Featured Allocator | Imari Bramlett of Catalyst Partners
EAA: How did you find your way to being an LP?
Imari: My interest in the allocator space developed from my time as an investment intern at the University of Missouri System Endowment Fund. After being mentored by seasoned investment professionals in the allocator world, my eyes opened to the range of career opportunities that were available to me that were not traditionally marketed at my University (Big 4 accounting firms were more of a focus). After this experience, I stayed patient and the opportunity presented itself to be the first investment analyst at Catalyst Partners.
EAA: Tell us more about your organization. What’s its origin story and core mission?
Imari: Catalyst Partners is a Registered Investment Advisor that identifies world-class debut private equity managers. The firm is part of Moelis Asset Management, an $8B alternative asset manager. We evolved from our experience with Archean Capital, raising and investing over $500M across six seed deals from 2017-2022. Supporting talented investors and helping them grow is what we do.
EAA: What are you currently looking to invest in? / What are you excited about?
Imari: At Catalyst, we’re primarily focused on backing first-time or emerging managers raising sub-$500M funds, typically in the lower middle market buyout and growth space, with a strong preference for teams that have real attribution and prior investing experience together. Given today’s liquidity-constrained LP environment, we think disciplined managers with a narrow strike zone, strong sourcing networks, and a clear DPI orientation are particularly well positioned, and that’s where we’re spending the majority of our time.
EAA: When you meet a new GP, what are you subconsciously looking for in the first 10 minutes?
Imari: I’m assessing clarity, ownership, and self-awareness. Can they clearly articulate their strategy and define their strike zone without buzzwords? Do they demonstrate real attribution rather than leaning on a prior firm’s brand? I’m also evaluating temperament. Are they thoughtful about risk and honest about mistakes? Fund I managers don’t need perfection, but they do need discipline, humility, and a coherent edge. If those show up early, it’s usually a strong signal.
EAA: Where will real alpha come from over the next decade?
Imari: Alpha will increasingly come from operational value creation and disciplined capital deployment in less efficient areas, particularly the lower middle market. With higher rates and more crowded large-cap markets, multiple expansion and financial engineering will matter less. Managers who can source proprietary deals, underwrite conservatively, and drive operational improvement through specialization will outperform. Focus and execution will matter more than brand.
EAA: What’s something you believe about investing that most other LPs would disagree with?
Imari: Manager selection matters more than vintage year or macro timing, especially in the lower middle market. While a lot of LPs anchor heavily to cycles, pacing models, and top-down allocation frameworks, I think a truly exceptional Fund I team with a narrow strike zone and real sourcing edge can outperform across cycles. I also think LPs sometimes overweight brand and underweight hunger. Emerging managers often have sharper focus, stronger alignment, and more to prove, which can drive better underwriting discipline and DPI over time.
EAA: If you could live anywhere where would you live?
Imari: I currently live in Chicago and genuinely love the city, so it would take something significant to pull me away. That said, if I were ever to move, it would likely be somewhere with a warmer, more consistent climate year-round.
EAA: What’s the best way to get in touch with you?
Imari: You can contact me at imari.bramlett@moelisam.com and I will reply to your email as quickly as possible.