As we approach the new year, I reflect with immense gratitude and pride on the extraordinary accomplishments of 2023. Our journey has been marked by collective efforts, unwavering support from our members and sponsors, and the elevation of the New America Alliance to unprecedented heights.

First and foremost, I extend my deepest appreciation to our ‘NAA Familia’ for their unwavering dedication and commitment. Together, we achieved remarkable milestones, and I want to express heartfelt gratitude for the pivotal role each of you played in our success.

A key highlight of 2023 was the appointment of Anyori 'AJ' Hernandez as our President and CEO. AJ's exemplary leadership and background have propelled the NAA into a new era. His tireless efforts and strategic vision have been instrumental in steering our organization to greater heights.

The inaugural San Francisco Symposium was a testament to our commitment to innovation. With dynamic panels featuring allocators and entrepreneurs, coupled with mock pitches for private equity and venture capital funds, the event provided a platform for meaningful interactions. The attendance of nearly 200 people speaks to the resonance of our new content, fostering intimate relationships between allocators and diverse managers—a connection unparalleled in other forums.

Building on this success, the Insights for Capital Allocators event in New York furthered our trajectory in redefining industry engagement. With esteemed guests like NY state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and NYC's comptroller Brad Lander, we delved into new formats and content, including a lively pitch competition featuring innovative startups.

Our membership experienced significant growth, increasing by approximately 50%. This influx of fresh perspectives further strengthens our community and reinforces our commitment to inclusivity.

As we look ahead to 2024, we are filled with excitement and anticipation. We're thrilled to unveil a new signature event in Mexico City, bringing together high-profile LPs for our members to connect with. The return of the Wall St. Summit, a cornerstone of the NAA, promises to be a highlight of the year.

Virtual and in-person roadshows will take us to key geographies across the US, fostering stronger connections with LPs. In a strategic partnership with FTI, we're laying the groundwork for a new infrastructure that will fortify the NAA for years to come.

As we embark on our 2024 journey, I warmly invite each of you to be an integral part of our continued success. Together, let's shape a future where diversity, inclusion, and innovation are the cornerstones of our industry.

With gratitude and anticipation,

Leon Brujis

Chair of the Board, New America Alliance

The New America Alliance's (NAA) Leadership retreat, facilitated by Roberto Carmona and Joey Moore from Carmona Strategic Solutions, was held at the Greenberg Traurig Offices in Miami, Florida, on April 13, 2023. 

This was the first annual retreat focused on NAA’s strategic direction and priorities, with particular emphasis on strength of board committees, revenue initiatives, member goals, and overall organizational structure. The NAA board went through several exercises, which resulted in the creation of a new vision statement, value proposition, and strategic priorities. It was an excellent beginning in the advancement of the NAA.

The NAA’s Symposium themed event, Insight for Investment Managers and Entrepreneurs was held in San Francisco, CA on May 11, 2023. The event accelerated meaningful connections between institutional allocators and emerging managers, and provided a unique opportunity for participants to network, engage in informative discussions, and establish relationships with fellow industry professionals. 

The May 11th Symposium featured our Keynote Speaker, Jose Luis Pacheco, Board Member at the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration. Jose Luis serves as president of California School Employees Association’s Chapter 363, a union founded on the principle that nobody should work their entire lives in public service and retire with nothing. He serves as a delegate for the South Bay Labor Council as well. He gives back to his community by serving on the board of directors for both the Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union and Latinas Contra Cancer, a nonprofit addressing breast cancer health disparity in the Latina community.

Jose Luis Pacheco, Board Member at the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration

Jose Luis Pacheco, Board Member at the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration; and Anyori "AJ" Hernandez, President & CEO, NAA

The first session comprised a panel of distinguished pension experts who offered their perspectives on the outlook for 2023, the attributes they seek in exceptional fund managers, and the factors that differentiate one manager from another. Moderated by Judy Chambers, Managing Principal, Meketa Investment Group, and joined in the dialogue included panelists Molly B. Brister, Senior Vice President 50 South Capital; Atara Charnoff, Private Equity Investments Principal GCM Grosvenor; LaShae Badelita, Investment Diversity Officer California State Teachers' Retirement System; Marcia Markowitz, Managing Director Muller & Monroe Asset Management; and Taffi Ayodele, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Emerging Manager Strategy NYC Comptroller’s Office for the Bureau of Asset Management.

Insights from Prominent Capital Allocators Panel

Anyori "AJ" Hernandez, President & CEO, NAA; LaShae Badelita, Investment Diversity Officer California State Teachers' Retirement System; and Leon Brujis, NAA Inc Chair of the Board, Partner and Head of East Coast, 65 Equity Partners

Following the panel was a Fireside Chat with Leah Solivan, Managing Director, Precedent Collective and Deirdre Bosa, Anchor of CNBC’s tech-focused franchise, “TechCheck,” based out of the network’s San Francisco Bureau.

Leah Solivan, Managing Director, Precedent Collective and Deirdre Bosa, Anchor of CNBC

The Manager Pitch session included two separate sessions, each featuring three managers pitching their investment ideas to a panel of seasoned investors and capital allocators, in a format similar to the popular television show, Shark Tank.

Private Equity Manager Pitch Session One

Venture Capital Manager Pitch Session Two

After presenting their pitch and answering questions from the panel of allocator judges, the audience, consisting of experienced professionals from the alternative investment industry, voted for their favorite manager. This interactive and engaging experience added an exciting element to the event.

To close the day, we heard remarks provided by our event sponsor, Palladium and our Alliance Partner, The Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Following, the NAA and Hispanic Heritage Foundation hosted a joint reception held at the Finix Headquarters.

The Fall Symposium, themed "Insight for Capital Allocators, Investment Managers and Entrepreneurs", fostered meaningful connections between institutional allocators and emerging managers. The day featured inspiring conversations, multiple manager pitches, and extensive networking opportunities. With a full room of over 300 attendees, the symposium featured a notable presence of allocators, consultants, funds of funds, and OCIOs.

Held on November 15, 2023 at Greenberg Traurig, the symposium was an exciting event, with two distinguished speakers taking the stage. During the morning session we heard from Thomas P. DiNapoli, the 54th and current New York State Comptroller and sole trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, one of the largest public pension plans in the United States with assets valued at $248.5 billion as of March 31, 2023 and William C. Thompson Jr., Chief Administrative Officer & Senior Managing Director, Siebert Brandford Shank, 42nd Comptroller of New York City.

William C. Thompson Jr., Chief Administrative Officer & Senior Managing Director, Siebert Brandford Shank, 42nd Comptroller of New York City; and Thomas P. DiNapoli, the 54th and current New York State Comptroller

Thomas P. DiNapoli, the 54th and current New York State Comptroller; Anyori "AJ" Hernandez, President & CEO, NAA; and William C. Thompson Jr., Chief Administrative Officer & Senior Managing Director, Siebert Brandford Shank, 42nd Comptroller of New York City

During the following session we heard from a panel of distinguished CIOs and Deputy CIOs who offered their strategic priorities for the year 2024, offering insights into the current market landscape, opportunities, and challenges with a specific focus on Emerging Managers. The CIO panel cast a spotlight on Chief Investment Officers representing a diverse range of Pension Plans from across the nation. The discussion was moderated by June Kim, Director Global Equity California State Teachers’ Retirement System and included panelists, Bernard J. Buckley, Jr., Deputy Chief Investment Officer City of Philadelphia Board of Pension & Retirement; Anastasia Titarchuk, Chief Investment Officer New York State Common Retirement Fund; Shoaib Khan, CFA, CPA, Director & Chief Investment Officer Division of Investment State of New Jersey; and Fernando Vinzons, Chief Investment Officer Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund.

Bernard J. Buckley, Jr., Deputy Chief Investment Officer City of Philadelphia Board of Pension & Retirement; Shoaib Khan, CFA, CPA, Director & Chief Investment Officer Division of Investment State of New Jersey; Fernando Vinzons, Chief Investment Officer Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund; Anastasia Titarchuk, Chief Investment Officer New York State Common Retirement Fund; and June Kim, Director Global Equity California State Teachers’ Retirement System

Anastasia Titarchuk, Chief Investment Officer New York State Common Retirement Fund; and June Kim, Director Global Equity California State Teachers’ Retirement System

The afternoon session commenced with a much-anticipated fireside chat, featuring José Minaya, CEO of Nuveen, and moderated by Patricia Martell, Supervising Producer at CNBC. Nuveen, a leading player in global asset management, boasts portfolio management of over $1 trillion. In his role, Mr. Minaya is instrumental in crafting and executing Nuveen's strategic vision and managing its day-to-day operations. He discussed many interesting topics, ranging from his journey to the C-suite to how emerging managers should position themselves in the marketplace. The entire session kept everyone thoroughly engaged.

Patricia Martell, Supervising Producer, CNBC and José Minaya, Chief Executive Officer of Nuveen

Additionally, we were joined in a fascinating conversation with women industry trailblazers who were bold and visionary to start their own investment management firms. The "Latinas at the Helm" dialogue was moderated by Nanette Aquirre, Attorney, Greenberg Traurig, and joined by her included panelists Rachel ten Brink, General Partner & Founder, Red Bike Capital; Kerstin Dittmar, Founder & Managing Partner, L2 Point Management; and Monika Mantilla, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Altura Capital. Following our outstanding women's panel was our "OCIO Perspective" panel.

Kerstin Dittmar, Founder & Managing Partner, L2 Point Management; Rachel ten Brink, General Partner & Founder, Red Bike Capital; Monika Mantilla, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Altura Capital; and Nanette Aquirre, Attorney, Greenberg Traurig

Jason Lamin, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Lenox Park; Brigid Peterson, Head of Endowment & Foundation, Brown Advisory; and Ben Valore-Caplan, Co-President, Syntrinsic

During our OCIO Perspective panel we heard about DEI perspectives. Outsourcing investment management services and operations have increased dramatically over the past few years, and there are no signs of slowing. Fueling much of the growth in OCIOs are the U.S. Endowments and Foundations looking to tap into institutional-quality Risk Management and Manager Selection services. Germane to this discussion is DEI and the role that OCIOs can play as stewards of capital on behalf of their asset owner clients. Joined in this conversation was Jason Lamin, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Lenox Park; Brigid Peterson, Head of Endowment & Foundation, Brown Advisory; and Ben Valore-Caplan, Co-President, Syntrinsic.

We were honored to welcome Brad Lander, 45th New York City Comptroller as our Keynote Speaker. Brad Lander acts as the city’s primary financial officer and oversees the management of the city’s substantial public pension funds, amounting to nearly $250 billion. Comptroller Lander is entrusted with safeguarding the retirement benefits of more than 750,000 present and former public sector employees. He adopts a careful, diversified, and forward looking strategy when handling the city’s investments and obligations.

Brad Lander, 45th New York City Comptroller

Leon Brujis, NAA Inc Chair of the Board, Partner and Head of East Coast, 65 Equity Partners; Brad Lander, 45th New York City Comptroller; Anyori "AJ" Hernandez, President & CEO, NAA; Tiffany McGhee, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer, Pivotal Advisors; and Taffi Ayodele, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Emerging Manager Strategy NYC Comptroller’s Office for the Bureau of Asset Management

Leaders in the investment industry joined in an engaging fireside chat, discussing the balance between asset allocation and manager selection in investment management. Covering the role of diverse managers in portfolios, the conversation offered advice for diverse and emerging managers seeking allocations from OCIO firms in a competitive landscape as well as institutions looking to allocate to diverse asset managers. The OCIO Fireside Chat was moderated by Daniel Ilundain, Partner and Co-Head of Flagship Funds, Palladium Equity Partners, and joined by panelists Tiffany Mcghee, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer Pivotal Advisors and Angela Outlaw-Matheny, Director of Diverse Manager Equity, Crewcial Partners.

Daniel Ilundain, Partner and Co-Head of Flagship Funds, Palladium Equity Partners

Angela Outlaw-Matheny, Director of Diverse Manager Equity, Crewcial Partners and Tiffany Mcghee, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer Pivotal Advisors

To end the day, the NAA and Alpha Impact 8 co-hosted an exciting early-stage pitch competition, where startups competed for a spot in the finals at the NAA's Fall Symposium Startup Showcase, along with an attractive prize.

Competing venture-stage companies were presented with five minutes to pitch their company on stage, followed by a five minute Q&A session with our Venture Capital panel. The winning team was awarded a $10k investment from Alpha Impact 8, and up to $500k after proper due diligence. Congratulations to the winning team, OppZo!

Rafael Barroso, Limited Partner, Mendoza Ventures; Carlos Ochoa, Managing Partner, Alpha Impact 8 Ventures; Warren Reed, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, OppZo; Nicole Rojas, Principal, Alpha Impact 8 Ventures; and Anyori "AJ" Hernandez, President & CEO, NAA

We heard closing remarks by the NAA's extraordinary President and CEO, Anyori "AJ" Hernandez, followed by a memorable reception where guests enjoyed mezcal, graciously donated by Zomoz. Thank you to everyone who participated, making the event a great success!

See HERE for more highlights from the event!