Agenda

Professor George Calhoun, Stevens Institute of Technology
Discover the cutting-edge fintech research and innovation happening at Stevens Institute of Technology. Professor George Calhoun presents the Center for Research in Applied Finance & Technology (CRAFT) and the Hanlon Financial Systems Center, showcasing how Stevens is shaping the future of financial technology and preparing the next generation of fintech leaders.

Rick Lake, Narrative Alpha
Asset management is undergoing a fundamental transformation as AI accelerates the digital revolution that exploded during the pandemic. In this opening keynote, Rick Lake examines how the industry is split into "digital-haves'' who are thriving with advanced capabilities, and "digital have-nots" struggling with outdated approaches. Discover why mastering digital and AI-powered distribution is no longer optional but essential for competitive survival in modern asset management.

Paul Das, Founder & CEO, ProFundCom
Technology has evolved from the foundation of modern marketing to become the primary driver of growth. Paul Das, author of Marketing to the Invisible Investor, reveals how technology transforms business development into a growth engine. Learn how tech supports the complete investor journey, elevates ROI through marketing-sales collaboration, and how AI is poised to amplify client acquisition and AUM growth for forward-thinking firms.

Art Silva, Senior Vice President, Head of Digital Engagement & Martech Solutions, Fidelity Investments
Fidelity, a global investment services leader, sets the standard for advanced digital platforms. Art Silva, Head of Digital Engagement at Fidelity Institutional, demonstrates how to leverage digital excellence to drive significant business outcomes. Learn world-class marketing strategies, discover how to enhance customer experiences for greater engagement and retention, and gain practical guidance on adapting these best practices for organizations of any size.

Ashley Cheretes, Director, Generative AI, Prudential Financial
Go inside one of the financial industry's most sophisticated AI implementations. Ashley Cheretes, leader of generative AI implementation at Prudential Financial, shares how her firm is deploying generative and agentic AI to transform operations, enhance client experiences, and drive competitive advantage. This session will reveal practical insights from the frontlines of AI adoption at a global financial services leader.

Speaker TBD
pending: Karin Levi, Global Head of Financial Services, LinkedIn
The wealth management landscape has been transformed by digital engagement and AI capabilities. This session will provide fresh insights on how advisors, asset managers, and investors are connecting, researching, and making decisions in the digital age. Learn how asset managers can navigate this new marketplace where digital presence and AI-enhanced engagement are essential to reaching sophisticated investors.

Ben Hunt, Ph.D., Co-Founder, Perscient; Founder, Epsilon Theory
The most powerful forces in financial markets may not be hidden in spreadsheets. Rather, they may be embedded in the stories being told about companies, sectors, and economies. Ben Hunt demonstrates how narrative science combined with large language models is turning unstructured media into actionable market intelligence. Explore the art and science of tracking semantic signatures: the specific framings, ideas, and perspectives that reveal how a story is being told, who's telling it, and where it's gaining ground.

Speaker TBD
pending: Chris Delahunt, Citywire
Panelists:
Paul Das, ProFundCom (Marketing to the Invisible Investor)
Paul Magnone, Google/Columbia/Stevens Institute (Decisions Over Decimals, Drinking From the Firehose)
Dan Simon, Vested (The Money Hackers)
Three visionary authors discuss the forces reshaping finance services. From invisible investors to decision-making frameworks and the democratization of finance, this panel explores the trajectories that will define the industry's future. What happens when technology, innovation, and psychology collide in the financial markets?

Moderator TBD
Panelists TBD
pending: Greg Stumm (American Beacon), Jim Cove (Natixis), Gui Costin (Dakota)
Distribution leaders discuss how data and AI are revolutionizing the way asset managers raise capital. From predictive analytics to AI-enhanced client insights, discover how leading firms are using technology to identify prospects, personalize engagement, and accelerate growth at scale.

Speaker TBD
Panelists: Richard F. Kerr (Haynes Boone), Additional TBD
pending: Derek Stern (John Hancock), Zachary Feinstein (Stevens), others TBD
The regulatory landscape for digital marketing and AI is evolving rapidly. This expert panel provides essential guidance on SEC, FINRA, and international regulations governing digital communications and AI deployment. Learn about compliance frameworks, documentation requirements, emerging AI regulations, and how new technology can streamline the compliance process while avoiding costly violations.

Speaker: TBD
Pending: Michael Sidgemore (Alts Goes Mainstream)
Panelists: TBD
Pending: iCapital, CAIS, Kim Flynn (XA Investments)
Alternative investments are experiencing unprecedented democratization through digital platforms. Industry leaders discuss how technology is breaking down barriers, enabling broader access to private markets, and transforming how alts are distributed to advisors and investors. Learn about the platforms, strategies, and technologies driving this revolution.

Moderator: TBD
Pending: Eric Balchunas (Bloomberg)
Panelists: Richard F. Kerr (Haynes Boone), Jessica Fernandez (Direxion), others TBD
Pending: Douglas Yones (Direxion), Tom Lydon (VettaFi), Dan Weisberg (BLOK/Tidal)
ETFs have transformed asset management with explosive growth and innovative distribution models. Global AUM has surpassed a record high of $19 trillion with a potential $30 trillion forecast for 2029. Successful ETF sponsors have embraced digital marketing and media to reach investors at scale. Some have converted entirely to digital outreach, reducing or eliminating traditional sales roles. Learn from industry leaders how ETFs became digital-first businesses.

Choose from five hands-on sessions:
1. AI for Personalization in Fund Marketing and Communications
2. Using AI to Optimize ROI for Your Conference Budget
3. AI for Alpha and Risk Mitigation in Manager Selection
4. How AI is Transforming Search: SEO, AEO, GEO
5. Agentic AI and the brave new world of automated outreach, 24/7/365
Get practical, tactical training on AI applications that can immediately impact your business. These interactive labs provide hands-on experience with AI tools and strategies you can implement right away.

Moderator: TBD
Pending: Don Friedman (DACFP)
Panelists: TBD
Pending: Nasdaq, tZero, Tokenized, Ionut Florescu, (Stevens)
Tokenization is poised to revolutionize asset management by enabling 24/7 trading, enhanced liquidity, and fractional ownership for both liquid and illiquid assets. Industry pioneers discuss technology, changing regulations, and real-world applications of tokenized securities. Where is this technology today, and what does the future hold for tokenized assets?

Rick Lake, Narrative Alpha
We've entered a new era where humans and AI work as integrated systems. In this closing keynote, Rick Lake presents his framework of "7 AI Prompt Archetypes" - a methodology for maximizing AI collaboration that transforms how professionals approach complex challenges. From Commander to Promptwright™, understand how different prompting strategies unlock exponential productivity and creativity. This is the future of work, and we're already living in it.

Join us for our closing reception, while enjoying stunning Hudson River views to network with speakers, attendees, and industry leaders.