A Message From Our Chair and CEO | |
As 2024 comes to a close and we look ahead to 2025, we reflect with immense gratitude and pride on the extraordinary accomplishments of this past year. Our journey has been defined by the collective efforts of our dedicated NAA Familia, the steadfast support of our board, members, and sponsors—all of which have elevated the New America Alliance to unprecedented heights.
First and foremost, we extend our deepest appreciation to each of you. Your dedication and commitment have been the driving force behind our success. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, and we are grateful for the contributions each of you has made.
This year, we transformed how institutional investors connect by launching innovative virtual
CIO and asset class events, which brought West Coast public pension plans together with our members. These sessions fostered meaningful dialogue, opened new doors of opportunity, and set the stage for even greater achievements ahead.
We also introduced the New America Alliance Quarterly Webinar Series, titled The Playbook.
This dynamic platform brought together industry leaders—fund managers and service
providers—to explore the nuanced aspects of successfully raising a fund and scaling a firm. Each session offered engaging discussions, practical insights, and comprehensive analyses from seasoned professionals on the strategies, challenges, and best practices of the fund
management ecosystem.
Throughout the year, we hosted and participated in impactful events that further solidified our
role as a leader in advancing critical industry conversations.
Our crowning achievement was the inaugural International Mexico City Symposium—a historic gathering of 450 distinguished allocators, asset managers, and civic leaders from across the Americas, collectively representing over $4 trillion in assets under management. This landmark event brought together U.S. public pension plans, Mexican AFORES (Administradoras de Fondos para el Retiro), Latin American AFPs (Administradoras de Fondos de Pensiones), family offices, and premier investment professionals in an unprecedented collaboration. The overwhelming success of this event laid a strong foundation for our journey toward becoming a global presence and engaging institutional investors beyond our national borders.
The year culminated in Chicago with our Midwest Roadshow, demonstrating that even intimate gatherings can yield extraordinary results. This focused format fostered deep connections between NAA members, institutional investors, consultants, and fund managers, setting a new standard for our regional engagement.
As we look ahead to 2025, we are filled with excitement and anticipation. We will unveil our next major symposium and are exploring prestigious venues in New York, Miami, Puerto Rico, South America, Spain, and Mexico. These events will expand the conversation on diversity and inclusion into new regions, building on the momentum we’ve created. Working closely with the board, title sponsors, and the limited partner community, we will soon reveal our next landmark location. Stay tuned—you won’t want to miss it!
As we embark on our 2025 journey, we warmly invite each of you to play an integral role in
shaping our shared future. Whether becoming a member, sponsoring events, joining committees, or attending our gatherings, your involvement is key to building a stronger, more
inclusive industry. Together, we can shape a future where diversity, inclusion, and innovation
are the cornerstones of our work.
With your unwavering support and collective efforts, we are confident that the New America
Alliance will soar to even greater heights.
With heartfelt gratitude and anticipation,
Leon Brujis and Anyori (AJ) Hernandez
Chair and CEO
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The Playbook Series with PitchNinjas: Crafting Compelling Investor Pitches |
Join the New America Alliance webinar series, "The Playbook Series," for an exclusive session featuring Lucero Tagle, Co-Founder of PitchNinjas, and Lisa Lee, seasoned investor relations expert. Together, they’re on a mission to equip fund managers and entrepreneurs with the skills to craft compelling, persuasive investor pitches that resonate with institutional investors and secure buy-in. | | | |
Virtual Investment CIO Connection Tour
Our virtual events are invite-only, member-only events.
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Virtual Asset Class Panels
Our virtual events are invite-only, member-only events.
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Podcast Series: “In the Spotlight”
The Series serves as a premier platform to showcase New America Alliance (NAA) members in a pre-recorded format, highlighting their identity as firms and investors to institutional investors, allocators, and consultants. Exclusively designed for NAA members, it emphasizes their expertise and strategies, provides opportunities to share valuable insights on their specific markets, and fosters meaningful connections with key industry stakeholders.
Participating sponsors who are NAA members will also receive a tailored 30- to 60-minute session with a seasoned investor relations expert. This personalized training enhances media and presentation skills, ensuring they deliver impactful and engaging content.
This Series not only amplifies the visibility of NAA members but also establishes them as thought leaders in the financial industry, strengthening their relationships within the investment community.
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Webinar Series, "The Playbook"
This dynamic series provides a unique platform for NAA to showcase industry service providers—including accounting firms, law firms, fund administrators, private placement advisors, and other specialized experts—who support fund managers in navigating the complexities of launching their first fund or scaling their firm. Each session features an NAA member or sponsor leading engaging discussions, sharing actionable insights, and offering in-depth analysis. The series highlights proven strategies, addresses key challenges, and shares best practices in fund management, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools for success.
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New America Alliance Alternatives Forum
This in-person event is designed to foster meaningful connections and facilitate engaging discussions through thoughtfully curated sessions and interactive formats. Participants will explore key trends, innovative strategies, and emerging opportunities that are shaping the asset management landscape.
With a strong emphasis on collaboration, the event features roundtable engagements, asset class-specific breakout sessions, and open networking opportunities throughout the day. These formats are tailored to provide attendees with the chance to deepen and build impactful partnerships and expand their networks.
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Institutional Leaders Retreat: New America Alliance Consultant & Manager Summit
This exclusive, inaugural invitation-only summit will host 100 attendees, providing NAA members with priority access on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure prominent visibility. Designed to foster meaningful connections and facilitate impactful discussions in an intimate, laid-back setting, the event brings together New America Alliance members, institutional stakeholders, and allocators in a collaborative environment.
For institutional stakeholders and allocators, the retreat offers a unique platform to network, exchange insights, and gain valuable exposure to a diverse range of firms. It provides an opportunity to discover new managers or deepen their understanding of the progress and strategies of current managers in their fundraising journeys or firm development.
For asset managers, the event serves as an invaluable opportunity to connect with institutional stakeholders and allocators, engage in meaningful dialogue, and gain critical exposure to strengthen relationships and advance their business objectives.
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New America Alliance Annual Symposium
The New America Alliance Symposium marks a significant milestone as the organization celebrates its second international event, this time in Puerto Rico. The Symposium aims to provide members with exceptional opportunities to expand their global reach and establish connections with a diverse investor base. As the leading Latino asset management organization in the United States, representing Latino and diverse asset managers, this event reflects the organization's commitment to bridging the gap between Latin American allocators and emerging manager members driving alpha for investors.
This symposium is thoughtfully designed to foster education and networking among capital allocators from across the Western Hemisphere.
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New America Alliance Institute Gala
This inaugural Gala celebrates five transformative years of the Pathway Fellowship and Gateway Scholarship Programs, which have provided scholarships, internships, and essential opportunities to empower Latino, Latina, and diverse students in pursuing higher education and reaching their full potential. The Gala serves as a key fundraising initiative to sustain and expand these impactful programs.
In collaboration with the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), a national organization representing over 100,000 Latino professionals and students dedicated to professional development and career advancement, this event highlights the joint efforts of both organizations to inspire, uplift, and empower the next generation of leaders.
This landmark gathering will also unveil a pivotal strategic partnership aimed at amplifying the growth and impact of these programs, extending their reach and enabling even more future leaders to thrive.
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Virtual Allocator Connection Roadshow Tour | |
This past year, NAA’s commitment to building bridges with the industry's top allocators was evident through a series of impactful engagements, culminating in 9 targeted meetings with some of the largest public pension plans, consultants, and fund-of-funds. Each session was a vibrant gathering, drawing over 62 attendees on average and providing an invaluable platform for our members to connect and collaborate.
At NAA, expanding capital access for diverse managers remains central to our mission. We are excited to continue creating opportunities that forge meaningful connections between limited partners and NAA members, driving growth and impact for generations to come.
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Dan Bienvenue, Interim Chief Investment Officer, CalPERS
Chris Ailman, Chief Investment Officer, CalSTRS (now retired)
Bryan Fujita, Chief Investment Officer, LAFPP
Jude Perez, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, LACERA
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CalPERS
Anton Orlich, Managing Investment Director of Private Equity
Simiso Nzima, Managing Investment Director of Global Equity
Sarah Corr, Managing Investment Director of Real Assets
Travis Antoniono, Investment Director of Sustainable Investments
CALSTRS
Laura Thompson, Partner, Sapphire Partners, Private Equity Venture
Eliza Bailey, Co-Founder, CEO & CIO, Belay Investment Group, Real Estate
Ed Powers, Managing Director, HarbourVest
Irwin Cloud, Chief Investment Officer, Muller and Monroe
LACERA
Chris Wagner, Principal Investment Officer for Private Equity
James Rice, Principal Investment Officer for Real Assets (Infrastructure and Real Estate) Scott Zdrazil, Principal Investment Officer for Corporate Governance
Esmeralda del Bosque, Principal Investment Officer for Portfolio Analytics & Global Equities Vache Mahseredjian, Principal Investment Officer for Credit and Risk Mitigation (Private Credit and Fixed Income)
CALLAN
Ron Peyton, Executive Chairman
Dario Buechi, Vice President, Global Manager Research
Pete Keliuotis, Executive Vice President, Head of Callan’s Alternatives Consulting Group Yosangel (Angel) Haddad, Senior Vice President, New Jersey Consulting Office
Lauren Mathias, Senior Vice President and Diversity, Equity & Belonging Champion
LAFPP
Annie Chao, Deputy Chief Investment Officer
Susan Liem Investment Officer, Private Equity
Derek Niu Investment Officer, Private Credit, International Equities
Miki Shaler Investment Officer, Fixed Income
Adam Perez, Investment Officer, U.S. Equities
Claire No, Investment Officer, Real Estate
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Quarterly Webinar Series
"The Playbook"
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In April, NAA proudly launched The Playbook, our new and highly anticipated Quarterly Webinar Series dedicated to equipping fund management professionals with key insights and actionable strategies for success. This inaugural session was our most successful webinar to date, drawing an incredible 104 participants—a testament to the demand for knowledge in navigating the complexities of fund formation, scaling, and sustainable growth.
The Session featured Danielle Beyer and Kirsten Dittmar of L2 Point Management, joined by Jessie Gabriel of All Places. Together, they provided an in-depth look into the essential legal and operational frameworks needed to launch a fund that appeals to institutional investors. Their expertise illuminated pathways to capital attraction, meeting compliance requirements, and fostering lasting growth in a dynamic industry landscape.
A heartfelt thank you to Jessie, Danielle, and Kerstin for their invaluable insights, and to our engaged attendees who helped make this session a success. The Playbook will continue to bring together top professionals, offering indispensable knowledge on finance, investment, and strategy. Don’t miss out on our next session in this impactful series!
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New America Alliance International Symposium
Shaping the Future of Asset & Investment Management
| Our inaugural International Symposium in Mexico City on September 25th and 26th brought together over 400 professionals, including 150 capital allocators, from the U.S., Mexico, and Latin America for two impactful days of networking and insights. This milestone event fostered connections between allocators from the Americas and both Latin American and U.S.-based Latino managers, underscoring the growing influence of Latino professionals in asset management. | |
Key sessions included a discussion on nearshoring’s role in positioning Mexico as a hub for growth and investment, a fireside chat with Orlando Bravo on growth equity, and insights into the strategic use of Fund-of-Funds for diversification. The event also featured panels on institutional investment strategy, and relationship-building with family offices. | |
Erol Uzumeri, Co-Founding Partner, Seachlight Capital Partners; Judy Chambers, Managing Principal, Private Markets Consultant, Meketa Investment Group, Inc.; Jasmine N. Richards, Head of Diverse Manager Research, Cambridge; Alex Dauria, Senior Portfolio Advisor, Aksia; and Texas Hemmaplardh, Partner, Mercer. | | |
Andres Medina Mora, General Manager, CompuSoluciones Ventures; Brett Ashley Barth, Founding Partner, Capital Creek Partners; Daniel Lorenzen Maldonado, Investor Relations and New Developments, LOMA Desarrollos; Anyori Hernandez, President and CEO, New America Alliance; Adriana Tortajada, CEO and Managing Partner, 1200 VC; and Daniel Sabag Galindo, Principal, NOA Capital. | |
Alpha Impact 8 Ventures handing the winning check to the QUASH.ai team. | | |
The first day closed with a competitive Startup Pitch, where Latin American entrepreneurs presented innovative solutions to win funding and an authentic Mexican Cultural Reception, blending networking with cultural immersion.
The first day of the symposium was a vibrant exchange of ideas, spotlighting the evolving investment landscape in Mexico and opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
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Henry Cisneros, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, American Triple I Partners; The Honorable Ken Salazar, United States Ambassador to Mexico. | | |
The second day of our Mexico City Symposium featured high-level conversations on critical U.S.-Mexico relations and investment strategies. The day began with a keynote fireside chat, where geopolitical expert Michelle DiGruttolo joined U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar and the Honorable Henry Cisneros to discuss the evolving strategic partnership between the two countries. Attendees gained insights into policy initiatives and diplomacy’s role in tackling shared challenges. | |
Other highlights included a fireside chat with José E. Feliciano, who shared strategies for scaling private equity, and panels on alternative investments, real estate, and Fund-of-Funds. Industry experts addressed portfolio diversification and market trends, offering guidance for investors navigating today’s dynamic landscape. The day concluded with a lively cocktail reception at the St. Regis, capping off a successful day of discussions and networking. | |
Javier Saade, Partner, Presidio Investors; Fenway Summer; Impact Master Holdings; Eneasz Kądziela, Deputy CIO and Head of Private Equity, NYC Office of the Comptroller; Antonio Sibaja, CIO, Profuturo; Leonardo Franco Villa Reynolds, CIO, Afore XXI Banorte; Abdiel Santiago, CEO and CIO, Fondo de Ahorro de Panama; and Dan Bienvenue, Deputy CIO and Head of Capital Markets, California Public Employees' Retirement System. | |
Leon Burjis, Chair Person of the Board, NAA, Partner and Head of East Coast US,, 65 Equity; Rei Tran, Mission Investments, Ford Foundation; Tiffany McGhee, CEO and CIO, Pivotal Advisors; Chrissie Chen Pariso, Managing Director, Powered; Tina Biles Williams, CEO, CIO and Founder, Xponance; Anyone Hernandez, President and CEO, New America Alliance. | |
New American Alliance Chicago Roadshow
Allocators Connection Summit
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On October 29th, in partnership with ArentFox Schiff, we hosted our final in-person event of 2024, welcoming 125 professionals, including a quarter of capital allocators. This unique Roadshow format brought together institutional investors, endowments, foundations, and consultants under one roof—departing from our usual format of office visits across a specific city. As a core NAA initiative, the 2024 Allocators Connection Roadshow has provided an engaging platform for members to build impactful relationships and partnerships within the investment allocator community.
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Michelle DiGruttolo, Founder & Principal Consultant, Sage Raven Advisors | |
The Chicago Roadshow featured keynote speaker Michelle DiGruttolo, former Daily Intelligence Briefer to President Obama. Michelle offered invaluable insights into the potential economic and geopolitical impacts of the 2024 U.S. election, detailing how either a Harris or Trump administration could shape global markets and providing actionable strategies for investors. | | |
Pete Amaro, Managing Partner at L'Attitude Ventures, pitching their investment deck during the Elevator Pitch session. | | |
Dan Jasnow, Partner and AI, Metaverse & Blockchain Group Co-Leader, ArentFox Schiff | | |
The morning programming included a comprehensive overview of the current AI landscape with asset management and current trends, six elevator pitches, a legislative panel featuring policymakers and an industry expert, tailored breakout sessions across fixed income and private credit, equities, private equity and venture capital, and real estate and infrastructure. | |
Elevator Pitch Judge Panel: Jennifer Koelle, Investment Officer, ISBI; Luis Sierra, Vice President, Marquette Associates; Cesar J. Gonzalez, Jr., Development & Client Portfolio Manager, Xponance; DeAnna Jones, Investment Consultant, NEPC; and Jose Gonzalez, Senior Investment Officer- Diverse & Emerging Managers, TRS of Illinois. | |
Martin Cabrera, Founder & CEO, Cabrera Capital Markets; Omar Aquino, 2nd District at Illinois State Senate, Majority Caucus; and Celina Villanueva, Illinois State Senator, 12th District at Illinois State Senate | |
Following lunch was a Fireside Chat with Maria Bonyanzy, CEO & Founder, MB Global Partners and Brett Graffy, Managing Director of Private Credit, Aksia, on the evolving landscape of private and opportunistic credit. ArentFox Schiff prepared an interactive mock scenario, highlighting fund formation, legal essentials, and strategies for aligning fund terms with institutional goals. The day wrapped up with a lively CIO panel, followed by a vibrant reception featuring minority-owned and Chicago-based spirits and the city’s iconic popcorn. | |
CIO Panel: Chrissie Chen Pariso, Managing Director, MPowered; Joe Aguilar, CIO, Illinois State Treasurer's Office; Laura Kernaghan, CIO, The Chicago Community Trust; Dipesh Mehta, CIO, Illinois State Board of Investment; Cameron Mock, CIO, Laborers' & Retirement Board Employees'Annuity & Benefit Fund of Chicago. | |
Brett Graffy, Managing Director of Private Credit, and Maria Boyanzy, CEO & Founder, MB Global Partners. | |
The Pathway Fellowship Program, launched in 2020, was designed to inspire younger students who may not traditionally envision themselves in financial services. Over the past four years, this initiative has expanded to support and mentor 61 fellows, thanks to the commitment of 19 partner firms and the invaluable coordination of Program Director Maria Chavez.
This year, the Pathway Fellowship welcomed 12 outstanding students from 8 schools, engaging them in hands-on learning, webinars led by NAA members, and a new Capstone project designed to help students demonstrate their skills and enrich their resumes. Topics included hedge funds, private equity, real estate, and more, with industry leaders sharing career paths and insights.
We encourage you to consider becoming a mentor for 2025. Your guidance can shape the future of these emerging leaders as they explore financial services—just as this year’s mentors did, with tremendous success, supporting our marquee events.
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PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
- COMSCI HIGH SCHOOL - NEW YORK, NY
- MISSION HIGH SCHOOL - SAN FRANCISCO, CA
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY - BERKELEY, CA
- VILLANUEVA UNIVERSITY - VILLANOVA, PA
- ST. RITA HIGH SCHOOL - CHICAGO, IL
- BOSTON UNIVERSITY, BOSTON, MA
- COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA - PHILADELPHIA, PA
- STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - HOBOKEN, NJ
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Special Thank You To Our Sponsors | |
The New America Alliance membership is comprised of American Latino and diverse
entrepreneurs and business leaders who are committed to giving back to the community and increasing access to capital for Latino, Latina, and diverse asset managers. The International Symposium in Mexico City would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors who share that commitment.
We'd like to thank our Platinum, Gold, Silver, Connector, Partner, and Support Sponsors.
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On the same sentiment, we'd like to thank our Chicago Sponsors. Your commitment was instrumental in bringing this event to life, and your belief in our mission made a meaningful impact. | | | | |