Pensions and Investments Podcast

Is Your Public Pension Plan Underfunded? You Are Not Alone! A Majority of Public Funds Find Themselves In Need of Money

Len Gilroy has devoted his career to the Public Pension Fund World and to ensuring their longevity. As Vice President at the Reason Foundation Len's mission is to ensure that public pension funds remain healthy and robust. Len has testified before Congress and written for numerous publications including a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal. Len and his foundation were at the forefront of the recent reform undertaken on behalf of Texas ERS. Len assisted policymakers and other stakeholders in designing, analyzing, and implementing public sector pension reforms to promote solvent and sustainable retirement systems that provide security for government workers while reducing taxpayer and pension system exposure to financial risks. Len also devotes himself to working with legislators and officials to design and implement market-based policy approaches, improve government performance, enhance accountability in government programs and reduce government spending. Public Pension Plans need to take notice and to know that with Len on your side, employer and employee are on the same team!

Rupert Bull Co-Founder and CEO of The Disruption House

Fintech!  If you are an investor, Fintech is definitely an asset class to take notice of and Rupert Bull is a man to take notice of!  Rupert is  Co-Founder and CEO of The Disruption House, a company whose mission is to assist financial technology services and financial institutions to accelerate their discovery of and engagement with each other on a global basis. The Disruption House partners with over 50 global and regional banks and asset managers on their mission to do risk and fast track new technology adoption across the global financial service industry and beyond.  Rupert aims to increase the speed and efficiency among fintechs, clients, and investors to engage successfully with each other by utilizing artificial intelligence, automation, and process improvements.

Can My Pension Fund Benefit From Collection and Recovery of Tax Services? Yes!

Perhaps your fund is not recovering all monies owed to them?! Enter Ari Davidowitz! : Tax Recovery Expert, Managing Director of WTax. Ari works hard to recover tax withholdings for clients worldwide. This is a complicated area of shareholder recoveries but Ari makes it easy to understand and will be instrumental in putting money back into your fund’s portfolio. Ari is also a committed husband and a fun and loving dad. Listen to our conversation and we share the process, risks, and benefits of tax withholdings and tax refunds.
 
 

Former General Counsel for Oppenheimer Funds and Legal Expert at Brown University

Ari Gabinet is a lecturer in international and public affairs at Brown University. He has spent more than 30 years in the securities law field as a trial lawyer as well as most recently general counsel of Oppenheimer Funds a $250 billion mutual fund- his expertise in the field of securities litigation is unparalleled.  Ari also plays the guitar and surfs- he is interesting and fun and a wealth of information!

Cynthia Ruiz Predicts how Covid with affect 2021 Investments and Markets

Cynthia M. Ruiz holds the powerful role of President for LACERS (LOs Angeles City Employee Retirement System) where she oversees a multibillion-dollar pension portfolio. But that is just one of her many roles. Cynthia is also a Professor, Executive Coach, Best Selling Author, Inspirational Speaker and Leadership Expert. Her focus is developing other leaders through her thriving Executive Coaching business where she helps transform some of LA’s top executives into powerful leaders. She has developed programs and management tools and is a recognized leader in her field. Cynthia's can trace her roots to the Native American community and giving back to where she comes from is something she does effortlessly. Listen to this podcast, you will find a leader of a public pension fund and a woman of distinction!

Darrell Cobbins: Civic Leader, Real Estate Executive and former Memphis Board member

Darrell Cobbins is a man of many varied interests and boundless talents.  
Darrell is a recognized leader in his community.  Appointed by the Mayor of Memphis, he served on the Steering Committee for the Regional Development Business Plan which works to develop long-range strategic business models for the Memphis Region.  The Mayor of Memphis also appointed Darrell to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Memphis Light, Gas and Water, the nation’s largest municipally owned company. Darrell was eventually appointed the chairman of this board and in this capacity Darrell also served as the chairman of the $1.3 billion public Light Gas and water pension fund. 
 

New York Times, Economics Writer, Nelson Schwartz, talks to me about velvet rope economy, covid and more!

Nelson Schwartz, esteemed NY Times Economics and Business writer is also the best-selling author of the Velvet Rope Economy, a fascinating that really hits home!

The Country will soon have the first black female VP, Sherry Menor-McNamara- is Hawaii’s First female and Asain President at the Chamber of Commerce

Sherry Menor-McNamara is the youngest and first female President and CEO in the 170-year history of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, as well as the first Asian to serve as the leader of a State Chamber, and under her leadership, the Chamber won the 2018 ACCE State Chamber of the Year, and in 2019, won two national Council of State Chambers awards. She has lived in several major cities, including Tokyo, New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and London, working for companies including: Sony Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Estee Lauder Company, Field Group, Elton John Production and “60 Minutes” news magazine show. Her government-related work includes positions with the Hawaii State Legislature, U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka and the Executive Office of the United States President. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Board of Trustees of the JAIMS Foundation, Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Move Oahu Forward, and Advisory Council of the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders. Nationally, she serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Council of State Chambers (COSC), the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), and Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE), as well as on the U.S. Chamber’s Committee of 100.

Ari Meisel productivity machine is all about doing less and being more.

Ari Meisel is the best-selling author of several books including The Art of Less Doing and The Replaceable Founder. He is a self-described Overwhelmologist whose insights into personal and professional productivity have earned him the title, “The Guru’s Guru.” He can be heard on international stages speaking to thought leaders and influencers, and for those who prefer the written word, Ari’s blog posts offer immediate and actionable advice for entrepreneurs seeking replaceability/

Sulema Peterson - Administrator at SACRS

Sulema Peterson serves as the Executive Director of the State Association of County Retirement Systems (SACRS), where she is responsible for the implementation of the association's strategic plan and visions, management of all events, editor of all publications including SACRS Magazine, and overseeing the day-to-day business operations for the association. Sulema is passionate about the people and funds she works with and her leadership at SACRS and other organizations reflects this commitment. Sulema is a role model for anyone working in the Pension Fund World; understanding that connection and camaraderie with other retirement systems ultimately leads to growth and success...and at times, lifelong friendships!