Agenda
Agenda
Agenda
2025 SEM Consortium Agenda
Monday, October 27, 2025
3:30pm - 5:00pm
VIP Connect returns to create an intersection where LPs, consultants, and small and emerging managers meet in an intimate setting. During these one-on-one meetings, institutional investors and their advisors discuss with GPs their investment programs, focus, considerations, and processes. This year’s session will feature a curated approach to the matching process, for an extra-tailored experience.
Note: these introductory meetings are for information exchange only. We encourage managers to not “sell” during this time.
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Kick off your SEM Consortium 2025 experience with something brand new.
This exclusive program will spotlight the industry’s most innovative service providers supporting the small and emerging manager community. Through small-group roundtable discussions, participants will gain valuable insights, build lasting relationships, and connect directly with leaders driving impact across the industry. The experience continues with a high-energy networking reception designed to spark new partnerships and broaden your professional network.
Participating Firms
5:00pm - 6:30pm
GCM Grosvenor welcomes women from across the industry to connect with one another at the 10th Annual Women’s Networking Session.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
8:00am - 9:30am
VIP Connect returns to create an intersection where LPs, consultants, and small and emerging managers meet in an intimate setting. During these one-on-one meetings, institutional investors and their advisors discuss with GPs their investment programs, focus, considerations, and processes. This year’s session will feature a curated approach to the matching process, for an extra-tailored experience.
Note: these introductory meetings are for information exchange only. We encourage managers to not “sell” during this time.
10:00am - 10:30am
Welcome Remarks
Michael Sacks
Chairman and CEO, GCM Grosvenor
10:50am - 11:35am
Next-Gen Credit: Investing in Emerging Mangers
Here we will explore the evolving role of emerging managers in the private credit ecosystem. This panel of industry experts will weigh the advantages and headwinds smaller managers face in today’s market, from sourcing and scaling to navigating investor expectations. The discussion will aim to explore how to thoughtfully build a portfolio of small and emerging credit managers, and why investors are increasingly viewing this segment as a source of differentiated returns, innovation, and long-term opportunity.
Moderator
Stephen McMillan
Head of Credit Research, GCM Grosvenor
Panelists
Marc Iyer
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Taffi Ayodele
Head of Emerging Managers, Office of the New York City Comptroller
Sam Loughlin
Founding Partner, Paceline Equity Partners
Navigating the Real Estate M&A Landscape
A data-rich exploration of today’s Real Estate M&A market, featuring insights into both Emerging Manager activity and broader consolidation trends shaping the industry.
Speakers
Peter Braffman
Managing Director, Head of Real Estate, GCM Grosvenor
Drew Murphy
Partner, Berkshire Global Advisors
Perpetual Motion: How Evergreen Structures are Reshaping Private Markets
As individual investors gain unprecedented access to private markets, the rise of evergreen structures and programmatic solutions is reshaping the landscape for both allocators and managers. This panel will explore how specialist GPs can tap into this capital base, what it takes to build compelling offerings for individuals, and why private markets are no longer optional in modern portfolios.
Moderator
Ryan Chapman
President, Private Client Solutions, Grove Lane Partners | GCM Grosvenor
Speakers
Robert Picard
Managing Director, Head of Alternative Investment, Hightower Advisors
Daniil Shapiro
Director, Product Development, Cerulli Associates
Patrick McGowan
Head of Alternative Investments & Manager Research, Managing Director, Sanctuary Wealth
11:55am - 12:40pm
Advising Through Uncertainty: Consultant Insights for the Current Market
Featuring consultants to discuss what they’re recommending to their clients to capitalize on the current market environment so LPs can better understand current trends and opportunities and managers can understand which consultants could be a fit with their strategy.
Moderator
Dianna Henrich
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Speakers
Francis Griffin
Senior Vice President, Alternatives, Callan
Nat Kellogg
President, Marquette Associates
Karen Rode
Senior Partner – Private Investments, Aon
More Treats and Less Tricks for Emerging Managers?
How can SEMs position themselves up to build scalable firms from the outset. How can LPs establish and grow successful SEM programs. How LPs can serve as active enablers of growth for their managers. What is the state of the SEM market today and how managers are finding success with capital formation and deals? Top 3 Dos and Don’ts for GPs approaching LPs to build relationships.
Moderator
Lee Brashear
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Panelists
Douglas T. Lake Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner, Godspeed Capital
Kirk Sims
Managing Director of Emerging Managers Program, Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
Bharath T. Srikrishnan
Founder and Managing Partner, BharCap Partners
Beyond the Border: Alpha Opportunities Across the Globe
As U.S. markets contend with uncertainty and macro volatility, investors are increasingly turning to international markets where structural change, fiscal expansion, or reform agendas are driving renewed momentum. From Japan’s shareholder-friendly reforms to industrial policy in Europe and accelerating digitization in select emerging markets, global dispersion is creating fertile ground for active managers. This panel will bring together hedge fund managers with deep regional expertise to discuss how they are navigating varied macro environments, uncovering high-conviction themes and sectors, and leveraging bottom-up insights in the context of shifting global capital flows.
Moderator
Rajen Gokani
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Panelists
Agata Dornan
Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Chepstow Lane Capital
Seán Murphy
Chief Investment Officer and Founder, Jerpoint Capital
Ranodeb (Ronnie) Roy
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, RV Capital Management
12:45pm - 2:00pm
One-On-One on the Richter Scale
David Richter, GCM Grosvenor’s Absolute Return Strategies Investment Committee Chair, hosts his annual one-on-one discussion with a prominent hedge fund manager who will share views on the current market environment.Moderator
David Richter
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Speaker
David Snyderman
Managing Partner & Global Head of Alternative Credit and Fixed Income, Magnetar
2:15pm - 3:45pm
State of the Emerging Manager Universe
Hosted By
Stephen Cammock
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Jessica Holsey
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Presented By
Peter Braffman
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Expanding the Network: Strategies for Sourcing and Supporting Emerging Managers
For the first time in SEM Consortium history, senior leaders from GCM Grosvenor’s investment verticals will come together to share their approaches to investing with emerging managers—the opportunities they see and the challenges they face. The panel will address key areas of pushback from LPs and consultants, including perceived platform risk, scalability concerns, and resource allocation, as well as the strategies successful LPs use to navigate them. We’ll examine which mitigants matter most, how LPs assess outperformance and diversification benefits, and the reminder that every great manager was once an EM.
The conversation will also explore sourcing: what it takes to uncover opportunities in this space, best practices for expanding networks, and how firms like GCM Grosvenor are supporting LPs in broadening their deal funnel.
Finally, the panel will consider broader industry dynamics—why LPs are turning to emerging managers for middle-market access and what it takes to get new LPs “across the finish line.” Expect a candid exchange on networking, scaling, and building durable EM programs—with practical takeaways for institutional investors across the room.
Moderator
Denise Stake
Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Office of the Treasurer, State of Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds
Speakers
Peter Braffman
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Martin Laguerre
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
David Richter
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Michael Rose
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
2:15pm - 3:45pm
The session will focus on topics that best serve small and emerging managers who are looking to successfully launch and fundraise during these challenging times.
Private Equity
From Targets to Closes: Navigating the Capital Raise in 2025
Moderator
Charles Pippen
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
Speakers
Kerstin Ditmar
Founder & Managing Partner, L2 Point
Saydeah Howard
Managing Partner, Cherryrock Capital
LP Composition – As You Grow Into Fund IV
Moderator
Atara Charnoff
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
Speakers
Kyle Bruno
Investor Relations, Integrum 5pm
Michael Duran
Founder and Managing Partner, Mill Point Capital
Debbie Park Munfa
Partner, Head of Investor Relations, Recognize
Absolute Return Strategies
AI’s Role in the Hedge Fund Landscape
Moderator
Katherine Joyce
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
Presenter
Garret Wilson
Head of Investment Strategy, Bayforest Technologies Limited
Macros in Focus – Managing Volatility
Moderator
Katherine Joyce
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
Presenter
Allen Cheng
Co-Head, North American Hedge Fund Investments and Co-PM U.S. Hedge Fund OCIO, Aon
Real Estate and Infrastructure
From Towers to Transit: Where Real Estate Meets Infrastructure
Moderators
Ermias Nessibu
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
Danielle Even
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
Speakers
Ben Brosseau
Chief Executive Officer, County Line Rail
Chris Green
Founder, Green Point Partners
Brian McMullen
Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Snowhawk Partners
4:00pm - 4:30pm
In a unique interview-style format, institutional investors discuss how they are structuring their portfolios to mitigate challenges presented by a difficult market environment. Investors will address the steps they are taking to meet their objectives, where they continue to see opportunity across the alternatives landscape while highlighting the role small and emerging managers can play to help them do so in 2025 and beyond.
Moderator
Elizabeth Browne
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Speaker
Shannon O’Leary
Chief Investment Officer, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Moderator
Claire Van Wyk-Allan
Managing Director, Head of Canada and Investor Engagement, Americas, AIMA
Speaker
Kalina Berova
Managing Director, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)
Moderator
Jon Levin
President, GCM Grosvenor
Speaker
Erick Rusell
Treasurer, State of Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Invite Only Reception
6:00pm - 9:00pm
SEM Consortium 2025 Reception
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
8:30am - 10:00am
General Breakfast
8:30am - 10:00am
VIP Connect returns to create an intersection where LPs, consultants, and small and emerging managers meet in an intimate setting. During these one-on-one meetings, institutional investors and their advisors discuss with GPs their investment programs, focus, considerations, and processes. This year’s session will feature a curated approach to the matching process, for an extra-tailored experience.
Note: these introductory meetings are for information exchange only. We encourage managers to not “sell” during this time.
10:15am - 11:00am
Sourcing or Stalling: Why Infrastructure Emerging Managers Must Differentiate to Thrive
Infrastructure investing continues to evolve as both a resilient asset class and a platform for innovation, impact, and inclusion. This session will spotlight how emerging managers are shaping the future of infrastructure—from transportation to digital connectivity and community development. Join us for an in-depth conversation with leading managers who are navigating capital flows, identifying niche opportunities, and redefining success in a dynamic macroeconomic and policy environment. Attendees will gain insight into current market dynamics, emerging trends, and how institutional allocators can support the growth of diverse talent and strategies in this vital sector.
Moderator
Scott Litman
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Speakers
Cay Freihofer
Founder & Co-Managing Partner, FIC
Reynold Martin
Managing Partner, Percival Oak Advisors
Jorge Mora
Co-Managing Partner, Jacmel Partners
Innovating Private Equity: How the Market is Leveraging Continuation Funds
As continuation vehicles (CVs) evolve from niche to mainstream, mid-sized and emerging private equity managers are using them to unlock liquidity, deepen relationships, and extend the runway on high-performing assets. This session will explore the dynamics and attributes of continuation funds from multiple angles: the manager, new investors, and legacy investors.
Moderator
David Andrias
Managing Director, Evercore
Speakers
Agata Praczuk
Director – Alternative Investments, MetLife Investment Management
Brian Sullivan
Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor
Michael Vellucci
Partner, TRP Capital Partners
11:20am - 12:05pm
Clickbait or Crisis: Looking Beyond the Headlines in Private Credit
Moderator
Stephen McMillan
Head of Credit Research, GCM Grosvenor
Speaker
Michael Haynes
Portfolio Manager and Head of Private Credit, Beachpoint Capital Management
Behind the Curtain: Investing with Real Estate Emerging Managers
A candid discussion with senior investment professionals offering a rare, insider’s perspective on how GCM Grosvenor identifies and partners with Emerging Managers in Real Estate.
Speakers
Danielle Even
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
Ermias Nessibu
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
Bryce Robertson
Executive Director, GCM Grosvenor
David Santola
Principal, GCM Grosvenor
12:15pm - 1:30pm
Networking Lunch and Featured Speaker
General Charles Q. Brown Jr.
21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Closing Remarks & Dessert Networking Reception
Top-Tier Content
Leadership Council
The Leadership Council helps to shape the event’s agenda and move the program forward.
