IGNITE Podcast Ignite - a podcast from Women in Funds

For the fifth episode of Ignite, a Women in Funds podcast production, we welcome Heather Traeger, General Counsel and CCO, and Denise Lopez, Assistant General Counsel at the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, for a discussion on the impact market and regulatory changes are having on large institutional LPs. 

The constant uptick in regulation has sent ripples throughout the private funds industry, affecting business models and the broader landscape of investment opportunity. During this talk with host Nancy Vailakis, Principal of Ancram IRBD, Heather and Denise shared their views on the following topics:


How the unprecedented volume of rule-making in the past two years has affected and will continue to affect the industry
GP/LP investment negotiations and dynamics
How the hybrid work model has affected investment firms and why. TRS has adopted a 3/2 model
The rise of AI innovation and how TRS is navigating the use of AI in their firm
The opportunities TRS offers women within their organization

In the fourth episode of Ignite, a Women in Funds podcast production, Susan Webb, Founder, CEO, and CIO at Appomattox Advisory, discusses how the recent market events have affected the outlook for the second half of 2023. With the Fed continuing to raise interest rates to keep inflation at bay, valuations have been negatively impacted by the higher rates while credit markets have seen significant tightening creating uncertainty about the direction of the economy.



Despite these challenges, there’s reason for optimism. During the podcast episode, Susan shares her thoughts with podcast moderator Nancy Vailakis, Principal of Ancram IRBD:




How the most recent banking crisis is different from 2008 
Why risk management is essential for banks and asset management firms
Why it is time to assign real responsibility to Boards by implementing the proper governance structure at financial institutions
How CIOs should address the traditional 60/40 portfolio construction model in today’s environment
In a regime of higher rates with no signs of the Fed slowing rate increases, how are businesses going to adjust as we move away from the ‘easy cash environment’
What asset classes and/or strategies are most appropriate for this regime

In the latest episode of Ignite, Noha Sidhom, CIO at Viribus Fund, LP, discusses trends and developments in the U.S. energy sector. Noha explains why the shift toward renewable sources is only part of the equation and that a deep focus on developing and investing in energy infrastructure is required to enable the transition.

Key highlights of the conversation include:


How the rise in more dramatic weather events (i.e., polar vortex, bomb cyclone, winter storm Elliott) is affecting the energy sector
Confirmation that states are moving toward renewables
Balancing technology innovation with managing consumers' access to energy (e.g., electric car charging stations)
Why improving the grid infrastructure and technology are paramount to a successful energy transition

In the second episode of Ignite, a Women in Funds podcast production, Nicole Su, Founder of Jadehouse Capital, discusses some of the factors fueling the secondary market in Asia. Nicole sheds light on how the secondary market and other investment strategies are impacted by today's macro backdrop and still even recovering from the pandemic.

Key takeaways from this episode include:


Shedding light on the investment strategies that are selling in Asia vs. the U.S. and Europe
How investor appetite for long-term investing has shifted post 2008/2009
The rise in the number of dual-currency funds to attract institutional capital
With fewer people traveling, Asian-based placement agents are being enlisted to help fundraise

In the first episode of Ignite, a Women in Funds production, Isatou Smith, Managing Director at EisnerAmper Governance Services Ltd., discusses the Cayman Islands regulatory regime highlighting recent changes and providing practical insight into how private fund managers can establish an investment fund in the jurisdiction. 

Key takeaways from this episode include:


Regulatory changes and how they affect the Cayman Islands domiciled private funds 
Economic substance considerations and requirements for private fund managers
Compliance and governance requirements for private funds
Common misconceptions of Cayman Islands feeder funds
What types of funds is Cayman Islands best positioned to serve