Stamford, CT - January 30, 2026 - Shane Kinahan, Principal and Investment Manager at Lake Avenue Capital, is speaking out on what he believes is a silent but growing risk in today’s investment landscape: the erosion of human judgment in a world overwhelmed by speed, automation, and short-term thinking.
“Good investing doesn’t just move money — it moves outcomes,” Kinahan says. “But too often, we confuse movement with progress.”
Drawing from more than two decades of experience, including years as a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, Kinahan is advocating for a return to fundamental practices that foster clarity and resilience — especially in the alternative investment and private capital space.
The Case for Slowing Down
According to a 2024 CFA Institute study, 68% of asset managers say automation has improved efficiency — but only 29% believe it has improved judgment. Kinahan agrees. “Technology processes data,” he says. “But judgment — that’s still human. And that’s what separates a good investor from a great one.”
His concern isn’t with technology itself, but with how it’s used.
“Automation should inform decisions, not make them,” he explains. “Otherwise, we risk confusing complexity for depth.”
A Call for Weekly Reflection and Simpler Thinking
As an investor known for navigating complexity in class action claims and alternative assets, Kinahan advocates for practices that keep investors grounded. One such practice? A weekly review.
“Every Friday, I spend one hour with a notebook,” he shares. “No screens. I ask: What moved the needle? What didn’t? And what should I rethink next week?”
Kinahan also encourages professionals to simplify how they frame investment ideas. “If you can’t explain an investment in one paragraph,” he says, “you probably don’t understand it.”
This push for simplicity isn’t just stylistic — it’s strategic. A Harvard Business Review analysis found that concise investment theses led to more sustainable outcomes, especially in volatile markets.
Investing with Purpose, Not Just Performance
For Kinahan, investing must also reflect purpose. “Returns matter,” he says, “but so does the impact of those returns. Are we creating stability? Are we opening opportunities? If not, what are we doing?”
He applies this philosophy to his work at Lake Avenue Capital, where the focus is on areas that are often misunderstood or overlooked — from class action recovery to nuanced alternative plays. “I’m drawn to imperfection,” he explains. “Because where others see inefficiency, I see opportunity.”
What You Can Do on Your Own
Kinahan isn’t calling for sweeping reforms or new apps. Instead, he encourages individuals — whether in finance or beyond — to take small, consistent steps:
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Carve out time to reflect weekly. One hour of honest review beats days of reactive work.
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Explain your decisions simply. If you can't explain it clearly, reconsider.
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Model ideas backwards. Start with what could go wrong — not just what could go right.
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Prioritize judgment. Use tools, but don’t hand over your thinking to them.
About Shane Kinahan
Shane Kinahan is a Principal and Investment Manager at Lake Avenue Capital, LLC in Stamford, Connecticut. A former Vice President at Goldman Sachs, he brings a disciplined yet flexible approach to investment strategy, particularly in the areas of alternative assets and class action claims. He is known for his analytical rigor, calm leadership, and belief in mentorship, purpose, and long-term thinking.
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Email: shanekinahan@emaildn.com
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