For all attendees.

The following committees will be meeting in person at the SLF. All attendees are welcome to sit in on any committee session to learn more.

Digital Assets Committee Meeting
International Committee
Product & Distribution Committee Meeting
Technology Committee Meeting
UIT Committee Meeting
Fund Administration Committee Meeting
Private Markets Committee Meeting
Rising Stars Session
SMA & Model Portfolios Committee Meeting

For Board members only. 

Nicsa Chairman: Clint Harris, Executive VP & Head of Wealth Management Platforms,  Invesco

A legendary presence behind one of America’s most beloved television shows, Lindsay
Shookus is a seven-time Emmy award-winning producer who, for 20 years, worked as a
veteran producer for Saturday Night Live. During her tenure, as both producer and head
of the talent department, Shookus helped engineer the show’s success from booking
and managing celebrity hosts and musical guests, to scouting rising stars to join the
show’s ranks. She played a pivotal role in launching the careers of household names,
including Kristin Wiig and Kate McKinnon — cementing her reputation for having a
sharp eye for talent within the entertainment industry. Shookus speaks to her own
experiences to lead an on-stage masterclass on personal transformation, building
connections, and embracing life’s obstacles on the road to overcoming them.

Featured Speaker:
Lindsay Shookus, Legendary Saturday Night Live Producer

A hard-hitting look at how U.S. policy shifts, interest rates, and inflation risks shaped the global economy—and what it all means for volatility, elections, and the road ahead.

Featured Speaker:
Mike Dembro, Lead Investment Strategist at MFS Investment Management

For all attendees.

A concrete view of how wealth managers move from today’s fragmented, manual private-markets workflow to a scalable, compliant, digital operating model—using existing firms, not vaporware.

Featured Speaker:
Dave Hendricks, CEO and Founder, Vertalo
Cash Lafferty, CEO, PandoAlts

 

Stablecoins, tokenization, and digital assets are reshaping product design and distribution. Learn how evolving attitudes could redefine investment strategies and client expectations.

Featured Speaker:
Don Friedman, CEO, Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals (DACFP)

From direct indexing and dual-share-class ETFs to the rise of alternative investments, innovative retirement solutions, and blockchain technology, emerging structures and trends are redefining wealth management. Cutting-edge technology and increased personalization are transforming the client experience—but not without risk. This session will explore how the industry can balance innovation with collaboration to create a smarter, more connected financial ecosystem and build the wealth platform of tomorrow.

Speakers:
Moderator: Neil Bathon, Managing Partner of FUSE Research Network
Marc Dextraze, Managing Director, Head of Traditional Investment Products, Morgan Stanley
Stephen Patrickakos, Head of Managed Investments, Bank of America / Merrill Lynch
Russ Tipper, Principal, Edward Jones

Unpack the seismic changes in SEC priorities—what’s changed, what’s coming, and how to stay ahead of compliance challenges.

Featured Speaker:
Elad Roisman, Partner and Former Commissioner and Acting Chairman of the SEC

 

Private investing, 401(k)s, and digital tools are reshaping client expectations. Explore how innovation is transforming retirement strategies and outcomes.

Confirmed Speakers:
Moderator: Ken Munro, SVP, National Sales, Empower
Jeremy France, Head of Institutional Consulting Solutions and Co-Head of OCIO, Morgan Stanley
Shawn O’Brien, Head of Retirement Insights, Data & Analytics, Broadridge
Carrie Schroen, Head of the US DC Intermediary Business within BlackRock's Retirement Group, BlackRock

A rapid-fire tech spotlight on how automation is revolutionizing Collective Investment Trusts and scaling them for tomorrow’s investors.

Featured Speaker: 
Chris Bailey, Director, Retirement, Cerulli Associates

 

The Nicsa Gives Back Golf Tournament will take place on Tuesday, February 24 in conjunction with Nicsa's 2026 Strategic Leadership Forum. The tournament is taking place on the Soffer Course at Turnberry Isle Country Club located on property at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, with a 1:00 pm shotgun start & scramble format.

We are proud to continue our “Nicsa Gives Back” initiative, supporting fantastic organizations like the Expect Miracles Foundation through grants from the Nicsa Philanthropy Fund.

Click here to purchase a foursome to play in the golf tournament. 

 

Join us for the exclusive Future of the Industry Networking Reception, a private gathering for Nicsa Rising Stars and Next Gen professionals to connect, collaborate, and enjoy a cocktail. The reception is invite only.

Thank you to SS&C for sponsoring the reception. 

 

ETF growth—across active, semi-transparent, thematic strategies and dual share class structures—is reshaping servicing and operational models for asset managers. This session examines how ETF expansion and the emergence of mutual fund – ETF dual share class portfolios are changing data, servicing, and operational requirements, and how firms are adapting to support scale, speed, and accuracy. Panelists will discuss key differences between ETF and mutual fund servicing, highlight dual share class nuances, and common operational challenges, and priorities for supporting the next phase of ETF growth.

Key Takeaways:
- How ETF growth is reshaping servicing, operations, and data requirements
- Key differences between ETF and mutual fund servicing models, including dual share class implications
- Operational challenges driven by product proliferation, active ETFs, and new wrappers
- What firms should prioritize now to support future ETF growth at scale

Speakers:
Laura Steinbach, Americas Head of Investment Manager Segment, Asset Servicing, BNY (Moderator)
Bob Humbert, Global ETF Product Head, Asset Servicing, BNY
Additional speakers TBC

From back-office efficiencies to client engagement breakthroughs, explore how AI is transforming roles, workflows, and the industry ecosystem.

Speakers:
Moderator: Judy Nelson, Chief Operating Officer - SS&C Technologies Retirement Services
Joe Olivier, General Manager, Head of Business Transformation, SS&C
Morgan Page, Partner, Digital Transformation and Automation Services, Weaver

A fast-paced briefing on defending firms and clients from evolving cyber risks, fraud schemes, and AI-driven scams.

Featuring a special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

 

A powerhouse executive panel tackles the most urgent macro forces shaping asset and wealth management—and what’s next for the industry.

Speakers:
Moderator: Tyler Mathisen, Former CNBC Anchor & Correspondent 
Ed Murphy, President & CEO, Empower
Cathie Wood, CEO & CIO, ARK Invest