Advertise on podcast: The Nine

In this episode of The Nine, we speak with Chris Bailey, Director of Retirement at Cerulli Associates, about the continued growth and evolution of Collective Investment Trusts (CITs) and their expanding role in the retirement marketplace. Chris shares perspective on the forces reshaping defined contribution plans and how CITs are influencing product strategy, pricing, and innovation across the asset and wealth management industry. In nine minutes, we cover key DC industry trends, the drivers behind CIT adoption, innovation in retirement income and private markets, and what asset managers should expect as CITs continue to gain traction.

In this episode of The Nine, we speak with Mike Dembro, Lead Investment Strategist at MFS Investment Management, about the forces that have truly been shaping markets over the past year. Amid persistent headlines around policy shifts, rate volatility, and renewed inflation concerns, Mike shares perspective on the signals that actually mattered—and the ones that proved to be distractions. In nine minutes, we cover the biggest surprises in market behavior, the implications of upcoming midterm elections, where opportunities are emerging across equities, fixed income, and private markets, and the key lesson investors should take away from the past year of market dynamics across the asset and wealth management industry.

In this episode of The Nine, Sarah Walter of Nicsa speaks with Jorge Rodriguez, Head of Sales & Marketing at Monterey Insight, in collaboration with ALFI, about the continued growth of Luxembourg as a leading global fund hub. Jorge shares perspective on what’s driving growth and which segments are shaping the next phase of expansion in the asset and wealth management industry. In nine minutes, we cover private market growth, ETFs, shifting global demand, and where global capital is flowing next.

In this episode of The Nine, we turn to an urgent industry challenge: cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence. We sat down with Judith Pinto, Managing Director and U.S. Banking and Capital Markets Security Lead at Accenture, fresh off the stage at Nicsa’s Asset & Wealth Management Summit where she presented “The Next Era of Defense.” In just nine minutes, Judith shares How AI is changing cyber defense across financial servicesEmerging AI-driven threats that concern security leaders mostThe evolving balance between human expertise and automationThe role of ethical hacking and bug bounty programsHow firms can maintain client trust in an era of constant threatsWhat organizations should do now to prepare for the next major shift in cybersecurityThis episode offers clear, forward-looking perspective for firms navigating an increasingly complex digital risk environment.

David Breakstone, Global Head of Wealth & Asset Management Go-to-Market at ServiceNow helps us unpack how artificial intelligence is redefining client engagement across the industry. In just nine minutes, David shares: ·       How to balance automation with authenticity, trust, and human judgment. ·       How to overcome operational barriers to scaling personalized service; and ·       Where firms should begin their AI journey to drive measurable impact. Listen for pragmatic insights on modernizing engagement while strengthening relationships in an increasingly digital environment.

In this episode of The Nine, we sit down with Bob Suh, Founder and CEO of OnCorps AI, to unpack the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence across financial operations. Trading volumes have surged across the industry, but operational capacity hasn’t kept pace. Bob explains why a new wave of agentic AI is changing that trajectory. In just nine minutes, we explore: Why traditional outsourcing and automation haven’t kept paceWhat makes agentic AI fundamentally different from past technologiesHow learning agents reshape the economics of operationsHow agentic systems dramatically reduce false positives and operational noiseWhat “human oversight” looks like as AI assumes more autonomous responsibilitiesBob offers pragmatic, experience-driven insight from more than a decade of building production-grade AI systems for financial institutions. If you’re navigating the future of operational efficiency, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Olmstead's Head of Data, AI, and Technology Practice, Anthony Whitford, shares the secrets of successful AI adoption strategy ahead of his panel at Nicsa's Asset & Wealth Management Summit November 11+12 in Boston. For more, visit: http://nicsa.org and http://olmst.com And check out these articles for more detailed insights from Anthony: Clients demand FASTIR outcomes from their Data Operating Model https://www.olmst.com/fastir-data-outcomes/The Race Is On: Do You Have an AI Strategy? https://www.olmst.com/the-race-is-on-do-you-have-an-ai-strategy/Your Next Data Strategy Is Your AI Strategy https://www.olmst.com/your-next-data-strategy-is-your-ai-strategy/SPARTAH: Your Firm’s Guard Against AI Risk https://www.olmst.com/spartah-your-firms-guard-against-ai-risk/

Fidelity Digital Assets’ Ramine Bigdeliazari joins The Nine to discuss how digital assets and tokenization are reshaping asset & wealth management. From stablecoins to tokenized funds, he explores the opportunities, challenges, and future impact of this rapidly evolving space.  Hear more at https://www.fidelitydigitalassets.com and http:// http://nicsa.org/podcasts

​In this special compilation episode of The Nine, we’re bringing you bite-sized insights from live Nicsa events, featuring expert voices on three of the industry’s most talked-about topics. Mike De​m​bro (MFS) puts political noise in perspective with a data-driven look at investing through election cycles Joanne Kane (​S​S&C) delivers a plainspoken, no-nonsense breakdown of what firms need to know about managing AI risk Timothy Pitney (TIAA) highlights why longevity literacy is just as essential as financial literacy when planning for retirement These clips are pulled directly from Nicsa’s marquee forums and webinars—bringing real-time intelligence to your headphones in nine minutes or less. More at http://nicsa.org/podcasts

In this episode of The Nine, Mike Mastroianni—Nicsa Board member and industry operations veteran—joins host Sarah Walter to unpack the forces reshaping the asset and wealth management landscape. With experience across service providers, asset managers, and client channels, Mike offers a unique lens on how firms can lead through change.  This conversation blends strategic foresight with grounded leadership—and is a must-listen for anyone helping to shape the future of fund operations, distribution, or innovation.  Find more episodes at nicsa.org/podcasts

In this timely episode of The Nine, we explore the growing interest in dual share class ETFs—a product structure that could significantly reshape the investment landscape. Host Sarah Walter is joined by Christopher Swansey and Daniil Shapiro of Cerulli Associates, who offer expert insights into why asset managers are filing for SEC exemptive relief, how this structure works, and what it will take for it to succeed. From operational complexities and intermediary concerns to fiduciary implications and platform readiness, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating product innovation in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

In this episode of The Nine, Sarah Walter welcomes Cheri Belski, Head of Investment Management Solutions at LPL Financial, for a dynamic conversation on leadership, adaptability, and the evolving future of asset and wealth management. Cheri shares how an unconventional path—from politics to portfolio strategy—fueled her growth and helped her develop a mosaic view of the industry. From betting on herself in pivotal career moments to leveraging curiosity as a strategic tool, her story is a masterclass in career agility. She also offers powerful insights on how firms can blend technology and human connection to create client experiences that truly stand out. More at nicsa.org/podcasts

In this inspiring episode of The Nine, host Sarah Walter is joined by Frank Heavey, Executive Director of the Expect Miracles Foundation (EMF). Frank shares the mission behind EMF—from raising over $23 million for cancer research to supporting young adult survivors—and offers a look into the Foundation’s most powerful initiative: the 2025 Distance Challenge. Learn how this global, virtual movement brings the financial services industry and beyond together to raise funds, build community, and most importantly—spread hope. Whether you're logging miles, fundraising, or simply showing up, Frank reminds us that everyone can go the distance in the fight against cancer.  Learn more at emfdistancechallenge.org

In this episode of The Nine, we're joined by Eric Pan, President and CEO of the Investment Company Institute (ICI), for a timely and insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of asset and wealth management. Fresh off the stage at Nicsa’s Strategic Leadership Forum, Eric shares his thoughts on how political shifts, technological innovation, and generational preferences are reshaping the investment world. From navigating regulatory change to embracing uncertainty in his own career path, Eric offers practical wisdom for both seasoned professionals and rising leaders. Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on what it means to serve the end investor—and how our industry can rise to the challenge.

​In this special episode, we sit down with five exceptional professionals from Nicsa’s Rising Stars program to discuss their transformative experiences at the 2025 Strategic Leadership Forum. From building powerful networks to embracing authenticity in the workplace, these future industry leaders share key takeaways that are shaping their careers. Tune in to gain insights on leadership, mentorship, and the evolving landscape of asset and wealth management.