Jacob is a Managing Consultant at F2 Strategy with 16 years of experience advising leading asset managers, banks, insurers, and service providers on complex operating model design and implementation, product launches, and technology platform transformations. His work focuses on helping firms launch and scale new investment products, implement new capabilities, and modernize front-, middle-, and back-office operations.

Jacob has deep expertise across registered funds, ETFs, RIAs, insurance and annuity products, and retail investment management. His experience spans product design and distribution, fund and ETF operations, fund administration, valuation, compliance, technology implementation, data governance, and financial reporting. His ability to quickly understand and remedy operational issues has earned him the trust of his clients and the broader investment community.

Jacob recently led an engagement to build and implement ETF servicing capabilities at a large regional bank and fund services firm, designing and implementing practices across fund accounting, administration, tax, financial reporting, compliance, transfer agency, custody, and ETF operations.

He also led a large, multi-workstream engagement to launch a new investment adviser, including SEC registration, service provider selection, and the design of operating and governance models to support scalability.

Additionally, Jacob has supported numerous global asset managers in consolidations to single service providers, leading due diligence, transition planning, testing, conversion execution, and the development of procedures, controls, SLAs, and training materials. Jacob is based in Boston.

What do you think WealthTech will allow asset managers to do in five years that they can’t do now? 

In five years, WealthTech will make institutional-grade portfolio capabilities far more accessible to individual investors. AI will enable more personalized portfolio construction at the household level, taking into account risk tolerance, tax circumstances, liquidity needs, and investment preferences. As a result, asset managers may spend less time on one-size-fits-all products and more time delivering highly tailored investment solutions.

What has changed the most since you started out in the industry? 

When I started in the industry, the central focus of investors was on security selection—investors sought the investment manager that bought the right stocks and bonds.  Today, while security selection still matters, the investment vehicle itself has become central to the conversation. How an investment is packaged—whether through an ETF, SMA, mutual fund, or other vehicle—now plays a much bigger role in how investors evaluate managers and buy products.

What would you tell someone just starting out in the industry right now? 

My advice to someone just starting out in the industry is simple: learn the industry, not just your role. Finance is broad—banking, asset management, wealth advisory, retirement, insurance, fintech, and more—but most people enter through one narrow door. If you’re not intentional, it’s easy to become an expert in one slice without understanding the larger ecosystem. Long term, your career benefits from seeing beyond your desk.