The WealthStack Podcast

The WealthStack Podcast


The WealthStack Podcast: Why Direct Indexing is The Future of Investing with Patrick Shaddow

August 09, 2024

When it comes to direct indexing, adoption and understanding has historically lagged because the tools were not readily available to advisors, and/or they were not intuitive to use. The evolution of direct indexing is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in the investment management industry, driven by technological innovation and the changing needs of investors. It offers financial advisors a way to differentiate themselves by providing unique, personalized portfolio constructions that cannot be easily replicated by competitors.


In this special episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Patrick Shaddow, President & CEO of Syntax Data, about why direct indexing is set to transform the investment landscape.


Shannon and Patrick also discuss:



  • The benefit for advisors to create their own indices
  • Why the industry is at a tipping point with direct indexing and the technology behind it
  • How Syntax helps advisors and their clients navigate the complexities of ESG investing
  • What’s up with Texas?

Connect with Shannon Rosic:



Connect with Patrick Shaddow



About Our Guest:


Patrick Shaddow has been engaged in all aspects of indexation for over 15 years. He has worked directly with a wide range of financial institutions on index development, index production, data acquisition and dissemination, business development, and index marketing and promotion.


Patrick joined Syntax in September 2021 as President with a mandate to organize the company’s internal structure, scale up its operational resources, and commercialize its unique intellectual property. As President, Patrick initiated data sales and licensing processes with a wide range of financial intermediaries, providing clear “proof of concept” for roll-out plans.


Prior to joining Syntax, Patrick served as Head of Index Operations at S-Network Global Indexes, where he led a team of 20 professionals. At S-Net, Patrick oversaw the development and daily production of over 350 indexes, including approximately 100 indexes licensed to serve as the basis for financial products holding over $30 billion in assets under management. Patrick also oversaw the development of S-Net’s index production and distribution platform and the technology infrastructure that supported it. He negotiated and managed the company’s data licenses and entitlements, working closely with a range of providers including Refinitiv, Bloomberg, FactSet, the NYSE, and others. Patrick participated in the 100% equity sale of S-Net to a private equity company in 2020 and was a member of the management team of Alerian/S-Network until July of 2021.


Prior to joining S-Network, Patrick worked as an index analyst at Dow Jones Indexes. He is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Business with a concentration in management information systems. Patrick is married with three children.