Thinking about investing right.
About Lee
Lee Kranefuss is best known for starting the global iShares™ line of ETFs, and running the iShares business from inception in 2000 until transitioning ownership to BlackRock in 2010. iShares™ brought a new level of choice, efficiency, and professional building blocks to investors and advisors across the globe. After leaving iShares™, Lee was Executive Chairman and a significant investor in Source ETFs in the UK from 2014 until 2016, a leading provider of sophisticated European ETFs.
Lee was originally an Electrical Engineer, graduating from Cornell University with a BSEE degree specializing in information theory and mathematical statistics. After that he worked for 5 years in the technology industry in Boston, developing software for complex electronic systems and information processing tools.
Lee later graduated with an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with Distinction and named a Palmer Scholar. After that, he spent 6 years consulting on technology and financial services with the Boston Consulting Group in San Francisco. He joined the former Barclays Global Investors – where he developed iShares™ – in 1997 as Head of Corporate Development and Strategy.
Current Activities
Lee believes passionately that individual investors, and the advisors who serve them, continue to be underserved by the financial services industry.
In addition to commenting on this site and in other places, Lee is working on concrete projects to continue bridging the gap between institutional and private investor resources and knowledge. He is currently working on a book on the principles of investment management, as well as a web-based investment and financial planning tool for individuals and advisors to help them make better long-term choices and pursue the most effective strategies.
Commentary
As I watch what the investment industry is doing and saying, I try to weigh in where I have particular expertise. My blog here, and what I post on LinkedIn, are where you will find most of what I have to say.
If you agree or disagree with me, please feel free to comment on any article or post I write. One thing I am certain of in investing is a healthy debate makes us all better informed.
Book
Over the past year I have been working on a book that tries to integrate my thoughts across a wide range of topics – particularly where I see investors lack a cohesive explanation for things that are essential to understand to invest right.
It’s coming along, and I hope to publish it this winter. Add yourself to the mailing list to get notified when that happens.
Software
The largest product I have been working on is developing a web-based software tool that lets both individuals and advisors analyze a lifetime savings, investment and spending plan. It can be used for a quick “check-up” or for a more detailed and elaborate planning effort.
The software effort grew out of the book I am writing. What I found was that there were a great many ideas or concepts that I wanted the right graph for to convey a lot of information simply. But, I found, these graphics were impossible to do with just a spreadsheet.
The software tool crosses that chasm, allowing users to input basic data and get powerful insights. I guarantee that you will get insights that will surprise or even mystify you when it gets released.
I am hoping to release it in the fall as well. Again, sign up for the mailing list to get notified when it comes out.
”Having spent quite a bit of time in the investment business, one thing that amazes me still is how many ideas or approaches are based on intuition, not reasoned analysis. We long ago stopped building bridges by guessing; we use software tools and models to build them right to start. I am passionate about helping people have better insights, understanding, and tools so they can invest like they ought to in the 21st century.