Jim Besaw

Jim Besaw is Principal and Chief Investment Officer at GenTrust, a New York-based SEC Registered Investment Adviser specializing in investment and wealth management. In this role, Besaw oversees the selection, management, and development of all investment strategies and portfolios at the firm, with a particular mandate to remain practical and analytical across changing market conditions while guiding clients and employees through financial decision-making. His responsibilities include developing new investment products and ensuring effective portfolio management for a diverse client base.

Besaw's investment expertise spans multiple asset classes and strategies, with a focus on remaining neutral across sectors and asset allocations, while favoring international markets slightly over domestic equities in the current environment. He is known for his analytical approach to headline risks and has experience managing investments related to interest rate options, macroeconomic strategy, and portfolio hedging. During his time at Element Capital Management, he contributed to the firm’s fund ranking among the top hedge funds and worked closely with sovereign wealth funds, pensions, and institutional investors, expanding into private investments and asset class diversification.

With a BA in Mathematics and Economics from Yale University, Besaw brings a strong quantitative and analytical foundation to his work. Prior to GenTrust, his career included roles in interest rate options trading at Barclays Capital and business development at Element Capital Management, as well as significant involvement in macroeconomic discussions and risk management committees. His contributions to the industry reflect a commitment to thoughtful, risk-aware investing and innovation in multi-asset portfolio strategies.