing Partner, Sandglass Capital Management joins us for our latest Thematic Investors podcast. Catch this episode as Genna takes us through his thoughts on Argentina, China, Greece, and Ukraine, and how credit investments differ from their equity counterparts in emerging markets. Learn more about Genna here...
March 12, 2025
How many thematic investors began their professional careers outside finance? Our next guest on the Thematic Investors podcast is all about hard technology and semi-conductors, but spent his early career in Cosmology. Learn more about Val Zlatev how his investments in hard technology are paying off and what he thinks of Elon and the future of AI. Kick off the episode here...
February 26, 2025
In our latest episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, host, Kieran Cavanna, sits down with Arvind Sanger, founder and managing partner, Geosphere Capital Management. Learn what Arvind is thinking when it comes to sensible energy investing, SMR usage, Scott Bessent's 3-3-3 plan for oil and gas, and much more. Learn more about Arvind here...
December 5, 2024
What sort of catalysts in institutional investing can push a distressed equity or credit asset into positive return territory for investors? In our latest episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, host Kieran Cavanna, Old Farm Partners sits down with the team at PlusTick Management LLC to find out. Learn more about PlusTick Management here...
October 14, 2024
In this latest episode of Thematic Investors Podcast, host Kieran Cavanna, Chief Investment Officer and Co-Founder, Old Farm Partners is joined by Will Homan-Russell, Chief Investment Officer, WMC Capital. Will brings his expertise on global shipping investment plays and how various market forces can impact the future of this industry. Learn more about Will here....
July 1, 2024
Join host Kieran Cavanna on the latest episode of the Thematic Investors podcast as we welcome guest, Gavin Baker, Atreides Management, LP. Gavin walks us through his focus in tech investing and what is on the horizon for institutional investors today. Learn more about Gavin here...
May 13, 2024
Legendary basketball coach Pat Riley was once quoted as saying, “Keep the main thing, the main thing”, which is a great tip for anyone wishing to enter the field of macro investing on the global stage. In this episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, host Kieran Cavanna sits down with CEO and Founder, Scott Bessent, to discuss a career in global macro investing, "exorbitant privilege", and a lot more. Learn more about Scott here....
March 20, 2024
Thematic Investors podcast, host Kieran Cavanna, speaks with guest James Davolos, Portfolio Manager, Horizon Kinetics who shares his methodology on tackling high inflationary markets while becoming a rising star in the value investing space. Learn more about James here...
January 29, 2024
When looking at European investments, how will the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy align on energy transition, innovative technology growth, financial services, and more? How can institutional investors capture this market when comparing them against more attractive U.S. opportunities? Our host, Kieran Cavanna, speaks with Stuart Mitchell, Managing Partner | CIO and Investment Manager, S.W. Mitchell Capital LLP, on this and a lot more.
December 18, 2023
In the realm of telecommunications, investment strategies are constantly evolving. Whether your focus is on the cutting-edge upstream products like carriers, data centers, and telecom companies, or the dynamic downstream products such as semiconductors and the intricate supply chain that supports them, this industry is always driving forward.
Our latest episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, host, Kieran Cavanna, speaks with Alan Bezoza, Managing Director, Liquid Strategies at DigitalBridge Investment Management. Learn more about Alan Bezoza's insights here...
October 2, 2023
In our highly anticipated second episode of the Thematic Investors podcast, host, Kieran Cavanna, engages in a captivating discussion on uranium investing with Daren Heitman, CFA, Managing Partner & Chief Investment Officer, and Chris Gillespie, Partner and Co-Portfolio Manager at Azarias Capital Management. Learn more about our guests here...
September 11, 2023
In this inaugural episode, Kieran Cavanna, CIO, Old Farm Partners and host of the Thematic Investors podcast, is joined by Todd Kantor, Founder and Managing Member of Encompass Capital Advisors LLC. This is a critical podcast for those interested in energy transition and the investment strategies that are required to play in this arena. Learn more about Todd here...
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Vidrio Financial is the first Technology Enabled Service for allocators — providing software and data services to institutional investors globally. Vidrio’s data aggregation and analytics help solve complex fund management problems, improve operational efficiency and reduce risk for multi-asset-class portfolio investors. Our clients are the world’s premier allocators to external managers.
