Mark Serafini
With over 20 years of buy-side institutional investment experience, I have designed, implemented, and managed hedge fund strategies that enhance portfolio diversification. My expertise spans positively skewed trading approaches, including options volatility and tail-hedging, discretionary and systematic global macro, and managed futures. I have a strong track record of generating uncorrelated alpha and extensive experience utilizing derivatives (options, futures, forwards and swaps) for both risk management and absolute return.
My Story
Mark recounts his journey from Weymouth, Massachusetts, to Wall Street, highlighting his early passions for surfing, skateboarding, and risk-taking. He discusses his education at Babson College, where he honed critical thinking skills, and his career path through Hawaii, San Francisco, Singapore (Refco), and ultimately New York. There, he worked for firms like Spear, Leeds & Kellogg, Bear Wagner, and Weiss Multi-Strategy Advisors. He reflects on lessons from mentors such as John Mulheren, Larry Benedict, and Vic Niederhofer.
Career Path
Background in derivatives trading, quantitative analysis, and macro strategy. Nearly three decades of experience across proprietary trading, hedge funds, and financial education.
Founder/Lead Instructor – SteepGreeks
(Jan 2024 – Present)
Established an online Equity Options training academy, teaching both basic and advanced concepts. This role highlights your expertise in options trading and mentorship.
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Portfolio Manager/Quant Analyst – Paradox Capital Management, Inc.
(Jan 2012 – Present)
Founded a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA) firm specializing in portfolio hedging and risk management strategies, showcasing long-term experience in quantitative and derivatives-focused strategies.
Sub-PM/Quant Analyst – Weiss Multi-Strategy Advisers LLC
(Jan 2008 – Oct 2011)
Co-managed a quantitative macro strategy using consensus-based models and proprietary approaches in a multi-strategy hedge fund environment.
Trader/Macro Analyst – Zpoint Advisors LP
(May 2006 – Sep 2007)
Analyzed G10 macro markets to identify divergences between expectations and actual market behavior, focusing on macroeconomic trends and global trading strategies.
Equity Derivatives Research & Trading (Proprietary Trading) – NYSE Specialist Firms
(Jun 1997 – Dec 2005)
Spent eight years in equity derivatives trading and research, dealing with market-making and proprietary strategies, establishing a solid foundation in options, volatility, and structured products.