In this episode of the Wealth Management Invest podcast, host David Bodamer connects with Brendan McCurdy, managing director and co-head of the financial advisor solutions team at Ares, to delve into private market investments. They discuss how financial advisors navigate the complexities of private equity, private credit, real estate, and infrastructure. 

David and Brendan discuss:

The structure and role of the Financial Advisor Solutions team within Ares [00:01:10]
Navigating complexities in private market investments [00:03:00]
The strategic importance of alternative investments in portfolios [00:05:30]
Access points in private markets and investor targeting [00:07:20]
Trends and shifts in asset classes for 2025 [00:09:50]
The rise of infrastructure investments driven by technological advancements [00:15:00]
Opportunities in sports, media, and entertainment investments [00:22:30]
And more

Connect With David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com 
Website: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect With Brendan McCurdy:

Ares Management: https://www.aresmgmt.com/ 
LinkedIn: Ares Management Corporations: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ares-management/ 
LinkedIn: Brendan McCurdy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-mccurdy-2733146/

About Our Guest:

Brendan is a Managing Director and Head of Research & Marketing within Ares Wealth Management Solutions, a premier provider of private market investment solutions for private wealth investors and family offices. Within Research, the Financial Advisor Solutions Team (FAST) is a team of asset allocation specialists that deliver education, insights, and analytical tools that can help optimize the inclusion of private markets in portfolios.

Wealth Management Invest: Ares’ Approach to Private Markets with Brendan McCurdy

In this episode of the Wealth Management Invest Podcast, host David Bodamer sits down with Robert Picard, managing director and head of alternative investments at Hightower, to unravel the shifting dynamics of private markets and their role in contemporary investment portfolios. With over 34 years of experience, Robert shares insights into why billionaires and university endowments diverge from the traditional 60/40 allocation model and how individual investors can replicate their success in private markets. 

David and Robert discuss:

- The evolution of private market access for individual investors
- The strategic role of a 20% private market allocation
- The emergence of private credit as a popular asset class
- The rise of evergreen funds and their democratizing effect on access to alternative i-investments
- And more

Connect With David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com 
Website: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect With Robert Picard:

Hightower: https://hightoweradvisors.com/index.html 
LinkedIn: Robert Picard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robpicard/ 

About Our Guest:

Robert Picard led the creation of the Alternative Investment Platform at Hightower while curating investment opportunities through research and due diligence. Prior to joining Hightower, he was instrumental in building four multi-billion dollar alternative investment platforms at The Carlyle Group/Rock Creek, Optima Fund Management, RBC Capital Markets, and State Street/InfraHedge. Most recently, Mr. Picard served as the Head of Alternative Investments at First Republic Private Wealth Management.


Wealth Management Invest: Unpacking Hightower’s Approach to Private Markets with Robert Picard

The landscape of wealth management is shifting, and alternative investments are emerging as a powerful tool for RIAs looking to drive organic growth and portfolio resilience. With increasing investor demand for access to institutional-grade opportunities, advisors must evolve their approach to stay competitive.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, sits down with Saira Rahman, VP of new investor initiatives at Fundrise, to explore how advisors can harness the power of alternatives to enhance client outcomes. 

Shannon and Saira discuss:

- The evolution of private market investing and why RIAs should take notice
- How Fundrise is making institutional-grade alternatives more accessible
- Why the next wave of alpha lies in venture capital and private markets
- Key barriers to alternative investment adoption—and how to overcome them

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrosic/
WealthStack website: https://informaconnect.com/wealthstack/ 
WealthManagement.com: https://www.wealthmanagement.com

Connect with Saira Rahman:

LinkedIn: Saira Rahman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sairarahman/ 
Fundrise: https://fundrise.com/

About Our Guest:

Saira Rahman is VP of New Investor Initiatives at Fundrise. She is also a Board advisor and speaker with 17 years of experience in strategy, payments, modeling and forecasting, financial reporting, and interest rates. Saira received the NYC FinTech Women Inspiring Females Award, was named a Top 30 Leader Shaping FinTech (Financial IT), appeared on the Top 10 Women in FinTech Power List.


The WealthStack Podcast: How RIAs Can Leverage Alternative Investments with Saira Rahman

Join David Bodamer as he sits down with Stephanie Drescher, Apollo's chief client and product development officer, to unravel the potential of alternative investments for wealth advisors.

David and Stephanie explore why Apollo is confident in hitting $150 billion in assets within the wealth channel and why traditional portfolios fall short without private market exposure. They break down the innovations making private investments more accessible for advisors and their clients.

David and Stephanie discuss:

- The gap in private market allocations between institutions and individuals
- Overcoming barriers to alternatives with innovative solutions
- Apollo's strategic focus on global wealth and custom-tailored investment strategies
- How Apollo's wealth team has grown and evolved to better serve advisors
- Insights into Apollo's third-party alts partnerships
- A global shift in perception of risk in public vs. private markets
- The importance of manager selection and transparency in private investments
- And more

Connect with David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com 
Apollo: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect with Stephanie Drescher:

Apollo - https://www.apollo.com/homepage 
LinkedIn: Stephanie Drescher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-drescher-apollo/ 

About Our Guest:

Stephanie Drescher is Partner and Chief Client and Product Development Officer at Apollo, and a member of the Firm’s Management Committee. She oversees the Client and Product Solutions Group (CPS), which includes Institutional Client & Product Solutions (ICPS) and Global Wealth Management Solutions (GWMS), which seeks to expand Apollo’s investment offerings to an increasingly broad base of individual investors through a variety of global wealth management channels. Stephanie is also Co-Chair of Apollo Women Empower (AWE), Apollo’s women’s network. Prior to joining Apollo in 2004, Stephanie was with JP Morgan working primarily in its Alternative Investment Group.

Wealth Management Invest: Apollo’s Stephanie Drescher on Bringing Alts to the Wealth Channel

Join David Bodamer, Editorial Director at WealthManagement.com, and his guest, Brad Walker, Co-President at CAIS, as they delve into the transformative landscape of alternative investments. 

Discover why independent wealth managers and RIAs are increasingly incorporating alts into client portfolios and the innovative trends making this possible.

Highlights from this episode include:

- The growth and evolution of the CAIS platform [00:00:37]
- Shifts in advisor strategies towards diversifying alternative investments [00:03:18]
- The importance of technology in streamlining alt investments and management [00:12:55]
- How CAIS is making alternative investments accessible to a broader advisor base [00:23:40]
- And more

Connect With David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com 
Website: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect With Brad Walker:

CAIS: https://www.caisgroup.com/ 
LinkedIn: Brad Walker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-walker-3142402/ 

About Our Guest:

Brad Walker is Co-President of CAIS, where he drives the firm’s client experience and growth initiatives, ensuring independent financial advisors have the access, education, and innovation they need to adapt to the evolving world of alternative investments. He is committed to transforming how the independent wealth ecosystem engages with alternatives, helping advisors deliver greater value to their clients. Under his leadership, CAIS continues to enhance its platform, deepen industry partnerships, and set new standards for access, efficiency, and transparency in the space. A member of both the Executive Committee and Operating Committee, Brad plays a central role in shaping CAIS’s vision, growth, and impact on the independent wealth ecosystem.


CAIS’s Brad Walker on Making Alternative Investments Accessible

In this episode of the Wealth Management Invest Podcast, host David Bodamer sits down with Kristen Mirabella, head of partnerships at Eaglebrook Advisors, to discuss the evolving role of cryptocurrency in wealth management.

Eaglebrook is a digital asset platform that allows advisors to invest directly in crypto through separately managed accounts. 

Kristen talks about Eaglebrook’s compliance-first mindset and how in-kind transfers and tax-efficient strategies are helping advisors meet growing client demand for digital assets.

Key highlights include:

- Enabling direct investment in crypto SMAs with Eagle Brook 
- Navigating the process of in-kind transfers 
- Tax loss harvesting benefits of crypto SMAs 
- Integrating crypto into client portfolios 
- And more

Connect With David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com 
Website: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect With Kristen Mirabella:

Eaglebrook - https://eaglebrook.com/ 
LinkedIn: Kristen Mirabella: https://bit.ly/42t4fuE 

Wealth Management Invest: Demystifying Crypto for Financial Advisors with Kristen Mirabella

In this episode of the Wealth Management Invest Podcast, host David Bodamer sits down with Don Calcagni, the chief investment officer of Mercer Advisors, to explore how Mercer attempts to align investment decisions with financial goals. David and Don dive into defining clear investment objectives that align with clients’ financial aspirations, the importance of moving beyond 60/40 asset allocations, and understanding the psychological hurdles investors face. 

They discuss the latest investment vehicles, transforming strategies, the ongoing active versus passive management debate, and the nuances of private markets.

Connect With David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com   
Website: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect With Don Calcagni:

Mercer Advisors: https://www.merceradvisors.com/ 
LinkedIn: Don Calcagni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-calcagni-8104b546/ 

About Our Guest:

As Chief Investment Officer, Don is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the firm’s investment offering, chairing the firm's investment committee, and the prudent stewardship of over $70 billion in assets under management. As a member of the executive leadership team, he also participates in M&A due diligence, oversees investment integration for new acquisitions, and provides ongoing advice regarding the firm's overall strategic direction to the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

#podcast #invest #education #WealthManagement

Wealth Management Invest: Rethinking Portfolio Diversification with Don Calcagni

Private markets are no longer just for the ultra-wealthy. In fact, they may be the missing piece in your clients’ portfolios—and AssetMark is betting big on that future.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic sits down with Michael Kim, president and CEO of AssetMark, to unpack how technology, education, and private equity access are converging to redefine portfolio construction. Michael shares AssetMark’s new direction under private ownership and how they’re demystifying alternatives for advisors.

Key highlights include:

- Why the shrinking number of public companies makes private markets essential for diversification
- How AssetMark’s UMA tech is streamlining private market access
- What “growth is life” means for advisors—and their clients
- Why tax-managed services and real-time client insights are game-changers
- How AI can power the next best action, but will never replace human connection.

Resources:

Listen to WealthStack on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/4jZQmKi 
Subscribe and listen to WealthStack on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4cXKleN 
Subscribe and listen to WealthStack on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RJwMG0 

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrosic/
WealthStack website: https://informaconnect.com/wealthstack/ 
WealthManagement.com: https://www.wealthmanagement.com

Connect with Michael Kim:
 
Website: www.assetmark.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkim123ria/ 
Email: michael.kim@assetmark.com 

About Our Guest:

Michael Kim is the Chief Executive Officer and President of AssetMark. With more than 25 years of industry experience, he has set the strategic vision for the firm, which encompasses AssetMark’s platform of curated investments, technology solutions, business consulting, operations support, and acquisitions that serve the best interests of financial advisors and their investors.

Michael joined AssetMark in 2010 and has held a number of leadership positions, including Head of National Sales and Consulting, Chief Client Officer, and President (2021–Present). Michael was instrumental during AssetMark’s leveraged buyout transition to Genstar in 2013, its sale to Huatai Securities in 2016, its IPO in 2019, and its sale to GTCR in 2024.

Before joining AssetMark, Michael was a Senior Vice President at Fidelity’s Institutional Wealth Services. He began his career in public accounting at Coopers & Lybrand, LLC.
Michael received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Unlocking Private Markets: How AssetMark Is Redefining Advisor Opportunity with Michael Kim

In this episode of the Wealth Management Invest Podcast, host David Bodamer interviews Tom Cohn, partner and chief solutions officer at Cerity Partners. They explore the significance of private markets in client portfolios and discuss asset allocation strategies. 

Tom shares insights on the evolution of private markets, the rise of evergreen structures and the impact of macroeconomic trends on investment decisions.

They discuss:

- Key considerations for client portfolios, including illiquidity risk and asset class diversification
- The growing importance of data centers and AI-driven infrastructure investments
- How secondaries provide diversification and reduce risk exposure
- The shift of credit opportunities from banking to asset management 

Connect With David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com 
Website: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect With Tom Cohn:

LinkedIn: Tom Cohn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-cohn-cfa-8917b927/ 
LinkedIn: Cerity Partners: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerity-partners/ 
Cerity Partners: https://ceritypartners.com/ 

Resources:

Listen to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3EHpeRh 
Listen and Subscribe to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m1s30k 
Listen and Subscribe to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4d0rD67 

Wealth Management Invest: Cerity’s Tom Cohn on Private Market Allocations

In this episode of Wealth Management Invest, host David Bodamer talks with Jonathan McEvoy, managing director, Investor Relations and head of Private Wealth Secondaries Solutions Distribution at Coller Capital, to explore how secondaries provide an additional access point to private markets. Jonathan shares the growth story of private equity and private credit secondaries, their benefits to advisors and clients and how Coller Capital uses semiliquid funds to deliver its strategies. 

Key Points :

- The evolution of the secondary market from niche beginnings to a $160 billion-plus annual transaction space
- How secondaries provide liquidity, diversification and reduced risk through seasoned portfolios
- The advantages of semiliquid fund structures for private wealth investors
- The growing importance of education for advisors and clients when approaching secondaries

Connect With David Bodamer:

david.bodamer@informa.com 
Website: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ 
LinkedIn: David Bodamer : https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bodamer-9a0581a/  
LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealthmanagement-com/ 

Connect With Jonathan McEvoy:

Website: Coller Capital - https://www.collercapital.com/ 
LinkedIn: Jonathan McEvoy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmcevoy/ 

Resources:

Listen to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on WealthManagement.com: https://bit.ly/3EHpeRh 
Listen and Subscribe to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4m1s30k 
Listen and Subscribe to the Wealth Management Invest Podcast on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4d0rD67 

New tracks tagged #PrivateMarkets