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The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Data with Kailash Duraiswami

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Episode 091: Kailash Duraiswami is the Chief Technology Officer at Milemarker, where he leads the development of data infrastructure and AI-powered solutions for modern advisory firms. With a unique blend of financial expertise and deep technical knowledge, Kailash brings his passion for innovation, data strategy, and scalable technology to help wealth management firms thrive in a multi-platform world.

In this episode, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Kailash about his unconventional path from launching an RIA straight out of college to building tech that transformed data operations for financial firms. They unpack the challenges firms face with fragmented data, the importance of centralized infrastructure, and how AI will reshape wealth management. They discuss why firms need to reclaim ownership of their data, how to avoid becoming an “accidental CTO,” and how Milemarker is building scalable, simplified tech solutions for advisors navigating a multi-platform, AI-enabled world.

In this episode:

(00:00) – Intro

(01:53) – Kailash’s money moment

(06:56) – What is Pantenix?

(10:10) – The value of a data warehouse

(12:31) – Kailash’s thoughts on cloud-based infrastructure

(14:16) – The importance of data platforms

(18:29) – Why becoming a CTO should be intentional

(22:30) – AI in wealth management

(24:46) – The advantage of building your own language models

(31:51) – Why CTOs in RIAs need to understand wealth management

(36:02) – Why all-in-one platforms limit user experiences

(39:03) – Kailash’s Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Centralize your data to maximize AI and operational efficiency. Without consolidating your firm’s data into a single, accessible environment, it’s nearly impossible to generate meaningful insights or leverage AI effectively. Fragmented data limits your ability to scale and innovate.

You don’t have to become an “accidental CTO”. Many firm leaders end up spending too much time wrestling with tech. Outsourcing specialized functions—like data architecture and infrastructure—can free up your time to focus on clients and growth, while still driving innovation.

Owning your data is not the same as using cloud-based tools. Just because your systems are in the cloud doesn’t mean you own your data. True ownership means having control over how and where your data is stored, accessed, and used to make decisions.

AI is only as smart as the data it has access to. For AI to deliver meaningful outcomes—like intelligent agents or predictive analytics—it needs clean, well-structured, and centralized data. Start with solid infrastructure before diving into advanced AI capabilities.

Quotes
“What we’re doing here, as a help to your technology footprint, is enabling you to see and understand your business in ways you’ve never done before. And that requires very sophisticated technology.” ~ Kailash Duraiswami

“You must have your data in one place to really make use of AI because the conclusions that the model can make or the recommendations are all subject to what data is presented to it.” ~ Kailash Duraiswami 

“The biggest thing we are making here is building a tool that is advisor-centric and executive-centric. And that means simplicity. Above all, the boldness of what we have here is to do less in an excellent way.” ~ Kailash Duraiswami 

Links 

Kailash Duraiswami on LinkedIn

Orion Advisor Solutions

Black Diamond

Tamarak

Connect with our hosts

Milemarker.co

Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

AI-Driven Private Wealth Intelligence with Russ D’Argento

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Episode 090: Russ D’Argento serves as Founder & CEO at FINTRX. Prior to founding FINTRX, Russ served as Sr. Consultant of Family Office Marketing and introductions for Windham Capital Group—a 20-year-old consulting firm in the hedge fund space.

In this episode, Milemarker Co-Founder Jud Mackrill talks with Russ about how to make financial data more powerful and strategic. Russ shares the origin story of FINTRX—a platform born from his personal struggle navigating the private wealth market. Host Jud Mackrill and Russ discuss how FinTRX evolved from bootstrapped startup to a data intelligence leader with more than 150 employees. They explore the growing demand for actionable, smart data, the role of AI in modern wealth tech, and how FinTRX helps asset managers, advisors, and fundraisers identify and engage the right prospects. Russ also shares what’s next for the company and how it’s positioning itself at the forefront of the AI-powered wealth transfer wave.

In this episode:

(00:00) – Intro

(00:55) – Russ’s background and the origins of FINTRX

(05:28) – FINTRX’s areas of focus for 2025

(07:32) – The evolution of data usage and expectations in the financial industry

(11:25) – FINTRX’s rapid growth and expansion

(14:26) – What lies ahead for FINTRX

(19:09) – How to connect with FINTRX

Key Takeaways

Smart data beats static data. Don’t settle for spreadsheets. Today’s wealth managers and fundraisers need dynamic, actionable insights—not just names on a list. Tools like FINTRX help surface the right contacts, timing, and context to turn cold outreach into warm, personalized conversations.

Build products backward from user pain. Great companies are often started by solving your own problem. Russ built FINTRX by reverse-engineering the solution he wished he had while raising capital—focusing on better data, smarter tech, and a seamless user experience.

AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a growth engine. Integrate AI to automate prospecting, clean data, and surface valuable signals without constant manual effort. The future belongs to platforms that anticipate user needs and take action autonomously.

Private wealth is evolving. The private wealth space is more sophisticated and influential than ever. As wealth transfers to new generations and advisors, staying ahead with the right intelligence and outreach tools is crucial for capital raising and long-term growth.

Quotes
“There was a gap in the market and what was available, not only the data but also the breadth of the data, the tech, and how that data was delivered.” ~ Russ D’Argento

“We want to continue to position ourselves as this wealth transfer happens. We want to continue to position ourselves at the forefront of that private wealth data intelligence market.” ~ Russ D’Argento

“All we think about every day when we get to the office is how we can improve, iterate, make this thing better and more powerful, and continue our rapid growth.” ~ Russ D’Argento

Links 

Russ D’Argento on LinkedIn

FINTRX on LinkedIn

FINTRX email

FINTRX

Orion Advisor Solutions

Salesforce

Connect with our hosts

Milemarker.co

Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

Subscribe and stay in touch

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Produce game-changing content with Turncast
Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.

How Envestnet Is Redefining Scale and Accessibility with Molly Weiss

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Episode 089: Molly Weiss, Group President of Wealth Platforms at Envestnet, is a 20-year financial services veteran who drives Envestnet’s end-to-end technology and solutions ranging from portfolio management, financial planning, performance reporting, and digital account management tools. Over her tenure at Envestnet, she has played a pivotal role in shaping scalable solutions that empower advisors to serve clients more effectively. 

In this episode, Kyle and Molly explore the critical role of configurability in building scalable tech, the evolving landscape of UMA, and how advisors are blending custom portfolio construction with third-party management. Molly shares what’s ahead at Envestnet’s Elevate conference, how AI will empower—not replace—advisors, and why personalization and access to alternatives are shaping the future of wealth management.

In this episode:

(00:00) – Intro

(01:48) – Molly’s money moment

(04:20) – Common challenges faced by firms of all sizes

(06:09) – Molly’s perspective on “scale” in the financial industry

(07:50) – What to expect at Envestnet Elevate 2025

(11:48) – How Envestnet leverages third-party asset management

(14:52) – The multifaceted role of advisors

(18:17) – Managing diverse investment solutions

(22:14) – Speakers at the Envestnet Elevate 2025 conference

(24:19) – Envestnet’s focus on ultra-high-net-worth clients

(25:48) – The future of financial advice

(30:23) – Molly’s thoughts on alternative investments

(33:36) – Molly’s Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

True scalability in advisory tech isn’t about one-size-fits-all solutions or endless customization. Instead, it’s about creating configurable systems that can adapt to a firm’s unique needs without added complexity—allowing both large institutions and small RIAs to grow efficiently.

AI won’t diminish the advisor’s value—it will amplify it. By automating routine tasks and surfacing meaningful insights, AI can free advisors to focus more on high-impact, human-centered work like client relationships, planning, and trust-building.

Clients don’t just want a 60/40 portfolio; they need guidance through complex life decisions. Advisors are part coach, part therapist, and part strategist. The tech behind the scenes should support that full spectrum of client service.

Just as SMAs and UMAs became accessible to more clients over time, the future is about lowering barriers to non-traditional assets. Advisors should prepare to integrate alternatives and illiquid investments into broader portfolios, especially as client demand for diversification and behavioral discipline grows.

Quotes
“If everything you do is either about customization or one size has to fit all, you can’t scale. But if you think about technology as a really configurable set of capabilities, a firm can grow because as they need more, it’s already there. It just needs to be configured.” ~ Molly Weiss

“Part of an advisor’s job is translating human problems into something that helps solve those problems. And that includes technology that helps the portfolio management process, taxes, performance, and life events that might change all that and throw it all up in the air.” ~ Molly Weiss

Links 

Molly Weiss on LinkedIn

Envestnet

Bill Crager

Envestnet Elevate 2025

Katty Kay

Dennis Moseley-Williams

Allistair McCaw

Chris Todd

Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Connect with our hosts

Milemarker.co

Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

Subscribe and stay in touch

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

YouTube

Produce game-changing content with Turncast
Turncast helps your company grow by producing top-quality content and fostering transformative conversations. We specialize in content generation, podcasting, digital strategy, and audience growth for fintech and financial services companies. Learn more at Turncast.com.