Bridge to the Burgh

This episode we talk to former Penn State football player Miles Dieffenbach! From fighting cancer to breaking into the investment industry, he leaves no stone unturned. Miles talks about why he had to eat quadruple-decker peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and why he would love to teleport to Sao Paulo Brazil. You can connect more with Miles here: www.linkedin.com/in/miles-dieffenbach-431493105 Bradley Jones, CFA, CAIA, EA, CAP®, is the Investment Manager of External Portfolios for The Pittsburgh Foundation. He currently serves as Program Co-Chair for CFA Society Pittsburgh, and is a lover of dogs and sports! You can read his full bio here: https://pittsburghfoundation.org/bradley-jones Bridge to the Burgh is presented by CFA Society Pittsburgh. You can learn more about the society and the CFA charter at https://www.cfasociety.org/pittsburgh ​ Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn by searching CFA Society Pittsburgh

In this episode, we talk to Pat Strollo, III, CFA, the newest board member to join CFA Pittsburgh. Pat is a lover of skiing, cooking, and college football. We discuss the pros and cons of getting an MBA versus getting a CFA. He also thinks Nick Cage would play him in a movie, and we have to agree! You can connect with Pat here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pstrollo/ Host Bradley Jones, CFA is a Senior Investment Analyst for the Pittsburgh Foundation. He currently serves as the membership chair for CFA Society Pittsburgh, and is a lover of dogs and sports! You can read his full bio here: https://pittsburghfoundation.org/bradley-jones Bridge to the Burgh is presented by CFA Society Pittsburgh. You can learn more about the society and the CFA charter at https://www.cfasociety.org/pittsburgh Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn by searching CFA Society Pittsburgh

Season 3 of Bridge to the Burgh features Shana Bielich, CFP, vice president at Coghill Investment Strategies. As like many of our past guests, her road to her current position wasn’t so straight-forward. We talk about her current role, where empathy and philanthropy are key. She can be spotted on the news from time to time, giving her outlook on the markets. You might even spot her cat in the background that she rescued from Aruba. You can connect with Shana here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-bielich-cfp%C2%AE-825a016/ To learn more about CFA Pittsburgh or the CFA charter, please visit us at https://www.cfasociety.org/pittsburgh

In this episode, we interview Don Casturo, Chief Investment Officer at Quantix Commodities. While he’s done London AND New York City living, he has roots here in the steel city. We spend some time during this episode talking about how and why Don became so interested in the commodities market. Don shares his insights on precious metals, oil, lumber, and more. We also debate his resemblance to Liam Nieson. Don’t miss this informative and entertaining episode!

In this month’s episode, we talk to Jim Herrington, CFA, CAIA, who has been a CFA Pittsburgh local celebrity. We find out why he values the CAIA designation so much and how he applies it to his job nearly every day. What path led him back to Pittsburgh? And why does he love trolleys so much? He shares some great insight into projects and initiatives that the local CFA Pittsburgh board has been working on. You can connect with Jim here! https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-w-herrington-cfa-caia-9b92326/

In this episode we interview Chris Amar, Vice President at AB Bernstein. While he's lived in a few different cities, he says Pittsburgh feels right at home. Transplanting here a few years ago, he also found his perfect job at AB Bernstein. He's a proud community champion, girl dad, and Suburu driver. He claims he's the most non-wall street guy in investment management. His resume is impressive, from graduating Harvard to getting his JD from University of Virginia. He's invested in various non profits in Pittsburgh, and absolutely loves city living. Listen to hear more!

In this episode, we are reposting an episode from CFA New York Compound Insights podcast. You can learn more about CFA New York and their podcast here: https://www.cfany.org/compound-insights/ We'll be back next month with another original episode of Bridge to the Burgh

In this episode we interview Adam Wright, managing partner and senior financial advisor at Wright Associates. While his name might be on the door, he took an interesting route to get there. Like many of our previous guests, he tried to leave Pittsburgh but kept ending up back home. Adam shares his tips for studying for the CFA, and why he chose the CFP and an MBA.

This episode features Chris Pretsch, CFA, Managing Director at Staley Capital. A New York native, he found his family and life passion in Pittsburgh, and he never looked back. Chris is past president of CFA Society Pittsburgh and was an integral part of launching financial literacy and also growing the society within the city. After two decades of writing and research, he’s found the motivation to publish his book, which will be launching next spring. Join us for a great episode where we talk coin collecting, fiduciary, tae kwon do, and more!

Special episode featuring FLN of the CFA Institute! This episode is a special presentation from the Financial Literacy Network. The FLN committee is a group of CFA Charterholders working to promote literacy awareness through programming, volunteer work, and educational offerings. We hope you enjoy this episode from the FLN network and join us next month for our one-year anniversary episode! Now, here’s Bob Stammers, Chairman of the Financial literacy network. All episodes can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4stgxt7tjz52tuf/AADQ-lZ1x7A4cCYcm9t74594a?dl=0

Our guest this month is Susan Middleton, Chief Investment Officer at Counsel Fiduciary. CFA Pittsburgh has been lucky enough to have Susan’s expertise for our annual collegiate financial plan competition. She’s been a plan grader for the competition and shares with us some insight on what she sees during the competition and how impactful it is to students. If you’re not familiar with the Collegiate financial plan, this episode is the perfect chance to hear more! Susan also is a proud Pittsburgh sports fan, and even though she’s about 2 hours north of town. You won’t want to miss this great episode! You can connect with Susan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgmiddleton/

This month’s guest is Greg Filbeck, CFA, director for the black school of business and professor for finance and risk management at Penn State University, the Behrend college. Greg is a self proclaimed servant leader, perpetual busy-body, and life long member of the Olivia Newton John Fanclub. He is an avid reader, adventurist, bodybuilder, and, if you think all that keeps him busy, you’re right. He hasn’t sat down to watch a TV show in over a decade. You can connect with Greg here https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregfilbeck/

Our guest this month is Jonathan Dane, CFA, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Defiant Capital. Jonathan tells us all about where he came up with the name Defiant, how his boxing career was successful but short-lived, and what he predicts in the markets for the 4th quarter. He launched his business during the pandemic, and tells us his most valuable lesson learned from that. We also talk Pitt sports, studying for the CFA, and what makes Pittsburgh home. You won't want to miss it!

In this episode of Bridge to the Burgh we talk to Nick Findley, a very recently awarded CFA charterholder. Only 3 years out of undergrad, Nick talks about his short yet eventful career path so far – more specifically why he prioritized obtaining the CFA charter. We like to think of this episode as the beginners guide for CFA candidates. Nick experienced some bumps in the road during this candidacy, but more importantly, we hear about how he overcame them. A great episode for students, candidates, and experienced professionals – you won’t want to miss it!

This episode's guest is Jody Madala, current co-president of CFA Society Pittsburgh and founder of Culturely. Jody created a startup during the pandemic and because of the pandemic. She recalls the details of her day on 9/11 and how it changed her forever. Her background is diverse, and she is proud to be a self-proclaimed life long learner. Not to mention, she has agreed to call Pittsburgh "home" for another year. Connect with Jody here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymadala/

This month’s episode is a little different, featuring an esteemed Pittsburgher from the non-profit world. Our guest is Dan Rossi, Chief Executive Officer of the Humane Animal Rescue League of Pittsburgh. We hear about the many hats Dan wears being at the helm of one of the biggest open-door animal shelters on the East Coast. Dan shares his career journey with us, and how he ultimately found his passion in non-profit work. He once lived in a famous Pittsburgh house, and he tells us why he’d love to meet Cher! You can connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjrossi/ Learn more about Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh here: https://humaneanimalrescue.org/

This episode's guest is Chris Sidoni, managing partner and CIO at Gibson Capital Management. We hear about how he abruptly adapted from nearly every meeting face-to-face to not traveling for over a year. He grew up in the hunting mecca of Pennsylvania, and came to the “big city” for finance and never left! Chris talks about his unique career path, the technical skills that have helped him advance, and some of his favorite taco stands around the country. Host Bradley Jones, CFA is a Senior Investment Analyst for the Pittsburgh Foundation. He currently serves as the membership chair for CFA Society Pittsburgh, and is a lover of dogs and sports! You can read his full bio here: https://pittsburghfoundation.org/bradley-jones Bridge to the Burgh is presented by CFA Society Pittsburgh. You can learn more about the society and the CFA charter at https://www.cfasociety.org/pittsburgh Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn by searching CFA Society Pittsburgh

Gary Rozier is managing director at Oak Street Real Estate Capital. Although he’s now a Chicagoan, his blood runs black and gold. Growing up in the south hills of Pittsburgh, Gary built friendships that have helped him grow his career to this day. We hear Gary’s unique perspective as a person of color in a predominantly white industry and how he’s been able to pay it forward by mentoring. Even though he’s in walking distance to Wrigley Field, he remains quite possibly the world’s biggest Pirates fan. He’s also a long-time friend of a controversial celebrity. You won’t want to miss this special episode for Black History month! You can connect with Gary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-rozier-0b8ba0164

Our guest, Linda Duessel, CFA, is a Senior Equity Strategist with Federated Hermes. With 30 years industry experience, she’s been featured on Bloomberg, CNBC, and more. In this special 2021 kickoff episode, you’ll hear Linda’s insightful market outlook for 2021, and we’ll also get to know her on a personal level. With thoughtful anecdotes, she shares her experiences and advice on being a woman in finance, and how her advice to Ben Roethelisberger brought home a Super Bowl win for the Steelers. You won't want to miss this special episode! You can read more about Linda here: https://www.federatedinvestors.com/about/people/linda-duessel.do Host Bradley Jones, CFA is a Senior Investment Analyst for the Pittsburgh Foundation. He currently serves as the membership chair for CFA Society Pittsburgh, and is a lover of dogs and sports! You can read his full bio here: https://pittsburghfoundation.org/bradley-jones Bridge to the Burgh is presented by CFA Society Pittsburgh. You can learn more about the society and the CFA charter at https://www.cfasociety.org/pittsburgh Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn by searching CFA Society Pittsburgh

Our guest, Gene Natali, CFA, is the co-founder and CEO of Troutwood. A born and raised Pittsburgher who shares his story from growing up here, building connections, and ultimately starting his own company! Gene tells us why he prioritized diversity and inclusion at Troutwood and how the pandemic has upended his vision. As a CFA Society Pittsburgh board member, Gene talks about how acquiring his advanced degree and CFA charter have laid important groundwork for pursuing his passion. You can find Gene on LinkedIn: Gene Natali, CFA Host Bradley Jones, CFA is a Senior Investment Analyst for the Pittsburgh Foundation. He currently serves as the membership chair for CFA Society Pittsburgh, and is a lover of dogs and sports! You can read his full bio here: https://pittsburghfoundation.org/bradley-jones Bridge to the Burgh is presented by CFA Society Pittsburgh. You can learn more about the society and the CFA charter at https://www.cfasociety.org/pittsburgh Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn by searching CFA Society Pittsburgh