Pivotal

Maureen Fitzgerald
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Welcome to Pivotal hosted by Maureen Fitzgerald! Pivotal with Maureen Fitzgerald brings together the most influential voices in asset management and investment banking. Each episode unpacks how senior leaders are redefining talent, culture, and leadership through generational change and AI disruption. Host Maureen Fitzgerald leads candid conversations on building resilient, future-ready firms.

  1. 2d ago

    SE02 E08 From Crisis to Opportunity | Scott Powers

    Scott Powers, Chair of the Boards of Sun Life Financial Inc. and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada has three decades of global experience in institutional asset management including the years we worked together at State Street Global Advisors where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Scott shares his extensive career journey in the financial services industry, reflecting on the experiences, challenges, and pivotal moments that shaped his leadership approach and professional perspective. In this episode of Pivotal, Scott looks back on his transition to institutional asset management and his leadership journey at State Street Global Advisors. He discusses navigating major economic challenges, including 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis, and the how these experiences reinforced the importance of maintaining strong client relationships, making thoughtful decisions, and leading with humility. Scott also shares why trust, and fiduciary responsibility must remain at the heart of financial services, how a client-centric approach can help organizations succeed, and why open communication and collaboration are essential to effective leadership. He reflects on the evolving investment landscape, and the importance of mentoring the next generation of leaders. Key Takeaways ·       How early career experiences and pivotal moments shaped his professional journey. ·       Why maintaining strong client relationships is especially important during periods of uncertainty. ·       How navigating crises such as 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis shaped Scott’s leadership and decision-making. ·       Why trust and fiduciary responsibility must remain at the center of financial services. ·       How open communication and management by walking around can help leaders understand their teams. ·       Why mentoring the next generation of leaders is an important responsibility. ·       Why success is ultimately about helping others achieve their goals. I hope you enjoy this episode!Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. Maureen and the Pivotal podcast team Connect with Scott via https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-powers-2136b4b/Connect with Maureen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-fitzgerald-3494a888/ Visit the Movere website: www.themovere.com Listen to Pivotal on these podcast platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7EwDrbfJNwR6iuWCO5ImiVApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gen-gap/id1832947907 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/858936e1-c8ca-4b2d-b054-d3837c70eea3/the-gen-gap #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #business #podcast #podcastshow #talent #retaintalent #newepisode #success #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #womensleadership #organizationalleadership #salesmanagement #assetmanagement #seniorleadership #emergingleaders #newhires #nextgeneration #affinitygroups #genz #millennials Pivotal with Maureen Fitzgerald brings together the most influential voices in asset management, wealth management, and investment banking to explore the experiences that defined their leadership. Each episode examines the turning points that altered their trajectory: the act of courage, the unexpected crisis, the person who opened a door, or the idea that rewired their path. Drawing on her experience as former Head of Institutional Distribution at SSgA and Fidelity, Maureen sits with CEOs, founders, and senior executives to unpack the moments that changed everything. Tune in to our episodes and like and subscribe so you don't miss out on any content!

  2. Nov 4

    SE02 E07 The Power of Trusting Your Instincts | Sayuri Khandavilli

    Sayuri Khandavilli, Head of Americas Real Estate Distribution at Nuveen, shares the career experiences, personal relationships, and pivotal moments that shaped her professional journey and evolving perspective on success and happiness. In this episode of Pivotal, Sayuri reflects on her career across multiple cities and roles, the importance of trusting her judgment, and the mentors who helped shape her decisions. She discusses how relationships and community influence professional growth, why building connections at work requires proactivity, and how embracing change can create opportunities for personal and professional development. Sayuri also shares why mentorship should focus on understanding thought processes rather than simply giving advice, how self-reflection and energy management influence future aspirations, and why lasting success comes from building sustainable systems rather than pursuing promotions alone. Key Takeaways: - How Sayuri’s career journey evolved across multiple cities and professional roles.- How personal relationships can significantly influence career decisions.- Why trusting your own judgment is essential for professional growth.- Why effective mentorship involves understanding thought processes rather than simply offering advice.- How proactively building relationships and networking can help create a strong workplace community.- How embracing change can lead to personal and professional growth.- Why building a strong relationship with yourself is vital for long-term success.- Why success is about creating sustainable systems rather than focusing solely on promotions.- How curiosity about others can lead to valuable insights and stronger connections.- Why self-reflection and intentional daily actions can help you shape your future. Connect with Sayuri via https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayurikhandavilli/ I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. Maureen and the Pivotal podcast team Connect with Maureen on LinkedIn:\[https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-fitzgerald-3494a888/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-fitzgerald-3494a888/) Visit the Movere website here:\[https://www.themovere.com](https://www.themovere.com) Listen to Pivotal on these podcast platforms: Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/show/7EwDrbfJNwR6iuWCO5ImiV](https://open.spotify.com/show/7EwDrbfJNwR6iuWCO5ImiV)\Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gen-gap/id1832947907](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gen-gap/id1832947907)\Amazon Podcasts: [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/858936e1-c8ca-4b2d-b054-d3837c70eea3/the-gen-gap](https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/858936e1-c8ca-4b2d-b054-d3837c70eea3/the-gen-gap) \#entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #business #podcast #podcastshow #talent #retaintalent #newepisode #success #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #womensleadership #organizationalleadership #salesmanagement #assetmanagement #seniorleadership #emergingleaders #newhires #nextgeneration #affinitygroups #genz #millennials Pivotal with Maureen Fitzgerald brings together the most influential voices in asset management, wealth management, and investment banking to explore the experiences that defined their leadership. Each episode examines the turning points that altered their trajectory: the act of courage, the unexpected crisis, the person who opened a door, or the idea that rewired their path. Drawing on her experience as former Head of Institutional Distribution at SSgA and Fidelity, Maureen sits with CEOs, founders, and senior executives to unpack the moments that changed everything. Tune in to our episodes and like and subscribe so you don't miss out on any content!

  3. Oct 21

    SE02 E06 Why Operational Insight Beats Big Talk | Roy Kuo

    In this episode of Pivotal, Maureen sits down with Roy Kuo, Chief Investment Officer at Galilei Investment Office, to talk about why the people who actually understand how a business runs end up being the better investors, long before anyone notices. Roy walks through his path from strategy and manufacturing consulting into institutional investing, including almost a decade as deputy head at the Church Commissioners for England and building out the alternatives division at Bramdean Asset Management through the global financial crisis. He shares the story of pushing an ESG strategy at the Church that the rest of the committee thought was too aggressive, being proven right five years later, and why he still counts it as a lesson in knowing when to hold a position and when to step back. The conversation also covers how wildly client risk tolerance can vary regardless of someone’s background, what he expects the AI productivity boom to do to the job market, and why he thinks a firm of his size can now compete with the largest wealth managers. Key takeaways Why operational understanding predicts good judgment better than a strong public profileThe ESG call Roy made that the market took five years to catch up toHow client risk tolerance rarely tracks with wealth or professional backgroundWhy Roy expects AI-driven productivity gains to create real political strainHow early AI adoption lets a smaller firm compete with the big wealth managersThe habit of “kissing as many frogs as possible” and what it taught him about reading people Connect with Roy Kuo:Roy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roy-kuoGalilei Investment Office: https://galileiio.com If you’ve ever wondered whether the loudest person in the room is actually the one who knows what they’re doing, this conversation is worth your time. Subscribe to Pivotal for more stories about the moments that changed the direction of someone’s career.

  4. Oct 7

    SE02 E05 Navigating a Diverse Career Path | Brian Vendig

    From public accounting to wealth management, Brian Vendig shares the pivotal moments, challenges, and relationships that shaped his diverse career and leadership approach. In this episode of Pivotal, Brian reflects on his journey across different industries, the setbacks that became opportunities for growth, and the mentors who influenced his professional development. He discusses the importance of maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset, creating a positive work environment, and focusing on genuinely helping clients rather than simply advising them. Brian also shares how global travel expanded his perspective on leadership and human connection, why he believes feedback should be viewed as a challenge, and how he continues to balance career growth, mentorship, and family life. Key Takeaways: -How Brian’s career evolved from public accounting through various industries.-The pivotal moments that shaped his approach to learning and professional growth.-How his family’s history of perseverance influenced his approach to challenges.-Why setbacks can become opportunities for growth.-The important role mentorship has played throughout Brian’s career.-Why helping clients is more important than simply advising them.-The importance of creating a positive environment for team success.-How global travel shaped Brian’s perspective on leadership and human connection.-Brian’s commitment to mentoring others within his organization.-Why work-life balance remains an important priority throughout his career. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. Maureen and the Pivotal podcast team Connect with Maureen on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-fitzgerald-3494a888/ Visit the Movere website here:https://www.themovere.com Listen to Pivotal on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7EwDrbfJNwR6iuWCO5ImiVApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gen-gap/id1832947907Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/858936e1-c8ca-4b2d-b054-d3837c70eea3/the-gen-gap #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #business #podcast #podcastshow #talent #retaintalent #newepisode #success #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #womensleadership #organizationalleadership #salesmanagement #assetmanagement #seniorleadership #emergingleaders #newhires #nextgeneration #affinitygroups #genz #millennials Pivotal with Maureen Fitzgerald brings together the most influential voices in asset management, wealth management, and investment banking to explore the experiences that defined their leadership. Each episode examines the turning points that altered their trajectory: the act of courage, the unexpected crisis, the person who opened a door, or the idea that rewired their path. Drawing on her experience as former Head of Institutional Distribution at SSgA and Fidelity, Maureen sits with CEOs, founders, and senior executives to unpack the moments that changed everything. Tune in to our episodes and like and subscribe so you don't miss out on any content!

  5. Sep 23

    SE02 E04 Choosing Your Own Door | Manish Singh

    In this episode of Pivotal, Maureen sits down with Manish Singh, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Crossbridge Capital Group, to talk about the childhood moment that shaped how he approaches every decision since. Manish shares the story of walking up to a school principal as a teenager and asking to be let in, rather than waiting to be chosen, and how that single act became the blueprint for the risks he'd take later in his career. He walks through his path from an engineering degree at IIT Mumbai to a finance masters in the UK, into fixed income structuring at UBS, equity research at Société Générale, and eventually into the buy side role he has held at Crossbridge Capital for over a decade.The conversation covers Manish's decision to walk away from a nearly guaranteed academic path in the US to pursue finance instead, disappointing his family in the process, and why he believes conviction and accountability matter more than following the safest route. He also opens up about how becoming a parent changed his patience and perspective, an unexpected brush with UK politics after being invited to advise the Conservative Party's shadow treasury team, and what he's focused on next as he works to bring more institutional capital into structured equity strategies.Key takeaways:- Manish credits a single bold moment as a teenager, asking directly for what he wanted instead of waiting to be chosen, as the root of his approach to risk- Choosing finance over a nearly guaranteed academic path in the US meant disappointing his family, but gave him a career he was genuinely suited to- Moving from sell side to buy side let Manish put real capital behind his own convictions instead of just publishing opinions- Manish was invited to advise the UK's shadow treasury team and was later asked whether he'd consider running for Parliament- Becoming a parent reshaped his patience, decision making, and how he mentors people on his team- He's now focused on bringing more institutional capital, including pension and insurance money, into structured equity strategiesConnect with Manish Singh:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish-singh-cfa-7561092/Crossbridge Capital: https://crossbridgecapital.comIf Manish's story of betting on himself resonated with you, subscribe to Pivotal for more conversations about the moments that change the direction of a career.

  6. Sep 9

    SE02 E03 Leaving Certainty to Build Shorecliff | Grant Nachman

    In this episode of Pivotal, Maureen sits down with Grant Nachman, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer of Shorecliff Asset Management, to unpack the moment that pushed him to leave a senior role to build his own firm from nothing. Grant shares the blunt phone call with a former boss and mentor that gave him the confidence to finally commit to launching Shorecliff, and what it actually felt like to go from an established firm to sitting in a coffee shop with a slide deck and no job. The conversation goes into the mechanics of building a firm from the ground up, including the Quaker consensus model Grant uses for decision making, why bureaucracy and slow decision cycles can cost real money, and how he thinks about culture, leadership, and managing people for the first time as a founder. Grant also talks openly about the fear of failure that comes with starting something new, how he reframed that fear using a more rational style of planning, and what he hopes the next chapter looks like as Shorecliff continues to grow. Key takeawaysA direct, no nonsense conversation with a former boss and mentor was the final push Grant needed to commit to launching ShorecliffBuilding a firm from scratch means constantly fighting the brain's instinct to retreat to a safer, more traditional jobGrant uses a Quaker consensus based decision making model that allows team members to respectfully stand aside rather than block a decision outrightSlow, bureaucratic decision making can directly cost money, which is why Shorecliff is built to move quicklyHiring people you have already worked alongside under pressure matters more than a strong interview process Connect with Grant Nachman:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantnachman/Shorecliff Asset Management: https://shorecliffam.com If you've ever thought about leaving a safe, established role to build something of your own, this conversation is a real look at what that decision actually costs and what it can give back. Subscribe to Pivotal for more stories like this one.

  7. Aug 19

    SE02 E02 Building a Billion Dollar RIA From Scratch | Charles Chuck Failla

    In today's episode of Pivotal, Maureen sits down with Charles "Chuck" Failla, CFP, Founder and CEO of Sovereign Financial Group, one of the fastest growing RIA platforms in the country. Chuck walks through his unlikely path into wealth management, starting as a fundraising consultant before becoming a cold calling stockbroker in the early 90s, then making the leap to fee based financial planning and eventually launching his own independent RIA in 2019. He talks candidly about the moment that pushed him to go fully independent, the media work that no longer fit inside a broker dealer compliance structure, and the two years he spent building his business with almost no clients and a rescued stray cat as his only dependant.The conversation goes deep into what it actually takes to build and scale an advisory firm, from the costly early mistake of building the wrong tech stack to the philosophy behind Sovereign's planning first, fiduciary always model. Chuck also shares how his childhood shaped his risk tolerance and work ethic, why freedom is the real driver behind most entrepreneurs in this space, and what he's planning for the next chapter as he begins handing more of the business to the next generation of leaders at Sovereign. It's an honest look at what going independent really costs, and what it can give back. Key takeawaysChuck went two years without a single client after switching from commission based stock sales to fee based financial planningThe biggest early mistake was building the wrong technology stack, which cost fifty thousand dollars and six months to fixFreedom to run the business on your own terms is the primary driver for most advisors who go independent, not just a higher payoutThe RIA industry offers one of the lowest barriers to entry combined with the highest upside potential of any business modelSovereign Financial Group offers three paths for advisors going independent: joining under the Sovereign brand, joining under their own brand, or building their own RIA with support through Sovereign as a ServiceChuck is preparing to transition day to day leadership to the next generation while stepping back into a pure advisor and media role Connect with Chuck Failla:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesfailla/Sovereign Financial Group: https://www.sfgroupinc.comgoRIA Podcast: https://www.goria.com If you're an advisor thinking about going independent, or just want to hear a real story about building something from nothing, this episode is worth your full attention. Subscribe to Pivotal so you don't miss the next conversation. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. Maureen and the Pivotal podcast team Connect with Maureen on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-fitzgerald-3494a888/ Visit the Movere website here:https://www.themovere.com Listen to Pivotal on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7EwDrbfJNwR6iuWCO5ImiVApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gen-gap/id1832947907Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/858936e1-c8ca-4b2d-b054-d3837c70eea3/the-gen-gap #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #business #podcast #podcastshow #talent #retaintalent #newepisode #success #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #womensleadership #organizationalleadership #salesmanagement #assetmanagement #seniorleadership #emergingleaders #newhires #nextgeneration #affinitygroups #genz #millennials Pivotal with Maureen Fitzgerald is a podcast that brings together the most influential voices in asset management and investment banking, CEOs, COOs, and Heads of Distribution with the authority to shape the direction of their firms. In each episode, we unpack how these senior leaders are redefining talent, culture, and leadership during a time of generational transition, AI disruption, and the rise of personal brand dominance. Through candid conversations, we explore how these leaders are building resilient, future-ready firms. Tune in to our episodes and like and subscribe so you don't miss out on any content!

  8. Aug 5

    SE02 E01 - Why The Right Fit Beats Prestige Every Time | Ryan Stever

    Ryan Stever built a career across the Federal Reserve, Acadian Asset Management, Citadel, and Aperio before landing at Intech Asset Management, where he's spent years as Chief Investment Officer rebuilding the firm's investment team. In this conversation, he walks through the moves that felt right and the ones that didn't, and the mentor who redirected his path early on when he wasn't sure where he was headed. Ryan talks candidly about the difference between a role that looks good on paper and one that actually fits, the "something's off" feeling that told him when to leave, and why a team's emotional state matters as much as its output. He also gets into how he makes fast calls with imperfect information, what he's learned about mentoring others, and the book he's writing about the trade-off between personal growth and the sense of security people need to take real risks. Trusting the right mentor at the right moment can redirect an entire career, even when it doesn't feel pivotal at the timeA role that's prestigious on paper isn't always the best fit, and that "something's off" feeling is worth listening toBuilding a team that lasts means tuning into people's emotional needs, not just their outputStaying open to what's out there, even when settled, is a useful check on whether you're still supported and growingFast decisions made with imperfect information tend to beat slow ones made with full agreement Ryan Stever, Chief Investment Officer at Intech Asset ManagementLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-stever-896b0735/ If this one resonated, subscribe to Pivotal for more conversations about the moments that changed the direction of someone's career. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. Maureen and the Pivotal podcast team Connect with Maureen on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-fitzgerald-3494a888/ Visit the Movere website here:https://www.themovere.com Listen to Pivotal on these podcast platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7EwDrbfJNwR6iuWCO5ImiVApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gen-gap/id1832947907Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/858936e1-c8ca-4b2d-b054-d3837c70eea3/the-gen-gap #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #business #podcast #podcastshow #talent #retaintalent #newepisode #success #executivecoaching #leadershipdevelopment #womensleadership #organizationalleadership #salesmanagement #assetmanagement #seniorleadership #emergingleaders #newhires #nextgeneration #affinitygroups #genz #millennials Pivotal with Maureen Fitzgerald is a podcast that brings together the most influential voices in asset management and investment banking, CEOs, COOs, and Heads of Distribution with the authority to shape the direction of their firms. In each episode, we unpack how these senior leaders are redefining talent, culture, and leadership during a time of generational transition, AI disruption, and the rise of personal brand dominance. Through candid conversations, we explore how these leaders are building resilient, future-ready firms. Tune in to our episodes and like and subscribe so you don't miss out on any content!

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About

Welcome to Pivotal hosted by Maureen Fitzgerald! Pivotal with Maureen Fitzgerald brings together the most influential voices in asset management and investment banking. Each episode unpacks how senior leaders are redefining talent, culture, and leadership through generational change and AI disruption. Host Maureen Fitzgerald leads candid conversations on building resilient, future-ready firms.

Information

  • Creator
    Maureen Fitzgerald
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Maureen Fitzgerald