#77 - Charlie Ruffel: Asset Management Industry Evolution, Alternatives

Dr. Leonard Kleinrock, a distinguished professor of computer science at UCLA, helped invent the Internet and supervised the sending of its first message in 1969. In this episode, he shares stories from those early days, reflects on the evolution of the Internet, and discusses what the rise of AI means for the future of technology and society.

Charlie is founder, Chairman and Managing Partner of Kudu Investment Management and a board director of Charles Schwab. Drawing on decades of experience as a financial journalist, asset management executive, and private equity investor, he shares unique insights shaped by viewing the industry from multiple angles. In this episode, Charlie discusses the evolution of the industry and the growing role of alternative investments.

Jeff is the founder of Triatomic Capital and former Google SVP. He shares lessons from building Google Maps, Ads, and Gmail, founding GRAIL for early cancer detection, and leading transformative teams. Jeff discusses his vision for backing “century-defining” companies and offers insights on leadership, innovation, biotech, and building companies that change the world.

Liz Ann is the long-time Chief Investment Strategist at Charles Schwab, with over 25 years at the firm and frequent appearances on CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, and CBS News. She shares insights on the core principles of investing, the challenges of maintaining discipline, and the impact of economic and policy uncertainty. We discuss inflation trends, market cycles, portfolio construction, diversification, and how investors can navigate today’s rapidly changing environment.

As Co-Founding Partner and CEO of Sixth Street, Alan has guided the firm from its founding to a leading global investment firm — an achievement that followed his early success as one of Goldman Sachs’ youngest-ever partners. He offers an inside look at Sixth Street’s investor-first approach and shares his perspectives on today’s investment landscape.

Greg is Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at PIMCO, one of the world’s largest asset managers. He leads the firm’s commodity and real asset strategies. Greg discusses the forces driving inflation, how investors can navigate today’s evolving macro environment, and why diversification is essential when hedging inflation risk.

Damien is my long-time business partner and the other Co-CIO of Evoke Advisors. He brings a unique perspective shaped by his journey from advising some of the world’s largest institutional investors at Bridgewater to working with wealthy families and smaller institutions. Through this transition, Damien has gained firsthand experience with a wide range of investment approaches and priorities.

David is a former Navy SEAL, SEAL instructor, and CIA contractor who has become a motivational speaker, performance coach, and founder of the Froglogic Institute. In this episode, David shares powerful lessons on embracing fear, building resilience, and developing a SEAL mindset-offering actionable insights for investors, business leaders, and anyone striving for peak performance.

Dave is Senior Portfolio Manager at Wasatch Global Investors, a $25B equity manager based in Salt Lake City (as of 3/31/25). He discusses Wasatch’s collaborative culture, lessons learned from navigating market cycles, and the discipline behind a long-term investment approach.

Bob is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at WhiteHawk Capital Partners. He explains how their creative asset-based lending approach is designed to deliver downside protection while navigating the unique risks and opportunities of lending to middle market companies.