NYAIR Episode 17
A Fireside Chat About the State of Markets & Hedge Funds With Omega Advisors’ Lee Cooperman
A rare, unfiltered conversation with Lee Cooperman—founder, chairman, and CEO of Omega Advisors, Wall Street icon, and one of the most respected voices in alternative investments. Moderated by Michael Patanella, National Asset Management Sector Leader at Grant Thornton, this episode dives deep into Lee’s journey, his thoughts on hedge fund cycles, asset management’s evolution, regulatory war stories, and the responsibilities of philanthropy in modern finance.
Featured Guests
Lee Cooperman
Founder, Chairman & CEO, Omega Advisors
A graduate of Columbia Business School and Wall Street Hall of Famer, Lee Cooperman built Omega Advisors into a multi-billion-dollar hedge fund after a storied 25-year career at Goldman Sachs. Renowned for his market calls, activist investing, and commitment to The Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, Lee’s legacy cuts across equity research, asset management, and philanthropy. His outspoken views on regulation, asset class cycles, and responsibility have shaped generations of investors.
Michael Patanella
National Asset Management Sector Lead, Grant Thornton
A leading advisor to alternative investment managers and asset allocators, Michael moderates with an eye for both technical rigor and strategic relevance.
Key Insights From This Episode
Wall Street Wisdom—Career Lessons & Big Turns
Lee shares his unconventional path (from aspiring dentist to Goldman and Omega), key decisions behind his career moves, and the blend of luck, risk, and ethics in finance success.
Why Hedge Funds Endure (and Suffer)
Despite cycles of poor performance, Lee sees cyclical—not secular—decline: true alpha will always attract capital, provided managers deliver performance that justifies their fees.
Regulation, Reputation & “SEC Nightmares”
Candid and sometimes controversial, Lee recounts his lengthy battle with the SEC, providing a warning to managers about legal risk, public perception, and protecting reputational capital.
Performance, Fees & the Rise of Passive
The future belongs to managers who prove their worth—indexation and fee compression will keep ratcheting up the standard for net alpha. Hedge funds must add true value or face extinction.
The Four Things to Do With Wealth
Drawing from philanthropy and personal experience, Lee distills lessons on spending, giving to kids responsibly, government and taxes, and leaving a legacy.
Market Cycles, “Smart Activism,” and Value Investing’s Role
Lee weighs in on bull and bear markets, the real causes of bubbles, good vs. bad activism, and why you should care about management quality, not just theory.
Access the Full Conversation
Listen to the full recording and download the insights deck. Essential viewing for investors, managers, industry professionals, and anyone interested in the mindset and mechanics behind building a legacy in alternatives.
Soundbites Worth Saving
“You do what you love, you love what you do—and you use your luck and resources to lift others.”
— Lee Cooperman
“True alpha will always attract capital, but managers need to justify their fees and survive the cycles.”
— Lee Cooperman
Shape the Future of Alternatives With Us
The New York Alternative Investment Roundtable brings together the brightest minds in finance—Nobel laureates, industry disruptors, Fortune 1000 executives, and leading fund managers. By joining as a member, you gain access to premium events, exclusive insights from our podcasts, and direct connections with the decision-makers shaping global markets.
Your seat at the table is waiting.
© 2025 New York Alternative Investment Roundtable | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions