Lara Rhame is a Managing Director in the Investment Research group and serves as Chief U.S. Economist at FS Investments, where she focuses on macroeconomic financial market analysis to inform and develop the company’s long-term views on the economy, investment trends and issues facing investors.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Rhame served as a Senior Economist at Credit Suisse, where she met with institutional and private clients around the globe to discuss market events and the global economy. She began her career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and has since worked at other Wall Street institutions, including Brown Brothers Harriman and Lehman Brothers. Her analysis has garnered attention across financial and economic news outlets, including Bloomberg News, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC and CNN.

Ms. Rhame holds a BA in Economics from Bates College and performed post-graduate macroeconomic studies at New York University. She has guest lectured at Columbia University, New York University and Long Island University. Ms. Rhame serves on the boards of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, Hyperion Bank and Starr Garden Park, and is a former President of the Forecasters Club of New York.

Janice Walker is a Senior Managing Director, Fund Management at Hines. She serves as Chief Operating Officer of Hines Global Income Trust and is responsible for the development and execution of the fund’s investment strategy. Since joining Hines in 2005, Ms. Walker has been responsible for the portfolio management and financing activities of numerous investment vehicles comprising over $12.0 billion and spanning multiple global markets. Prior to Hines, Ms. Walker gained experience in acquisitions and asset management at a global hospitality firm and worked as an audit manager at Arthur Andersen LLP. Ms. Walker holds a BBA and an MSA degree in accounting from Texas Tech University.

Hugh Macdonnell, equity owner and Managing Director, is the Head of Clarion Partners’ Client Capital Management Group. He is a member of the Firm’s Executive Board, Investment Committee, and Operating Committee. Hugh has global responsibility for the Firm’s client relationships, new product development and capital raising. As a senior partner, he also oversees a number of the Firm’s key funds and initiatives. He joined Clarion Partners in 2011 and began working in the real estate industry in 1991.

Prior Experience
Morgan Stanley Real Estate, New York, NY (1997-2011)
Real Estate Investing – Portfolio Manager (Americas), Morgan Stanley Real Estate Special Situations Fund III (2006-2011)
Managing Director, Global Head of Investor Relations (2009-2011)
Real Estate Advisory / Private Capital Markets – Executive Director, Vice President and Associate (1997-2006)
Davies, Ward, Phillips & Vineberg, Toronto, Canada – Associate through Partner (1991-1996)

Education
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, MBA – Finance (1998)
Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada), LLB (JD equivalent) (1991)
McGill University (Montreal, Canada), Bachelor of Commerce (1990)

Thayer Gallison, CFA, is Vice President – Due Diligence Officer at Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, one of the largest networks of independent broker-dealers in the United States. Thayer is responsible for due diligence at Ladenburg Thalmann, including the implementation and maintenance of an enterprise-wide product review and approval process, as well as overseeing the initial review and ongoing monitoring of all packaged products available within the network.

Thayer leads a team of analysts responsible for combining original due diligence with third party research to generate investment recommendations to the firm’s Product Approval Committee and its network of 4,300 independent financial advisors. He works closely with the firm’s legal, risk, compliance, supervision, and regulatory affairs teams to develop and continuously improve policies and procedures designed to mitigate regulatory and litigation risk to the firm.

Prior to his tenure at Ladenburg Thalmann, Thayer spent 6+ years at Advisor Group, where he first led the firm’s Alternative Investments effort, and later the firm’s diversified product platform, managing both the product platform composition and due diligence process. Prior to joining Advisor Group, Thayer led the investment research and manager selection process as a voting member of the Investment Committee for Registered Investment Advisory firms located in Atlanta, GA and Bethesda, MD.

Thayer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Thayer is a CFA charterholder and a member of the Atlanta Society of Finance and Investment Professionals, and also holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses.

Tony Chereso is President and CEO of the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives and oversees all business operations.  He brings an executive management track record of over 20 years to the IPA, along with a passion for excellence.  Tony’s vision for the dynamic and rapidly changing PDI industry makes him a leading voice on critical legislative and regulatory issues.  He has an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities for the advancement of industry objectives. Tony has deep experience with privately offered securities and alternative asset capital markets, tax, due diligence, finance, audit and sales and marketing.  Previously he was the President and CEO of FactRight, a leading third party independent due diligence and research firm.  He also served as the Director of National Sales for a national real estate syndicator.

Tony is a graduate of the DePaul University School of Commerce and attended business school at the University of Dallas.  He is recognized as a distinguished instructor for the Institute of Internal Auditors.