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# Staying Sharp
- URL: https://www.disclosureinsight.com/staying-sharp/
- Published: 2026-04-26T23:50:04.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-03T18:01:31.000Z
- Description: Your DI analyst went back to school
- Author: John P. Gavin, CFA
- Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1783101638980, #Import 2026-07-03 14:01

This month, after over 40 years on Wall Street, I went back into the classroom through a Wharton executive education program, *Family Wealth Management: Advanced Financial Strategies*. I loved it - no surprise there.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8d/91/8d9100ad-32c1-48e5-abdb-372ab199e141/content/images/2026/07/500dc199-f8f3-4e05-889a-6f3f11d3e27f_800x620.png)

This program went well beyond traditional public markets, the core focus of my work at Disclosure Insight.

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**We learned what families are allocating into and, notably, where they are growing more cautious.** This included considerable time on -

- Private equity;  
Private credit;  
Real estate;  
Other alternatives; and,  
How risk is being managed across increasingly complex structures.

It was interesting to hear what is now happening **at the exit stage**, where **friction is starting to show up in ways unexpected.** From the reactions of fellow students and instructors, I get the sense there’s growing nervousness around alternative assets. Watch this space.

**We also spent time on governance** and how it differs between families, private companies, and institutions - **and where it tends to break down for high net worth families**.

One theme came up repeatedly: **Sustaining wealth across generations is more fragile than most assume**. Those patterns are remarkably consistent across regions and cultures - but they can be mitigated with the right structures.

This new learning should help with my work at Disclosure Insight and also with my board work outside of DI.

**As many of you know, in recent years I have pursued formal board training**, including becoming Director Certified by the National Association of Corporate Directors in early 2025 (the NACD.DC you now see after my name). I am also a member of the Private Directors Association.

I have served on nonprofit boards and currently serve on advisory boards at my college and a private cybersecurity company.

My time at Wharton builds on all of this, **particularly for private company boards and family office investment committees.**

Thanks for taking a moment out of your busy earnings season for this personal update. Back to the research grind now …

As always, I thank you for your ongoing support — *John*

- ***John P. Gavin, CFA, NACD.DC***

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