In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Stephen Rigali, Executive Managing Director of Kayne Anderson Rudnick, about the company’s evolution from a family office to a $55 billion platform and how it has approached growth with intention over four decades.
He shared how the company prioritizes organic expansion, structured consultant development, and long-term client relationships, as well as how it balances high-touch service with scalability, utilizes specialized partners to expand capabilities, and evaluates the role of AI in improving efficiency without replacing human decision-making.
key takeaways:
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How the company grew from founding capital to a $55 billion platform through steady, organic expansion
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Why consultant capacity is managed through defined lifecycle stages and proactive resource planning
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How long-term customer relationships are built on trust, alignment and frequent human interaction
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Why combining internal expertise with external experts strengthens the customer experience
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How AI is being tested to improve research, workflow and operational efficiency across firms
resources:
Connect with David Armstrong:
Connect with Stephen Rigali:
About our guest:
Stephen Rigali is Executive Managing Director and a member of the Executive Management Committee of Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, a Los Angeles-based investment and wealth management firm founded in 1984. He oversees business development across the firm’s institutional, retail and wealth management platforms and works closely with the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer to help shape the firm’s long-term investment and trading strategy. He also serves on the firm’s Risk and Compliance Committee, ESG Steering Committee and Investment Committee for the wealth advisory division.
Stephen has over four decades of experience in the investment management industry and has been with Kayne Anderson Rudnick since 1991, playing a key role in the firm’s growth and development. Early in his career, he was a vice president at Shearson Lehman Brothers. Stephen earned a BS in Business and Economics from Loyola Marymount University and is a CFA charterholder.