Jeffrey Alberts is a partner at Pryor Cashman and the head of Pryor Cashman's Financial Institutions Group. Jeffrey was previously a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of New York. He regularly advises clients on regulatory issues relating to cutting edge technology including artificial intelligence and digital assets.
Ramine Bigdeliazari
VP of Product Fidelity Digital Assets
Ramine Bigdeliazari joined Fidelity Digital Assets℠ in 2019. As Product Strategy Lead, Ramine is responsible for defining long-term product vision and continuing expansion of product and service offerings across the digital assets landscape.
Ramine joined Fidelity from Goldman Sachs, as Vice President of Market Solutions, where he led enterprise blockchain efforts across several business lines, including equity derivatives, CDS, and futures, among other strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing post-execution market structure and firm operations.
Prior to Goldman Sachs, Ramine began his career at Deloitte as a Senior Associate in Financial Services Advisory focused on Investment Management and Insurance. Ramine holds an MBA from the McCallum School of Business at Bentley University and a BS in Accounting from Bentley University. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
David Breakstone
Managing Director - Head of GTM for Wealth & Asset Management Salesforce Einstein
David Breakstone leads go-to-market strategy for Salesforce's Wealth and Asset Management division. In this role, he is responsible for driving strategic initiatives, building and prioritizing innovative solutions, and partnering with key clients to help them transform their businesses. With a focus on harnessing the power of AI, Data and Automation, David helps firms unlock new opportunities, accelerate growth and realize greater value from their Salesforce investment.
David brings over 25 years of experience leading complex customer and business transformation initiatives within and Financial Services. He has deep expertise in developing and managing investment programs for High-Net Worth, Affluent and Institutional Investors. Throughout his career, David has remained focused on enhancing the advisor experience and equipping financial professionals with the tools to strengthen client relationships. He holds FINRA licenses 6, 66, 24, 9 and 10.
Greg Cignarella
Head of Americas Tokeny
Accomplished financial services executive and sales leader based in New York, currently serving as Head of Americas at Tokeny, an Apex Group company, and also Director of Digital Assets Sales at Apex. Pror to moving to the fintech space, Greg dedicated over 25 years in Capital Markets, specifically in Fixed Income Sales and Sales Management, specializing in Interest Rates and MBS cash and derivative products.
He is widely recognized for his ability to navigate complex financial products, manage high-performing teams and cultivate strong industry partnerships.
Dave Hendricks
CEO and Founder Vertalo
As one of the first issuers to tokenize RWA - Vertalo’s Series A equity in March of 2018 - Dave Hendricks is the product visionary, CEO, and Founder of Vertalo, one of the largest SEC-registered digital transfer agents and tokenization platforms in the world. In the 8 years since it’s own tokenized RWA, Dave and his team at Vertalo have helped more than 100 client partners around the world issue more than 350 private securities, including issuing 4 billion tokenized shares on the Aptos, Ethereum, and Tezos Blockchains. With over 100k investors onboarded for its issuer clients,, Vertalo is one of the largest providers of shared and on-prem critical infrastructure in the regulated digital assets industry. Vertalo is headquartered in Austin Texas and you can learn more at https://chainenabled.substack.com/ or https://www.vertalo.com/.
Dan Ives
Global Head of Tech Research, Managing Director, Senior Equity Analyst Wedbush Securities
Daniel Ives is a Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst covering the Technology sector at Wedbush Securities since 2018. He also serves as the Global Head of Technology Research at Wedbush. Dan has been a tech analyst on Wall Street for over two decades, covering software and the broader technology landscape.
He began his career as a financial analyst at HBO before earning his MBA in Finance and becoming a globally recognized technology equity research analyst and Managing Director at FBR Capital Markets, where he spent 16 years focusing on enterprise software and hardware sectors—including cybersecurity, cloud computing, big data, and the mobile landscape. A major area of his current research is electric vehicles and disruptive technologies expected to shape the next decade.
Ranjani Iyer
Managing Director, Head of Asset Servicing Transformation and Portfolio Governance BNY
Ranjani Iyer is the Head of Client Activation, Data Delivery and Channels for Fund Services inclusive of the Accounting Platform, Investor Solutions and ETFs. In her current role she works with clients and internal partners on driving a digital first client experience through designing data solutions, enabling client integration and process changes through automation. She has led several change programs delivering value for our large clients including NAV Oversight, AI models, straight through processing improvements, Data and reengineering our core Accounting platforms. She also serves as the AI champion for Fund Services and is on the AI Council providing governance oversight for business implementations.
Previously, Ranjani led the design and build out of the Cyber, Operations and Technology Center (CTOC) at BNY and delivered several digital and data solutions to further our Resiliency capabilities through automation and real time monitoring, differentiating capabilities with clients and Regulators.
Ranjani joined BNY in 2012 and was named Managing Director in 2024. Prior to BNY Ranjani was a management consultant leading Business and Operations transformation and solution design for clients in the Aerospace and Manufacturing sector. She holds a Master’s degree (MBA) in Marketing and an Executive Women in Leadership program certification from Cornell University.
Zack Kass
Futurist, AI Thought Leader, and the Former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI Keynote Speaker
Zack Kass is a futurist, AI thought leader, advisor, keynote speaker, and the former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI. With over 15 years of experience in AI, he has led teams at some of the industry’s most influential companies. As the CEO and founder of ZK.AI Advisory, Zack now works with Fortune 1,000 boardrooms and executive teams—including Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Amgen—to help leaders navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Zack’s mission is to ensure individuals, businesses, and governments are active participants in the AI-powered future by making the technology both understandable and actionable. He is recognized as one of the foremost thinkers in applied AI, with his insights featured in Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, AdAge, and Business Insider.
Previously, as Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, Zack led the teams responsible for sales, partnerships, and customer success, turning the company’s cutting-edge research into real-world business solutions. He has personally advised executives across dozens of industries on deploying AI at scale.
David Kim
Managing Director Morgan Stanley
David is a Managing Director and Head of Product Management for Traditional Investment Products within Wealth Management – Investment Solutions. David is responsible for driving strategic initiatives, business development and overall support for all products including Domestic and Offshore Mutual Funds and ETFs, SMAs, 529 Plans, Money Market Funds, UITs, and CEFs. Previously, David was Head of Product Risk Management within Investment Solutions and responsible for risk oversight over various business units within Wealth Management – Investment Solutions.
David joined Morgan Stanley in 2013. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, David held various roles within audit, accounting, and finance for various financial services firms and PwC.
David graduated from The College of New Jersey with a B.S. and he received his M.B.A. in Accountancy from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College. He is a CPA, has his FINRA Series 7, 4, and 24 licenses, and passed CFA level 1 and 2. He resides in Northern NJ with his wife, and their two children and lovely maltipoo.
Kevin Mahn
President and Chief Investment Officer Hennion & Walsh Asset Management
Kevin Mahn is a leading expert in the investment management industry, currently serving as the President and Chief Investment Officer of Hennion & Walsh Asset Management. He also holds the position of Chief Investment Officer of SmartTrust UITs. Kevin specializes in investment and economic research, as well as portfolio management. He believes that a comprehensive approach to wealth management involves a plan that incorporates investing discipline, appropriate asset allocation, proper diversification, and continuous rebalancing. Kevin emphasizes that goals without plans are merely hopes, underscoring the importance of strategic planning in achieving financial success.
Devin McCune
Vice President Fiduciary Services Broadridge
Devin McCune is Vice President of Board Solutions at Broadridge. In this position Devin oversees Broadridge’s 15(c), Assessment of Value and Pricing Solutions oversight offerings as well as many tools that provide asset managers oversight capabilities. Using the expertise gained over years of working in 15(c) and related board reporting, Devin is able to help boards navigate and digest the contract renewal process and materials. In addition, Devin has been a witness in both litigation and SEC investigations against asset managers.
Tod McKena
Head of Artificial Intelligence Citi
Christopher Millan
Executive Director, Securities Services JP Morgan
Maria Nazareth
Partner, Data Analytics, AI and Gen AI Leader for Financial Services PwC
Maria leads PwC’s AI practice for Financial Services. Maria and her team are focused on helping clients across industries harness the power of AI and data to innovate, optimize, and transform their businesses. With over 20 years of experience in technology and consulting, she is a recognized influencer and ambassador in the global AI community, as well as a frequent speaker and author on AI topics.
Josh Olson
Senior Product Manager, Investment Advisory Edward Jones
Josh Olson leads the Platform Construction team in Investment Advisory at Edward Jones, serves as the portfolio lead for the firm’s Core Wealth Offering, and sits on the WMAS and AI Guiding Body committee. He and his team are responsible for delivery of the future wealth management capabilities for the firm’s advisory business, partnering with stakeholder groups across and outside the organization to ensure on-time delivery of the commercial product pipeline.
Josh began his career at Edward Jones in 2007 as a sell-side analyst, where he ultimately led the team responsible for coverage of the Technology and Communication sector. After twelve years in Research, Josh transitioned to his current role, where his primary focus has been leading the design, development and delivery of foundational capabilities to support the firm's $900 billion advisory platform.
Prior to joining Edward Jones, Josh spent seven years as a senior software engineer, where he developed enterprise solutions for Fortune 500 companies. Josh is a CFA Charterholder, a member of CFA Society of St. Louis, and holds a JD/MBA from St. Louis University.
Tiffani Potesta
Head of Distribution Voya Investment Management
Tiffani Potesta is head of distribution at Voya Investment Management. As head of distribution, she oversees all distribution aspects of Voya’s institutional, insurance and intermediary business, including setting the strategic direction across U.S. and international sales, distribution strategy, product positioning, client service, relationship management and marketing. Tiffani has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the asset management industry. Prior to joining Voya, she held several senior leadership positions at Schroders where she was most recently chief strategy officer, head of distribution. Prior to that, Tiffani was head of DCIO (defined contribution investment only) and third-party insurance channels at DWS Investments. She has also held senior roles at First Eagle Funds and Allianz Global Investors.
Humera Qazi
Managing Director Morgan Stanley
Humera Qazi is a managing director, Head of Wealth Management Operations’ Client Service and Reporting Group (CSRG). In collaboration with WM business partners, CSRG is responsible for developing and executing strategies to deliver world-class service to internal and external Wealth Management clients, and for the successful delivery of client performance reporting, client correspondence and client account statements. In addition, Humera leads the automation and AI agenda for the Wealth Management service, having implemented the Firm’s first Gen AI solution.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Humera was a managing director in KPMG’s Management Consulting practice. Humera is a vocal advocate for diversity in the workplace. She is the co-chair for Morgan Stanley’s Woman’s Business Alliance, the largest employee networking group at the Firm and co-lead Americas D&I for Morgan Stanley Operations before that. At KPMG, Humera served as co-chair of KPMG’s Network of Women for Long Island and launched the ATHENA Awards in the NY region. She is co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Conference for Adelphi University and has served on the board of directors of the Women’s Bond Club.
Apart from women’s leadership initiatives, Humera serves on the board of trustees at her alma mater, Adelphi University, as Chair of the Audit Committee. For over ten years, Humera served on the board of directors for Miracle Corners of the World, an organization dedicated to empowering youth leadership in Africa and around the world.
Michael Sands
Principal, Managing Director Beacon Advisory Partners
Mike is the founder of BeaconAP, a consultancy focused on helping the capital markets industry adopt and scale GenAI. Before founding BeaconAP, Mike served as the Global GenAI Lead for the Capital Markets practice at Accenture.
He has over 20 years of experience driving strategic and transformational change across the capital markets industry including operating model design, digital & data strategy, business process redesign, technology selection & implementation, and innovation integration.
He has led transformational and AI strategy initiatives for asset & wealth managers, private markets firms, banks, fund Administrators, and asset owners—helping organizations translate innovation into tangible business value across the front, middle, and back office.
Christopher is an associate director on the institutional team where he leads various research projects throughout the year such as the annual OCIO report and multiple ETF whitepapers.
Vanessa Touma
Chief Operating Officer for the Americas Distribution Team Invesco
Vanessa Touma is Head of CX Strategy, Distribution Intelligence and Digital Sales at Invesco. She also co-leads the distribution intelligence function for Americas and EMEA. In this role, she is responsible for client strategy formulation and the modernization of Invesco's distribution capabilities, including the use of data and analytics to drive better outcomes for clients.
Ms. Touma joined Invesco when the firm combined with OppenheimerFunds in 2019. While at OppenheimerFunds, she led client strategy for the corporate strategy and development team, focusing on the distribution and marketing operating model of the future. Before that, she spent 13 years in direct client-facing roles, leading the sales and entanglement strategy for some of the firm's largest enterprise clients, including UBS. Ms. Touma has been in the asset management industry since 2002.
Tiffany Wade
Equity Analyst and Portfolio Manager Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Tiffany Wade is a senior portfolio manager at Columbia Threadneedle Investments on the Columbia Focused Large Cap Core strategy and Columbia Large Cap Growth strategy. She was previously a portfolio manager on the Columbia Global Infrastructure strategy. Prior to Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Tiffany was an equity research analyst at Barclays Capital.
She received a B.A. in Economics from Brown University.
