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.