Operational excellence in practice: Lessons from Bipsync Connect LP 2025

At this year’s client conference, Bipsync Connect LP, we welcomed investment, operations, and technology professionals from across the allocator community for a full day of networking and discussions centered on the future of investment operations. 

More than 75 allocators, representing over $1.4 trillion in combined AUM, gathered at Manhatta in New York City for this year’s event. The audience reflected the evolving allocator landscape: investment leaders, operations experts, and technology strategists working together to drive efficiency, data integrity, and innovation across their organizations. 

The conference opened with welcome remarks from Graeme Faulds, Bipsync CEO, followed by a product and AI update showcasing the latest developments across the Bipsync platform – from enhancements that simplify how teams capture, structure, and analyze their data to new AI-powered capabilities designed to accelerate research, improve data quality and outputs, and streamline collaboration. 

From there, a series of discussions explored one core question from multiple angles: 

What does operational excellence look like in the age of data and AI? 

Transformation as a strategic imperative 

During the fireside chat, Bill Krueger, CTO at Yale Investments, reflected on how transformation has evolved from a milestone to a mindset. 

He explained that modernization should be approached as an ongoing process of refinement and iteration – a way of working that builds consistency, reusability, and institutional strength over time.  

That perspective resonated throughout the day, as technology transformation has become a strategic imperative for investment operations. Organizations are navigating an environment where expectations for speed, transparency, and efficiency are higher than ever. At the same time, the rise of AI, data proliferation, and a shifting vendor landscape are reshaping how allocators think about their core systems and processes.  

Transformation today is about intentional progress, aligning technology with strategy, data with decision-making, and people with purpose. It is about building the operational backbone that allows investment teams to scale insight, not just output. 

Ultimately, transformation represents an organizational capacity, a way of operating that continually evolves alongside the markets, technology, and teams it serves. 

Operational excellence as a continuous practice 

Operational excellence emerged as a living discipline – one rooted in data quality, transparency, and collaboration. 

As Breighan Brown, PhD, at the University of Notre Dame Investment Office noted, “A huge part of that is trust. The role of operations is to build trust in the data and the systems. And the more that infuses your culture, the more excellent the entire team can perform.” 

That principle set the tone for the broader discussion. Operations teams are increasingly recognized as strategic partners that enhance investment outcomes. In this context, excellence means moving beyond process execution toward value creation: building systems and data models that deliver actionable insights, consistency, and confidence. 

This shift from back-office function to strategic enabler was echoed throughout the day. Operational teams are now seen as drivers of performance, ensuring that data remains accurate, trusted, and integrated across every facet of the organization. 

Across sessions, several key themes defined what operational excellence looks like in practice: 

• Data integrity is the foundation. Firms are rethinking data governance frameworks, quality controls, and taxonomy standardization to ensure data remains consistent, traceable, and reliable across the organization.

• Culture drives adoption. Technology transformation is as much about people as it is about platforms – success depends on empowering teams to take ownership, share feedback, and champion change.

• Iteration over perfection. The most effective organizations treat transformation as an ongoing journey – refining processes continuously rather than waiting for the “final” version.

The human layer of digital transformation 

While much of the conversation focused on data and technology, a consistent theme emerged: modernization is powered by people. 

Discussions throughout the day highlighted the growing importance of roles that bridge functions – product managers, data stewards, and operational leads – who connect investment teams and technology partners.  

Several attendees shared creative approaches to driving engagement and cultural alignment, including collaborative initiatives focused on ensuring data quality and peer-led groups that encourage shared accountability.

The consensus: organizational culture, not just system capability, determines the long-term success of digital transformation. 

AI and the architecture of the future 

Artificial intelligence was woven throughout the day’s discussions – not as a buzzword, but as an inevitable function in the next-generation investment office. 

Attendees discussed practical ways to integrate AI into research, diligence, and operational workflows – emphasizing experimentation, governance, and measurable outcomes. 

The conversation centered on three ideas: 

• AI readiness begins with data readiness. Institutions are investing in structured data models, integrated APIs, and clear permissions frameworks to ensure reliability and control.

• Pragmatic experimentation wins. The most successful initiatives begin small – identifying targeted, repeatable processes where automation and intelligence deliver immediate value.

• Architecture matters. A well-integrated ecosystem of systems – from research management to analytics – will determine how effectively firms can adopt and scale AI tools.

The message was clear: AI isn’t just a technology to layer on top of existing processes; it’s a catalyst for rethinking how those processes function together.  

Bipsync Connect LP brings the allocator community together for open dialogue, practical learning, and shared progress across the investment ecosystem.

At Bipsync, we’re proud to partner with organizations that share this spirit of innovation and collaboration – transforming not only their technology, but how the industry works together to achieve operational excellence.