Navigate the evolving financial landscape where public and private markets converge. Unlock value in alternative investments and shape the future of capital allocation.
Today’s asset management business has quickly transformed into a race to build out a stable of thoroughbreds—investment strategies across a spectrum of conventional public equity and debt, as well as offerings across the continuum of private capital—equity, credit, secondaries, real estate, infrastructure, etc.
What makes recent history particularly unique are the crossover deals from traditional managers with alternative managers. For several decades, traditional long-only mutual fund shops and institutional firms stayed in their lane, and idiosyncratic, complex private capital partnerships lived in a different world—there was a peaceful coexistence and mutual exclusivity.
Those distinctions and parallel worlds have evaporated. We explore why with two of the most revered leaders in the industry and compare and contrast their different approaches to meeting this challenge.
Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association
CAIA Association is a global network of forward-thinking investment professionals, redefining the future of capital allocation in a world where traditional and alternative investments are converging at an unprecedented pace. United by a commitment to improving investment outcomes, we lead with authority, educate to inspire, and connect people who turn insight into action. CAIA Association creates dynamic and captivating learning experiences designed to engage investment professionals at every level. Its programs – the CAIA Charter and the CAIA.nxt™ platform – offer critical levels of access to a comprehensive curriculum that equips the investment community with the skills and knowledge needed to build modern portfolios. CAIA Association is a global member-driven community of more than 14,000 professionals, united by a shared commitment to improving investment outcomes and building a more aligned, principled capital market system.
CEO, Wellington Management
As CEO, Jean oversees nearly 3,000 employees in 16 offices across North America, Europe, and APAC. Her strategic business priorities include globalizing the firm; advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; integrating technology throughout the business; and positioning the firm for the future of active management. Throughout her nearly 30 years at Wellington, Jean has researched the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and has served as a healthcare portfolio manager and leader of the Healthcare Team. She is one of five female CEOs among the top 20 asset management firms and the recipient of multiple industry awards. Since 2014, she has served as one of the firm’s three managing partners, who are collectively responsible for the governance of the Wellington Management partnership.
President and CEO of Franklin Templeton
Jenny Johnson is President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Templeton. In a career spanning over 35 years, she has been a key driver of the company's transformation to what is now one of the largest global investment managers across public and private asset classes with $1.6 trillion in assets under management. Ms. Johnson held leadership roles in all major divisions of the business, including investment management, distribution, technology, operations, and wealth management before becoming CEO in February 2020. She has led the evolution of the business in recent years, further diversifying the company's investment capabilities and solutions for clients through key strategic acquisitions and investments. Ms. Johnson has received many recognitions, including being named to Forbes' "World's 100 Most Powerful Women" list in 2023 and 2022, as well as its "50 Over 50" list in 2022. She has been named to Barron's list of the "100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance" for six consecutive years, most recently in 2025. The Committee for Economic Development, the public policy center of The Conference Board, honored Ms. Johnson with a 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award. She was also named to Pensions & Investments' inaugural class of "Influential Women in Institutional Investing" in 2023. Ms. Johnson serves on a variety of boards, including Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Investment Company Institute's Board of Governors, where she also serves on its Executive Committee. In an advisory capacity, she is a member of the International Advisory Panel of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and serves on the NYSE Board Advisory Council. In addition, Ms. Johnson is a board member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Foundation and Catalyst, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in the workplace. Previously, she has served on several other boards, including Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and the San Francisco Giants. Ms. Johnson earned her BA in economics from the University of California at Davis.
