“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” This quote from Mark Twain perfectly captures Ahmed Riesgo’s investment philosophy as the Chief Investment Officer at Insigneo, an international wealth management firm. He is confident but not overconfident, knowing that even the best investment strategies can be upended by unpredictable markets. “Prepare, not predict,” is his guiding principle. Innovation, along with his humility and resilience, enables him to maneuver through choppy investment waters and keep Insigneo ahead of the curve.
At Insigneo, Ahmed oversees all the company’s research and investment functions — from crafting investment strategy and implementing the firm’s global market views to asset allocation and more. “As CIO, my role is not only to make the right investment calls but also to bring clients along on the journey so they understand the why behind our decisions,” he says.
Blending Law and Economics to Craft Investment Strategy
The workings of the world at a fundamental level have always fascinated Ahmed. When he was a student, he found himself at the nexus of economics and laws – he saw these two fields as deeply interconnected. “Economics is the language of markets and incentives,” Ahmed says, “and law is the framework that structures those markets.”
“So, I pursued both, while sprinkling in anthropology for broader perspectives of human evolution and history,” he adds.
Early on, he became aware that major financial events are often driven as much by policy decisions and legal regimes as by pure market forces. While his understanding of international law gave him insight into how regulations and geopolitics can sway economies, his understanding of economics gave him the analytical tools to decipher market behavior. “The blend of the two naturally led me into investment strategy,” Ahmed says. He saw an opportunity to apply interdisciplinary knowledge to investing.
In practical terms, he explains that when devising an investment strategy, he is not just looking at balance sheets and price charts, but also considering several other factors, including central bank policies, trade laws, and political shifts. This holistic view is what drew him in and, according to him, it still keeps him passionate about this field.
Shaping of a Remarkable Leader
Transitioning from the “legal world to the heart of finance” was a pivotal moment in Ahmed’s career. He began his professional journey at Hunton & Williams LLP, a law firm. He then moved to Credit Suisse, an investment bank and financial services company, before joining what would become Insigneo. Ahmed still remembers the steep learning curve when he became a trader.
“Suddenly, I was in the thick of fast-paced market action, very different from the deliberative pace of legal work,” he recalls.
In 2008, when the financial crisis sparked an economic downturn across the world, Ahmed, then relatively new in his career, witnessed the global market meltdown in real-time. For him, that period was “baptism by fire.” “It taught me two things that have shaped my leadership ever since: humility and resilience,” Ahmed says.
“Humility, because the market has a way of upending even the best-laid schemes,” he explains. “And resilience, because as a leader you have to stay calm and make tough decisions under pressure.” Additionally, he learned to analyze situation quality [?], communicate early with his team, and not panic even when things got chaotic.
For Ahmed, another pivotal moment of his career was in 2018 when he was named Insigneo’s Chief Investment Strategist and later Chief Investment Officer. Being named CIO of the growing company felt like both an honor and a defining challenge to Ahmed. He was responsible not just for making calls on markets, but for building out an entire research and investment framework that others would follow. “This transition from being a great individual contributor to being a leader and vision-setter was profound,” Ahmed says. It shaped him into a leader who believes in sharing a clear strategic vision, empowering experts on the team, and always staying ahead of the curve through innovation.
Geopolitical Analysis Is Second Nature
Geopolitical analysis is almost second nature to Ahmed. Geopolitical insight is also woven into the fabric of Insigneo’s decision process. So, Ahmed often describes his job as connecting the dots between world events and market outcomes.
He believes that markets do not operate in a vacuum. He sees them as an ecosystem influenced by policies and politics across the globe. So, at Insigneo, when they devise a global market view, they layer in geopolitical scenarios. According to Ahmed, they ask questions like, “What if there’s a war between the U.S. and China? Or, “How might Milei upend the decades-old Peronist ruling coalition?” Then they actively do scenario analysis around these hypotheticals. Ahmed explains that it gives them a qualitative edge and context that pure quantitative models might miss. It is one of the reasons why he devotes time each day to reading not just financial news but political and economic news from around the world.
Game-Changing Innovations
Ahmed is particularly proud of the development of their proprietary recession indicator. A few years ago, he spearheaded a project to create a data-driven model that could signal the probability of a recession on the horizon. He and his team pulled in decades of economic data, everything from yield curves to employment figures, and used advanced analytics — even some machine learning techniques — to build this tool. “The result was a sort of early warning system for macroeconomic risk,” Ahmed says. “This has been a game-changer for us.”
It gave them objective, quantifiable insights into when to dial risk down or back up. This transformed how they manage portfolios. Ahmed explains that if the indicator starts flashing red, then they know to get more defensive, raise a bit more cash, or rotate into more recession-resilient assets.
Another innovation he is proud of is the integration of machine learning and data science more broadly into their research workflow and portfolio management. Ahmed shares that they have developed algorithms that scan prices to detect patterns that might not be immediately obvious. “By introducing these tools,” he adds, “I encouraged the team to marry human insight with quantitative analysis.”
A Set of Ambitious Goals
As the CIO, Ahmed has zeroed in on a set of “bold goals” for Insigneo. One is to transform the way they leverage technology for scalability and performance. He believes the future of investment and management depends on a synergy to fully integrate. So, a top ambition of his is to fully integrate AI and machine learning into their investment process in a way that materially enhances outcomes for their clients.
“We’re already using data science in pockets,” Ahmed says, “but I envision an Insigneo where many routine analyses, from risk monitoring to opportunity scouting, are augmented by intelligent algorithms.” This, however, does not mean handing the keys to robots. Ahmed explains that it is about making AI a powerful ally to crunch vast datasets and identify patterns in seconds – patterns that a human might miss.
He intends to create a more robust AI-driven platform. The platform will be capable of running 10,000 portfolio simulations overnight based on the day’s news, or flag subtle shifts in market sentiment in real-time. “This will make our decision-making process faster, more informed, and more precise,” Ahmed says, “In terms of scalability, as we implement these tools, we can scale our services to more clients and more markets without sacrificing quality.”
Insigneo already serves many international clients, especially across Latin America. Now, they plan to grow their global presence beyond the U.S. and Latin America. Ahmed says, “Scaling up means dealing with more complexity.” He expects AI and efficient processes to help them manage complexities while maintaining the personalized, high-touch service they are known for.
“Essentially, I want us to be a boutique with big capabilities,” Ahmed says. In a few years, he wants them to be recognized not just for strong performance but also as a leader in adopting new technologies and methodologies in the industry. “It’s an ambitious target,” Ahmed admits, but then he has always believed that if one’s goals don’t challenge them, they are not big enough.
“And knowing the fantastic team and resources we have,” Ahmed says, “I’m confident we can get there.”
Financial Trends Shaping Global Investing Future
The AI revolution is poised to be the defining force in the next decade of investing. Ahmed says, “We’re at the dawn of what I believe is a major technological paradigm shift.” He notes that AI and machine learning are already changing how industries operate and how decisions are made.
The adoption of AI has the potential to significantly boost productivity across sectors and drive profound growth. According to Ahmed, for markets, this trend could create new winners and losers. He expects companies that harness AI effectively to gain a significant competitive edge. “On the flip side, companies or even entire workforces will need to adapt or risk obsolescence,” says Ahmed.
Beyond AI, he also sees trends like shifting demographics — aging developed populations vs. youthful emerging markets — as critical. But if he is asked to single out one, AI-driven innovation is the disruptor. Ahmed expects it to flatten some playing fields in global investing, in addition to redefining multiple industries. “I think AI will unlock new frontiers of growth that we are only beginning to imagine,” he says.
Personal Passions Influencing Professional Mindset
Outside of finance, Ahmed, a National Member of The Explorer’s Club, has a passion for exploration. He is particularly interested in underwater archeology. For him, his exploration activities are not hobbies, but endeavors that have profoundly influenced how he thinks and works.
His exploration has taught him the value of preparation and risk assessment in a visceral way. “For example, if you’re going to climb a mountain, you plan every aspect – route, gear, the weather windows – and consider the risks and how to mitigate them,” he explains. “That meticulous planning and respect for risk directly translates to how I approach building an investment portfolio or strategizing for an uncertain market environment.” Ahmed leaves as little to chance as possible. He always has contingency plans, just like he would on an expedition.
Ahmed has also learned to be adaptable and resilient. When exploring a shipwreck underwater, one has to adjust calmly and methodically to sudden changes. Things can change in an instant in markets too. “You can chart a course, Ahmed says, “but you must be ready to adapt when the currents shift.”
“My dive training taught me to stay cool under pressure — literally and figuratively — which is invaluable on days when markets are in turmoil,” he adds.
Exploration gives him a “huge dose of perspective and curiosity” as well. He says that when he is standing on a high alpine summit or discovering relics on the ocean floor, he can’t help but feel a sense of wonder. It reminds him how vast the world is and how much there is to learn. Ahmed brings that same curiosity into his work.
“Being an explorer has also made me comfortable with the unknown,” he says. He points out that in underwater archaeology, one might spend days searching murky waters with no guarantee of a big find. He draws a parallel between the patience and long-term perseverance required in underwater exploration and the patience needed in long-horizon investing. “You don’t always get instant gratification,” Ahmed says. “You have to stick with a good strategy through the ups and downs, trusting that the discovery (or returns) will come with time and diligence.”
And Ahmed believes that his passions make him a better storyteller and communicator. He often uses examples from his adventures when talking to colleagues or clients. “So, in many ways, my personal passions aren’t separate from my professional life,” Ahmed says. “They’re a wellspring of lessons and inspiration.”
“They keep my thinking fresh and my spirit resilient, which I believe ultimately benefits the people we manage money for,” he adds.
Advice for Young Professionals
“Become a student of the world, not just finance” is Ahmed’s first piece of advice for young professionals aspiring to become CIOs in the finance industry. He says that a CIO’s role is “incredibly interdisciplinary,” and anyone aspiring to become one must understand a bit of everything, including economics, politics, psychology, and technology. He encourages them to cultivate curiosity and keep learning. “Each new skill or insight is a tool in your toolkit,” Ahmed says.
“Seek mentors and mentors” is his third piece of advice. He “pluralizes” that because one might have different mentors for different aspects of one’s career.
A CIO often makes decisions under uncertainty. So, Ahmed wants young professionals to develop their decision-making framework and temperament. “Lastly, be prepared for a non-linear career path,” he says. “You might imagine a straight climb, but opportunities can come from unexpected directions.”
“And remember, leadership isn’t about a title,” he adds. “You can lead from whatever seat you’re in by taking initiative, showing integrity, and being a team player. Do that consistently, and you’ll get noticed.”
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This discussion is for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as an offer or solicitation to provide any investment advice. Brokerage products and services are offered through Insigneo Securities, LLC, a broker-dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and member of FINRA and SIPC. Investment advisory products and services are offered through Insigneo Advisory Services, LLC, an investment adviser registered with the SEC. For additional information, please visit www.insigneo.com