Robert Kaplan is the Chief Investment Officer at Permal Asset Management Inc., a leading fund of hedge funds with approximately $23 billion in assets. With a background in accounting from Ernst & Young and an M.B.A. from Columbia University, Kaplan brings a deep understanding of both qualitative and quantitative factors in investment evaluation. At Permal, he focuses on asset allocation, performance monitoring, and research, contributing to the firm's evolution in addressing market challenges such as the "evaporating alpha" phenomenon. Kaplan's expertise and strategic approach have been pivotal in adapting Permal’s investment strategies to the changing landscape of global finance.