Press Room

Boston, MA – May 26, 2026 – Nicsa today announced the speaker lineup for the 2026 Fearless Leadership Symposium (FLS), taking place June 16–17, 2026, at PwC’s offices in New York City. The event brings together influential executives and emerging leaders from across the asset and wealth management industry to explore how firms can strengthen talent strategies, engage broader audiences, and integrate inclusive leadership into today’s most pressing business priorities — including AI adoption and workforce transformation.

The 2026 Fearless Leadership Symposium also marks the first major North American event under the newly unified Inclusion in Finance brand, following the alignment of The Diversity Project North America, UK, and Europe under a shared global identity and five-year vision focused on advancing inclusion and cognitive diversity across financial services. The collaboration reflects a broader industry commitment to building more inclusive cultures that strengthen decision-making, leadership, innovation, and long-term business performance.

This year’s program features leaders from organizations including Morgan Stanley, Allspring Global Investments, PwC, EY, State Street, Fidelity, HSBC Asset Management, Janus Henderson Investors, MFS, Natixis, Gravity Research, and ABC News.

“This year’s Fearless Leadership Symposium brings together leaders who are shaping the future of talent, innovation, and leadership across the asset and wealth management industry,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Nicsa. “The conversations at FLS are designed to equip firms with practical strategies to navigate change, foster engagement, and drive long-term business success.”

Featured speakers include senior executives and thought leaders driving conversations around AI, talent strategy, cognitive diversity, and the future of leadership in financial services:

• Kate Burke, CEO, Allspring Global Investments
• Mandell Crawley, Executive Vice President & Chief Client Officer, Morgan Stanley
• Baroness Helena Morrissey DBE, Chair, Inclusion in Finance UK
• Byron Pitts, Anchor & Chief National Correspondent, ABC News

A cornerstone of the event is Nicsa’s Rising Stars Awards Ceremony, which recognizes emerging leaders making meaningful contributions across the asset and wealth management industry. The program highlights professionals who are advancing innovation, fostering inclusive workplace cultures, and helping organizations better position themselves for the future. Roslyn Brooks, Principal, Government, Regulatory Affairs & Public Policy, PwC, will officiate this year’s Rising Stars ceremony, celebrating the next generation of leaders helping shape the future of the industry. Rising Stars participants will also take part in a dedicated leadership panel focused on what next-generation talent needs to thrive, offering attendees firsthand perspectives on engagement, retention, leadership development, and evolving workforce expectations.

Additional speakers for the 2026 Fearless Leadership Symposium include:

• Anthony Almanzar, Vice President & Head of Latin America Product at State Street Corporation
• Diana Blaney, Sr. Director, Product Management & Client Relations at SS&C Technologies 
• Liz Carrigan, VP of Inclusion and Belonging, Natixis
• Megan Handa, Quantitative Equity Analyst, Fidelity
• Demesha Hill, Head of Diversity & Community Relations, Janus Henderson Investors
• Isabel Mignone, Growth & Deployment Lead, Aaru
• Sameer Munshi, Head of AI Simulation & Behavioral Science, EY
• Terrence O’Toole, SVP, Senior Relationship Manager, BNY Investments
• Nayali Quezada, AVP, Institutional Client & Sales Management, HSBC Asset Management (USA) Inc.
• Byron Slosar, Founder & CEO, hellohive
• Kathy Stelter, Retired Financial Services Professional, formerly at SS&C
• Kendall VanHoose, Chief Strategy Officer & Senior Vice President, Advisory Services, Gravity Research
• Alfonzo Willoughby, Sr. Manager, ICS Risk and Compliance, Broadridge

The 2026 symposium will focus on actionable leadership strategies that help firms:

• Integrate inclusive leadership into AI and business transformation initiatives
• Strengthen talent retention and leadership development
• Engage employees beyond the “usual audience” to drive broader organizational impact
• Build cognitively diverse teams that improve decision-making and innovation
• Align leadership, culture, and business performance in a rapidly evolving environment

To learn more and register, visit:
https://nicsa.org/fls-2026/

About Inclusion in Finance (formerly the Diversity Project)

Inclusion in Finance is a cross-company initiative working to accelerate progress toward a more inclusive, high-performing finance industry. Operating across North America, the UK, and Europe, it brings together firms from major financial centers.

Its mission is to reshape the finance industry to achieve better outcomes — underpinned by the twin foundations of inclusion and cognitive diversity to power robust decision-making and long-term business success.

Inclusion in Finance spans the breadth of the finance industry, including asset owners, investment managers, fund selectors, pension consultants, actuaries, trustees, wealth managers, investment banks, and professional standards and trade bodies. Through educational events, research, advocacy, collaboration, and best-practice resources, the initiative supports firms in strengthening leadership, talent pipelines, and inclusive cultures that benefit clients, employees, member firms, and shareholders alike.

Websites:

• North America: www.nicsa.org/inclusion-in-finance
• UK: www.inclusioninfinance.com
• Europe: www.inclusioninfinanceeurope.com

About Nicsa

Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to connecting all facets of the asset and wealth management industry to advance collaboration, leadership, and education. Through events, communities, and thought leadership initiatives, Nicsa helps firms navigate industry transformation and drive meaningful progress.

Press Contact:
Allison Lovett
Vice President, Content & Communications
Nicsa
[email protected]