Julie Ratner, the chair of the New York-based Ellen Hermanson Foundation, has been a champion of breast cancer research since the foundation’s start in 1997. She talked about the foundation’s upcoming events and how she continues to uphold her sister’s legacy.
What was the impetus for launching the foundation?
I started the foundation with my late sister, Emily Levin, in 1997, one year after the First Annual Ellen's Run to honor the memory of our younger sister, Ellen Hermanson. At the age of 36 and with a 6-month old baby, Ellen was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. With courage, grace and grit, Ellen faced her disease and used her time to lavish all her love on her daughter, Leora, and husband, Hugo. As her disease progressed, Ellen used her great intellect and diminishing strength to advocate for educational outreach about breast health, early detection and pain management — most especially to medically underserved communities of women.
Your work at the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center is incredible. What are you working on today?
Our foundation collaborates with the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital to identify areas of need that need attention. Over the past two years, the foundation has committed to raising funds for a new tomosynthesis system. In layperson's terms, tomosynthesis is the most sophisticated and advanced technology in mammography. In addition to our collaboration with the hospital, we have Ellen's Well, a free psychosocial support program facilitated by an oncological social worker, and a Community Partnership program with four organizations: the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center, OLA, (Organización Latino-Americana of the East End), The Retreat–All Against Abuse, and The Shinnecock Indian Health Center.
You have two events this summer. Can you share them with us?
We hosted the foundation's Summer Gala on Saturday, July 13, with an after-party bonfire on the beach at the Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club. Our second big event is the 29th annual Ellen's Run Sunday, Aug. 18, at 9 a.m. at the Southampton Intermediate School.
What’s next for the foundation?
To continue what we are doing to raise money to continue funding state-of-the-art technology and expand our services to women who live on the margins and are medically at risk.
How family offices can leverage technology for private markets engagement
By FRANCOIS BOTHA
New technology platforms are revolutionizing how family offices engage with private markets, providing more efficient and direct access to investments while enhancing portfolio management and reporting beyond traditional spreadsheet methods. Previously focused on preserving wealth, family offices are now increasingly allocating capital in these markets, influenced by younger generations and advancements in technology.
The latest Simple report about private markets provides a lens into the recent shifts within the industry, highlighting the synergies with family offices and how technology solutions are assisting their increased appetite for the asset class.
Synergies for family offices
Family offices are known for providing patient capital — which makes them an ideal fit for private markets, as they are less concerned about liquidity issues. Additionally, they possess the financial sophistication to manage higher risks and the skill sets that set them apart from retail investors. For instance, in venture capital, family offices not only are able to contribute capital but also can lend their expertise and networks to help startups succeed.
Another mutual benefit for family offices is that private markets are a great way to diversify their portfolios and reduce the risks that come with volatile public markets. They provide families a way to hedge against economic and geopolitical uncertainties while promising an above-average return.
Finally, with the rise of ESG and corporate responsibility, family offices are increasingly investing in sustainability. Despite political debates, more and more private market funds are being directed toward impact investing, allowing investors to balance their financial returns with global environmental and social contributions. This shift toward sustainability aligns with both traditional family values and the values of the younger generation.
Technology is proving to be incredibly beneficial across the full spectrum of family office activities in private markets. Below are some of the most common benefits.
Greater transparency
As private markets gain momentum, there is an increasing need to provide investors more transparency. Technology can assist in sharing information, monitoring compliance and enhancing communication among stakeholders. Some software platforms make it possible to ensure that all parties involved in a deal have the appropriate amount of information available when they need to make a decision.
Broader deal sourcing
Family offices tend to get inundated with a lot of opportunities when trying to find a suitable investment. Technology can be helpful in not only locating deals but also identifying prospects that align with the specific goals of the family office. There are platforms that gather and curate investments across asset classes and strategies, making it easier for family offices to explore a range of investment themes more conveniently.
Efficient due diligence
Private markets require significant due diligence processes to ensure accurate information and full transparency before making any investment decision. However, pulling all the relevant documents together and assessing the risks and opportunities takes a lot of work. That is where powerful and intuitive digital solutions can save enormous time and money while ensuring greater accuracy.
Enabling liquidity
During a slow economy, investors often experience pressure when it comes to exiting deals, which can lead to a backlog due to the lack of liquidity. Digital platforms that offer direct access to secondary markets have emerged and can play a significant role in easing the burden. Secondary market platforms present family offices with additional exit options while also opening avenues for otherwise missed opportunities.
Predictive analysis and scenario modeling
Technology solutions have become proficient at automating private market data. They can gather documents, pull out important details and show this information in easy-to-understand formats. Some tools can even predict how investments might do in the future. This isn't just about minimizing risks and increasing returns; it's also about seeing how different changes in investments and cash flow predictions can impact outcomes.
A mutually beneficial future
The integration of technology in private markets is redefining how family offices operate, aligning with their needs for diversification, risk management and impact investing. Technology platforms enable greater transparency, efficiency and access to broader investment opportunities, transforming traditional investment approaches.
As family offices increase their investments in private markets, leveraging their synergies, the expansion of these markets in the global economy is expected to bring significant growth. This evolution is not just in line with the values of both older and younger generations but also sets a new standard for investing in the modern financial landscape.