The WealthTech Podcast

• What the Data Says: WealthTech Spending Trends Survey Insights | Chris Bendtsen, Celent

  Turning Data into Direction: WealthTech Survey Insights with Chris BendtsenIn this episode of The WealthTech Podcast, Mark Wickersham sits down with Chris Bendtsen, Senior Analysts Wealth Technology at Celent, to dig into their latest wealth management technology survey. It's always get exciting when there’s real data behind the conversation—and Chris brings just that. We unpack what firms are actually prioritizing when it comes to technology, where client experience is headed, and what the leading firms are thinking about data integration, automation, and AI. Chris also shares some surprising trends about how firms are balancing innovation with legacy systems—and where they might be getting stuck. If you're navigating tech decisions in wealth management—or advising those who are—this conversation offers a grounded, data-backed look at where the industry is moving and what’s actually working. About Chris BendtsenChris Bendtsen is a Senior Analyst at Celent covering wealth management technology. His research expertise includes technology spending in wealth management and private banking, wealthtech startups, AI and generative AI in wealth management, portfolio management systems, and alternative investment platforms. Prior to joining Celent, Chris was a Lead Analyst at CB Insights covering fintech and venture capital, and before that a Principal Researcher at Gartner covering financial services digital marketing.About CelentCelent is the leading research and advisory firm focused on technology for financial institutions globally. For over 20 years, Celent has helped senior executives make confident decisions around their technology strategies to execute at scale. Celent offers objective advice and clarity, backed by a database of thousands of solutions and award-winning global best practice use cases. Celent is now part of GlobalData.About The WealthTech Podcast:The WealthTech Podcast is a bi-monthly interview series hosted by Mark Wickersham. Each month we present conversations with various industry leaders that focuses on the challenges family wealth firms face with technology, people and process. The podcast is produced by Brad Oliver. The WealthTech Podcast is brought to you by the generous support of Risclarity. Risclarity fills the technology gaps family wealth firms face when serving the complex needs of ultra-high net worth families.

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• AI, Big Data and the Upcoming WealthTech Revolution | Doug Fritz & Michael Perez, F2 Strategy

  In this episode of The WealthTech Podcast, host Mark Wickersham sits down with Doug Fritz and Michael Perez of F2 Strategy. They explore how AI has moved from hype to real-world adoption, particularly in areas like automated note-taking, client communications, and document processing. The discussion also highlights the increasing role of AI agents and the operational efficiencies they unlock. Michael shares how family offices are modernizing from paper-heavy processes to sophisticated digital platforms—driven largely by next-gen expectations and a need for transparency. Other topics include: Navigating the best-of-breed vs. comprehensive tech stack debateThe critical importance of implementation, change management, and vendor oversightWhy scalability, interoperability, and cybersecurity are must-haves—not nice-to-havesWhether you're a family office executive, tech provider, or industry strategist, this episode offers practical insights on what it takes to future-proof your technology decisions. About Doug FritzDoug Fritz is the co-founder and executive chair of F2 Strategy. Doug, a veteran CTO and sought-after WealthTech consultant, leads an all-star team of executives in technology-driven operations, digital client engagement, performance and implementation, among many other areas for clients. Through F2’s Outsourced CTO (OCTO) model and strategy consulting services, Doug is passionate about helping firms of all sizes deliver exceptional client and advisor experiences. About Michael PerezMichael has over 25 years of experience in providing professional services to the wealth management industry with a target on private banking and trust companies. His unique combination of asset management business skills and systems experience has helped him lead multiple finance transformation programs such as business process outsourcing, financial systems implementation, merger conversion and integration, performance improvement and process redesign. About F2 Strategy F2 Strategy is a leading wealth management technology and marketing services firm helping complex RIA, wealth, bank/trust and family office firms improve their technical capabilities to build exceptional client and advisor experiences. Led by former executives of a wide range of top-rated wealth firms and family offices, F2 Strategy combines their results-driven management strategy with industry-leading, proprietary research to create customized high-tech solutions. A diverse, creative, and people-centric company, F2 Strategy believes the right technology has the power to support, elevate, and empower us all to reach the highest level of fulfillment.  About The WealthTech Podcast:The WealthTech Podcast is a bi-monthly interview series hosted by Mark Wickersham. Each month we present conversations with various industry leaders that focuses on the challenges family wealth firms face with technology, people and process. The podcast is produced by Brad Oliver. The WealthTech Podcast is brought to you by the generous support of Risclarity. Risclarity fills the technology gaps family wealth firms face when serving the complex needs of ultra-high net worth families.

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• Optimizing Alts Data Management | Ryan Eisenman & Kelly Moore, Arch

  In this episode of The WealthTech Podcast, host Mark Wickersham welcomes Ryan Eisenman, Co-Founder & CEO of Arch, and Kelly Moore, Executive Director and Head of Strategic Accounts at Arch. Together, they explore how technology is transforming wealth management operations, enhancing efficiency, and redefining how firms manage alternative investments.Ryan and Kelly share insights into the challenges family offices and wealth managers face when tracking and organizing private investments. They discuss how automation and digital tools can streamline complex reporting, reduce administrative burdens, and improve transparency for clients. Additionally, they highlight key trends shaping the industry, including the growing demand for real-time data access and the shift toward modernizing legacy systems.Whether you're a financial advisor, family office professional, or fintech enthusiast, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how innovative solutions like Arch are reshaping wealth management. Learn how embracing technology can help firms optimize workflows, enhance client relationships, and stay ahead in an evolving digital landscape.About Ryan Eisenman, CEO & Co-FounderWith over six years as the co-founder and CEO of Arch, Ryan Eisenman brings extensive private investment expertise to the table. Before founding Arch, he gained valuable experience at eight financial service companies, including Deloitte, Routier, and TechStars. Ryan is well-versed in the evolving trends of the private investment sector and the transformative impact of technology on the industry. As private markets continue to gain popularity, Ryan remains dedicated to helping advisors and their clients easily invest in private markets and efficiently diversify their portfolios.About Kelly Moore, Executive Director Kelly Moore serves as Executive Director and Head of Strategic Accounts at Arch, where she leads new client engagement across family offices, RIAs, and institutional allocators. Prior to joining Arch, she served in varying capacities across sales and partnerships, and Corporate Strategy at a large financial services firm. She is based in NYC where Arch is headquartered.About ArchArch is the first Alternatives Management Platform, going beyond Alts Data Management to provide a back to front digital experience for managing alternatives. Arch streamlines alternatives operations by automating the tedious work of logging into portals, extracting data out of documents, collecting K-1s, managing capital call workflows; while also providing a deeper understanding and insights into alternatives portfolios. With Arch, investors have on-demand access to reporting, real time metrics, and insights across their private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, real estate, and other private investments. Arch supports over 360 of the world’s largest allocators, including 150 single family offices, 100 RIAs and multi-family offices, four of the top 20 global banks, and fund administAbout The WealthTech Podcast:The WealthTech Podcast is a bi-monthly interview series hosted by Mark Wickersham. Each month we present conversations with various industry leaders that focuses on the challenges family wealth firms face with technology, people and process. The podcast is produced by Brad Oliver. The WealthTech Podcast is brought to you by the generous support of Risclarity. Risclarity fills the technology gaps family wealth firms face when serving the complex needs of ultra-high net worth families.

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• Family Wealth Dynamics and Corporate Culture | Whitney Kenter, Glowe Connective

  On this episode of The WealthTech Podcast, host Mark Wickersham sits down with Whitney Kenter of Glowe Connective to explore the human side of wealth management and family dynamics. Whitney brings decades of experience from her career in wealth management, where she honed her focus on family dynamics, communication, and generational differences. In this candid conversation, she explains how her work evolved from traditional financial planning to addressing the real challenges faced by families navigating significant wealth transitions.Whitney discusses how shifting demographics with millennials and Gen Z (now making up nearly 70% of the workforce) are reshaping the industry. She shares insights on why wealth managers need to move beyond technical financial strategies and embrace a more holistic approach that addresses trust, communication, and cultural alignment within families. Through her journey, she reveals the importance of creating a supportive environment that not only manages assets but also nurtures the relationships and values that bind a family together.Key topics include:The evolution of wealth management to include family dynamics and cultureThe challenges and opportunities presented by generational differencesStrategies for effective communication and trust-building in family officesThe role of leadership in transforming corporate culture and internal dynamicsWhitney’s engaging storytelling provides both a personal and practical perspective, offering listeners actionable insights into fostering unity and longevity in family wealth. ​Watch this Interview: https://youtu.be/K6JjXLSThUcAbout Whitney Kenter Whitney is the Founder and CEO of Glowe Connective and is an industry speaker and expert in business leadership. With more than two decades of experience in business advisory, financial services, and executive leadership, she has held the roles of CEO, managing member, and board member. About Glowe Connective Glowe Connective is a business "un-consultancy" that addresses the most powerful opportunity in every business: unleashing human energy. To learn more about Glowe Connective please visit gloweconnective.com.About The WealthTech Podcast:The WealthTech Podcast is a bi-monthly interview series hosted by Mark Wickersham. Each month we present conversations with various industry leaders that focuses on the challenges family wealth firms face with technology, people and process. The podcast is produced by Brad Oliver. The WealthTech Podcast is brought to you by the generous support of Risclarity. Risclarity fills the technology gaps family wealth firms face when serving the complex needs of ultra-high net worth families.

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• Democratizing Alternatives for Family Offices | Jacob Miller, Opto

  Jacob Miller, Co-Founder Opto Investments, discusses with Mark Wickersham, Host of The WealthTech Podcast, the evolving landscape of private markets and the democratization of alternative investments for wealth managers.Drawing on his extensive background in finance—from his time at Bridgewater to co-founding Opto—Jacob thoughtfully lays out how technology is transforming the traditional world of private markets, making them more accessible and efficient. The conversation highlights the critical role of data integration, streamlined workflows, and artificial intelligence in overcoming longstanding operational friction that alternative investments causes family offices. Jacob discusses the founding journey of Opto, emphasizing the importance of aligning technology with client needs and the necessity of a “builder’s mentality” in scaling a company. He explains how Opto’s approach has not only enhanced portfolio construction and reporting but also simplified the administrative burdens that family offices face. Throughout the discussion, practical examples illustrate the shift from cumbersome, error-prone processes to streamlined digital solutions that empower advisors, CIOs, and operations teams alike. Main Topics Covered: ·         Founding journey and startup scaling challenges ·         Why Private Markets are Broken ·         Private Investment Frameworks ·         How Family Offices should be thinking about deploying AI ·         Role of artificial intelligence in due diligence ·         Enhancing user experience in financial platforms ·         Three Questions that have nothing to do with Alts About Jacob Miller Jacob Miller, is Opto’s Chief Solutions Officer and Co-Founder, a key figure in its leadership team and central to its growth strategy. He spearheads initiatives for Opto's fiduciary partnerships and the systemization of institutional-quality private markets investment techniques and programs. Before co-founding Opto, Miller spent nearly five years as an investor at Bridgewater Associates. Having managed money for family and friends since he was 16, Miller is a certified market junkie. While he has a background in macroeconomics and high-yield debt, he finds the challenges and opportunities in the private markets space far more interesting and important, both for investors and society. About Opto Opto Investments is a technology firm changing the way fiduciaries experience private markets. Opto partners with advisors, CIOs, and other fiduciaries to solve the challenges of building and distributing customized private markets solutions at scale. Intelligent workflows and elegant design simplify the private markets investment process, minimizing paperwork, saving time, and creating better client experiences. Opto was built as a fiduciary and with a fee structure that aligns with its clients. The firm does not receive compensation from fund managers and frequently invests its own capitalAbout The WealthTech Podcast:The WealthTech Podcast is a bi-monthly interview series hosted by Mark Wickersham. Each month we present conversations with various industry leaders that focuses on the challenges family wealth firms face with technology, people and process. The podcast is produced by Brad Oliver. The WealthTech Podcast is brought to you by the generous support of Risclarity. Risclarity fills the technology gaps family wealth firms face when serving the complex needs of ultra-high net worth families.

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