[ the engagement ]The objective was critical: modernize a $150B+ Alternative Investments platform for one of the world's largest wealth managers (Morgan Stanley). My mandate was to retire technical debt and unify fragmented private equity data into a single, high-velocity advisor experience.
[ My role ]SLALOM
One World Trade Center
SENIOR PRINCIPAL, WEALTH & ASSET MANAGEMENT
I was recruited to lead the strategic modernization of the Alternative Investments ecosystem. My role was to bridge the gap between complex backend legacy systems and a modern, front-end advisor experience.
I architected the "Target Operating Model" that unified disparate private equity and hedge fund data streams into a single dashboard. By replacing legacy mainframe workflows with a modern API-driven interface, we didn't just improve aesthetics; we unlocked massive productivity gains for 15,000+ financial advisors.
We moved the firm from a "swivel-chair" workflow (multiple screens) to a unified command center, proving that User Experience (UX) is a driver of both revenue and risk reduction.
[ strategic outcomes ]Strategic Outcomes
Strategic Architecture
$150B Platform Scale Architected the "Target Operating Model" that unified fragmented private equity and hedge fund data. Established the digital blueprint for the bank’s next-generation wealth ecosystem.
Advisor Efficiency
75% Latency Reduction Spearheaded the UX/UI overhaul of the advisor desktop. Reduced trade entry latency from 20 minutes to 5 minutes, unlocking massive productivity gains for 15,000+ advisors.
Process Engineering
60% NIGO Reduction Slashed "Not-in-Good-Order" (NIGO) rates by 60%. Designed automated field validation logic to catch errors preemptively, replacing reactive remediation with front-end compliance.
Hybrid Cloud
Legacy Decoupling Defined the bridge architecture to decouple modern cloud applications from legacy mainframes. Ensured real-time portfolio visibility without disrupting core transactional systems.
“Charles has been an incredible mentor and leader. His guidance challenged me to think strategically while executing with precision. Working under his direction was both inspiring and transformative—he leads with clarity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Joakim Marner
Principal, Slalom Consulting
Legacy Fragmentation → Hybrid Bridge → Unified Dashboard → Advisor Velocity
Stage 01Unification
Target Operating Model Killing the "Swivel Chair." unifying disparate data silos (PE, Hedge Funds, Real Estate) into a single source of truth for the advisor.
Stage 02Validation
Intelligent Compliance Moving compliance to the front-end. Automated logic checks transaction validity before submission, preventing NIGO errors downstream.
Stage 03Speed
API-Driven Interface Replacing green-screen mainframe entry with modern, intuitive web forms. Reducing friction allows advisors to focus on the client, not the data entry.
Stage 04Impact
Commercial Scale When trade entry drops from 20 minutes to 5 minutes, advisor capacity quadruples. UX isn't just pretty; it's a revenue multiplier.
[ the journey ]User Experience is the first line of risk defense.
The Philosophy
In high-stakes wealth management, confusion leads to error. My work at Slalom proved that clarity is a form of compliance. By simplifying the interface, we didn't just make the system faster; we made it safer.
The Legacy
The "Target Operating Model" we built remains the standard for how the bank manages Alternative Investments today. It stands as proof that you can modernize a $150B ship without sinking it—if the architecture is sound.