Cambridge Conversations

Latest episode

30 Sep 2026 · 37 min

Building Benchmark: Early Conviction & the Power of Partnership

How did a new venture firm with an unconventional partnership model become one of venture capital’s most enduring names? In 1995, Benchmark was a new venture firm with an unusual partnership model, ambitious ideas, and no guarantee that investors would embrace either. What it did have was a founding team with a distinct point of view and a group of early backers willing to see the potential before it was proven. In this episode, host Willis Wilson sits down with Bruce Dunlevie, co-founder of Benchmark, and Michael Larsen , Partner in Cambridge Associates’ Private Client Practice, to tell…

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Earlier episodes 8 most recent

1. 

   S1 · E7 · 2 Sep 2026 · 33 min

   The Portfolio Behind the Patient: Investing for Health Systems

   How do healthcare organizations build for the future while delivering high-quality care today? At VHC Health, growth is not just about expanding—it’s about having the financial strength to keep investing in care. As the healthcare organization grows its capabilities and plans for the future, questions around capital, liquidity, and long-term strategy become central to how that mission is sustained. In this episode, host Willis Wilson talks with John L. Zabrowski CPA, MBA, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Strategy Officer at VHC Health, and Bridget Sproles , Partner and…

2. 

   S1 · E6 · 27 Jul 2026 · 35 min

   Finding Value Early: Investing, Manager Selection, and the Discipline of Recognition

   What does it take to find value before others do? Value investing is often described as buying what the market has mispriced. But in practice, it’s also about patience, conviction, and the willingness to look beyond the usual patterns of recognition. That same discipline can apply not only to companies, but also to investment managers and talent. Host Willis Wilson is joined by John W. Rogers Jr., Chairman and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, and Jasmine N. Richards , Head of Diverse Manager Investing at Cambridge Associates. Together, they discuss what value investing looks like in practice,…

3. 

   S1 · E5 · 25 Jun 2026 · 29 min

   Behind the Mission: Leading Arts Institutions for the Long Term

   What does it take to build an arts institution that lasts? Arts organizations do more than stage performances—they strengthen communities, nurture youth, and create moments of meaning that can last a lifetime. But behind that impact is something rarely seen: the leadership, governance, and financial stewardship that help those institutions endure. Explore what it takes to sustain mission-driven arts organizations over the long term Host Willis Wilson is joined by Margaret Chen , Partner and Head of Endowment & Foundation Practice at Cambridge Associates and Board Chair of Boston Youth…

4. 

   S1 · E4 · 26 May 2026 · 34 min

   The Rearview Mirror Problem: Portfolio Discipline in a Changing Market

   Are investors driving forward while looking in the rearview mirror? For much of the last 15 years, investors were rewarded for staying concentrated in what was winning, especially US equities, large-cap growth, and technology. But as market conditions evolve, many portfolios may be carrying more risk than they appear. In this episode of Cambridge Conversations, we explore what happens when the market environment changes, but portfolios remain anchored to the strategies that worked in the last cycle. Host Willis Wilson is joined by Celia Dallas , Chief Investment Strategist at Cambridge…

5. 

   S1 · E3 · 30 Mar 2026 · 36 min

   The Portfolio Behind Pearl: Funding a 100-Year Vision

   What does it take to build something that lasts for generations? In this episode of Cambridge Conversations, we explore how bold vision, patient capital, and a deep commitment to community helped transform San Antonio’s Pearl district from a shuttered brewery into a thriving destination. Host Willis Wilson hands the mic to Unseen Upside host Hillary Ribaudo, who travels to San Antonio to speak with Bryant Ambelang, CEO of Silver Ventures (CA client); Shawn Hatter, President of Oxbow Development Group; and Mary Jo Palermo , Partner at Cambridge Associates. Together, they unpack how a family’s…

6. 

   S1 · E2 · 9 Feb 2026 · 30 min

   The Co-Investment Playbook: Navigating Opportunity and Complexity

   Co-investing is one of the most talked-about—and complex—topics in private investments today. As more investors seek to enhance returns and deepen relationships with managers, the co-investment landscape has evolved from a niche strategy to a core component of sophisticated portfolios. Yet, with opportunity comes complexity. Whether you’re new to co-investing or looking to sharpen your approach, this episode of Cambridge Conversations offers practical insights and strategies for success. Host Willis Wilson is joined by Scott Farden, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at Nonantum…

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