2025 Forbes | SHOOK Top Advisor Summit Agenda

TIME

SESSION & SPEAKER

LOCATION

3:00pm – 7:30pm

REGISTRATION

CONVENTION LOUNGE

5:30pm – 7:30pm

Pre-Party at Jardín - Hosted by First Trust

JARDÍN

TIME

SESSION & SPEAKER

LOCATION

10:00am – 5:00pm

REGISTRATION

CONVENTION LOUNGE

12:00pm – 12:25pm

Tax Policy: What Your Clients Should Consider and Investment Strategies

• Holly Swan, Head of Wealth Solutions, Global Client Strategy, Allspring Global Investments
• Nelson Scott, Vice President and High Net Worth Specialist, PGIM
• Moderator: Brian Firring, Wells Fargo Advisors
• Intro: Lindsey Nacht, Vice President | Director of Operations, SHOOK Research

BANDOL

12:25pm – 12:35pm

SHOOK Ones: Team Compensation and Motivation

• Peter Rohr, Merrill Private Wealth Management
• Moderator: Allison Bonds, Mazza, Head of US Wealth, State Street Investment Management
• Intro: Jacob Shook, Senior Analyst | Next-Gen Lead, SHOOK Research

12:35pm – 12:55pm

A Conversation with Michael Patterson – Private Credit Markets

• Michael Patterson, Founding Partner, Co-President, HPS Investment Partners
• Moderator: James Taylor, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
• Intro: John Christmas, Co-Head of Business Development & Investor Relations, HPS Investment Partners

12:55pm – 1:15pm

Demystifying Bitcoin: From Breakthrough to Mainstream

• Zach Pandl, Head of Research, Grayscale
• Moderator: David Kudla, Mainstay Capital Management

1:15pm – 1:40pm

Value vs Momentum vs Growth

• Matthew McLennan, Head of Global Value Team and Portfolio Manager, First Eagle Investments
• Richard Bernstein, CEO & CIO, Richard Bernstein Advisors
• Moderator: Jeffrey Swett, UBS Wealth Management
• Intro: Jordan Merrill, Associate VP | Research Manager, SHOOK Research

1:40pm – 2:00pm

The Election Aftermath and the U.S. Economy

• Robert Stein, Deputy Chief Economist, First Trust

2:00pm – 2:20pm

The 8000 Days of Retirement

• Joseph Coughlin, PhD, Director of the MIT AgeLab, presented by Hartford Funds
• Patti Brennan, Key Financial
• Moderator: Bill McManus, Vice President & Managing Director, Hartford Funds
• Intro: Clinton Mains, Advisor Consultant, Hartford Funds

2:20pm – 2:35pm

SNACK BREAK

2:35pm – 2:55pm

Private Equity Outlook: Creating Value & Building Stronger Businesses

• Matt Nord, Co-Head of Private Equity, Apollo
• Moderator: Robert Chen, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
• Intro: Nick Brakatselos, Director, Client and Product Solutions, Apollo

2:55pm – 3:15pm

How Top Advisors Are Differentiating Their Practices

• Michael Chudd, UBS Private Wealth Management
• David Hou, Evoke Advisors
• Moderator: Paul Brunswick, Head of Invesco Global Consulting
• Intro: Chris Collie, Market Leader, Invesco

3:15pm – 3:20pm

SHOOK Ones: Building a Championship Culture in Wealth Management

• Jeffrey Fratarcangeli, Fratarcangeli Wealth Management
• Intro: Jim Dilorenzo, Senior VP, National Sales Manager, Broker-Dealer Division, PGIM

3:20pm – 3:40pm

Sports, Media & Entertainment: Investing in the Next Frontier

• Kort Schnabel, Partner, Co-Head of Sports, Media and Entertainment, Ares Management
• Moderator: Michael Warr, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management

3:40pm – 4:00pm

Tax Alpha Amplified: Integrating Advanced Techniques in Portfolio Construction

• Jim Bergeron, Managing Director, Advisor Education, Nuveen
• Katrina DiFiglia, Managing Director, Portfolio Strategist, Portfolio Strategy & Solutions, Nuveen
• Moderator: Kelly Milligan, Quorum Private Wealth
• Intro: AJ Rea, VP, Market Leader, Nuveen

4:00pm – 4:20pm

The Liquidity Benefits of Global Diversifications in Private Markets and Why There Is a Structural Alpha in Asia

• Jean Salata, Chairman of EQT Asia
• Moderator: Christopher Toomey, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
• Intro: Cort Escherich, Managing Director, EQT Partners

4:20pm – 4:40pm

Thriving in the Great Bond Migration

• Raman Srivastava, Insight Investment CEO, BNY Investments
• Moderator: Cynthia Chamberlayne, Senior Investment Strategist - Advisor Enablement, BNY Investments
• Intro: Michael Hurley, Senior Investment Consultant, BNY Investments

4:40pm – 5:00pm

The Future of Industry Disruption from Vanguard, the Original Disruptor

• Janel Jackson, Principal, Head of Bank and Institutional, Financial Advisor Services Division, Vanguard
• Moderator: Charles Parry, Wells Fargo Advisors
• Intro: Ryan Donohue, Market Leader, Broker-Dealer, Vanguard

5:00pm - 5:15pm

Building Long-Term Wealth with a Tax-Aware Approach to Active Management

• John Huss, Principal, Head of Integrated Research & Co-Head Macro Strategies Group, AQR Capital Management
• Moderator: Jack Hammond, UBS Wealth Management

5:15pm – 5:45pm

SHOOK^® Best Idea Competition

• Judge: Heather Crist, Managing Director, Head of Field Engagement, UBS
• Judge: Caroline Gundeck, Managing Director, Head of Client and Field Engagement, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
• Judge: Steve Samuels, Managing Director, Communications Executive, Merrill Wealth Management and Private Bank
• Moderator: Frank Berland, Managing Partner, SHOOK Research
• Moderator: Liz Shook, Co-Founder & COO, SHOOK Research
• Moderator: Jacob Shook, Senior Analyst | Next-Gen Lead, SHOOK Research

5:45pm – 6:45pm

COCKTAIL RECEPTION, featuring PGIM WINE EXPERIENCE

EVENT PAVILION

6:45pm

GALA DINNER

CRISTAL BALLROOM

7:00pm

Welcome to Our Very Special Event

• Liz Shook, Co-Founder & COO, SHOOK Research

7:05pm – 7:20pm

This Is Who We Are

• R.J. Shook, Co-Founder & President, SHOOK Research, Senior Forbes Contributor

7:25pm – 8:00pm

Growing Wealth Through Sports Ownership

• Mark Cuban, President of Harbinger Sports Partners, Cost Plus Drugs & Mark Cuban Companies
• Rashaun Williams, Chief Investment Officer of Harbinger Sports Partners, Atlanta Falcons Limited Partner
• Moderator: Charles Balducci, Merrill Wealth Management
• Intro: Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer, Forbes

TIME

SESSION & SPEAKER

LOCATION

7:00am – 4:00pm

REGISTRATION

CONVENTION LOUNGE

7:00am – 8:00am

BREAKFAST

EXHIBIT HALL

8:00am – 8:10am

Good Morning!

• Frank Berland, Managing Partner, SHOOK Research

CRISTAL BALLROOM

8:10am – 8:20am

SHOOK Ones: Engaging with Our Client's Children

• Todd Silaika, Merrill Wealth Management
• Moderator: Ken Correa, Managing Director, Head of Business & Client Development, Merrill Wealth Management
• Intro: Aaron Howell, Alternative Investment Specialist, T. Rowe Price

8:20am - 8:35am

Code to Cognition: Navigating the AI Revolution

• Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Vista Equity Partners
• Intro: Dan Parant, Managing Director, Global Head of Private Wealth, Vista Equity Partners

8:35am – 8:50am

Opportunities in Private Equity: Making Our Own Luck

• Alisa Amarosa Wood, Partner & Co-CEO, KKR Private Equity Conglomerate
• Moderator: Josh Metz, Managing Director, Head of Wirehouse and Platform Distribution, KKR
• Intro: Scott Manniello, Director, Western Divisional Head and Southwest Relationship Manager, KKR

8:50am – 9:05am

The Masters List - Ideas from America's #1 Advisor

• Jeff Erdmann, Merrill Private Wealth Management
• Moderator: Paul Brunswick, Head of Invesco Global Consulting
• Intro: Nick Cirbo, Market Leader, Invesco

9:05am – 9:20am

The Next Step in AI: Where Should Investments Be Directed When Models Meet the Market?

• Joshua Cummings, PM, Consumer & Comms Sector Lead, Janus Henderson Investors
• Moderator: Brett White, Ameriprise Financial Services
• Intro: Becky Durst, Director, Advisor Solutions Group, Janus Henderson Investors

9:20am – 9:40am

Saving Our Children

• Intro: Jessica Donahue, Senior Managing Director, Foundation Source

9:40am – 9:55am

REFRESHMENT BREAK

9:55am – 10:10am

Industry Trends, Leadership, and Corporate Culture

• Mike Gitlin, President and CEO, Capital Group
• Moderator: John Mathews, Head of Private Wealth Management, UBS

10:10am – 10:25am

Where is Private Equity Going?

• Lawrence Golub, Chief Executive Officer, Golub Capital
• Moderator: Alex Shahidi, Co-CIO, Evoke Advisors
• Intro: Thomas Burt, Managing Director, Head of Private Wealth Americas, Golub Capital

10:25am – 10:30am

SHOOK Ones: Developing Leaders on the Team

• Jonathan Beukelman, UBS Private Wealth Management
• Intro: Edward Nassar, Executive Director, Advisor Solutions Group, Janus Henderson Investors

10:30am – 10:45am

The Wealth Management Private Markets Landscape

• Jenny Johnson, CEO, Franklin Templeton
• Moderator: Katie Hancock, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
• Intro: Dave Donahoo, Head of Americas - Wealth Management Alternatives, Franklin Templeton

10:45am – 11:00am

Secondaries: Liquidity in an Illiquid Market

• Vern Perry, Global Head of Blackstone Strategic Partners
• Moderator: Michael Poppo, UBS Wealth Management
• Intro: Ryan McCracken, Managing Director, Blackstone Private Wealth

11:00am – 11:15am

Introducing the Emotional Journey of the UHNW Client

• Ken Haman, Managing Director, AllianceBernstein Advisor Institute
• Moderator: Ben Klein, Merrill Wealth Management
• Intro: Rob Brazofsky, Vice President, Regional Manager NY City, Alliance Bernstein

11:15am – 11:30am

Staying Ahead of the Curve – A Conversation with PIMCO Group CIO Dan Ivascyn

• Daniel Ivascyn, Group Chief Investment Officer, PIMCO
• Moderator: Brian Pfeifler, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
• Intro: Peter Prinstein, Executive Vice President & Head of Private Client Group, PIMCO

11:30am – 11:55am

SNACK BREAK / TRANSITION TO BREAKOUTS

11:55am – 12:30pm

Breakout #1: Transformational Conversations: Blueprints from America’s Top Advisor Teams

• Chris Brady, Director of Practice Management and Strategic Client Relations, Pacific Life

AVIGNON

Breakout #2: Family Money Talks

• Bill McManus, Vice President & Managing Director, Hartford Funds

BANDOL 1

Breakout #3: Developing Your Go-To-Market Strategy for Business Owners

• Bobby Labadini, SVP, Divisional Sales Manager, Manulife John Hancock Investments

BANDOL 2

Breakout #4: Returns and Resilience with Alternative Investments

• Claudio Macchetto, Principal, GoldenTree Asset Management
• Michael Ardisson, President & COO, Medalist Partners
• Kate Willsen, Senior Relationship Manager - Global Platforms, Millennium Management
• Moderator: Edmund Agresta, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

MEURSAULT 1

12:30pm – 1:00pm

NETWORKING BREAK

EXHIBIT HALL

1:00pm – 1:55pm

Lunch Presented by Manulife John Hancock Investments

CRISTAL BALLROOM

Manulife John Hancock Investments Congratulates America's Top Advisors

• Intro: Jeff Duckworth, President of U.S. Distribution, Manulife John Hancock Investments

Update: Saving Our Children

• Kenna Dooley, Chief Development Officer, Children's Cancer Research Fund

1:05pm – 1:25pm

A Fireside Chat with Cliff Asness

• Cliff Asness, Founder, Managing Principal and Chief Investment Officer, AQR Capital Management
• Moderator: Jeremy Beal, Managing Director, Head of Investment Solutions, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

1:25pm – 1:40pm

The Evolving Geopolitical Landscape

• Teddy Bunzel, Head of Lazard Geopolitical Advisory
• Moderator: Robert Forsyth, Managing Director, Global Head of ETFs, Lazard Asset Management

1:40pm – 1:55pm

Overview and Opportunities in Financial Markets

• Rick Rieder, Chief Investment Officer of Global Fixed Income & Head of Global Allocation Investments, BlackRock
• Intro: Ricardo Hartigan, Director, US Wealth Advisory, BlackRock

1:55pm – 2:00pm

Forbes | SHOOK Leveraging Your Forbes Recognition

• Paul Reiss, Senior Vice President, Accolades & Strategic Partnerships, Forbes Media

2:00pm – 2:10pm

REFRESHMENT BREAK / TRANSITION TO BREAKOUTS

2:10pm – 2:40pm

Breakout #1: Direct Indexing: Unlock Tax Alpha for High-Net-Worth Investors

• Nelson Scott, Vice President and High Net Worth Specialist, PGIM
• Moderator: Steve Mangum, Merrill Wealth Management

AVIGNON

Breakout #2: Incorporating Crypto in Diversified Portfolios

• Matt Murphy, SVP, National Accounts, Grayscale

BANDOL 1

Breakout #3: How High-Performing Teams Can Use AI as a Growth Driver

• Brock Sutton, Head of Emerging Client Capabilities, Capital Group

BANDOL 2

Breakout #4: The "Super-Aged Society" What it May Mean for Real Estate

• Rob Nicholson, Vice President, US Wealth Advisory, BlackRock
• Moderator: Alan Litt, Principal, Co-Founder, and Board Member, MonticelloAM

MEURSAULT 1

2:40pm – 2:50pm

SNACK BREAK / TRANSITION TO GENERAL SESSION

CRISTAL BALLROOM

2:50pm – 3:05 pm

Operational Skill: The Winning Edge in Today’s Private Equity Landscape

• David Nowak, President, Private Equity, Brookfield
• Moderator: Richard Zinman, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
• Intro: Dan McCulloch, Co‑Head U.S. Wirehouse & IBD Sales, Brookfield Oaktree Wealth Solutions

3:05pm – 3:30pm

Insights From Top Thought Leaders in the Industry

• Emily Roland, Co-Chief Investment Strategist, Manulife John Hancock Investments
• Anastasia Amoroso, Chief Investment Strategist, Partners Group
• Moderator: Rob Sechan, CEO & Co-Founder, NewEdge Wealth
• Intro: LoriAnn LaSalle, Vice President | Business Manager, SHOOK Research

3:30pm – 3:50pm

Private Credit: Opportunities for Individual Investors in a Growing Market

• Logan Nicholson, Senior Managing Director, Direct Lending Investment Team, Blue Owl
• Andrew Winer, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer – Registered Funds, OHA
• Moderator: James Woldert, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
• Intro: Erick Lopez, Associate VP | Research, SHOOK Research

3:50pm – 4:00 pm

SHOOK Ones: Evolution of the Industry and Your Practice

• Raj Sharma, Merrill Private Wealth Management
• Moderator: Eric A. Schimpf, President, Merrill Wealth Management
• Intro: Jeff Duckworth, President of U.S. Distribution, Manulife John Hancock Investments

4:00pm – 4:15pm

Private Equity in Focus: Identifying Bespoke Opportunities and Developing Unique Partnerships

• Matt Jones, TPG Partner, Co-Managing Partner TPG Secondaries
• Moderator: Greg Vaughan, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
• Intro: Matt Sekera, Managing Director, TPG

4:15pm – 4:30pm

Small Room, Big Deal - The Art and Science of Boardroom Presenting

• Jeannie Underwood-Kotner, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Atlantic Consulting

4:30pm – 4:40pm

REFRESHMENT BREAK

EXHIBIT HALL

4:40pm – 4:50pm

SHOOK Ones: Evolution of the Team to Meet Client Needs

• Stacey Barrins, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
• Moderator: Vince Lumia, Head of Wealth Management Client Segments, Morgan Stanley
• Intro: Troy Gayeski, Chief Market Strategist, Future Standard

CRISTAL BALLROOM

4:50pm – 5:05pm

GenAI: The Next Great Step Change

• Beijia Ma, Head of Equity Strategy, Alkeon Capital Management

5:05pm – 5:10pm

SHOOK Ones: Think Bigger, Adding Value to Clients and Your Firm

• Kerry Karangelen, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
• Intro: Mathieu Frechette, Senior Client Relationship Manager, Partners Group

5:10pm – 5:25pm

Market Outlook: A Market in Suspense

• Michael Arone, Chief Investment Strategist, State Street Investment Management
• Moderator: Richard Jones, Merrill Private Wealth Management
• Intro: Darius Tandy, Regional Consultant, State Street Investment Management

5:25pm – 5:40pm

Growth Engines: Navigating Private Equity in the Small to Mid-Cap Space

• Ashmi Mehrotra, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, Global Co-Head of the Private Equity Group, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
• Moderator: Liz Weikes, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
• Intro: Patrick Frame, Divisional Sales Manager, J.P. Morgan Asset Management

5:40pm – 5:55pm

Scaling With Intention: Practical Ways to Grow Without Sacrificing Client Experience

• Corey Mazza, UBS Private Wealth Management
• Lisa Detanna, Raymond James & Associates
• Moderator: Tash Elwyn, President, Private Client Group, Raymond James

5:55pm – 6:00pm

Let’s Get to Cocktails!

• Frank Berland, Managing Partner, SHOOK Research

6:00pm – 7:00pm

COCKTAIL RECEPTION

EXHIBIT HALL & CRISTAL TERRACE

7:00pm

DINE-AROUNDS WITH PARTNERS

TIME

SESSION & SPEAKER

LOCATION

7:30am – 8:30am

BREAKFAST

EXHIBIT HALL

8:30am – 8:35am

Coffee with Lizzy!

• Liz Shook, Co-Founder & COO, SHOOK Research

CRISTAL BALLROOM

8:35am – 8:50am

Building High-Performing Team Structures

• Troy Nelson, Nelson Wealth Management, Edward Jones
• Moderator: David Chubak, Head of Wealth Management & Field Management, Edward Jones
• Intro: Frank Riccio, Head of US Wealth Solutions, First Eagle Investments

8:50am – 9:05am

Building a World-Class Team

• Seth Haye, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
• Chris Cooke, Cooke Financial Group
• Moderator: Patrick Frame, Divisional Sales Manager, J.P. Morgan Asset Management

9:05am – 9:25am

Designing Your Practice of the Future: Succession Planning with Purpose

• Daniel Ruediger, Ameriprise Financial Services
• Raj Bhatia, Merrill Private Wealth Management
• Moderator: Athena McGuire, Franchise Field Vice President, Ameriprise
• Intro: Blake Pastore, Senior Associate VP | Advisor Services, SHOOK Research

9:25am – 9:45am

Designing the Next Chapter: Growth, Focus, and the Future of Your Business

• Joan Valenti, Valenti Wealth Management, LPL Financial
• David Karp, Cresset
• Moderator: Peter Vincent, EVP, Head of Advisor Client Success and Field Management, LPL Financial
• Intro: Madison Rizzo, Associate VP | Partnerships, SHOOK Research

9:45am – 10:05 am

State of Cybersecurity

• David McSweeney, Vice President, Client Assurance, Information Security Office, Fidelity
• Intro: George Irvin, Vice President, Sales, Fidelity

10:05am – 10:20am

SNACK BREAK

EXHIBIT HALL

10:20am – 10:35am

The Beginners Blueprint for Investing in Space & Defense Tech

• Blair Bigelow May, Founder, Commercial Spaceflight Strategy
• Moderator: Tim Maul, Director of Investor Relations, Balerion Space Ventures

CRISTAL BALLROOM

10:35am – 10:55am

Executing an Exceptional Client Service Model

• Michael McGinley, McGinley Reitz Financial | Northwestern Mutual
• Corina Davis, Merrill Wealth Management
• Moderator: Caroline Gundeck, Managing Director, Head of Client and Field Engagement, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

10:55am – 11:00am

The Last Word

• R.J. Shook, Co-Founder & President, SHOOK Research, Senior Forbes Contributor
• Liz Shook, Co-Founder & COO, SHOOK Research