Sohn San Francisco Investment Conference
Thanks to you, the 11th Annual Sohn San Francisco Investment Conference was a great success and raised more than $200,000 for children’s causes! The Bay Area financial community is proud to unite to help improve life outcomes for underserved youth. We invite you to join us to learn more about these important community organizations and support them in their mission. We look forward to coming together again next year on October 2021!
NEXT WAVE SAN FRANCISCO
Sponsored by:
1:15 PM Pacific
NEXT WAVE SAN FRANCISCO WELCOME
Opening Remarks: Peter Lardner, President, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation and introduction of Board
Peter Lardner, President, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation
1:15 PM Pacific
NEXT WAVE SAN FRANCISCO WELCOME
Opening Remarks: Peter Lardner, President, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation and introduction of Board
Biography
1:20 PM Pacific
SCOTT CHAN
Deputy Chief Investment Officer
CalSTRS
SCOTT CHAN - Deputy Chief Investment Officer CalSTRS
Mr. Scott Chan is the Deputy Chief Investment Officer of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, where he leads a staff of over 180 investment professionals. Prior to CalSTRS, Mr. Chan was the Senior Managing Director of the $55 billion Global Equities portfolio at University of California Regents. Before joining the Office of the CIO of the Regents, he was CIO of Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System, SCERS, from 2010-2015. Prior to SCERS, Mr. Chan was a partner, co-founder and portfolio manager for several equity hedge funds. He began his investing career in equity research covering technology stocks at JP Morgan Securities in 2000. Mr. Chan and his prior investment teams have been recognized as thought leaders by various industry sources, including: (1) Awarded 2014 Industry Innovation Award by aiCIO (2) Nominated CIO of the Year by Institutional Investor 2014, (3) Nominated Small Public Fund of the Year by Institutional Investor 2013, (4) Named to aiCIO Power 100 List in 2013 and 2014, and (5) Awarded Rising Star of Public Funds by Institutional Investor 2012. Mr. Chan graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Economics and earned an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.
1:20 PM Pacific
SCOTT CHAN
Deputy Chief Investment Officer
CalSTRS
Scott Chan
Mr. Scott Chan is the Deputy Chief Investment Officer of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, where he leads a staff of over 180 investment professionals. Prior to CalSTRS, Mr. Chan was the Senior Managing Director of the $55 billion Global Equities portfolio at University of California Regents. Before joining the Office of the CIO of the Regents, he was CIO of Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System, SCERS, from 2010-2015. Prior to SCERS, Mr. Chan was a partner, co-founder and portfolio manager for several equity hedge funds. He began his investing career in equity research covering technology stocks at JP Morgan Securities in 2000. Mr. Chan and his prior investment teams have been recognized as thought leaders by various industry sources, including: (1) Awarded 2014 Industry Innovation Award by aiCIO (2) Nominated CIO of the Year by Institutional Investor 2014, (3) Nominated Small Public Fund of the Year by Institutional Investor 2013, (4) Named to aiCIO Power 100 List in 2013 and 2014, and (5) Awarded Rising Star of Public Funds by Institutional Investor 2012. Mr. Chan graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Economics and earned an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.
1:30 PM Pacific
RAJA (RAJ) MOORTHY
Co-Founder & Managing Partner,
Advantage Alpha Capital Partners
RAJA (RAJ) MOORTHY - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Advantage Alpha Capital Partners
Mr. Moorthy brings to Advantage Alpha more than 20 years of small cap and private equity investing experience. Prior to founding Advantage Alpha, Mr. Moorthy was a Partner and co-founder of Pivot Point Capital, a small cap focused hedge fund for 14 years. Prior to Pivot Point Capital, Mr. Moorthy worked at the Audax Group, a $10 billion middle market private equity firm where he identified and executed operationally focused leverage buyouts. Previously, Mr. Moorthy worked at Advanta Partners executing growth and buyout investments in the information and business services industries. Mr. Moorthy also co-founded and served as CFO of a European technology-based start-up. Mr. Moorthy began his career in the M&A group of Credit Suisse First Boston. University of Western Ontario, BA (with honors); Harvard Business School, MBA
1:30 PM Pacific
RAJA (RAJ) MOORTHY
Co-Founder & Managing Partner,
Advantage Alpha Capital Partners
Biography
Mr. Moorthy brings to Advantage Alpha more than 20 years of small cap and private equity investing experience. Prior to founding Advantage Alpha, Mr. Moorthy was a Partner and co-founder of Pivot Point Capital, a small cap focused hedge fund for 14 years. Prior to Pivot Point Capital, Mr. Moorthy worked at the Audax Group, a $10 billion middle market private equity firm where he identified and executed operationally focused leverage buyouts. Previously, Mr. Moorthy worked at Advanta Partners executing growth and buyout investments in the information and business services industries. Mr. Moorthy also co-founded and served as CFO of a European technology-based start-up. Mr. Moorthy began his career in the M&A group of Credit Suisse First Boston. University of Western Ontario, BA (with honors); Harvard Business School, MBA
1:40 PM Pacific
GRACE REYES
CEO,
The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE)
GRACE REYES CEO - The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE)
As featured on Forbes, Entreprenuer, Thrive Global, Grace Reyes is one of the most prominent voices in finance when it comes to promoting diversity & gender balance in the investment management industry. Ms. Reyes is the CEO of The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE) which connects and engages movers and shakers to promote diversity & inclusion within the investment industry. She is also an Independent Board Director and part of the Audit Committee of Professional Diversity Network. (NASDAQ: IPDN) Having been all over the world to 40+ countries, she has formed close rapport with an array of industry leaders & prominent investors globally – relationships that have helped her bring awareness to the causes and firms that Grace represents. Grace’s message is further amplified through her top 1% investment management profile on LinkedIn where she engages with ~20k followers and posts that have reached a total of over a million views sharing selfies and conversations with some of the industry’s best-known investors. With over 15 years’ work experience, Ms. Reyes was most recently with AAAIM, a non-profit organization advocating for Asian Americans. There, she formed domestic and global relationships that created a flourishing network. Prior to that, she was in the corporate and business development team at Switchfly, a travel tech firm, reporting to the Executive suite. As the first hire of the team, she built international relationships with influential industry leaders and opportunities with some of the top internet and travel tech firms for the company. Ms. Reyes also established and honed relationships with prominent investors when she spearheaded the investor relations and fundraising efforts at The Reliant Group, a private equity firm where she also reported to the Executive suite. Ms. Reyes was named globally as one of the Top 35 Under 35 Rising Stars by Phocuswright as well as one of ten CAIA Scholars in 2015. She is the Founder and Co-Host of goodtimesSF, San Francisco’s largest investment networking happy hour. She earned a BA degree in Economics with a Computer Specialization from UCLA and an MBA from UC Berkeley
1:40 PM Pacific
GRACE REYES
CEO,
The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE)
Biography
As featured on Forbes, Entreprenuer, Thrive Global, Grace Reyes is one of the most prominent voices in finance when it comes to promoting diversity & gender balance in the investment management industry. Ms. Reyes is the CEO of The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE) which connects and engages movers and shakers to promote diversity & inclusion within the investment industry. She is also an Independent Board Director and part of the Audit Committee of Professional Diversity Network. (NASDAQ: IPDN) Having been all over the world to 40+ countries, she has formed close rapport with an array of industry leaders & prominent investors globally – relationships that have helped her bring awareness to the causes and firms that Grace represents. Grace’s message is further amplified through her top 1% investment management profile on LinkedIn where she engages with ~20k followers and posts that have reached a total of over a million views sharing selfies and conversations with some of the industry’s best-known investors. With over 15 years’ work experience, Ms. Reyes was most recently with AAAIM, a non-profit organization advocating for Asian Americans. There, she formed domestic and global relationships that created a flourishing network. Prior to that, she was in the corporate and business development team at Switchfly, a travel tech firm, reporting to the Executive suite. As the first hire of the team, she built international relationships with influential industry leaders and opportunities with some of the top internet and travel tech firms for the company. Ms. Reyes also established and honed relationships with prominent investors when she spearheaded the investor relations and fundraising efforts at The Reliant Group, a private equity firm where she also reported to the Executive suite. Ms. Reyes was named globally as one of the Top 35 Under 35 Rising Stars by Phocuswright as well as one of ten CAIA Scholars in 2015. She is the Founder and Co-Host of goodtimesSF, San Francisco’s largest investment networking happy hour. She earned a BA degree in Economics with a Computer Specialization from UCLA and an MBA from UC Berkeley
1:50 PM Pacific
JAY KAHN
Founder and Managing Partner,
Flight Deck Capital
JAY KAHN - Founder and Managing Partner, Flight Deck Capital
Jay Kahn founded Flight Deck Capital in April 2020. Previously, Jay was a Partner at Light Street Capital from 2011-2020. At Light Street, Jay ran the firm’s internet, media, and consumer investments globally. In addition to managing Light Street’s public investments in internet, media, and consumer, Jay also spearheaded the firm’s investments in private companies, leading or co-leading 14 private deals across Light Street’s side pockets, SPVs, and later stage growth fund including Uber, Lyft, Spotify, Pinterest, Unity, Everlane, Harry’s, Boxed, Toast, EzCater, Madeira Madeira, SmartHR, Slack, and Blackbuck. Prior to joining Light Street in 2011, Jay was an Associate at Elevation Partners from 2006-2008, where he evaluated late stage growth and buyout investments in internet and media. Prior to Elevation, Jay was a Senior Associate Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting from 2003 to 2006. Jay holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, 2010, and a B.A. in Quantitative Economics from Tufts University, where he graduated magna cum laude, 2002.
1:50 PM Pacific
JAY KAHN
Founder and Managing Partner,
Flight Deck Capital
Biography
Jay Kahn founded Flight Deck Capital in April 2020. Previously, Jay was a Partner at Light Street Capital from 2011-2020. At Light Street, Jay ran the firm’s internet, media, and consumer investments globally. In addition to managing Light Street’s public investments in internet, media, and consumer, Jay also spearheaded the firm’s investments in private companies, leading or co-leading 14 private deals across Light Street’s side pockets, SPVs, and later stage growth fund including Uber, Lyft, Spotify, Pinterest, Unity, Everlane, Harry’s, Boxed, Toast, EzCater, Madeira Madeira, SmartHR, Slack, and Blackbuck. Prior to joining Light Street in 2011, Jay was an Associate at Elevation Partners from 2006-2008, where he evaluated late stage growth and buyout investments in internet and media. Prior to Elevation, Jay was a Senior Associate Consultant at L.E.K. Consulting from 2003 to 2006. Jay holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, 2010, and a B.A. in Quantitative Economics from Tufts University, where he graduated magna cum laude, 2002.
SOHN SAN FRANCISCO INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
2:00 PM Pacific
SOHNX SAN FRANCISCO WELCOME
Opening Remarks: Peter Lardner, President, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation and introduction of Board
Peter Lardner, President, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation
Pete manages the West Coast Prime Brokerage business for Goldman Sachs and has been a relationship manager for West Coast hedge funds since moving to the San Francisco office in 2004. Pete joined Goldman Sachs in London in 2000 and worked in both equity and derivative sales. He was named managing director in 2011. Prior to joining the firm, Pete was a financial correspondent for Reuters news agency in London and Tokyo. He serves as president for the Excellence in Investing for Children’s Causes Foundation, the West Coast affiliate of the Sohn Conference Foundation. Pete earned a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from London Business School. He is a CFA charterholder.
2:00 PM Pacific
SOHNX SAN FRANCISCO WELCOME
Opening Remarks: Peter Lardner, President, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation and introduction of Board
Biography
Pete manages the West Coast Prime Brokerage business for Goldman Sachs and has been a relationship manager for West Coast hedge funds since moving to the San Francisco office in 2004. Pete joined Goldman Sachs in London in 2000 and worked in both equity and derivative sales. He was named managing director in 2011. Prior to joining the firm, Pete was a financial correspondent for Reuters news agency in London and Tokyo. He serves as president for the Excellence in Investing for Children’s Causes Foundation, the West Coast affiliate of the Sohn Conference Foundation. Pete earned a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from London Business School. He is a CFA charterholder.
2:06 PM Pacific
GIL SIMON
Chief Investment Officer & Managing Partner, SoMa Equity Partners
GIL SIMON - Chief Investment Officer & Managing Partner, SoMa Equity Partners
Gil Simon serves as Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of SoMa Equity Partners, a long/short equity manager focused on the Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) sector. SoMa takes a concentrated, long term approach to portfolio construction, seeking to identify non-consensus long and short positions. Prior to founding SoMa in May 2016, Gil followed the TMT sector for 10 years at Apex Capital, serving as a Portfolio Manager for 4 years, and also as CIO during his tenure. Gil began his investment career at MFS Investment Management, covering media and technology. He previously earned his CPA designation and worked in accounting and consulting at KPMG/Bearing Point. He earned his MBA from MIT Sloan, where he currently serves on the alumni board, and received his BA in Economics from UCLA. Gil lives in Hillsborough with his wife Danielle and their four children.
2:06 PM Pacific
GIL SIMON
Chief Investment Officer & Managing Partner, SoMa Equity Partners
Biography
Gil Simon serves as Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of SoMa Equity Partners, a long/short equity manager focused on the Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) sector. SoMa takes a concentrated, long term approach to portfolio construction, seeking to identify non-consensus long and short positions. Prior to founding SoMa in May 2016, Gil followed the TMT sector for 10 years at Apex Capital, serving as a Portfolio Manager for 4 years, and also as CIO during his tenure. Gil began his investment career at MFS Investment Management, covering media and technology. He previously earned his CPA designation and worked in accounting and consulting at KPMG/Bearing Point. He earned his MBA from MIT Sloan, where he currently serves on the alumni board, and received his BA in Economics from UCLA. Gil lives in Hillsborough with his wife Danielle and their four children.
2:19 PM Pacific
JEFF OSHER
Portfolio Manager, No Street Capital
JEFF OSHER - Portfolio Manager, No Street Capital
Jeffrey B. Osher, CFA founded No Street Capital in 2018 and has been the Portfolio Manager of the Harvest Small Cap Partners Strategy since December 2005. Prior to founding No Street Capital, Mr. Osher was a Portfolio Manager at Harvest Capital Strategies from 2005 – 2018 and an analyst from 2002 – 2005. Prior to his tenure at Harvest Capital Strategies, Mr. Osher was an analyst at The Dowd Company where he focused on technology and emerging growth companies. Previously, he worked at Montgomery Securities in equity research. Mr. Osher holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from Miami University of Ohio. Mr. Osher has been recognized for numerous industry performance awards, including: the recipient of the Hedge Fund Intelligence Absolute Return Award in 2008 (Small Cap Equity), 2014 (Specialist Equity), and 2016 (Long Term Performance-10 years category), 2009 HFM Week Performance Award in the Long/Short Equity category, and 2009 Lipper Award for “Best 3-Year” Long/Short Equity Fund. Barron’s recognized Mr. Osher in its Top 100 Hedge Funds Edition #27 (2010), #81 (2015), and #46 (2016), and Bloomberg Markets ranked his fund the #35 (2012) and #6 (2015) mid-size hedge fund in its annual special issue “The World’s 100 Richest Hedge Funds.”Mr. Osher currently serves as a member of the SEAL Family Foundation’s Board of Directors and as an observer & advisor to Green Dot Corporation’s Board of Directors
2:19 PM Pacific
JEFF OSHER
Portfolio Manager, No Street Capital
Biography
Jeffrey B. Osher, CFA founded No Street Capital in 2018 and has been the Portfolio Manager of the Harvest Small Cap Partners Strategy since December 2005. Prior to founding No Street Capital, Mr. Osher was a Portfolio Manager at Harvest Capital Strategies from 2005 – 2018 and an analyst from 2002 – 2005. Prior to his tenure at Harvest Capital Strategies, Mr. Osher was an analyst at The Dowd Company where he focused on technology and emerging growth companies. Previously, he worked at Montgomery Securities in equity research. Mr. Osher holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from Miami University of Ohio. Mr. Osher has been recognized for numerous industry performance awards, including: the recipient of the Hedge Fund Intelligence Absolute Return Award in 2008 (Small Cap Equity), 2014 (Specialist Equity), and 2016 (Long Term Performance-10 years category), 2009 HFM Week Performance Award in the Long/Short Equity category, and 2009 Lipper Award for “Best 3-Year” Long/Short Equity Fund. Barron’s recognized Mr. Osher in its Top 100 Hedge Funds Edition #27 (2010), #81 (2015), and #46 (2016), and Bloomberg Markets ranked his fund the #35 (2012) and #6 (2015) mid-size hedge fund in its annual special issue “The World’s 100 Richest Hedge Funds.”Mr. Osher currently serves as a member of the SEAL Family Foundation’s Board of Directors and as an observer & advisor to Green Dot Corporation’s Board of Directors
2:32 PM Pacific
JEFF SHEN PhD
Managing Director, Co-CIO of
Active Equity and Co-Head of Systematic Active Equity, BlackRock
JEFF SHEN PhD - Managing Director, Co-CIO of Active Equity and Co-Head of Systematic Active Equity, BlackRock
Jeff Shen, PhD, Managing Director, is Co-Chief Investment Officer of BlackRock Active Equities and Co-Head of the Systematic Active Equity (SAE) platform. He is also Head of Emerging Markets and a member of BlackRock’s Global Operating Committee. Dr. Shen’s service with BlackRock dates back to 2004, including his years with Barclays Global Investors (BGI), which merged with BlackRock in 2009. At BGI, he was the Head of Investment for Asia Pacific and Emerging Market active equities. Prior to joining BGI, he began his career in 1997 with JP Morgan where he held numerous positions in global macro investment and asset allocation research in both New York and London. Dr. Shen earned a BA degree in Economics from Hobart College, a MA degree in Economics from University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a PhD degree in Finance from New York University. Dr. Shen is an adjunct professor at NYU teaching a MBA class on international investment. He also serves on the advisory board of Clausen Center at UC Berkeley.
2:32 PM Pacific
JEFF SHEN PhD
Managing Director, Co-CIO of
Active Equity and Co-Head of Systematic Active Equity, BlackRock
Biography
Jeff Shen, PhD, Managing Director, is Co-Chief Investment Officer of BlackRock Active Equities and Co-Head of the Systematic Active Equity (SAE) platform. He is also Head of Emerging Markets and a member of BlackRock’s Global Operating Committee. Dr. Shen’s service with BlackRock dates back to 2004, including his years with Barclays Global Investors (BGI), which merged with BlackRock in 2009. At BGI, he was the Head of Investment for Asia Pacific and Emerging Market active equities. Prior to joining BGI, he began his career in 1997 with JP Morgan where he held numerous positions in global macro investment and asset allocation research in both New York and London. Dr. Shen earned a BA degree in Economics from Hobart College, a MA degree in Economics from University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a PhD degree in Finance from New York University. Dr. Shen is an adjunct professor at NYU teaching a MBA class on international investment. He also serves on the advisory board of Clausen Center at UC Berkeley.
2:43 PM Pacific
BENEFICIARY PRESENTATION
Julia Moore, Treasurer, Excellence in Investing in Children’s Causes Foundation
Julia Moore, Treasurer, Excellence in Investing in Children's Causes Foundation
Julia Moore is a Partner at Breakout Ventures in San Francisco and invests at the intersections of technology, biology and chemistry. Julia and her two partners previously built and continue to run Breakout Labs, a seed-stage fund within Peter Thiel’s foundation. Julia has spent her career as an investor and operator, navigating the translation of new technology to customer adoption and scale. She has taken multiple companies from founding through IPO or M&A. Earlier in her career she was a venture investor with Kearny Venture Partners, a public investment research analyst at Thomas Weisel Partners, the head of business development and strategy at TriVascular (NASDAQ: TRIV; acquired) and built an institute at Stanford University. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, with degrees in Finance (McIntire School of Commerce) and Bioethics. Julia is also a Kauffman Fellow.
2:43 PM Pacific
BENEFICIARY PRESENTATION
Julia Moore, Treasurer, Excellence in Investing in Children’s Causes Foundation
Biography
Julia Moore is a Partner at Breakout Ventures in San Francisco and invests at the intersections of technology, biology and chemistry. Julia and her two partners previously built and continue to run Breakout Labs, a seed-stage fund within Peter Thiel’s foundation. Julia has spent her career as an investor and operator, navigating the translation of new technology to customer adoption and scale. She has taken multiple companies from founding through IPO or M&A. Earlier in her career she was a venture investor with Kearny Venture Partners, a public investment research analyst at Thomas Weisel Partners, the head of business development and strategy at TriVascular (NASDAQ: TRIV; acquired) and built an institute at Stanford University. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, with degrees in Finance (McIntire School of Commerce) and Bioethics. Julia is also a Kauffman Fellow.
2:51 PM Pacific
GLEN KACHER
Founder & CIO, Light Street Capital
GLEN KACHER - Founder & CIO, Light Street Capital
Glen Kacher formed Light Street in 2010. Prior to forming Light Street, Glen was with Integral Capital Partners, where he joined as a Principal in 1998 and became a Managing Director in 2000. Integral typically invested 70% of each of its funds in public companies, with the remainder in private companies. At Integral, Glen developed portfolio strategy, researched companies, and executed trades. Areas of investment included software, Internet, media, eCommerce, mobile hardware, PC hardware, security software, and networking. Glen led or co-led many of Integral’s venture investments during his tenure, including Agile Software (IPO, acquired by Oracle), Arcsight (IPO, acquired by HP), BlueNile (IPO), Epiphany (IPO, acquired by SSA), Extensity (IPO, acquired by Geac), Fortify Software (acquired by HP), Interwoven (IPO, acquired by Autonomy), LogMeIn (IPO), OpenTable (IPO), and Overture/Goto.com (IPO, acquired by Yahoo). Prior to joining Integral, Glen was with Tiger Management from 1993 to 1996 as a full-time research analyst and from 1996 to 1997 as a part-time consultant. At Tiger, Glen focused on investments in the software, hardware, and networking industries. Glen holds an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, 1998, and a B.S. in Commerce with Distinction from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, 1993.
2:51 PM Pacific
GLEN KACHER
Founder & CIO, Light Street Capital
Biography
Glen Kacher formed Light Street in 2010. Prior to forming Light Street, Glen was with Integral Capital Partners, where he joined as a Principal in 1998 and became a Managing Director in 2000. Integral typically invested 70% of each of its funds in public companies, with the remainder in private companies. At Integral, Glen developed portfolio strategy, researched companies, and executed trades. Areas of investment included software, Internet, media, eCommerce, mobile hardware, PC hardware, security software, and networking. Glen led or co-led many of Integral’s venture investments during his tenure, including Agile Software (IPO, acquired by Oracle), Arcsight (IPO, acquired by HP), BlueNile (IPO), Epiphany (IPO, acquired by SSA), Extensity (IPO, acquired by Geac), Fortify Software (acquired by HP), Interwoven (IPO, acquired by Autonomy), LogMeIn (IPO), OpenTable (IPO), and Overture/Goto.com (IPO, acquired by Yahoo). Prior to joining Integral, Glen was with Tiger Management from 1993 to 1996 as a full-time research analyst and from 1996 to 1997 as a part-time consultant. At Tiger, Glen focused on investments in the software, hardware, and networking industries. Glen holds an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, 1998, and a B.S. in Commerce with Distinction from the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, 1993.
3:05 PM Pacific
A FIRESIDE CONVERSATION WITH HOWARD MARKS AND DAVID VILLA
– Howard Marks, CFA, Co-Chairman Oaktree – David Villa, Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer, State of Wisconsin Investment Board
Biographies
Howard Marks, CFA, Co-Chairman Since the formation of Oaktree in 1995,
Mr. Marks has been responsible for ensuring the firm’s adherence to its core investment philosophy; communicating closely with clients concerning products and strategies; and contributing his experience to big-picture decisions relating to investments and corporate direction. From 1985 until 1995, Mr. Marks led the groups at The TCW Group, Inc. that were responsible for investments in distressed debt, high yield bonds, and convertible securities. He was also Chief Investment Officer for Domestic Fixed Income at TCW. Previously, Mr. Marks was with Citicorp Investment Management for 16 years, where from 1978 to 1985 he was Vice President and senior portfolio manager in charge of convertible and high yield securities. Between 1969 and 1978, he was an equity research analyst and, subsequently, Citicorp’s Director of Research. Mr. Marks holds a B.S.Ec. degree cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a major in finance and an M.B.A. in accounting and marketing from the Booth School of Business of the University of Chicago, where he received the George Hay Brown Prize. He is a CFA® charterholder. Mr. Marks is a Trustee and Chairman of the Investment Committee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is a member of the Investment Committee of the Royal Drawing School and is Professor of Practice at King’s Business School (both in London). He serves on the Shanghai International Financial Advisory Council and the Advisory Board of Duke Kunshan University. He is an Emeritus Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, where from 2000 to 2010 he chaired the Investment Board.
David Villa, Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer, State of Wisconsin Investment Board
Mr. Villa is the Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB). In addition to his role as overall leader of the organization, he is responsible for implementing the investment policy and developing the architecture to manage fund level returns and risk for over $119 billion in assets. Since 2006, he has led SWIB’s investment strategy serving as Chief Investment Officer and the Chairman of the Investment Committee. Prior to joining SWIB, Mr. Villa served for two and a half years as the Chief Investment Officer for the State Board of Administration of Florida and twelve years with UBS Global Asset Management, previously Brinson Partners. Mr. Villa began his career with First Chicago and Arthur Andersen. Mr. Villa is a trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation which is the parent organization of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Mr. Villa is also a board member and Treasurer of the Marguerite Casey Foundation. He is a member of the 300 Club, a group of investment professionals from across the globe who have joined together to raise uncomfortable and fundamental questions about the investment industry and investing. Mr. Villa has a BA in Economics from Princeton University, an MA in Latin American Studies from Stanford University, and an MBA, in Finance and Accounting from Northwestern University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the Illinois CPA Society.
3:05 PM Pacific
A FIRESIDE CONVERSATION WITH HOWARD MARKS AND DAVID VILLA
– Howard Marks, CFA, Co-Chairman Oaktree – David Villa, Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer, State of Wisconsin Investment Board
Biography
Howard Marks, CFA, Co-Chairman Since the formation of Oaktree in 1995,
Mr. Marks has been responsible for ensuring the firm’s adherence to its core investment philosophy; communicating closely with clients concerning products and strategies; and contributing his experience to big-picture decisions relating to investments and corporate direction. From 1985 until 1995, Mr. Marks led the groups at The TCW Group, Inc. that were responsible for investments in distressed debt, high yield bonds, and convertible securities. He was also Chief Investment Officer for Domestic Fixed Income at TCW. Previously, Mr. Marks was with Citicorp Investment Management for 16 years, where from 1978 to 1985 he was Vice President and senior portfolio manager in charge of convertible and high yield securities. Between 1969 and 1978, he was an equity research analyst and, subsequently, Citicorp’s Director of Research. Mr. Marks holds a B.S.Ec. degree cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a major in finance and an M.B.A. in accounting and marketing from the Booth School of Business of the University of Chicago, where he received the George Hay Brown Prize. He is a CFA® charterholder. Mr. Marks is a Trustee and Chairman of the Investment Committee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is a member of the Investment Committee of the Royal Drawing School and is Professor of Practice at King’s Business School (both in London). He serves on the Shanghai International Financial Advisory Council and the Advisory Board of Duke Kunshan University. He is an Emeritus Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, where from 2000 to 2010 he chaired the Investment Board.
David Villa, Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer, State of Wisconsin Investment Board
Mr. Villa is the Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB). In addition to his role as overall leader of the organization, he is responsible for implementing the investment policy and developing the architecture to manage fund level returns and risk for over $119 billion in assets. Since 2006, he has led SWIB’s investment strategy serving as Chief Investment Officer and the Chairman of the Investment Committee. Prior to joining SWIB, Mr. Villa served for two and a half years as the Chief Investment Officer for the State Board of Administration of Florida and twelve years with UBS Global Asset Management, previously Brinson Partners. Mr. Villa began his career with First Chicago and Arthur Andersen. Mr. Villa is a trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation which is the parent organization of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. Mr. Villa is also a board member and Treasurer of the Marguerite Casey Foundation. He is a member of the 300 Club, a group of investment professionals from across the globe who have joined together to raise uncomfortable and fundamental questions about the investment industry and investing. Mr. Villa has a BA in Economics from Princeton University, an MA in Latin American Studies from Stanford University, and an MBA, in Finance and Accounting from Northwestern University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the Illinois CPA Society.
3:15 PM Pacific
JOSH FRIEDMAN
Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Canyon Partners, LLC
Joshua S. Friefman - Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Canyon Partners, LLC
Joshua S. Friedman is Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Canyon Partners, LLC, a leading global alternative asset management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Canyon specializes in value-oriented investments for endowments, foundations, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors. Mr. Friedman is a graduate of Harvard College (1976) (B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Physics), Oxford University (1978) (M.A., honors, Politics and Economics, Marshall Scholar), Harvard Law School (1982) (J.D., Sears Prize, magna cum laude) and Harvard Business School (1980) (M.B.A., Baker Scholar). Prior to forming Canyon, Mr. Friedman was Director of Capital Markets for High Yield and Private Placements at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Prior to working at Drexel, he worked in the Mergers and Acquisitions Department of Goldman Sachs in New York. Mr. Friedman is a member of the Board of Directors of Harvard Management Company. He is also a member of Harvard’s Committee on University Resources; the Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors; and the Harvard University Task Force on Science and Engineering. Mr. Friedman serves as a Trustee for the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; the California Institute of Technology (Caltech); Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Mr. Friedman is a member of the Investment Committees for the Broad Foundation and the J. Paul Getty Trust and chair of the LACMA Investment Committee. Mr. Friedman is a former chair of the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees of Caltech (2013-2019). He also formally served as a Trustee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2015-2020). Mr. Friedman also formerly served on the Board of Advisors of the UCLA Hospital Department of Neurosurgery (2009-2020); the UCLA Anderson School of Management (2017-2020); and the California Science Center (2010-2012). Mr. Friedman and his wife, Beth, live in Los Angeles and have three sons. Mr. and Mrs. Friedman are 2019 recipients of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
3:38 PM Pacific
JOSH FRIEDMAN
Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Canyon Partners, LLC
Biography
Joshua S. Friedman is Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Canyon Partners, LLC, a leading global alternative asset management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Canyon specializes in value-oriented investments for endowments, foundations, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors. Mr. Friedman is a graduate of Harvard College (1976) (B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Physics), Oxford University (1978) (M.A., honors, Politics and Economics, Marshall Scholar), Harvard Law School (1982) (J.D., Sears Prize, magna cum laude) and Harvard Business School (1980) (M.B.A., Baker Scholar). Prior to forming Canyon, Mr. Friedman was Director of Capital Markets for High Yield and Private Placements at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Prior to working at Drexel, he worked in the Mergers and Acquisitions Department of Goldman Sachs in New York. Mr. Friedman is a member of the Board of Directors of Harvard Management Company. He is also a member of Harvard’s Committee on University Resources; the Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors; and the Harvard University Task Force on Science and Engineering. Mr. Friedman serves as a Trustee for the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; the California Institute of Technology (Caltech); Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Mr. Friedman is a member of the Investment Committees for the Broad Foundation and the J. Paul Getty Trust and chair of the LACMA Investment Committee. Mr. Friedman is a former chair of the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees of Caltech (2013-2019). He also formally served as a Trustee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic (2015-2020). Mr. Friedman also formerly served on the Board of Advisors of the UCLA Hospital Department of Neurosurgery (2009-2020); the UCLA Anderson School of Management (2017-2020); and the California Science Center (2010-2012). Mr. Friedman and his wife, Beth, live in Los Angeles and have three sons. Mr. and Mrs. Friedman are 2019 recipients of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
3:25 PM Pacific
SOHNX SAN FRANCISCO CLOSING REMARKS
Seth Blackman, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation
Seth Blackman, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation
Seth is a partner based in KPMG’s San Francisco office and serves as the Bay Area’s Asset Management Practice Leader. In his role, Seth is responsible for leading the firm’s hedge fund, venture capital, private equity, and real estate sectors in the Bay Area. Seth works with both domestic and international clients within the alternative investment sector, including fund of funds. He has extensive experience with various investment products, strategies and structures where he provides clients with key considerations and best practices. Seth is an audit partner and member of the firm’s national leadership committee contributing to the growth and development of its asset management practice.
3:50 PM Pacific
SOHNX SAN FRANCISCO CLOSING REMARKS
Seth Blackman, Excellence in Investment in Children’s Causes Foundation
Biography
Seth is a partner based in KPMG’s San Francisco office and serves as the Bay Area’s Asset Management Practice Leader. In his role, Seth is responsible for leading the firm’s hedge fund, venture capital, private equity, and real estate sectors in the Bay Area. Seth works with both domestic and international clients within the alternative investment sector, including fund of funds. He has extensive experience with various investment products, strategies and structures where he provides clients with key considerations and best practices. Seth is an audit partner and member of the firm’s national leadership committee contributing to the growth and development of its asset management practice.
Thank You to Our 2020 Sponsors
NEXT WAVE SPONSOR
LEADERSHIP SPONSOR
PATRON SPONSORS
PATRON SPONSORS
Atalaya Capital Management
MEDIA PARTNER
Over $1.7 Million Raised
to support Bay Area organizations focused on improving educational opportunities and life outcomes for underserved youth.
