Episode summary
Manager Research in Focus with CW Advisors
Dakota Live!
· · Hosts: Robert Morier · Guests: Evan Butler
Summary
CW Advisors’ approach to manager research centers on sourcing niche strategies, underwriting them rigorously, and then translating them into client-friendly portfolio options. Evan Butler describes a process led by the host’s team and the firm’s CIO, Jen Disto, in which managers are sourced through conferences and relationships, vetted through diligence, and then placed on a curated menu for accredited investors and qualified purchasers. He says the firm aims to combine institutional-quality managers with a boutique, relationship-driven client experience.
A recurring theme is that good manager research requires both a compelling story and hard evidence. Evan Butler says he looks for performance, but also for experience, culture, and whether a manager can service clients over the long term. For credit strategies especially, he emphasizes asking about workout history, foreclosures, and how a firm has handled non-performing loans. He also stresses that the job is as much about saying no as saying yes, because the wrong allocation can damage a client relationship or the firm’s reputation.
The conversation also highlights mentorship and career development. Evan Butler credits Jen Disto with teaching him to act quickly, think carefully, and operate with enough autonomy to make the process efficient. He closes by urging students to read the Wall Street Journal, stay current on markets, and build a network, arguing that relationships helped him move from marketing and data analytics into investment research.
Key takeaways
- Evan Butler says CW Advisors sources managers through conferences and relationships, then underwrites them before putting them on a curated client menu.
- Evan Butler says the firm favors niche managers for qualified purchasers, while keeping simpler, low-minimum options for accredited investors.
- For private credit, Evan Butler says the most important diligence question is a manager’s history with workouts, foreclosures, and non-performing loans.
- Evan Butler says a strong story is not enough without performance and a track record that can survive investment committee scrutiny.
- Evan Butler says Jen Disto’s mentorship taught him to act quickly and thoughtfully while handling more responsibility independently.
Notable quotes
“We source managers and we generate ideas through multiple channels”
“what is your history with a a workout? It's it's great to have the ability to raise capital and deploy it, but have you ever had to work out a non-performing loan”
“Clients don't always know what they want. They think they know what they want, but they don't always know what they want”
“Read the Wall Street Journal every day. Even if you're just skimming, but subscribe to the journal”
How the episode opens
Welcome to the Dakota Live podcast. I'm your host, Robert Morier. The goal of this podcast is to help you better know the people behind investment decisions.
We introduce you to chief investment officers, manager research professionals, and other industry leaders to help you sell in between the lines and better understand the investment sales ecosystem. If you're not familiar with Dakota and our Dakota Live content, please check out our website at dakota.com. Before we get started, I need to read a brief disclosure.
This content is provided forformational purposes and should not be relied upon as recommendations or advice about investing in securities. All investments involve risk and may lose money. Dakota does not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information provided by the speaker who is not affiliated with Dakota.
Not a solicitation, testimonial, or endorsement by Dakota or its affiliates. Nothing herein is intended to indicate approval, support, or recommendation of the investment adviser or its supervised persons by Dakota. Today's episode is brought to you by Dakota Marketplace.
Are you tired of constantly jumping between multiple databases and channels to find the right investment opportunities? Introducing Dakota Marketplace, the comprehensive institutional and intermediary database built by fundraisers for fundraisers. With Dakota Marketplace, you'll have access to all channels and asset classes in one place, saving you time and streamlining your fundraising process.
Say goodbye to the frustration of searching through multiple databases and say hello to a seamless and efficient fundraising experience. Sign up now and see the difference Dakota Marketplace can make for you. Visit dakotaarketplace.com today.
Well, I am very excited to introduce our next guest, Evan Butler, investment analyst with CW Advisors, an SEC registered investment management firm that develops innovative wealth solutions for high- netw worth individuals, families, foundations, and endowments.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- manager research
- due diligence
- investment committee collaboration
- fund sourcing
- career in investment research
Companies and tickers mentioned
- CW Advisors
- Havener Capital Partners
- Bryant University
Watch the episode
Watch “Manager Research in Focus with CW Advisors” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
More from Dakota Live!
-
Expanding the Pie Through Organic Growth: Wealth Management with Constellation Wealth Capital -
Where the Risk Hides: Tom Majewski of Eagle Point on CLOs, Private Credit, and the Next Credit Cycle -
Building Private Markets Programs for RIAs with Opto Investments -
Depth Over Breadth: Inside The Next Collective -
Brad Mook | Rosemont's History in GP Stakes and the Move to Permanent Capital -
The Unconventional VC: Maddi Holman of Daring Ventures
Dakota Live!, this episode and its artwork belong to Robert Morier. Octagon is not affiliated with the show; this page is an independent summary.
