Michael Gates, CFA, is the Head of Model Portfolio Solutions in the Americas for BlackRock's Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions group and is the lead portfolio manager for BlackRock's Target Allocation and Target Income Series of Managed Portfolios.

Michael’s service with BlackRock dates back to 2009, where he served as part of the Multi-Asset Strategies group, as well as BlackRock's Global Trading group. From 1999 to 2009, Michael worked for Barclays Global Investors (BGI), which merged with BlackRock in 2009, in a variety of research roles, focused on fixed income and alternative investment strategies. Previously Michael worked as an analyst responsible for equity risk models at Barra.

Michael earned his M.S. in Economics from the University of California, Davis, and a B.S., with honors, from the University of California, Davis.

Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions (MASS) meets client demand for active asset allocation strategies and whole portfolio solutions through funds, model portfolios, and more. MASS draws on the toolkit of BlackRock's index, factor, and alpha-seeking capabilities to deliver cutting-edge insights and investment outcomes.

Lisa O'Connor, Managing Director, is the Global Head of Model Portfolio Solutions and the Deputy CIO for Solutions. The Multi-Asset Strategies & Solutions (MASS) team is the investment group at the heart of BlackRock's portfolio construction, asset allocation, and active management ecosystem. MASS draws on the full toolkit of BlackRock's index, factor, and alpha-seeking investment capabilities to deliver precise investment outcomes and cutting-edge alpha insights. MASS constructs active asset allocation strategies and whole portfolio solutions across a wide spectrum of commingled funds, separate accounts, model portfolios, and outsourcing solutions in the wealth and institutional channels.

Prior to joining BlackRock in April 2017 - Ms. O'Connor served as the Head of Global Portfolio Management for SSGA's Global Macro fund. The fund utilized both proprietary quantitative and fundamental strategies for alpha generation.

Before SSGA - Ms. O'Connor was at Mellon Capital Management for fourteen years where she worked extensively in the development and management of quantitative investment strategies. Her last role at Mellon Capital was leading the active fixed income team, with investment strategies ranging from hedge funds to actively managed ETFs. She served as a Senior Portfolio Manager for both the Mellon Global Opportunity Hedge Fund and the Mellon Global Fixed Income Hedge Fund. Ms. O'Connor was named one of the 50 leading women in hedge funds by the Hedge Fund Journal in 2015.