We have brought you this story to showcase an extraordinary physical challenge – the world’s toughest row – that one of our own – investment manager Laura Langton – is about to embark upon. We examine what motivates a person to take on something so extreme and so obviously strenuous and physically taxing. We look at the preparation and mental journey that is involved, and ask what it teaches her and how she brings these learnings into the workplace.

Laura Langton an investment manager at JM Finn. She was previously involved in developing partnerships and revenue streams in financial services. Our conversation starts with her very sporty upbringing in the idyllic Cotswolds. Her mother was a jockey and Laura found rowing had its own rich history within her family.

Sorina Zahan is managing partner and Chief Investment Officer at Core Capital in Chicago, an asset manager focused on building specialty portfolios in the alternatives area, as well as Founder and CEO of Aiperion, a research development and fintech firm which aims to change the way we think about investment risk.

A passionate academic turned investment manager sets out her vision for how AI will transform the industry and describes her own journey and influences along the way.

Saker Nusseibeh is Chief Executive Officer of the international business of Federated Hermes. He has previously headed equity teams in a range of asset managers, and is a passionate advocate for responsible investing and the integration of ESG factors into investment processes. He is a frequent contributor to industry dialogue on these topics and received the honour of Commander of the British Empire in January 2020 for services to responsible investing and the financial sector.

A City leaders rise to the top of asset management, his passion for sustainable investing and how his understanding of history informs his leadership style.

Shane Lanigan is Portfolio Manager at Beach Point Capital Ireland, a role he has held since September 2018.  He was previously a director at BSM Finance, a senior debt provider to entrepreneur owned, VC or PE backed businesses. 

Angela Miller May is CIO at Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund a public defined benefit fund based in Oak Brook IL which has over $40 bn in assets under management.Angela is a regular figure on the asset management conference circuit and has become a leading voice in promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. She appeared as the third guest on the podcast in 2020 during her tenure as CIO of Chicago Teachers.

If you have heard the term abundance of riches, that is what we have been experiencing this year in terms of our guests. So we are very pleased to bring you this bonus series, sponsored by Sound Mark Partners, a women led real estate debt firm that exemplifies so much of what we endorse and promote in the investment industry. We learn about accidental career paths, innovative strategies such as funds focused on positive change, climate engagement, GP-led private equity secondaries and carbon credit trading.

Geeta Kapadia is Chief Investment Officer at Fordham University, a role she has held since August 2022. She was previously Associate Treasurer and Director of Investments at Yale New Haven Health where she headed a 5 person investment team, and prior to that had a range of roles in investment consulting and other financial roles.

Bruno Kaiser is CFO at Smile CDR Incl, a digital health company based in Toronto. He previously spent over 20 years in a series of investment banking leadership roles with a particular focus on the Metals and Mining Sector. We were classmates at INSEAD from 1999-2000.