Reentering with Rigor: Sean Poe on Manager Selection at Key Private Bank

In this episode of the Dakota Live! Podcast, host Robert Morier welcomes Sean Poe, Director of Investment Manager Research at Key Private Bank, for an insightful conversation about investment philosophy, rethinking career paths, and the art of selecting managers across public and private markets.

With a dynamic background that spans equity research, private investing, and operating roles at firms like Wayfair and Lowe’s, Sean brings a unique perspective to portfolio construction and manager evaluation. Listen in to explore how Sean’s unconventional path has shaped his views on risk, alignment, and long-term partnerships—and how he's applying those lessons at Key Private Bank, where he oversees manager research and multi-strategy portfolios within a $60 billion platform.

Listeners will gain insight into:
• Key’s seven P’s framework for manager research—from people to partnership
• How "Poe’s Alpha" measures real-world investment friction
• Building trust and alignment in manager relationships
• Why operational experience makes for sharper allocators
• The evolving role of fund structures, from SMAs to evergreen private equity
• Lessons in networking, career pivots, and transparent storytelling

Whether you’re an asset manager seeking to stand out or an allocator curious about evaluating skill vs. luck in today’s markets, this episode offers practical wisdom and fresh perspective from a seasoned decision-maker who's been on both sides of the table.