In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Dmitri Rabin, Rates and Securitized Portfolio Manager at Jennison Associates, for a deep dive into the current state of the investment-grade securitized markets. From the performance dynamics of agency MBS versus corporates to the shifting role of banks and foreign buyers, Dmitri offers a clear-eyed view of spread, convexity, and relative value through the lens of insurance portfolios. The conversation also covers asset-backed securities, subprime auto credit risk, and policy considerations around GSE privatization. Dmitri shares sector-level insights into CLOs, CMBS, and non-agency RMBS, drawing attention to structural risks and supply-demand trends shaping investor positioning. The episode closes with a candid discussion about Jenison’s culture and Dmitri’s career reflections offering both technical insight and human perspective for insurance investment professionals navigating today’s credit markets.

Allysen Mattison, Director of Investment Risk and Vice Chair of the Investment Committee at Income Research & Management, joins the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast to deliver a deep dive into the art and science of fixed income risk management. Drawing on her experience overseeing a $122 billion portfolio, Allysen explains how her team approaches interest rate sensitivity, duration positioning, and risk decomposition to ensure that the risks taken align with high-conviction investment ideas.   In the conversation with host Stewart Foley, Allysen unpacks complex topics such as tracking error models, the importance of aligning risk metrics with portfolio construction, and the nuanced role of downside risk analysis. She emphasizes the value of relative value assessment, systematic thinking, and cross-team collaboration, offering practical strategies for balancing active risk-taking with the protection of principal.   From philosophical approaches to tactical frameworks, Allysen’s perspective provides a rare inside look at how one of the industry’s leading fixed-income managers evaluates, measures, and responds to risk. Whether you’re an investment professional, an insurance CIO, or simply a fixed income enthusiast, this episode offers a masterclass in managing risk for long-term performance.

Anna Paglia, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at State Street Investment Management, joins host Stewart Foley, CFA, for a wide-ranging discussion on innovation and disruption in asset management.   She shares her unconventional career journey from international law to leading one of the industry’s largest investment platforms, offering a unique perspective on how evolving client needs, technological change, and strategic partnerships are reshaping the industry. Anna discusses State Street’s $5 trillion milestone, its rebrand, and initiatives designed to democratize access to both public and private markets, including the launch of a public–private credit ETF.   The conversation covers insurer-specific solutions, the role of ETFs and cash management, the importance of team culture, and the next decade’s potential for convergence, tokenization, and blockchain in portfolio management. For asset managers, insurers, and institutional investors, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how to thrive in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, welcomes Bryan Donahoe, Partner & Head of U.S. Real Estate Debt, and Brent Canada, Partner in the Infrastructure Debt Group at Ares Management, for a deep dive into the evolving role of real asset credit in insurance portfolios.   They explore the benefits of infrastructure and real estate debt — from generating durable income streams to diversifying risk and matching long-term liabilities. The conversation covers how market dislocation, rising interest rates, and the pullback from traditional lenders are creating compelling opportunities for private credit investors, particularly in sectors like logistics, housing, utilities, and digital infrastructure.   Bryan and Brent also share insights on Ares’ collaborative approach, their perspectives on market resilience, and why insurance capital is poised to play an increasingly important role in real asset lending.

Patrick O’Sullivan, PhD, Head of International Insurance Solutions at Barings, brings a global perspective to this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast. Drawing from his background in financial economics and extensive experience at leading asset management firms, Patrick explores how private and alternative investment-grade strategies can help insurers enhance returns, diversify portfolios, and address evolving liability needs.   Hosted by Stewart Foley, CFA, this conversation dives into the appeal of structured credit, CLOs, and private placements for insurers navigating today’s market. Patrick shares insights on key considerations such as capital treatment, interest rate risk management, and the growing demand for private IG driven by demographic and regulatory shifts worldwide. For insurers looking to expand their toolkit and capture new opportunities, this episode offers practical insights and strategic takeaways.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Tim Gill, Portfolio Manager, and Juan Tavarez, Research Analyst, from Fidelity Investments’ High Income and Alternatives team to explore the evolving landscape of emerging market corporate debt. With decades of combined experience, Tim and Juan provide a deep dive into how they identify resilient, dollar-denominated credits in complex geographies—and why a bottom-up, credit-focused approach is essential in today’s environment.   The conversation covers everything from navigating country-level macro risk and assessing restructurings, to uncovering “hidden castles” in misunderstood sectors. The duo emphasizes the value of sovereign overlays, disciplined portfolio construction, and the role of diversification in managing volatility for insurance investors. Whether you’re seeking long-term yield, capital-efficient allocation, or simply a better understanding of EM corporates, this episode offers highly actionable insights grounded in experience.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes Dane Graham, Managing Director at 17Capital, for an insightful conversation about the growth and evolution of NAV finance. Dane breaks down what NAV finance is, how it works, and why it’s increasingly being considered as a strategic tool for insurers looking to access liquidity while maintaining exposure to private assets. He shares how 17Capital has positioned itself in this space and how NAV-based lending has matured into a more accepted part of the capital stack.   The conversation explores how NAV finance can complement an insurer’s investment toolkit—especially in today’s environment where flexibility and downside protection are crucial. Dane also discusses the growing demand from institutional investors, the risk considerations, and how insurers can assess whether this approach aligns with their long-term goals. Whether you’re new to NAV finance or looking to refine your understanding, this episode offers valuable insights into an innovative and expanding segment of private credit.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, Stewart Foley sits down with Charlie Rose, Managing Director and Global Head of Debt at Invesco Real Estate, for a comprehensive conversation on the state of real estate credit markets and what insurers need to know right now. With nearly $10 billion in CRE debt AUM and a global mandate, Charlie shares insights on how Invesco is navigating a market still recovering from a historic value correction.   He explains the fundamentals of bridge lending, the firm’s “credit over yield” approach, and how they integrate equity and credit insights to drive disciplined underwriting. Charlie also compares market dynamics in the U.S. and Europe, highlights where he sees relative value opportunities, and outlines what may lie ahead over the next 12–18 months. The episode closes with a thoughtful take on hiring, diversity, and the traits Invesco values in its team. It’s a high-level, yet grounded discussion for institutional investors exploring real estate credit today.

Direct lending has grown at a staggering pace—more than tripling in just six years. But what are the consequences of that kind of scale? In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes Audie Apple, Head of Equity Capital Formation at Fidelity Direct Lending, to dive deep into the risks, innovations, and structural shifts shaping private credit today.   Together, they unpack how loan documentation, leverage, and covenant structures have evolved in a rapidly expanding asset class. Audie offers valuable insight into pricing dynamics, sponsor versus non-sponsor deals, and how direct lenders are navigating today’s tighter spreads and changing risk profiles. If you're an institutional investor evaluating direct lending strategies, this conversation offers key takeaways—especially around the importance of current toolkit strength over historical track record. From PIK toggles to dispersion metrics, this episode brings clarity to the forces reshaping private credit.

In an era dominated by private credit headlines, is public credit being unfairly overlooked?   In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with John Sherman, lead portfolio manager at Polen Capital, to explore the often misunderstood world of public credit. With nearly two decades of experience, John brings a nuanced view of the high-yield landscape—unpacking how today’s market dynamics differ from the past and why public credit might offer better liquidity, lower fees, and fewer structural risks than private credit.   From the shifting credit quality of high-yield indices to the limitations of passive investing in this space, this episode is packed with actionable insights for institutional allocators. You'll also hear why John views high-yield as a “Goldilocks” asset class and how Polen Capital partners with NEAM to bring their credit expertise to the insurance industry.   Whether you're weighing your credit allocations or curious about the evolution of private markets, this conversation offers valuable perspective.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, welcomes Siddharth Chakravarty, Director of Investments at Coaction Specialty, for an in-depth executive spotlight. Sid shares his unique journey from engineering and neuroscience research to managing a multi-billion-dollar insurance portfolio, offering a distinctive lens on the future of insurance investing. Together, they explore emerging opportunities in alternatives, with a focus on real asset infrastructure and secondaries, and examine the implications of regulatory developments, private credit benchmarking, and liquidity management. Sid also dives into the evolving role of AI in investment operations, the importance of data governance, and how small teams can gain scale through strategic automation. This thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation is a must-listen for insurance professionals seeking to build resilient, future-ready portfolios.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, welcomes Isaiah Toback, Partner and Deputy Co-CIO at Castlelake, for an in-depth conversation on asset-based private credit. Isaiah shares his journey from structured finance to Castlelake, offering unique insight into how the firm has built its strategy from the ground up as a pure-play asset-based investor.   Together, they explore the structural shifts driving the growth of private credit, including regulatory changes, the rise of non-bank lenders, and the growing need for alternative funding sources. Isaiah breaks down how Castlelake approaches portfolio construction, risk management, and customization—particularly for insurance investors with specific liability and duration targets. This episode is a must-listen for insurance professionals looking to understand the future of asset-based finance and what makes this sector both complex and compelling.

In this episode of the insuranceaum.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA sits down with Matt Jones, Co-Managing Partner of TPG’s North American and European secondaries business, to explore the evolution and growing significance of GP-led secondaries. With over two decades of experience in private markets, Matt brings deep expertise to a complex and rapidly expanding space. He breaks down how GP-led transactions emerged post-financial crisis, why they’ve become more attractive over time, and how they now serve as strategic tools for high-quality fund managers to retain and build value in their best-performing assets.   The conversation covers key structural features of continuation vehicles, the risk-return advantages of single-asset secondaries, and what makes this market so compelling for investors today. Matt also explains how macroeconomic volatility is shaping pricing and deal flow, and what traits distinguish the most successful players entering this space. For institutional investors, asset managers, and anyone tracking private equity innovation, this discussion offers a practical and insightful look at one of the most dynamic segments in the alternatives landscape.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Seth Rosenthal, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of Academy Asset Management. Seth shares insights from his transition from managing a $100 billion portfolio at Northern Trust to building a mission-driven investment firm focused on public fixed income and veteran employment. He discusses the origins and strategic direction of Academy Asset Management and its deep-rooted commitment to mentoring, hiring, and training military veterans.   The conversation explores how Academy Asset Management leverages both Wall Street expertise and geostrategic insight from a team of over 30 retired admirals and generals to inform investment decisions—particularly in today’s volatile geopolitical environment. Seth also explains why Academy Asset Management is leaning into mortgage-backed securities (MBS), how prepayment risk is evolving, and what makes the Veteran Impact ETF (VETZ) a compelling option for insurance investors. From market strategy to team culture, Seth offers a unique perspective on leading with purpose in asset management—while delivering competitive performance. Whether you're an allocator, an insurance investor, or an advocate for veteran employment, this is an episode worth hearing.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Kamesh Chilukuri, Managing Director and Head of Derivatives at Symetra Investment Management, for a deep dive into the practical applications of derivatives in insurance investing. With experience that spans from Monte Carlo simulations at MIT to leading derivatives strategy at a major insurer, Kamesh brings a unique perspective on how these instruments can enhance portfolio construction and efficiency.   The discussion spans both linear and nonlinear derivatives, their relevance to products like fixed and indexed annuities, and how insurers can use them to transform cash flows, hedge risk, and access markets more efficiently. Kamesh also offers insight into operational considerations, regulatory frameworks, and how derivatives can support relative value analysis across asset classes. Whether you're new to derivatives or looking to scale your strategy, this episode offers valuable guidance tailored to the insurance investment community.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Mark Hughes and Kevin Ritter, CFA charterholders and Co-Heads of Emerging Market Debt at PPM America. Together, they explore the evolving opportunity in investment grade emerging market debt and its growing relevance for insurance general account portfolios. Drawing on decades of experience, Mark and Kevin address common misconceptions, highlight the risk-return profile of EM credit, and explain why the asset class may offer compelling value compared to traditional U.S. investment grade allocations.   The conversation also delves into how insurers can think about portfolio integration, private vs. public EM debt, sovereign vs. corporate exposures, and how geopolitical shifts and trade policy are influencing asset allocation decisions. With practical insights tailored specifically for insurance investors, this episode provides a timely look at a segment of the market often misunderstood but increasingly important in today's global fixed income landscape.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Fred Pollock, Chief Investment Officer, and Steve McMillan, Head of Credit Research at GCM Grosvenor, for a timely discussion on private credit secondaries. As insurers continue to expand their allocations to private credit, Fred and Steve outline where secondaries fit into the broader $21 trillion private credit market and why they believe this corner of the asset class is poised for long-term growth. They discuss how liquidity, diversification, and discounted entry points can make secondaries particularly attractive especially in today’s uncertain macro environment.   The conversation also highlights GCM Grosvenor’s differentiated approach, from deep underwriting discipline to leveraging its multi-asset platform for deal flow and risk evaluation. Fred and Steve explain why understanding the entire private credit landscape not just direct lending is essential for delivering alpha and managing downside risk. Whether you're an insurer evaluating secondary strategies or simply seeking market perspective, this episode offers insight into one of the most complex and compelling areas of institutional investing today.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Connell Hasten of Victory Park Capital and Sukh Grewal of Janus Henderson for a deep dive into the evolving dynamics of public and private asset-backed markets. From their unique career paths to the strategic partnership between their firms, Connell and Sukh explore how collaboration across public and private markets is enhancing investment opportunities for insurance asset managers.   Listeners will gain valuable insights into the symbiotic relationship between ETFs and private ABL investments, and how insurers are leveraging both to manage liquidity, diversify portfolios, and improve yield in today’s market. The discussion also tackles macro trends driving interest in asset-backed lending, emerging collateral types, and what characteristics these seasoned professionals look for in the next generation of investment talent. Whether you're rethinking your asset allocation or simply looking to stay ahead of industry shifts, this episode delivers actionable perspectives tailored for insurance investors.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with David Lehman, Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Strategies at HPS Investment Partners, to explore commercial real estate (CRE) debt, market evolution, and capital efficiency. Lehman shares his unique career journey—from New Jersey diner waiter to state government leadership and now overseeing real estate at HPS—offering listeners a rare perspective on adaptability and leadership in finance.   Together, they unpack how the CRE landscape has shifted, highlighting changes in the traditional “four food groups” of real estate and the emergence of sectors like data centers and senior housing. They also examine the long-term impact of higher interest rates, evolving bank and non-bank lending roles, and how insurers can gain capital efficiency through real estate debt investments. With historical insights, current trends, and a forward-looking view, this episode is a must-listen for insurance investment professionals navigating today’s CRE market.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Ken Johnson, CFA, CAIA, FRM, Senior Managing Director and Chief Ratings Officer at AM Best. Together, they unpack AM Best’s latest outlooks on the property & casualty and life insurance sectors—covering everything from macroeconomic uncertainty to the rise of private credit, offshore reinsurance, and how ratings methodology is adapting to today’s dynamic insurance investment landscape.   Ken shares his take on the growing role of asset manager-owned insurers, the shift toward more complex ownership structures, and the increased reliance on less transparent asset classes. He also discusses AM Best’s internal working groups and how they aim to strike a balance between robust capital modeling and fair treatment for insurers with evolving portfolio strategies. Whether you're a CIO, portfolio manager, or regulator, this discussion sheds light on how risk, regulation, and ratings intersect in today’s market.