#91 - Steven Romick: Value, Quality, and Adaptability

Steven is Co-Managing Partner of First Pacific Advisors and long-time steward of the FPA Crescent Fund’s flexible, risk-aware approach, with FPA managing $28 billion as of June 2025. In this episode, Steven shares wisdom from three decades of investing—how prioritizing margin of safety, business quality, adaptability, value, and a relentless focus on avoiding permanent capital loss have shaped his enduring philosophy.

Adam is CEO and CIO of Evanston Capital Management, overseeing $4.3 billion as of August 2025. Adam shares actionable insights on manager selection, real diversification, and identifying true alpha versus beta—highlighting why most hedge funds fail to add value and how to spot the few that genuinely do.

Brock is Head of Emerging Client Capabilities at Capital Group. In this conversation, he explores the transformative impact of AI, demystifies AI’s role in technology, and discusses its effects on jobs, business workflows, and personal productivity. He also shares practical strategies to thrive in the AI era.

Bruno is a pioneering entrepreneur and co-founder of Global X and Sangha. In this episode, he shares his unique journey from launching a multibillion-dollar asset management firm during the financial crisis to empowering others through peer support and spiritual growth. Bruno offers insights on purposeful leadership, personal fulfillment, and the intersection of business, spirituality, and self-discovery.

Eduardo is CIO of Avantis Investors, which manages over $75 billion in assets (as of 6/30/25). In this episode, Eduardo shares lessons learned from his journey as a scientist turned portfolio innovator—discussing financial science, systematic investing, and the future of asset management.

Jason, Head of Global Research and Investment Strategy at Carlyle ($465B AUM as of 6/30/25), discusses the challenges of persistent inflation and government debt, and the shifting nature of portfolio diversification in today’s macro environment. He explores the economic impacts of AI, the outlook for U.S. policy and markets, and offers insights on the evolving roles of private markets and private credit in building resilient portfolios.

Darell, managing partner at Evoke Advisors, co-founder of Bel Air Investment Advisors, and ex-Goldman Sachs Partner and manager of their Los Angeles office for private client services in the 1990s, shares insights on the evolution of wealth management, the centrality of trust and transparency, and how AI is reshaping the industry. He reflects on the advisor-client relationship, leadership, and the importance of diversification and patience in investing.

Dr. Carl Ross, partner and lead researcher for Emerging Country Debt at GMO, brings decades of expertise in sovereign credit across emerging markets. He shares his perspectives on the evolution, risks, opportunities, and outlook for EM debt, diving into credit cycles, valuations, and why he sees EM local debt as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for investors.

Yie-Hsin, President and CEO of State Street Investment Management, shares her journey from engineering to leading one of the world’s largest asset managers with $4.6T AUM (as of 3/31/25). She discusses her approach to leadership, State Street’s evolution from pioneering ETFs to private markets through strategic partnerships, and the importance of adaptability in a large company.

Tony is a senior alternatives investment strategist at Franklin Templeton, which manages $1.6T in assets (as of 6/30/25). Tony shares his journey across family offices and institutions, explores the evolving landscape of alternative assets, and discusses how education can help bridge the gap between everyday and sophisticated investors. Listeners will learn practical frameworks for portfolio design and actionable insights on the future of alternatives.