Podcast
InsuranceAUM.com
Hosted by InsuranceAUM.com · EN
Tune in to the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, hosted by Founder and Advisor, Stewart Foley, CFA. Our podcast features insightful conversations with CIOs, asset managers, and other distinguished professionals in the insurance asset management industry. Each episode delves into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities, providing listeners with valuable perspectives and practical advice. Don’t miss out on these engaging discussions that are essential for insurance investors and asset managers.
46episodes
Episodes
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Episode 350: Real Assets, Real Impact: Infrastructure in Modern Insurance Investing
Jan 1500:35:15Tap to summarizeScott Littman, Managing Director of Infrastructure Investments at GCM Grosvenor, joins host Stewart Foley, CFA, on the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on infrastructure as a core component of modern insurance portfolios. The conversation explores how infrastructure is defined today, why essential assets with long-duration cash flows and inflation linkage have become increasingly important, and how insurers are approaching infrastructure across debt and equity strategies. Scott also shares insights on capital efficiency, regulatory considerations, and portfolio construction as insurers expand their allocations to real assets. The episode concludes with a look at the current macro environment, including opportunities and risks across sectors such as energy, transportation, and data centers, and practical considerations for insurers building or refining infrastructure programs.
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Episode 349: Real Estate Secondaries: Opportunities for Insurers in Evolving Markets
Jan 1200:37:29Tap to summarizeMichelle Creed, Partner and Co-Head of Real Estate Secondaries, and Min Zhou, Managing Director in the Ares Secondaries Group, join host Stewart Foley, CFA, on the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast for an in-depth discussion on real estate secondaries and how the market has evolved. The conversation explores the growth of GP-led transactions and continuation vehicles, the impact of valuation resets and liquidity dynamics, and how real estate secondaries can be used as a portfolio management tool. Michelle and Min also address common misconceptions around discounts, asset quality, and the motivations behind secondary transactions. The episode concludes with insights into portfolio construction considerations, diversification, and capital efficiency, particularly as institutional investors navigate shifting real estate and private market environments.
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Episode 348: Beyond Direct Lending: A New Era for Asset-Based Finance
Jan 700:32:04Tap to summarizePrivate asset-based finance (ABF) is gaining prominence in insurance portfolio strategy as insurers evaluate its capital efficiency, structural protections, and yield potential. In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Stewart Foley is joined by John Roglieri, Managing Director in Brookfield's Strategic Credit Initiatives, and Remo Plunkett, Vice President in Brookfield’s Credit Group, to explore the evolution of ABF and its growing relevance for insurers. The discussion covers why ABF is not just a newer version of traditional securitized assets, but a broad, flexible toolkit that includes real assets, recurring cash flows, and customized structures tailored to insurer needs. With insights on risk management, capital treatment, and relative value versus direct lending, this episode offers a timely look at how insurers can build resilient portfolios in an increasingly complex credit environment.
Transcribe →Episode 343: Navigating Economic Currents: Shaping Insurance Investment Strategies
Dec 1200:33:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, is joined by Cindy Beaulieu, Chief Investment Officer of Conning North America, and Matt Reilly, Managing Director and Head of Insurance Solutions at Conning. Together, they explore the complex economic, policy, and portfolio construction themes shaping insurance investment strategies heading into 2026. With volatility receding and consumption staying strong, Conning sees cautious optimism grounded in fundamental, long-term portfolio planning. The discussion covers key topics including the rising complexity of insurance portfolios, the expanding role of private assets, and the importance of core fixed income as a risk ballast. Cindy and Matt offer insight into how insurers are balancing liquidity needs, capital requirements, and regulatory scrutiny while adapting to a structurally different rate and policy environment. With real-world examples and a thoughtful look at long-term strategy, this episode provides valuable perspective for insurance investors navigating today’s market challenges.
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Episode 342: From “Known Unknowns” to Quantified Risks: Enhancing Portfolio Construction with Stress & Scenario Testing
Dec 900:30:23Tap to summarizeTobias Gummersbach, Enterprise Capital Strategist at New England Asset Management, joins the InsuranceAUM Podcast to discuss how insurers can apply stress and scenario testing to strengthen portfolio construction. With a focus on translating complex risks into clear, actionable insights, Tobias explains how these tools can help insurers evaluate exposure, guide asset allocation decisions, and support long-term capital planning. The conversation covers how insurers can move beyond traditional risk measures to better understand the potential impact of severe but plausible events. Tobias shares practical examples of how scenario testing is being used in real-world investment strategy, helping firms assess trade-offs between risk and return, improve communication with stakeholders, and better align portfolios with enterprise risk objectives. This episode provides valuable insights for insurance investment professionals navigating an increasingly complex risk environment.
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Episode 341: Infrastructure Equity in Today’s Markets: Themes, Trends, Opportunities
Dec 400:40:01Tap to summarizeInfrastructure equity is no longer just about toll roads and utilities—it’s becoming a core part of insurance portfolio strategy. In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Gianluca Minella, Head of Research at InfraRed Capital Partners (a part of SLC Management), joins host Stewart Foley for a wide-ranging conversation on infrastructure’s growing relevance for insurers. Drawing on findings from SLC Management’s recent global insurance survey, Gianluca shares insights into how insurers are allocating across core, core-plus, and value-add strategies. The discussion covers inflation protection, regulatory treatment, digitalization, decarbonization, valuation discipline, and infrastructure’s role as both a defensive and growth-oriented asset class. Whether you’re focused on diversification, long-term returns, or navigating macro risks, this episode offers timely and practical insight into how infrastructure equity is being used by insurers to enhance portfolio resilience and performance.
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Episode 340: Building Resilient Portfolios for Insurers: DoubleLine’s Long-History Insights on ABS and ABF
Dec 100:22:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the InsuranceAUM Podcast, DoubleLine’s Andrew Hsu and Fifi Wong share their insights on building resilient insurance portfolios through asset-backed securities (ABS) and asset-based finance (ABF). With more than a decade of experience in structured products and a track record of navigating shifting market conditions, they offer a detailed look at underwriting discipline, deal sourcing, and how their approach has helped avoid high-profile credit pitfalls like recent subprime auto bankruptcies. From the early days of FinTech-backed student loans to today’s more complex private ABF opportunities in sectors like aviation and energy infrastructure, this episode explores how DoubleLine evaluates new collateral types, maintains portfolio quality, and partners with insurance investors for long-term success. Hosted by Stewart Foley, this discussion is a must-listen for insurance asset managers, CIOs, and anyone interested in how structured credit strategies are evolving in today's uncertain environment. Listen now and subscribe to stay current on trends in insurance asset management.
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Episode 339: Emerging Markets Debt - Investing in Stability Amongst an Ever-Changing Landscape
Nov 2400:26:29Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Siddharth Dahiya, Global Head of Emerging Market Debt at Aberdeen Investments, to unpack one of the most dynamic and evolving areas of institutional fixed income—emerging market debt (EMD). With decades of experience in global markets and deep roots in insurance investing, Siddharth provides a clear and comprehensive breakdown of the EMD universe—from hard currency sovereigns and corporates to local currency bonds and frontier markets. The discussion covers the structural advantages of EMD, including improving fundamentals, increasing credit rating upgrades, and attractive spreads versus similarly rated developed market debt. Siddharth also dives into how private credit within emerging markets is gaining traction with insurance portfolios, offering enhanced yields and structural protections. For insurance investors seeking diversification, real yield, and capital efficiency, this episode offers actionable insights into a sector that's once again demanding attention. Whether you're seeking a defensive allocation or exploring yield-enhancing strategies, Siddharth shares why now may be the right time to give EMD a second look.
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Episode 338: Beyond the Bubble: Data Centers, Demand and the Rise of AI Infrastructure
Nov 2100:32:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Alexey Teplukhin, Managing Director at Blue Owl Capital, to explore the often-overlooked but critical role of data centers and digital infrastructure in the global economy. Alexey offers expert insights into how these assets are enabling everything from everyday digital activity to the exponential rise of artificial intelligence. The conversation begins with the basics what a data center actually is and quickly dives into what makes them such a compelling, long-term real asset investment. The discussion also covers how demand for data infrastructure is accelerating, what risks exist around technological disruption, and why Blue Owl focuses on the physical backbone of the digital world rather than trying to bet on the next software winner. With analogies ranging from toll roads to airports, this episode delivers a clear, engaging look at the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and investment strategy making it a must-listen for institutional investors navigating a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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Episode 337: Backstage with Ares: Private Credit, Platforms & People
Nov 1900:37:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Stewart Foley welcomes Ryan Brauns of Ares US Direct Lending for a deep dive into the mechanics and momentum behind one of the industry’s most influential private credit platforms. Ryan explains how Ares has scaled its direct lending business, the role of underwriting discipline, and why duration alignment remains one of the most important considerations for insurers entering the asset class. The conversation explores everything from the structure of Ares’ capital pools to how leverage, covenants, and loan-to-value ratios fit into today’s market realities. Ryan also shares insights on spread dynamics, the rise of retail participation, and how insurers, large and small, are thinking about private credit in their strategic asset allocations. Whether you’re new to private credit or want a deeper look behind the scenes of one of the space’s leading managers, this episode offers valuable clarity and perspective for insurance investment professionals.
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