• Direct Indexing: The Next Big Thing?

    An interview with John Taft, Vice Chairman of RW Baird

  • About GAMMA

    The first centralized marketplace connecting wealth advisors and institutional investors to endless selection of personalized index investments.

    • Direct Indexing: The Next Big Thing?

      An interview with John Taft, Vice Chairman of RW Baird
    • About GAMMA

      The first centralized marketplace connecting wealth advisors and institutional investors to endless selection of personalized index investments.

    Custom Index SMAs

    Custom index SMAs – also known as direct indexing – are separately managed accounts (“SMAs”) investing in a custom portfolio of securities that track the performance of an index. They provide structural advantages over ETFs by allowing customization based on a client’s goals, social values and tax management objectives.

    Benefits to Investors:

    1. TAX SAVINGS
    Unlike ETFs, SMAs provide a great opportunity for investors to harvest losses during up or down markets and maximize after-tax wealth.

    2. LOWER FEES
    Investment solutions based on GAMMA’s unique execution model generate cost advantages which are passed on to our clients.

    3. PERSONALIZATION
    SMAs are tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of each investor – unlike ETFs or mutual funds which are one-size-fits-all investments.

    4. POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE RETURNS
    If investors have actively managed funds or SMAs with long-term underperformance relative to their benchmarks, they should consider switching to GAMMA’s Custom Index SMA platform to improve returns and save on taxes and fees

    Why GAMMA?

    Our one-of-a-kind Custom Index SMA capabilities empower wealth advisors to deepen relationships with existing clients, while broadening new client channels to grow their businesses.

    Holistic Custom Index SMA Capabilities

    1. All-weather innovative index strategies
    Our diverse strategy offerings cover equities, fixed income and options; providing advisors with a one-stop shop for Custom Index SMAs.

    2. Tax Management
    Tax-managed solutions are implemented throughout the year to help investors maximize their long-term after-tax wealth.

    3. Mass Customization
    The breadth and depth of our customization capabilities enable the creation of personalized index solutions en masse and at scale through a comprehensive and innovative investment platform.

    4. Convenient and Cost-Effective Access
    Our goal is to redefine the client experience with SMA investing by enabling advisors to quickly and easily access a broad array of cost-effective custom index solutions of institutional caliber.

    All-in-One Platform for Custom Index Investing

    Investment Strategies

    Select from a wide range of index exposures beyond those available through ETFs.

    Custom Index Development

    Design, construct and back-test new index strategies according to clients’ specifications or proprietary methodologies.

    Personalization

    Tailor every portfolio solution to a client’s specific objectives and social values.

    Tax Management

    Help investors maximize long term after-tax returns using a systematic index management process.

    Ongoing Support

    Enhance the experience in SMA investing with a digital client interface.

    Who We Serve

    We offer tailored services and insights to various types of financial intermediaries and institutional investors.

    Direct Institutional

    • Banks & Trusts
    • Endowments
    • Foundations
    • Retirement Plans
    • Corporations Plans
    • Insurance Companies
    • Sovereign Wealth Funds
    • Non-US Institutions

    Wealth Management

    • Financial Advisors
    • Registered Investment Advisors
    • Family Offices
    • Private Client Groups

    For any questions regarding our solutions and services.

    Already a GAMMA customer? Access Client Portal.

    Laura Thurow, CFA®

    Board Member

    Laura is Executive Director of Wealth Solutions and Operations for Baird’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) business. In this role, she is responsible for the people, platforms and back office services that support Baird’s financial advisors in all aspects of their wealth management practices.

    As part of the PWM Leadership Team, she is also involved in various strategic initiatives in support of Baird’s overall wealth management platform. Additionally, Laura serves as a member of Baird’s Executive Committee.

    Laura received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Trinity College and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She has earned the CFA charter and is a member of the CFA Society of Milwaukee.

    Karrie Southall, CIPM

    Board Member

    Karrie is the Chief Operating Officer at RiverFront Investment Group, bringing over 20 years of experience to her role directing the portfolio administration, trading, compliance, human resources, finance, and IT functions of the firm. In addition, she serves on the firm’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and leads the Operating Committee.

    Karrie has been with RiverFront since the company’s founding in 2008. She began her career at Wachovia Securities in 1999 as a Financial Advisor for a six-member Wealth Management team. Karrie began working with the Wachovia Advisory Service Group – Compass Advisory Portfolios in 2004, where her primary role was marketing of the portfolios and disseminating market information to Advisors.

    Karrie previously served as the Co-Head of Treasurer/ Finance & Operations for Women in ETFs (WE), a nonprofit organization that seeks to create opportunities for professional advancement by expanding connections among women in the ETF industry.

    Karrie earned a BA in Economics and Spanish from the University of Virginia, as well as an MBA from the University of Richmond. She also holds the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement™ (CIPM®) designation from the CFA Institute.

    Karrie’s endurance and quickness are apparent both in and out of the office, as she spends a great deal of time focused on one of her true strengths – her competitive spirit. Karrie enjoys participating in 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons.

    Lorraine Wang, CFA®

    Board Member

    Lorraine is the President and CEO of GAMMA Investing. Lorraine is a 30-year industry veteran in financial services, with over two decades of institutional asset management experience. She has proven track record in growing an ETF startup to a $300 billion franchise in 14 years, through product innovation and successful commercialization of a unique product range. Previously, Lorraine was the Global Head of ETF Products & Research at Invesco PowerShares. She also served in various leadership positions at the New York Stock Exchange, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and Citi. Lorraine received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science from MIT and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

    Jennifer W. Chen

    Board Member

    Jennifer has nearly 30 years of finance, accounting, and operating experience, ranging from investment banking to start-up companies. She served as the CFO for Phoenix Venture Partners and was the founder and CEO of Course 15 Associates, a CFO consulting company that provides CFO services to venture backed technology companies. Prior to her startup experience, Jennifer was an executive with Wells Fargo Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan Securities. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, Finance & Information Systems from MIT as well as a Master of Science degree in Accounting from Boston College.

    Jennifer W. Chen

    Chief Financial Officer

    Jennifer is the Chief Financial Officer of GAMMA Investing. She has nearly 30 years of finance, accounting, and operating experience, ranging from investment banking to start-up companies. She also served as the CFO for Phoenix Venture Partners and was the founder and CEO of Course 15 Associates, a CFO consulting company that provides CFO services to venture backed technology companies. Prior to her startup experience, Jennifer was an executive with Wells Fargo Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan Securities. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, Finance & Information Systems from MIT as well as a Master of Science degree in Accounting from Boston College.

    Lorraine Wang, CFA®

    CEO & President

    Lorraine is the President and CEO of GAMMA Investing. Lorraine is a 30-year industry veteran in financial services, with over two decades of institutional asset management experience. She has proven track record in growing an ETF startup to a $300 billion franchise in 14 years, through product innovation and successful commercialization of a unique product range. Previously, Lorraine was the Global Head of ETF Products & Research at Invesco PowerShares. She also served in various leadership positions at the New York Stock Exchange, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and Citi. Lorraine received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science from MIT and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

    Yu-Ming Wang

    Board Member

    Yu-Ming was previously the President and Global CIO at Matthews Asia, responsible for the strategic vision and leadership of the investment team. Prior to joining Matthews Asia in 2020, Yu-Ming was the Deputy President and Global CIO at Nikko Asset Management, responsible for strategic development and oversight of Nikko’s global investment team. Previously, Yu-Ming was Head of Fixed Income Asia at Manulife Asset Management in Hong Kong. He also worked at Wachovia Bank in senior roles in the capital markets division in New York, before moving to Hong Kong to head the global markets business for the Asian region. Yu-Ming received his MBA from New York University Stern School of Business and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.

    Zlatko Martinic, CFA®

    Chief Investment Officer

    Zlatko is the Chief Investment Officer at GAMMA Investing. Zlatko is a seasoned investment management professional with over 25 years of experience managing and delivering innovative and bespoke custom portfolio solutions. He is responsible for leading GAMMA’s investment process by using an institutional approach to index investments that blends risks and investment objectives. During his career, he built and managed high performing investment teams servicing strategic account relationships.

    Prior to joining GAMMA, Zlatko was the Head of Transition Management at Penserra and the Head of Portfolio Implementation Americas at BlackRock. He is a global citizen having lived and worked in Switzerland and speaks 5 languages. He attended the Business and Commerce School in Baden, Switzerland and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.