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This autumn, the Florida State University College of Business is introducing executive training in West Palm Beach, Fla., designed to enhance expertise in the thriving domain of alternative investments.

“We aim to furnish professionals with the knowledge they require to efficiently navigate this swiftly expanding segment of the finance sector while also establishing our physical footprint in South Florida,” stated Michael Hartline, the dean of the College of Business.

Investors are increasingly seeking options such as real estate, private equity, venture capital, private credit, and hedge funds to complement the conventional offerings of stocks, bonds, and cash. In merely twenty years, alternative investments have surged from 6% of worldwide investable markets to an estimated 24% today, as reported by the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA).

“As more wealth managers opt to diversify their clients’ portfolios with alternative investments, they will need to enhance their financial acumen accordingly,” mentioned Kelsey Syvrud, assistant chair of the finance department at the college, who is overseeing the new Alternative Investments Series. “They need to adopt new methodologies to evaluate risk, interpret alternative market trends, and scrutinize private market product structures as they broaden client portfolios and strive for a competitive advantage in their practice.”

The college’s newly launched executive education program commences in September with distinct seminars focused on private credit and hedge funds. Each seminar accommodates 50 attendees and is scheduled to repeat in October and November. Registrants will receive online preparatory resources and curated instructional materials. Designed for busy professionals, each seminar begins on Thursday evening with networking opportunities and a keynote speaker, followed by a comprehensive day of instruction on Friday that includes intensive, interactive lessons, along with a practical case study to ensure newly acquired knowledge can be immediately applied.

Participants completing either seminar will receive a certificate of completion from the College of Business, along with up to 12 hours of CEUs applicable to various designations and providers, including CFP®, NASAA, CPA/NASBA, IWI® (CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA®), and IMDDA. Both seminar modules are currently under consideration for continuing education credit approvals, and attendees will be informed of the approved CEU credit allocations as soon as they are confirmed.

Syvrud noted that the program’s curriculum is relevant for anyone keen on gaining more knowledge about alternative investments, from financial advisors seasoned in traditional markets to individuals keen to enhance their understanding of their investment alternatives. Among the subjects to explore:

• Integrating alternative investments into a standard, multi-asset portfolio.

• Acquiring these investments from the conventional blend of 60% stocks and 40% bonds.

• Selecting the appropriate managers and vehicle structures for clients.

• Leveraging lessons learned to create advantageous investment products.

Syvrud, who instructs FSU graduate courses on traditional and alternative investments, will lead both seminars this fall. A previous economic consultant with Cornerstone Research, Syvrud currently directs investment strategy for the boutique firm Fire Capital Management.

Joining her in leading the first seminar on private credit will be Jim Ulseth, a seasoned investment executive with a portfolio of developing customized investment platforms and capabilities. As the chief investment officer for Miami-based Elementum Capital, Ulseth brings nearly twenty years of experience working with ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutions. Co-leading the second seminar on hedge funds will be Daniel Strachman, a Wall Street veteran. His vast experience encompasses all facets of retail and institutional distribution for traditional and alternative investment products and services. Based in Coral Springs, Fla., Strachman co-founded HEDGEAnswers.com, an online platform for managers, investors, and service providers. He has also authored nine publications focused on investment strategies.

An added advantage of the college’s executive education offering is its prime location, as Syvrud mentioned. “We have strategically selected West Palm Beach, located just 70 miles north of Miami, as it is becoming increasingly recognized as ‘Wall Street South,’ attracting a growing number of private equity firms, hedge funds, and institutional investors.”

However, FSU is not restricting this opportunity to local inhabitants. The college encourages financial professionals from across Florida and beyond who are eager to enhance their knowledge in alternative investments. “Join us to learn the latest investment strategies from leading industry figures, and then stay to experience all that West Palm has to offer over the weekend,” Syvrud stated. Visit business.fsu.edu/alts
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This autumn’s seminars serve as an introduction to additional executive education programs provided by the FSU College of Business, stated Caroline Poole, the director of the college’s strategic initiatives. She mentioned that new seminars for the Alternative Investments Series are being developed for 2026 and that the college is assessing what other in-demand subjects it can offer from different fields.

Enhancing FSU’s footprint in West Palm Beach has been the aspiration of Benjamin Macfarland III, an FSU business graduate and real estate investor. Macfarland holds a strong belief in his alma mater’s capacity to enrich the region’s educational landscape and promote economic growth; thus, he donated strategic space in a historic building just minutes from downtown that previously housed the Palm Beach Post.

“The business school has recognized alternative investments as a rapidly expanding niche within the finance industry and is creating an educational program specifically designed to leverage this opportunity,” remarked Macfarland, CEO of SROA Capital, a private equity firm specializing in real estate and technology. West Palm Beach has emerged as a hub for premier financial institutions including investment banks, hedge funds, private equity, and real estate private equity firms.

“This is a thrilling period for the business school and South Florida,” Macfarland noted. “The college’s newfound presence will highlight FSU’s academic capabilities while simultaneously offering local businesses a solid professional development resource to meet the demands of South Florida’s expanding financial center. SROA is honored to support this initiative and play a minor role in the advancement of Florida’s alternative investments sector.”

SROA Capital is also a longstanding Legacy Sponsor of The FSU Real Estate Center’s annual TRENDS conference. Visit fsutrends.com to find out more about attending or sponsoring this year’s conference, scheduled for Oct. 16-17 in Tallahassee.

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