CE Credit Episode: Manager Skill, ESG Data, and the Decisions That Drive Long-Term Returns

Mar 4, 2026

Liz Simmie, co-founder of Honeytree Investment Management who blends ESG and financial data; she reframes ESG metrics as core company intelligence. David Marra, founder of Markin Asset Management with decades in quantitative manager selection; he outlines disciplined frameworks for assessing manager skill and risk. They discuss evaluating manager performance, risk metrics, factor tests, ESG as fundamental data, and practical ETF-based strategies.

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ADVICE

Start Manager Selection With Risk Statistics

Start manager evaluation with risk metrics, not just returns.
Compare volatility, max drawdown, downside risk and expected shortfall across an apples-to-apples universe to match client outcomes.

ADVICE

Evaluate Net Alpha Repeatability And Risk Management

After filtering by risk, evaluate net returns and repeatability of process.
Measure alpha net of fees, probe how repeatable the process is, and test whether risk management is daily or only reactive.

INSIGHT

Use Factor Models To Isolate True Manager Skill

Use factor models to separate skill from luck by regressing returns on common risk factors.
Complex multi-factor regressions over long histories reveal true alpha beyond market, size, style, and other exposures.

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In this 1 CE-credit episode, host Belle Osvath, CFP® explores two critical components of modern investment analysis: how to evaluate portfolio managers and how ESG data fits into long-term risk and return.

In the first conversation, David Marra, founder and managing director of Markin Asset Management, shares a disciplined framework for identifying skilled portfolio managers. He explains how advisors can distinguish true investment skill from luck, evaluate risk management capabilities, and understand the importance of transparency in active management.

In the second half of the episode, Liz Simmie, co-founder of Honeytree Investment Management, discusses why ESG data should be treated as core investment intelligence, not a niche screening tool. She explores common misconceptions about ESG investing and explains how environmental, social, and governance data can help identify long-term business risks and opportunities.

Listen to the full episode, complete the assessment, and earn 1 CE credit.

CE Credit Instructions

Listen to the full episode
Take the quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FPANCASmarterPlannerPodcast_Quiz
Receive 1 CE credit upon completion

Links & Resources Part One: David Marra — Evaluating Portfolio Manager Skill

David Marra shares a practical framework advisors can use to evaluate portfolio managers and determine whether investment performance reflects skill, strategy, or market exposure.

Key topics include:

• Why manager selection remains one of the most valuable services advisors provide • Starting with risk metrics such as volatility, maximum drawdown, and downside risk • Evaluating alpha and performance net of fees • Using factor models to separate skill from luck • Assessing the repeatability of an investment process • Why direct conversations with portfolio managers reveal important insights about risk management

Key takeaway: Advisors who build portfolios using carefully selected managers can provide differentiated value and better client outcomes.

Links

Markin Asset Management

linkedin.com/in/david-marra-8693b44

Part Two: Liz Simmie — ESG Data and Long-Term Investment Risk

Liz Simmie explains why ESG data should be viewed as fundamental business information, not simply an ethical overlay or constraint.

Key topics include:

• How ESG data such as employee turnover, governance structure, and supply chain diversity impacts financial performance • The history of values-aligned and responsible investing • Why ESG investing is often misunderstood as a return trade-off • How ESG insights can help identify long-term corporate resilience • Honeytree's quantamental investment approach, combining quantitative analysis with fundamental research

Key takeaway: Many investors interested in ESG are not sacrificing returns—they are seeking to avoid hidden long-term risks tied to governance, environmental impact, and workforce practices.

Links

• Honeytree Investment Management • Honeytree ETF — Ticker: BEEZ • linkedin.com/in/liz-simmie-2b59173

Disclaimer

The information provided in the Smarter Planner Podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area (FPA NCA), its board, or its affiliates.

FPA NCA does not endorse or recommend any individuals, firms, products, or services mentioned in this podcast. Listeners should consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.