VP, Portfolio Management
Mercer Advisors
David is Vice President of Portfolio Management for Mercer Advisors and leads the Portfolio Management Group. He joined Mercer Advisors in 2021 following the acquisition of Epstein & White, where he served as Chief Investment Officer for four years. With a diverse background spanning alternative investments, ERISA plans, private wealth, and commercial banking solutions, David brings extensive expertise to his role. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with RIA firms and clients to establish objectives, implement systematic processes, make informed decisions, and craft sophisticated portfolios. David has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of New York at Albany. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation and the Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS®) designation.
As private equity, private credit, venture capital, and other alternative strategies become more accessible, advisors must determine whether—and how—to incorporate private markets into client portfolios. This session examines the suitability, fiduciary, and operational considerations of advising on private investments, including accreditation standards, liquidity planning, valuation differences, fee structures, and transparency compared to traditional public markets. Panelists will discuss how to educate clients on risk factors such as illiquidity, capital calls, and limited mark-to-market pricing, while outlining best practices for position sizing, diversification, stress testing, and ongoing oversight to responsibly integrate private markets into a diversified portfolio strategy.