Firm also wins Global Farmland Deal of the Year and Americas Farmland Deal of the Year for 2022 Global Awards
Diffractive Managers Group Partner Firm Conservation Resources Wins Global Impact Fund Manager of the Year From Agri Investor Awards
Apr 19, 2023
Firm also wins Global Farmland Deal of the Year and Americas Farmland Deal of the Year for 2022 Global Awards
Diffractive Managers Group – Director
1251 Capital Group – Co-CEO
EXPERIENCE
Mike is the Director of Diffractive Managers Group and CO-CEO of 1251 Capital Group. Prior to co-founding 1251, he was a Managing Director at TA Associates (TA) where he worked for 22 years. TA has raised $24 billion of private equity capital since its inception in 1968. At TA, Mike led successful investments in a variety of industries including Financial Services, Business Services and Consumer Products. Mike was also Vice President and a member of the founding management team of Affiliated Managers Group (NYSE: AMG), a TA-backed holding company formed to acquire stakes in asset management companies, that today has over $800 billion in assets under management. Previously, Mike also worked at General Atlantic and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE
Advisory Research
Cardtronics (NASD: CATM)
Chartered Marketing Services
EYP Mission Critical Facilities
Jupiter Fund Management (LSE: JUP)
K2 Advisors
Numeric Investors
United Pet Group
CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Board Member of the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa
Board Member of the Ivey School of Business at Western University
EDUCATION
Western University - B.A. with Honors in Business Administration (HBA)
Harvard Business School - M.B.A. with Distinction
EXPERIENCE
John is the Chairman of Diffractive Managers Group and a President of 1251 Capital Group. Prior to joining 1251, he was President & CEO of Natixis Global Asset Management in the Americas and Asia where he worked for over 18 years and was responsible for the firm’s asset management affiliates in the United States and Asia and distribution strategies worldwide. Before retiring from Natixis in 2017, John helped the firm strategically reposition itself as a global solutions provider and grow to become one of the largest asset managers in the world with close to $1 trillion of assets under management. Under John’s leadership, Natixis was ranked by Barron's as the #1 Mutual Fund Family in 2013 and 2016. Before joining Natixis, John was responsible for new business development in North and Latin America at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company (FIIS) and was director of retail business development for Putnam Investments.
CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the New England Council
Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Back Bay Association
Trustee of Boston Medical Center
Former Chairman and Current Trustee of the Boston Public Library
Trustee of Newport Festival Foundation
Trustee of Boston Bruins Foundation Board
EDUCATION
Beloit College - B.A.in History and Government
Internal Investment Consultant
EXPERIENCE
Abbie is an Internal Investment Consultant at Diffractive Managers Group.She graduated from Fordham University in 2020 and has had sales and marketing experience through internships with companies including Wheels Up and Discovery Inc.
EDUCATION
Fordham University – B.A. in Political Science & Government; Spanish Language Studies
1251 Capital Group – Executive Assistant
EXPERIENCE
Nancy is an Executive Assistant at 1251 Capital Group where she supports 1251’s Ottawa office. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as an Executive Assistant at the Royal Canadian Mint for almost 10 years.
EDUCATION
John F. Kennedy Business Centre
EXPERIENCE
Eric is a National Sales Director and Regional President of Diffractive Managers Group, serving the central United States. Prior to joining the firm, Eric spent 14 years at Natixis Investment Managers, most recently as Managing Director on the National Sales Team, and served financial representatives in Minnesota and North Dakota. Eric began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2002, and was a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch before joining Natixis in 2006.
EDUCATION
Bentley University – B.A. in Economics and Finance
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
Regional Managing Director (West)
EXPERIENCE
Andrew is a Regional Managing Director of Diffractive Managers Group. Based in Southern California, Andrew serves financial representatives in the western United States. He joined the firm from LaSalle Investment Management, where he was Senior Vice President with a focus on private real estate investments and tax strategies serving financial representatives in California and Hawaii. Previously, Andrew spent 11 years at Natixis Investment Managers, most recently as its Managing Regional Director in Southern California. Andrew is a Level III CFA candidate.
EDUCATION
University of Vermont – B.S. in Business Administration, Finance
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
EXPERIENCE
Tim is the Chief Financial Officer of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Assistant Vice President at Wellington Management Company, a private investment management firm with over $1 trillion in assets under management. Previously, Tim spent six years working at PwC in public accounting and transaction services.
EDUCATION
Boston College - M.S. in Accounting
1251 Capital Group – Associate
EXPERIENCE
Kurtis is an Associate of 1251 Capital Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Scotiabank in the mergers & acquisitions group. There he focused on providing transactional support through financial modelling and due diligence across a variety of industries including financial services, healthcare and infrastructure.
EDUCATION
Western University - B.A. with Honours in Business Administration - B.A. with Distinction in Health Sciences
SVP, Business Development
EXPERIENCE
Victoria is a Senior Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, she spent 13 years at Natixis Investment Managers in a variety of positions, most recently as Assistant Vice President for the Financial Institutions Group where she was responsible for growing firm and affiliate relations with the financial service industry’s largest broker dealers. She serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Yawkey Club and the organization Team IMPACT.
CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Board Member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Yawkey Club
Board Member of the Team Impact Organization
EDUCATION
Colgate University - B.A. in English and Political Science, cum laude
MIT Sloan School of Management - M.B.A
1251 Capital Group – VP
EXPERIENCE
Drew is a Vice President of 1251 Capital Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Management Consultant at KPMG where he advised clients in the financial services, real estate, retail, and public service sectors.
EDUCATION
Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario - B.A. in Business Administration
HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION
EXPERIENCE
As Head of Distribution for Diffractive Managers Group, Pete leads the centralized distribution company. In addition, he leads all global client relationships for institutions and financial intermediaries. He has over 30 years of industry experience.
Pete previously served as Managing Director of Global Client Service, Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Client Portfolio Management at AlphaSimplex Group. Prior to AlphaSimplex, he served as President of Institutional Services and Head of Distribution for the Americas at Natixis Global Asset Management. Prior to joining Natixis in 2006, Pete was a Managing Director and National Sales Manager with Columbia Management Group. He also founded Katama Advisors, an independent investment consulting firm, and served as Regional Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Brokerage Group.
EDUCATION
University of New Hampshire - B.S. in Business Administration
General Counsel
EXPERIENCE
Kirk is the General Counsel ofDiffractive Managers Group, where he oversees all legal and compliance matters.Prior to joining the firm, he spent nearlynine years at Natixis Investment Managers in a variety of positions, most recently as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of the Natixis Fund complex.
EDUCATION
Trinity University –B.A. in Economics
University of Texas School of Law –J.D
EXPERIENCE
Hank is a Senior Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Partner, Sales and Consultant Relations Representative, as well as the Chief Compliance Officer at Monarch Partners Asset Management, a boutique investment firm specializing in Small Cap Value. Hank has held Institutional Sales and Consultant Relations roles at Prides Capital and Boston Partners Asset Management.
EDUCATION
Babson College – B.S. in Finance
EXPERIENCE
Matt is a Senior Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group.He joined the firm from Ziegler Capital Management. Previously, he was Director of Business Development at Smith Group Asset Management. Prior to that, Matt was Vice President of Business Development at Congress Asset Management. He has over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry.
EDUCATION
Assumption College – B.A. in Philosophy and Marketing
EXPERIENCE
Adam is a Vice PresidentofDiffractive Managers Group. Prior to Diffractive, Adam spent 13 years at Natixis Investment Managers in a variety of positions, most recently as Vice President and Managing Regional Director. Adam began his career as a Financial Advisor, first at Pioneer Financial Group and then at Wachovia Securities.
EDUCATION
University of Massachusetts Amherst–B.A. in Economics
EXPERIENCE
Yasmin is a Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group, where she is responsible for implementing marketing and communications programs. Yasmin previously managed brand marketing initiatives at HighVista Strategies. Prior to HighVista, Yasmin was the Head of Marketing and Communications at AlphaSimplex Group for five years. She began her career at Wellington Management Company, a private investment management firm with over $1 trillion in assets under management.
EDUCATION
Trinity College –B.S. in Psychology
Boston University –M.B.A. with Honors
Regional VP (Southeast)
EXPERIENCE
Brian is Regional VP at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to Diffractive, Brian worked at Natixis Investment Managers in a variety of positions, most recently as a Director in its New England Advisory Development Unit. He began his careerat Fidelity Institutional Asset Management (FIAM) as an Investment Sales Associate covering retirement, sub-advised and mutual fund products.
EDUCATION
Syracuse University (Martin J. Whitman School of Management) – B.S in Finance
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
Internal Investment Consultant
EXPERIENCE
Garrett is an Internal Investment Consultant at Diffractive Managers Group. He joined the firm from KOACORE, where he was a Strategic Sourcing Consultant assisting institutional clients procure health and safety resources related to pandemic response. He graduated from Indiana University Bloomingtonin 2020 and gained financial services experience through internships with companies including William Blair and Synergy Investments.
EDUCATION
Indiana University Bloomington –B.S. in Financial Management
DIFFRACTIVE MANAGERS GROUP – DIRECTOR
1251 CAPITAL GROUP – CO-CEO
EXPERIENCE
Mike is the Director of Diffractive Managers Group and CO-CEO of 1251 Capital Group. Prior to co-founding 1251, he was a Managing Director at TA Associates (TA) where he worked for 22 years. TA has raised $24 billion of private equity capital since its inception in 1968. At TA, Mike led successful investments in a variety of industries including Financial Services, Business Services and Consumer Products. Mike was also Vice President and a member of the founding management team of Affiliated Managers Group (NYSE: AMG), a TA-backed holding company formed to acquire stakes in asset management companies, that today has over $800 billion in assets under management. Previously, Mike also worked at General Atlantic and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE
Advisory Research
Cardtronics (NASD: CATM)
Chartered Marketing Services
EYP Mission Critical Facilities
Jupiter Fund Management (LSE: JUP)
K2 Advisors
Numeric Investors
United Pet Group
CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Board Member of the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa
Board Member of the Ivey School of Business at Western University
EDUCATION
Western University - B.A. with Honors in Business Administration (HBA)
Harvard Business School - M.B.A. with Distinction
Founded in 1991, Emerald provides equity and fixed-income portfolio management services to institutional investors and to individual investors via separate account management, the Emerald Mutual Funds.
Research is the cornerstone of their equity investment strategies, what they call “The Emerald Advantage.” What makes them different is their 13 member in-house research team using a proprietary 10-Step research process dedicated to hands-on, fundamental research specifically designed to identify unrecognized and under-researched growth companies. Emerald also provides investors with fixed income separate account strategies using a combination of proprietary quantitative models and fundamental analysis.
Emerald is headquartered in Leola, Pennsylvania with additional offices in King of Prussia, Pittsburgh, and Radnor Pennsylvania, and Cleveland, Ohio. Emerald managed approximately $6.0 billion as of March 31, 2021.
Parent company Emerald Asset Management was founded in 1991. Subsidiary companies include Emerald Separate Account Management, LLC, Emerald Advisers, LLC, Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust, and EmStone Advisers, LLC.
Ziegler Capital Management is the right fit when looking for a partner that combines strength of resources with personal attention and flexibility. They offer timely solutions to evolving market opportunities while maintaining a personal connection with every client.
Clients choose Ziegler Capital Management knowing they have a partner who cares as much about their future as they do. While they have a track record of delivering results, they are not constrained by structure or limited in response. They adapt to their clients’ needs.
They provide opportunities and resources for their employees to partner with charitable organizations in active support of their communities and those dear to our hearts. Not only do the organizations they work with benefit, it allows their diverse professionals to work and grow in a collaborative culture.
Greenbacker was founded in 2011, with the objective of bringing sustainable energy and other infrastructure investment opportunities to market.
They invest in a portfolio of income-producing renewable energy facilities and energy-related ventures, with holdings diversified across geography, size, and power source (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage).
These projects sell power under long-term contract to high-credit-quality counterparties, including utilities, municipalities, and corporations.
Mar Vista’s purpose is to create value for our investors by Generating unique risk-adjusted returns that exceed the opportunity cost of investing in a passive index.
They believe their mission requires a conviction to be different in how we think, behave and invest. Their team has purposely built durable competitive advantages into our investment framework, culture, business structure and economic incentives that we believe minimize the internal and external pressures that cause most active managers to underperform over time.
With their headquarters in Los Angeles, California, and operations in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Mar Vista is a minority-led investment management firm serving the needs of a variety of clients, including institutions, foundations, pensions, endowments, trusts, and high net worth individuals.
Wavelength Capital Management is a forward-thinking asset management firm founded in 2013 that specializes in systematic investment solutions. Their factor-based approach applies quantitative tools to process fundamental market and economic information.
From its inception, the firm’s mission has been consistent — we strive to deliver exceptional value to clients through consistent investment returns while maintaining the highest levels of ethical conduct and professional integrity.
As an SEC–registered1 independent provider of investments, the firm is focused on managing liquid, transparent, and cost–effective investment products designed to preserve assets and produce consistent returns in any economic environment. Wavelength’s experienced team has helped institutions, individuals and financial advisors meet the challenges of a changing investment environment with phisticated investment strategies, thought leadership, and a consistent commitment to client service throughout the course of the firm’s history.
Founded in 2010, Gitterman is a recognized leader in sustainable investing leader that provides innovative solutions for financial professionals seeking actively managed, impact-oriented investment opportunities. As a fiduciary with a long-term focus, the team at Gitterman believes it is critical to systematically evaluate all relevant risks and opportunities. As ESG topics are dynamic, complex, and often interactive, they require the deep research and analyses associated with active management.
Their SMART (Sustainability Metrics Applied to Risk Tolerance)® Investing Solutions provide Financial Professionals access to global climate-aware allocation strategies. They are core holdings, tailored for risk tolerance, designed for above average risk-adjusted returns, and deliver the meaningful impact investors seek.
Chairman
EXPERIENCE
John is the Chairman of Diffractive Managers Group and a President of 1251 Capital Group. Prior to joining 1251, he was President & CEO of Natixis Global Asset Management in the Americas and Asia where he worked for over 18 years and was responsible for the firm’s asset management affiliates in the United States and Asia and distribution strategies worldwide. Before retiring from Natixis in 2017, John helped the firm strategically reposition itself as a global solutions provider and grow to become one of the largest asset managers in the world with close to $1 trillion of assets under management. Under John’s leadership, Natixis was ranked by Barron's as the #1 Mutual Fund Family in 2013 and 2016. Before joining Natixis, John was responsible for new business development in North and Latin America at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company (FIIS) and was director of retail business development for Putnam Investments.
CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the New England Council Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Back Bay Association Trustee of Boston Medical Center Former Chairman and Current Trustee of the Boston Public Library Trustee of Newport Festival Foundation Trustee of Boston Bruins Foundation Board
EDUCATION
Beloit College - B.A.in History and Government
Head of Distribution
EXPERIENCE
As Head of Distribution for Diffractive Managers Group, Peteleadsthe centralized distribution company. In addition, he leads all global client relationships for institutions and financial intermediaries. He has 30 years of industry experience.
Pete previously served as Managing Director of Global Client Service, Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Client Portfolio Management at AlphaSimplex Group. Prior to AlphaSimplex, he served as President of Institutional Services and Head of Distribution for the Americas at Natixis Global Asset Management. Prior to joining Natixis in 2006, Pete was a Managing Director and National Sales Manager with Columbia Management Group. He also founded Katama Advisors, an independent investment consulting firm, and served as Regional Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Brokerage Group.
EDUCATION
Universtiy of New Hampshire - B.S. in Business Administration
EXPERIENCE
Victoria is a Senior Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, she spent 13 years at Natixis Investment Managers in a variety of positions, most recently as Assistant Vice President for the Financial Institutions Group where she was responsible for growing firm and affiliate relations with the financial service industry’s largest broker dealers. She serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Yawkey Club and the organization Team IMPACT.
CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Board Member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Yawkey Club
Board Member of the Team Impact Organization
EDUCATION
Colgate University - B.A. in English and Political Science, cum laude
MIT Sloan School of Management - M.B.A
EXPERIENCE
Tim is the Chief Financial Officer of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Assistant Vice President at Wellington Management Company, a private investment management firm with over $1 trillion in assets under management. Previously, Tim spent six years working at PwC in public accounting and transaction services.
EDUCATION
Boston College - M.S. in Accounting
National Sales Director & Regional President
EXPERIENCE
Eric is a National Sales Director and Regional President of Diffractive Managers Group, serving the central United States. Prior to joining the firm, Eric spent 14 years at Natixis Investment Managers, most recently as Managing Director on the National Sales Team, and served financial representatives in Minnesota and North Dakota. Eric began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2002, and was a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch before joining Natixis in 2006.
EDUCATION
Bentley University – B.A. in Economics and Finance
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
EXPERIENCE
Abbie is an Internal Investment Consultant at Diffractive Managers Group.She graduated from Fordham University in 2020 and has had sales and marketing experience through internships with companies including Wheels Up and Discovery Inc.
EDUCATION
Fordham University – B.A. in Political Science & Government; Spanish Language Studies
EXPERIENCE
Nancy is an Executive Assistant at 1251 Capital Group where she supports 1251’s Ottawa office. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as an Executive Assistant at the Royal Canadian Mint for almost 10 years.
EDUCATION
John F. Kennedy Business Centre
1251 Capital Group – SVP
EXPERIENCE
Georges is a Vice President of 1251 Capital Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Investment Manager in the private equity group at Export Development Canada (EDC), primarily focused on manager selection in the construction of a global portfolio. EDC is Canada’s ECA and has over $60 billion in total assets. Prior to EDC, Georges was a Senior Associate at CBRE Caledon Capital Management investing in primary and secondary private equity fund opportunities. Caledon is a provider of customized infrastructure and private equity investment solutions that represents over $10 billion on behalf of institutional investors.
EDUCATION
Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa - Honours B. Com in Finance
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University - M.B.A.
EXPERIENCE
Matt is a Senior Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group.He joined the firm from Ziegler Capital Management. Previously, he was Director of Business Development at Smith Group Asset Management. Prior to that, Matt was Vice President of Business Development at Congress Asset Management. He has over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry.
EDUCATION
Assumption College – B.A. in Philosophy and Marketing
EXPERIENCE
Kirk is the General Counsel of Diffractive Managers Group, where he oversees all legal and compliance matters. Prior to joining the firm, he spent nearly nine years at Natixis Investment Managers in a variety of positions, most recently as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of the Natixis Fund complex.
EDUCATION
Trinity University –B.A. in Economics
University of Texas School of Law –J.D
VP, Strategy
EXPERIENCE
Kurtis is an Associate of 1251 Capital Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Scotiabank in the mergers & acquisitions group. There he focused on providing transactional support through financial modelling and due diligence across a variety of industries including financial services, healthcare and infrastructure.
EDUCATION
Western University - B.A. with Honours in Business Administration - B.A. with Distinction in Health Sciences
EXPERIENCE
Yasmin is a Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group, where she is responsible for implementing marketing and communications programs. Yasmin previously managed brand marketing initiatives at HighVista Strategies. Prior to HighVista, Yasmin was the Head of Marketing and Communications at AlphaSimplex Group for five years. She began her career at Wellington Management Company, a private investment management firm with over $1 trillion in assets under management.
EDUCATION
Trinity College –B.S. in Psychology
Boston University –M.B.A. with Honors
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SVP, CONSULTANT RELATIONS/SUB–ADVISORY
EXPERIENCE
Hank is a Senior Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Partner, Sales and Consultant Relations Representative, as well as the Chief Compliance Officer at Monarch Partners Asset Management, a boutique investment firm specializing in Small Cap Value. Hank has held Institutional Sales and Consultant Relations roles at Prides Capital and Boston Partners Asset Management.
EDUCATION
Babson College – B.S. in Finance
Senior Financial Analyst
EXPERIENCE
Jon is a Senior Financial Analyst at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, he spent 4 years as a Senior Associate at Publicis Sapient, a firm specializing in Digital Business Transformation. Jon began his career at Gordon Brothers as an Analyst on the Commercial and Industrial Deal Team providing transactional support through financial modeling and due diligence.
EDUCATION
Bentley University - B.S. in Finance
Regional VP
EXPERIENCE
Brian is Regional VP at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to Diffractive, Brian worked at Natixis Investment Managers in a variety of positions, most recently as a Director in its New England Advisory Development Unit. He began his careerat Fidelity Institutional Asset Management (FIAM) as an Investment Sales Associate covering retirement, sub-advised and mutual fund products.
EDUCATION
Syracuse University (Martin J. Whitman School of Management) – B.S in Finance
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
EXPERIENCE
Courtney currently works as the VP of Advisory Marketing at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, she spent eight years at Natixis Investment Managers in the marketing group as a Meeting and Global Events Program Manager working closely with Financial Advisors and multi-Affiliates. Previously, Courtney worked at Wellington Management as an Administrative Assistant supporting Portfolio Managers and research teams.
EDUCATION
Plymouth State University - B.A. in Business Communications
EXPERIENCE
Alison is the Assistant General Counsel at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, she spent eleven years with MassMutual, providing legal advice to the company’s retail broker-dealer and registered investment adviser. Prior to MassMutual, Alison worked at National Financial Services, a division of Fidelity, negotiating their fully disclosed clearing agreements, advising business partners on regulatory matters, and providing legal advice to the operations teams.
EDUCATION
Tufts University –B.A. in English
Northeastern University School of Law –J.D.
EXPERIENCE
Garrett is an Internal Investment Consultant at Diffractive Managers Group. He joined the firm from KOACORE, where he was a Strategic Sourcing Consultant assisting institutional clients procure health and safety resources related to pandemic response. He graduated from Indiana University Bloomingtonin 2020 and gained financial services experience through internships with companies including William Blair and Synergy Investments.
EDUCATION
Indiana University Bloomington –B.S. in Financial Management
Regional Director
EXPERIENCE
Tom is a Regional Director at Diffractive Managers Group. Based in Boston, Tom serves financial representatives in the Carolinas and Georgia. He joined the firm from BlackRock, where he was on the Defined Contribution sales team working with consultants and advisors in the Southeast. Previously, Tom worked at Natixis Investment Managers as a member of the Advisory Development Unit. Prior to that, Tom began his career at Brown Brothers Harriman on the Securities Lending team.
EDUCATION
Union College – B.A. in Economics
CFA® charterholder, CFA Institute
Regional Director
EXPERIENCE
Michael is a Regional Director covering the Northeast at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the Firm, Michael worked at Natixis Investment Managers for a number of years, most recently as a Director in the sales division. He began his career working at Fidelity Investments as both an Internal Sales Representative and then a Regional Investment Consultant.
EDUCATION
Providence College - B.A. Finance and Marketing
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
EXPERIENCE
Mike is the Chief Executive Officer of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to co-founding Diffractive, he was a Managing Director at TA Associates (TA) where he worked for 22 years. TA has raised $24 billion of private equity capital since its inception in 1968. At TA, Mike led successful investments in a variety of industries including Financial Services, Business Services and Consumer Products. Mike was also Vice President and a member of the founding management team of Affiliated Managers Group (NYSE: AMG), a TA-backed holding company formed to acquire stakes in asset management companies, that today has over $800 billion in assets under management. Previously, Mike also worked at General Atlantic and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE
Advisory Research
Cardtronics (NASD: CATM)
Chartered Marketing Services
EYP Mission Critical Facilities
Jupiter Fund Management (LSE: JUP)
K2 Advisors
Numeric Investors
United Pet Group
CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Former Chair of Finance Committee and Board Member of the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa
Former Advisory Board Member of the Ivey School of Business at Western University
2022 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Award – Ottawa, Canada
Recipient of the Governor General’s Sovereign Medal for Volunteering
EDUCATION
Western University - B.A. with Honors in Business Administration (HBA)
Harvard Business School - M.B.A. with Distinction
VP, Portfolio Analytics & Research Group
EXPERIENCE
Bill is a Vice President of Diffractive Managers Group, where he is responsible for strategy research and analytics. Bill was previously a Vice President and Senior Research Analyst at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Prior to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Bill spent nearly 24 years at Merrill Lynch, most recently as Head of Investment Oversight for Merrill Lynch’s Financial Advisor directed investment platforms. He has over 30 years of experience in investment research.
EDUCATION
Wittenberg University –B.A. in Economics
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
Regional President - Northeast
EXPERIENCE
Tim is the Regional President covering the Northeast at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the firm, Tim spent nearly 10 years at Natixis Investment Managers, most recently as a Managing Director on the National Sales team.
EDUCATION
Saint Anslem College - B.A. in Financial Economics
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
VP, Product and Operations
EXPERIENCE
Toni works as Vice President of Product and Operations at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the Firm, she spent eight years at Morgan Stanley in a variety of roles. Most recently she worked as a Product Manager within the Wealth Management division responsible for implementing digital capabilities and platform enhancements to streamline client onboarding and drive growth across the business. She began her career at the Firm in the Global Financial Crimes group specializing in risk assessments of international and high net worth clients.
EDUCATION
Columbia University, Columbia College - B.A. History and Art History
Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences- M.A. European Studies
Senior Investment Consultant
EXPERIENCE
Ploy is a Senior Investment Consultant at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining the Firm, Ploy held positions as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and a Private Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch. Before starting her career in financial services, Ploy represented her home country of Thailand as Miss Thailand USA and won third place in the Miss Asia USA pageant.
EDUCATION
St. Cloud State University - B.A. Business and Psychology
Inside Sales Associate
EXPERIENCE
Will is an Inside Sales Associate at Diffractive Managers Group. He is a recent graduate from Elon University and has had sales experience through internships with companies including Limestone Spring Capital.
EDUCATION
Elon University - B.A. in Sports Management; Minor in Finance and Business Administration
Inside Sales Associate
EXPERIENCE
Griffin is an Inside Sales Associate at Diffractive Managers Group. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island School of Business in 2022 and has had sales experience through internships with companies including Beacon Building Products.
EDUCATION
University of Rhode Island School of Business - B.A. in Finance
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Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Alex Morris is Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining Diffractive, Alex acted as President and CIO of F/m Acceleration LLC, which provided US-based and overseas managers with institutional-grade investment systems, business operations and compliance support. Alex also co-founded F/m’s predecessor firm, Rowhouse Capital Partners LLC, curating strategy for asset and wealth management firms, and advising emerging managers on going independent. With Rowhouse, Alex co-founded Vestmark Advisory Solutions, an SEC registered advisor empowering $1.4 trillion of AUA to access comprehensive asset management services. Alex is also a founder and board member of Key Bridge Compliance LLC, a compliance consulting firm that currently provides CCO outsourced services and support to more than 50 RIA firms across the US.
President
David Littleton is President of Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to Diffractive, David was CEO and co-founder of F/m Acceleration and F/m Investments, a business operations and investment management platform that acquired and operated asset management firms with more than $3 billion AUM before its acquisition in 2023 by Diffractive. David also co-founded Key Bridge Compliance, an industry-leading advisory compliance firm, as well as Vestmark Advisory Solutions, an award-winning model hub that connects wealth managers to the investment strategies of more than 200 asset management firms.
Previously, David was Chief Financial Officer of Fortigent LLC, a technology and investment research platform serving independent financial advisory firms and regional bank wealth management practices across the country. Fortigent was acquired by LPL Financial in 2012. Before Fortigent, David served as Chief Operating Officer of Nylon Capital, a London-based alternative investments manager backed by Barclays. David also was a senior executive of a VC- funded technology company that was acquired in 2004 by Cendant Corporation. David began his career with Ernst & Young and then practiced law with Hogan Lovells (formerly Hogan & Hartson).
David earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland, a Master of Science from Georgetown University, and a Juris Doctor (with honors) from the University of Maryland School of Law.
Senior Vice President, National Accounts
Kimberly LaVigne is Senior Vice President, National Accounts at Diffractive Managers Group. Prior to joining Diffractive, Kimberly was responsible for developing and building alliances with diverse intermediaries and platforms, including broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, investment consultants, TAMPs and banks at F/m Acceleration.
Prior to joining F/m, Kimberly was Director of National Accounts at Gerstein Fisher and Vice President of National Accounts at Sentinel Investments.
Kimberly earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Lyndon College in Vermont.