Building a Global Investment Portfolio from Scratch

When I left my position as Vice President of Marketing Finance at CBS Corporation in 2020, I faced a question that many corporate executives eventually confront: what's next? For me, the answer was Nomadvestor — a platform to apply everything I'd learned in corporate finance to building a diversified global investment portfolio.

The Mindset Shift

The transition from corporate finance to entrepreneurial investing requires a fundamental shift in mindset. In a corporate environment, you're managing risk within a defined framework with established processes and institutional support. As an independent investor and consultant, you are the framework. Every decision — from deal sourcing to due diligence to execution — rests on your shoulders.

What I found, however, is that the core skills are remarkably transferable. The financial modeling, the risk assessment, the negotiation tactics — all of it applies. What changes is the speed of decision-making and the breadth of opportunities you can pursue.

Geographic Diversification

One of the most important decisions I made early on was to diversify geographically. Rather than focusing solely on the US market, I expanded into Southeast Asia — specifically Bali, Indonesia. This wasn't a random choice; it was based on a thorough analysis of market fundamentals, growth potential, and the competitive landscape.

The result has been a portfolio that spans luxury real estate development, hospitality ventures, and strategic consulting engagements across multiple markets. This geographic diversification has proven to be a significant risk mitigator, as different markets respond differently to global economic cycles.

The Power of Networks

Perhaps the most valuable asset I brought from my corporate career was my network. The relationships I built over 15+ years in entertainment finance — with investors, developers, legal professionals, and fellow executives — have been instrumental in sourcing deals, conducting due diligence, and executing projects in new markets.

Advice for Corporate Executives Considering the Leap

If you're a corporate executive thinking about making a similar transition, my advice is this: start building your independent network and deal flow while you're still in your corporate role. The transition is much smoother when you have a pipeline of opportunities and a trusted network to lean on from day one.