Podcast Episode Details

About this episode…

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that the best businesses are built not just on scale, but on intention and alignment with values.

In a landscape where most RIAs are designed to serve wealthy individuals, Ben Valore-Caplan took a different path—one rooted in advising non-profits with a focus on mission and purpose.

After a decade as an educator and nonprofit entrepreneur, Ben entered the wealth management world at UBS’s predecessor Paine Webber. As an institutional consultant, Ben saw an opportunity to become a bridge between the finance and nonprofit sectors. Yet, as he looked more closely at the conflicts embedded in the wirehouse model, he saw a greater opportunity to build something better: an RIA fully aligned with institutional clients’ missions.

So, in 2008, Ben left the wirehouse world to launch Syntrinsic Investment Counsel—an RIA built to serve foundations, endowments, and values-driven institutions. What started as a niche business has since grown into a $2.9B firm, known for its conflict-free model and deep alignment with client missions.

In this conversation with Louis Diamond, Ben shares the story of Syntrinsic’s growth – from launch to sale – including:

• Leaving UBS to launch an RIA—and how that allowed him to serve institutional clients in a differentiated way.
• Mission-aligned investing—and how it has evolved beyond environmental, social, and governance (ESG).
• Philanthropy and nonprofit investments—and what strategies are applicable to all advisors.
• Mastering scale—and how to do so without compromising purpose or culture.
• The decision to sell the firm to IMA Financial Group in 2023—and what made that cultural fit work.

Whether you’re focused on growth, purpose, or both, Ben’s story is a valuable reminder that building a great firm isn’t jus

Published on 1 week ago