The art of transformation, with Sahem Gulati – transformation expert

What does it actually take to transform a private markets firm? In this episode, Alice sits down with Sahem Gulati, a senior transformation leader who has spent 13 years working across audit, consulting, asset management and private equity; helping firms navigate some of the most significant operational shifts the industry has seen. 

They cover the long arc of technology adoption in private markets, from the early eFront-vs-Investran debates to today's AI-native ambitions, and why Sahem thinks most firms are still asking the wrong question about artificial intelligence. He also makes the case for why the industry needs to look outside itself for talent, why transformation should always be measured in outcomes rather than projects, and why the people most likely to unlock real change might be the ones who haven't grown up doing things the "right" way. 

Sahem also shares his work with EPOCH (Empowering People of Colour) and the Harmony Project, and what becoming a parent has taught him about the kind of industry he wants to help build. 

Topics covered: 

• From audit to consulting: finding private markets and never looking back 
• Why the explosion of tech options has created an integration headache - and why that's now the industry's #1 operational priority 
• The single biggest thing that separates firms that get transformation right 
• AI as an operating model question, not a technology question 
• Why specialism is the enemy of creativity, and why that matters more than ever 
• From 20 projects to 5 outcomes: what good transformation governance actually looks like 
• Is private markets too insular? Sahem makes the case for bringing in outside talent 
• Building the Next Gen pipeline: the EPOCH network, the Harmony Project, and equal access to information 
• His advice to anyone starting out: network early, don't make it transactional, and make sure you're having fun