Monday, February 19, 2024
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Badge Pick-Up and Networking Reception
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
7:00 AM
Badge Pick Up
7:00 AM - 7:45 AM
Networking Breakfast, Sponsored by
7:45 AM - 8:00 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Becoming Superhuman: The Science of Optimizing Productivity and Performance
Dr. Sahar Yousef and Professor Lucas Miller
In the past few years, there has been a dramatic shift in the way teams and organizations work. To combat feeling overcommitted, overworked, and overloaded, we need a new playbook—one that enables each of us to fully leverage the opportunities in front of us and equip ourselves with the knowledge we need to both think more strategically and get more work done when time and resources are limited.
Join Berkeley neuroscientists Dr. Sahar Yousef and Professor Lucas Miller for a customized workshop called, “The Science of Optimizing Productivity and Performance”. In the session, the facilitators will review how our brains and bodies work best and provide highly effective and scientifically proven techniques for getting our most important work done, in less time, with less stress.
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Thinking Strategically about AI, Data, and Cybersecurity: How Leading Firms Are Positioning for the Future
The leading firms of the future will need to understand the interrelationships between data, AI, and cybersecurity. This session will discuss all three topics and explain how to think strategically about them. Current and future use cases for AI within your firm will also be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the interrelationship between data, AI, and cybersecurity
- Learn how to create a tech strategy for the future
- Learn about firms that are harnessing AI today, and how you can benefit from their initiatives
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Industry Leaders Panel
Moderator: Cheryl Holland, CFP®, CFBA, Founder, Abacus Planning Group
Panelists:
Ben Harrison, Managing Director, BNY Mellon, Pershing
Richard Lofgren, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
Brad Losson, Managing Director, Charles Schwab
Angie Popek, SVP, Regional Managing Director, Fidelity
Jason Wenk, Founder and CEO, Altruist
Leaders from major custodians will share their insights on the state of the financial planning profession and identify areas that will require vigilance over the coming 5-10 years.
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch and Networking, Sponsored by
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cybersecurity Trends: Is your Business Ready for the Changing Cybersecurity Landscape?
As the persistence and sophistication of cybercriminals increases exponentially, cyber risk and information security can become a constant struggle for business leaders. This session will explore key 2023 trends, what to expect during 2024, and best practices for strong cyber management.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about cybersecurity industry trends impacting financial services firms
- Discuss practices to strengthen an organization's security posture
- Understand why it is critical for leaders to foster a cybersecurity-conscious culture within their organization
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Future of Talent
Designed to provide an overview of how firms need to think about NextGen talent, this session will cover what leaders need to know about hiring, retaining, and developing the talent of the future to ensure the clients of the future are well-served. Topics covered will include characteristics of NextGen talent, the importance of firm talent management, creating the culture to attract and understand this talent, and measuring success in building an inclusive firm where future talent can thrive.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of talent management in building firms of the future
- Learn demographic and cultural competency to understand future talent needs and motivators
- Determine success measurements for building a NextGen friendly culture
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Optional Group Activity
Signup will be available in January.
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Reception and Dinner
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
7:15 AM - 8:00 AM
Networking Breakfast, Sponsored by
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
The Aftermath of Mergers and Acquisitions
Moderator: Tom Orecchio, CFA®, CFP®, ChFC®, AIF®, Chief Executive Officer, Wealth Manager and Principal, Modera Wealth
Panelists:
Patrick Lawler CFP®️, CFA, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, Savant Wealth Management
Kristen Oziemkowski, Chief Operating Officer, The Mather Group
Harli Palme, CFP®️, CFA, Chief Operating Officer, Modera Wealth
This panel will discuss what happens after M&A. We will discuss challenges and successes related to the integration of culture, tech stacks and processes.
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
From The Trenches: Hiring and Developing Next-Gen Talent
Recruiting and hiring for your firm can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but it does not have to be! Caleb Brown, Co-Founder & CEO of New Planner Recruiting, will share his knowledge from 15+ years of recruiting financial planning talent for firms across the country. Brown will also share how the COVID-19 pandemic and recent bear market will impact hiring for years to come.
Attendees will gain Brown's insights into understanding the next generation of financial services professionals, crafting a unique position description so you will stand out, where to source candidates to build a pipeline, how to effectively screen candidates to ensure they are a good fit for your firm, compensation data and best practices, successfully integrating a new hire into your firm, strategies for retaining, and developing them into future partners.
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Forging a Team of Leaders
How do you ensure your firm's culture stays strong after retirements, other leadership transitions, and changes in strategy? By establishing a principle that everyone is a leader and all are responsible for evolving the firm. In this session, learn how the best leaders create followership and shape their cultures over time.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn the ingredients of an Admired Leader
- Determine how followers define leadership credibility
- Understand behaviors to forge a team of leaders across the firm
12:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Lunch and Networking
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Maintaining and Elevating Client Experience
Moderator: Lydia Sheckels, CFP®️, CLU, ChFC, Partner, CIO Emeritus and Senior Financial Advisor, Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC
Panelist:
Mark Berg, CFP®️, Founding Principal, Timothy Financial Counsel, Inc.
Samantha Macchia, CFP®️, ChFC, President & CEO, Summit Financial Strategies
Jamie Malone, CFA, CFP®️, CPA, Principal, Financial Strategist, Agili
This panel will discuss unique client experience offerings, training employees properly for consistent client experience, and tips for increasing client satisfaction.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Future Traps and Opportunities for Large Firms
Dennis Stearns, CFP®, ChFC, Founder, Stearns Financial Group
Leaders of private companies of all kinds, including RIAs, are experiencing unprecedented threats and opportunities from accelerating VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) from all directions. The techno-industrial revolution is creating massive change and “change anxiety” in society. RIA challenges include clients having more choices, being more prone to behavioral finance problems, and NextGen advisors often have trouble syncing with clients who aren’t in their “tribe”. Future uncertainty, including consumer uncertainty about the future of 60/40, is both an opportunity and a threat to RIAs.
In this session, Stearns will share mental frameworks, strategies, and tactics of his own firm and his large network of RIA firms, including how to adapt new “customer love” and “employee love” techniques from the best private companies.
4:30 PM - 4:40 PM
Closing Remarks
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Campfire Discussion with Cocktails and Appetizers
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Closing Dinner