ALL ABOUT SHANA

Shana Orczyk Sissel—endearingly known in the industry as “The Queen of Alternatives”—is the dynamic founder and CEO of Banríon Capital Management, an innovative financial technology platform empowering independent advisors with scalable alternative investment solutions.

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With over 25 years in the asset and wealth management industry, she launched her career as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, later holding key leadership roles at esteemed firms such as Orion Advisor Solutions, Fidelity Investments, and Mercer. As Director of Investment Due Diligence at Orion, she spearheaded private investment sourcing and implementation. As CIO at Spotlight Asset Group, she managed a $500 million portfolio and developed robust alternative investment strategies.

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In 2007, Shana discovered her passion for alternative investments—a defining moment that charted her professional trajectory. This focus culminated in the creation of Banríon Capital Management in 2022, developed in partnership with innovators Dmitri Alexeev and Jud Mackrill to provide a flexible, open‑architecture platform crafted by advisors for advisors. She also played a pivotal role in launching the Armada ETF Advisors and advising on their inaugural ETF, the Home Appreciation U.S. REIT ETF (HAUS).

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Her industry influence has been widely recognized: named a Top 20 WealthTech CEO by Technology Innovators Magazine in 2025; designated a “Rising Star” by RIA Intel in 2023; and a finalist for Women in Asset Management’s Woman of the Year in 2021. She has introduced notable investment products—including the HAUS ETF, Orion Direct Index SMA, and Mercer Emerging Market Fund—and is an active voice for diversity and innovation through her roles on the Hypatia Capital Advisory Board and as co‑chair of the Women in ETFs Speakers Bureau.

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Shana’s insights regularly feature on major platforms like CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business Network, and the Schwab Network. She holds a BS in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; an MBA from Bentley University’s McCallum School of Business; and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.

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Personal Journey & Advocacy

A first-generation American raised in blue-collar Worcester, Massachusetts, Shana rose against structural adversity—including sexism and ageism in the finance world—to achieve her current stature. She has personally endured and emerged from some of the gravest challenges of our time—including surviving both the 9/11 and Boston Marathon terrorist attacks—and most recently, beating breast cancer.

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These experiences fuel her resilience and inform her mission: she harnesses her story to inspire others, especially women in male-dominated spaces, proving that perseverance and authenticity can forge extraordinary impact. A compelling and charismatic speaker, Shana excels in crafting relatable, empowering messages—an advantage that makes her a sought-after voice at conferences and events.