Topic: Wealth Management

Lee Levy

Lee Levy is Founder and General Partner of Canid Asset Management LLC, a boutique asset management fund based in San Francisco offering a broad range of wealth management solutions. Launched in 2009, Canid successfully manages a liquid long/short equity portfolio that specializes in protecting investor capital during highly volatile markets using quantitative, fundamental & tactical investment approaches hedged with sophisticated option strategies. The firm posted 2013 returns 2000 bps greater than Hedge Fund Indices.

With more than eighteen years of professional investment and risk management experience, Lee is a seasoned and accomplished fund manager, having achieved high performance with low correlation to the Long/Short Hedge Fund Indices. In the height of the economic crisis, 2008 investor losses under Lee’s management were less than 4.98% vs. benchmark losses of 20 to 40%.

Prior to founding Canid Asset Management, from 2002 until 2008, Lee was Head of Trading, Operations & Risk Management at Pacific Edge Investment Management, a $400 million long/short value hedge fund, where he developed myriad stock selection models and disciplined investment strategies while trading stocks, options, convertible bonds and distressed debt. He managed the firm’s trading and research relationships with over 50 firms and acted as liaison between external and internal research, analysts and portfolio managers, handling infrastructure decisions including evaluation and selection of prime brokers, execution brokers, trading systems, platforms, soft dollars, best execution and other fiduciary responsibilities for the firm’s domestic and offshore funds.

From 1999 to 2001, Lee was Senior Trader and Risk Manager at Bowman Capital Management, a US$6billion long/short growth hedge fund complex, where he was responsible for trading international shares, educating portfolio managers and analysts on the differences in trading in various international markets vs. domestic markets, and implementing execution and risk management strategies. During his time at Bowman, Lee traded U.S. and international equities and equity options and evaluated capital structure arbitrage opportunities.

Prior to Bowman, Lee held key roles at Robertson Stephens, Piper Jaffrey and Refco International, trading a wide array of hedging products, futures, OTC equities and testing mechanical trading strategies.

Lee conducted his MBA coursework at the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota (1998) and a in BA in Economics and International Relations from The American University (1993).

He is a frequent speaker on behavioural finance and investing, and lectures at various business schools including the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley.

George Mentz

George Mentz is a premier, sought-after speaker, revolutionary author, and global management consultant. Dr. Mentz is universally referenced by his clientele, friends and colleagues, as one of the most thoughtful, enthusiastic, and empathetic individuals in the business world today. George Mentz, an international lawyer, is the founder of the GAFM Global Academy of Financial Management ® and he has published extensively in the fields of law, e-business, entrepreneurship, international finance, and success strategy.

Some of Dr. Mentz's bestselling books include: CWM Chartered Wealth Manager Guide, Project Manager Executive Guide, The Wealth Management Executive Guide, The Secret Powers of Highly Effective People, Spiritual Wealth Management, Wealth Management and Financial Planning, and many more. Published in many journals, Mentz was a pioneer in the movements of: executive certification training, international wealth management, internet marketing and neuroplasticity.

George Mentz has advised with consultative insights to the US Government and United Nations on domestic and international issues while helping people from around the world improve their education and careers. Mentz is a syndicated author, contributor and expert for various news and media channels. George Mentz and his companies have held seminars and VIP courses in over 35 countries worldwide. Professor Mentz received his Doctor of Jurisprudence and MBA degree after attending graduate coursework at Loyola University, Catholique University Belgium, William and Mary Law School, Tulane University, and programs in Austria, Spain, Mexico and Brazil.

Mentz is the first person in the United States to achieve "Quad Designation" Status as a JD, MBA, qualified/licensed financial planner and wealth manager, and Qualified/Certified Financial Consultant & Planner. Counselor Mentz is the recipient of national awards and honors for his contributions in the fields of management, excellence, teaching, charity, leadership, and speaking In recent years, George Mentz has been named a expert and leader for his publications and he has been honored by mainstream media as a brain trust member and part of the Dream Team of Financial Writers for mainstream media outlets.

George Mentz has served on the advisory boards of: The Global Finance Forum in Switzerland, The World E-Commerce Forum in the UK, The Certified Economist Association of Africa, and the China Wealth Management Institute of Hong Kong, The Arab Academy Standards Council, The International Project Management Commission, a US Medical School, a Law School's Graduate Program, and various charities. Mentz and his executive development companies have been featured or quoted in the NASDAQ News, Forbes, Reuters, Morningstar, Yahoo Finance, Wall Street Globe, The Hindu National, El Norte Latin America, the Financial Times, NYSSA New York Securities Analysts News, The China Daily, The Department of Education ERIC Library, The US Department of Labor Brochures, Black Enterprise, The San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, & The Arab Times.