Welcome to Exponential—a family office podcast presented by 2^n. In each episode, we explore investment themes, insights from industry experts, and member spotlights from within the 2^n network—designed to help you stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.
Kyle Shoemaker
Kyle Shoemaker is the Senior Director and Chief Compliance Officer at Fifth Avenue Family Office, where he plays a central role in helping multigenerational entrepreneurial families navigate the complexities of managing significant net worth. With deep expertise in closely held businesses, investment portfolio design, estate and tax planning coordination, and due diligence across both real estate and alternative investments, Kyle is known for "quarterbacking" the day-to-day execution that supports long-term family continuity and success.
In addition to his leadership at Fifth Avenue, Kyle serves in a senior advisory role to a single-family office, where he helps steward the family’s legacy through investment oversight, M&A-related liquidity planning, and cross-generational education. This dual-lens perspective—across both multi- and single-family office environments—shapes his collaborative, relationship-centered approach to managing growth, transition, and governance.
Kyle began his career at Fidelity Investments, where he spent nearly a decade gaining broad exposure across the trade desk, private wealth management, and client advisory. His time there affirmed his passion for working more intimately with families and laid the foundation for his transition to the family office space.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in finance and economics from Elon University, where he also played on the men’s lacrosse team.
Brett Kaplan
Brett Kaplan is a Vice President of Investments at Kloof Capital, where he plays a central role in the single-family office’s real estate strategy. With deep experience in real estate development, asset management and investment, Brett handles the day-to-day management and execution of existing holdings and future allocations.
Prior to joining Kloof Capital, Brett held senior roles at two prominent New York City-based real estate development firms. Most recently, he was at Extell Development, where he helped acquire, develop and operate several million square feet of real estate across the city valued at $5bn+.
Brett graduated from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and received a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from New York University. Brett lives with his wife and three children in Manhattan.
Episode #009:
Fireside Chat — W5 Group
In this spotlight episode, Kyle Shoemaker of Fifth Avenue Family Office and Matt Burskey, founder of 2^n (filling in for Brett Kaplan), welcome Celine Winter, NextGen Principal, and Ryan Munoz, CEO & CIO of Miami-based W5 Group. The 2^n member family office has built a transatlantic platform around innovative niche residential real estate, across Europe and the United States. Celine shares the firm’s 2009 origin story in Zug, Switzerland—founded by her father with early conviction in then-non-mainstream sectors like student housing and micro-apartments—while discussing her journey as a NextGen Principal.
Ryan outlines his path to CEO/CIO, the firm’s deliberate residential focus, market gaps identified during U.S. expansion, current investment priorities, and early integration of AI for due diligence, property management, and analytics.
Episode #008:
Vendor Spotlight – Bay Tax
In this episode of Exponential, hosts Kyle Shoemaker (Fifth Avenue Family Office) and guest host Matt Burskey (filling in for Brett Kaplan) spotlight Brian Yormark, Partner at BAY TAX—a key 2^n vendor unlocking advanced tax strategies for family offices amid 2025's One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) changes like 100% bonus depreciation reinstatement, full R&D expensing, and potential capital gains rate drops to 15% with inflation indexing. Dive into high-impact tactics: cost segregation for turbocharging real estate cash flow (with real-world surprises and compliance tips), research tax credits as overlooked gems for operating companies (including retroactive 2022-2024 refunds), and capital gains deferral for seamless liquidity events—all preserving wealth without disrupting investments, tailored for multi-generational portfolios.
Episode #007:
Fireside Chat – Ben Slome
In this episode, Kyle Shoemaker and Matt Burskey (filling in for Brett Kaplan) interview Ben Slome, managing partner of Slome Capital and a 2^n Member, discussing the family's legacy, investment strategies, and the evolution of their family office. Ben shares insights on the importance of family values, the decision-making process in investments, and the transition to launching New Vintage Partners, focusing on liquidity solutions in the secondary markets. The conversation highlights the competitive landscape of family offices and the unique opportunities available in venture and growth investments.
Episode #006:
Fireside Chat – Jason Kozin
On this episode of Exponential, Kyle Shoemaker (with guest host Matt Burskey stepping in for Brett Kaplan) sits down with Jason Kozin for a three-act ride: from his grandfather’s single copper scrap yard built on grit to Fulton’s current edge buying and building founder-run industrial businesses that most private equity can’t touch.
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Episode #005:
Sports as an Emerging Trend
On this episode of Exponential, hosts Brett Kaplan and Kyle Shoemaker explore sports investing with guests Vosa Ayisire (Palm Drive Associates), Marley Hughes (Magnolia Hill Partners), and David Abrams (Velocity Capital Management). Learn why family offices are targeting this $623 billion market for team ownership, sports-anchored real estate, and high-margin ventures, delivering diversification, cultural impact, and strong returns.
Episode #004:
Energy Investing
In this episode of Exponential, hosts Kyle Shoemaker and Brett Kaplan explore the dynamic world of energy investments for family offices, focusing on oil and gas mineral rights and the future of energy demand. Expert Jesse Kimball from Windswept Capital breaks down the appeal of mineral rights as a stable, yield-generating asset with tax advantages and inflation-hedging potential, while Max Bastien from JFG Family Office highlights opportunities in natural gas, midstream infrastructure, and the roles of coal, renewables, and nuclear. Together, they offer a roadmap for family offices to diversify portfolios by blending tangible, multi-generational assets with growth-driven energy investments.
Episode #003:
Secondaries
Discover why family offices are flocking to the secondaries market in this captivating episode of The Exponential Podcast by 2^n, where experts Blake Halperin (Partner at Proskauer Rose LLP) and Daniel Wedman (Senior VP of Sopris Capital & 2^n member) reveal how secondary investments offer liquidity, diversification, and attractive entry points, particularly in real estate. Learn how 2^n’s Deal Marketplace empowers family offices to seize co-investment opportunities and navigate this market.
Episode #002:
Data Center Investing
Hosts Brett Kaplan and Kyle Shoemaker examine the rapidly growing data center investment landscape, offering tailored insights for family offices seeking high-growth opportunities. Featuring Brandon Colón (Chief Investment Officer at Battery Global Advisors) and Christopher Garvey (Director at Winter Properties), The discussion covers the evolution of digital infrastructure investments, strategies for selecting operators, the importance of relationships in deal sourcing, and the challenges posed by power and zoning regulations. The guests share insights on market demand, technological risks, and the impact of recent regulatory changes. They also highlight investment opportunities for family offices and the lessons learned from their experiences in the data center space.
Episode #001:
Launching 'Exponential'
Hosts Brett and Kyle sit down with Matt Burskey (Founder of 2^n) to uncover the origin story and reveal exciting hints about the firm's bold future. Then, in a dynamic twist, the co-hosts turn the mic on each other, diving deep into the investment strategies driving Kloof Capital and Fifth Avenue. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the trends shaping their portfolios right now!