Wealth Management
Convergence
The Investment Strategies Advisors Need Today
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!
10.5 CFP CE credits • 11 IWI CE credits
90% of 2025 Attendees Were Allocators
(hover over any area for percentages)
The New Administration is Here.
Are Your Clients’ Portfolios Battle-Tested?
The Conference With the Highest Percentage of Financial Professionals in the Country
We all know that industry conferences are often of little value to advisors – packed with product sellers and useless content. That’s why we created Wealth Management Convergence – no product pitches or empty talks, instead you get the latest investment and practice management strategies to help you build your practice. WMC is designed exclusively for financial professionals who are focused on growing their business and serving their clients.
Reach out to Jack Marshall at jack@thetayf.com if you’d like to get involved in the 2026 program.
Designed for maximum learning experience:
- No breakout sessions! All speakers on Main Stage, so you never miss a session
- “PPT-free” sessions – no PowerPoints ensure great audience engagement
- Maximum 3 panelists per session – ensures quality conversations
- Ample opportunity for Q&A
- Private one-on-one meetings and dine-arounds available to you
2025 CE topics include:
- The Election’s Impact: On the Economy, Stock Market, Bond Market, and Estate Planning
- Generative AI: Improving Your Practice Management
- Exponential Technology Investment Strategies
- The Biggest RIAs Share Their Insights: Perspectives from Top CEOs, Top CIOs, and Top Advisors
- Growing Your AUM with Blockchain & Digital Assets
- Longevity Has Killed the 60/40 Glidepath: What to Do About It
Featured Speakers
Andrew Altfest
President
Altfest Personal Wealth Management
Andrew Altfest, CFP President | Altfest Personal Wealth Management
As a leader of Altfest Personal Wealth Management, Andrew has spearheaded a number of initiatives to expand the firm. These have included organizing different practice groups focused on client segments, launching private equity solutions and directing the firm’s Young Professionals group aimed at millennials. He also has encouraged further formalizing investment processes and led the introduction of a new technology process mandate with digital planning, to enhance decision-making, client experience and productivity. Additionally, Andrew leads the firm’s efforts in the tax management of investment portfolios, and advises clients on charitable contributions. Andrew is the founder of FP Alpha, the first AI-driven comprehensive wealth management solution to cover more than 16 areas of financial planning. The software enables financial advisors to save time in the planning process, showcase their value beyond investments, and deliver the personalized, comprehensive experience that clients require.
Andrew was named a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor in New York City by Forbes in its 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 ranking, as well as a Young Advisor to Watch by Financial Advisor in 2020. He was included in Forbes’ list of America’s Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors in 2017, 2018 and 2019; InvestmentNews’ 2018 list of 40 Under 40 in the financial advisory industry; and Financial Advisor’s Due Diligence/Research Manager All-Star Team in 2012 and 2013, and AdvisorHub’s Advisors to Watch list 2023.
Andrew joined the firm in 2003. He received his BA with honors in English from Cornell University, and his MBA from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business. He also is a CFP® licensee.
Andrew has spoken at local universities, industry conferences and the American Association of Individual Investors, and has appeared regularly in the press, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News and Dow Jones Newswires.
Andrew is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), and as chair of the New York City chapter, he has strengthened its membership. He’s on the board of the Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy and mentors young financial advisors and New York University’s CFP® students. In his free time, Andrew enjoys running, biking, trying new restaurants, traveling and learning about different cultures.
Zacharia Baldwin
Supervisory Special Agent
FBI
Zacharia Baldwin, Supervisory Special | Agent FBI
Prior to FBI Miami, he was an SSA in the Money Laundering, Forfeiture and Bank Fraud Unit at FBI Headquarters. While at FBI Headquarters, he also served as the Program Manager for the both the Virtual Currency and Business Email Compromise threats.
Prior to his supervisory role, SSA Baldwin was initially assigned to FBI New York, followed by FBI Los Angeles, where he specialized in money laundering, public corruption, and a variety of complex financial crimes investigations to include securities/commodities fraud, corporate fraud, bank fraud and cyber-enabled crimes.
SSA Baldwin is a certified anti-money laundering specialist, designated cyber- certified by the FBI, and has advanced training in digital forensics.
Bill Barhydt
CEO
Abra
Bill Barhydt, CEO | Abra
Karen Barr
President & CEO
Investment Adviser Association
Karen Barr, President & CEO | Investment Adviser Association
Annie Brinckman
Wealth Advisor
Capital Planning Wealth Management
Annie Brinckman, Wealth Advisor and Managing Partner | Capital Planning Wealth Management
What makes me knowledgeable:
I joined the Capital Planning team in 2013. Since then, my passion for financial planning has led me to pursue multiple advanced designations and continued education. I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®), a Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®), and a Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA™). I also hold the FINRA general securities representative registration with LPL Financial and the Investment Advisor Representative registration through Private Advisor Group. I am a graduate of West Chester University, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in both Sociology and Liberal Studies. I also served as the Captain of the women’s golf team.
Getting to know me:
My husband, Jeff, and I live on a small farm in Zionsville with our two labs Scout and Finn. I am a lifelong learner with a never-ending hobby list. In my free time, you might find me anywhere from a golf course to a hiking trail, a woodworking shop, or a tree stand, usually with a book in hand. I am blessed with a wonderful group of family, friends and clients who I enjoy spending time with every chance I can.
Don Calcagni
Chief Investment Officer
Mercer Advisors
Donald Calcagni, Chief Investment Officer | Mercer Advisors
Don’s expertise is in the areas of fiduciary oversight, financial mathematics, corporate finance, capital markets, portfolio management, ESG, fintech, digital assets, and taxation. He also serves on the boards of the Lock Haven University Foundation, Widener University’s Finance-Accounting Board, and Institutional Investor’s RIA Academy. Don also serves on advisory boards at Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) and CAIS. He is a member of CFA Institute and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Widener University and as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Under his leadership, Mercer Advisors became the first independently owned RIA in the United Stated to become a signatory to the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI). He’s a frequent commentator for Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, CNN Business, MarketWatch, and US News & World Report.
Don earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and his Masters in Taxation from Widener University. He’s also earned various professional designations and certifications including the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation from the CFP Board of Standards; the Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA) designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries; the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies (Fi360); the Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets from the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals; and the Enrolled Retirement Agent (ERPA) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.
Michael Crook
Chief Investment Officer
Mill Creek Capital
Michael Crook, Chief Investment Officer | Mill Creek Capital Advisors
Before joining Mill Creek, Michael was a Managing Director at UBS, where he headed the Investment Strategy team and was responsible for providing asset allocation and market advice to the firm’s clients. Michael is a frequent commentator and invited speaker in TV and print financial media, including Bloomberg, CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Barron’s, and Business Insider. He has also served as an adjunct professor of economics and actively publishes his research in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Wealth Management, the Journal of Investing, and the Journal of Index Investing.
Michael received an M.S. in Economics from New York University and a B.S. from the University of Georgia. He is a Chartered Alternative Investment AnalystSM. He currently volunteers as a mentor for veterans and college students.
Aneet Deshpande
Chief Investment Officer
Clearstead Advisors
Aneet Deshpande, Chief Investment Officer | Clearstead Advisors, LLC
Prior to joining Clearstead, Aneet served as CIO for a multi-billion-dollar asset management company, overseeing the firm’s investment teams and products. Prior to assuming CIO responsibilities Aneet held key leadership positions within the firm’s investment strategy, trading, and portfolio management functions. Aneet began his career trading quantitative equity strategies for a boutique asset management firm in Chicago, Illinois.
Aneet earned a BSBA in Finance from the University of Louisville. He is a CFA Charterholder and is a member of the CFA Society of Cleveland and the CFA Institute. Aneet is a member of the Ohio Advisory Board of Facing History and Ourselves, a national non-profit organization dedicated to addressing racism, antisemitism, and prejudices through education. He is also a board member of Capital Group’s RIA Advisory Board.
Parker Ence
CEO and Co-Founder
Jump AI
Parker Ence, Founder & CEO | Jump AI
Previous: CEO at Veraset, acquired in 2023
Education: MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Howard Fillit, MD
Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
Howard Fillit, MD Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer| Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
He has authored or co-authored more than 300 publications and is the senior editor of Brocklehurst’s Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. Dr. Fillit is the recipient of many awards and honors including the Rita Hayworth Award from the Alzheimer’s Association. He is a fellow of the American Geriatrics Society, the American College of Physicians, the Gerontological Society of America and the New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. Fillit earned his bachelor of arts in neurobiology cum laude from Cornell University and his medical degree from the SUNY-Upstate Medical University.
Don Friedman
CEO
The Truth About Your Future
Don Friedman, CEO | The Truth About Your Future
He was Co-Founder of Inside ETFs, the industry’s largest and most successful conference, and Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and Board Member of ETF.com. Don also created Inside ETFs Europe (that continent’s largest ETF event), Inside Commodities (the largest institutional-focused US-based commodities event) and Inside Fixed Income (the world’s largest independently run fixed-income event).
After leaving ETF.com, he founded JV Events Group (JVEG) where he created “institutional investor only” events including the Liquid Alternative Strategy Summit, MLP Strategy Summit, Smart Beta Strategy Summit, ETF Strategy Summit and the Digital Asset Strategy Summit. He sold JVEG to DACFP in 2020 and is the CEO of both DACFP and its sister company, The Truth About Your Future with Ric Edelman.
He has authored or co-authored more than 300 publications and is the senior editor of Brocklehurst’s Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. Dr. Fillit is the recipient of many awards and honors including the Rita Hayworth Award from the Alzheimer’s Association. He is a fellow of the American Geriatrics Society, the American College of Physicians, the Gerontological Society of America and the New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. Fillit earned his bachelor of arts in neurobiology cum laude from Cornell University and his medical degree from the SUNY-Upstate Medical University.
Michael Greenwald
Global Head, Financial Innovation and Digital Assets
Head, Global Executive Relations
Amazon Web Services
Michael Greenwald, Global Head, Financial Innovation and Digital Assets - Head, Global Executive Relations | Amazon Web Services
Michael is the Global Head of Financial Innovation and Digital Assets at Amazon Web Services (AWS). He also heads up Global Executive Relations pioneering the international business expansion and driving the company’s artificial intelligence innovation narrative for the Worldwide Public Sector Business. He is responsible for working with the U.S. Government (USG) and international governments to incorporate cloud computing into their systems as well as drive responsible technology innovation and implementation within the public sector market. With his expertise in global economies from his time in government, Michael has successfully deepened Amazon’s global reach by helping to shape AWS’ business strategy in target overseas markets such as Europe, Middle East, Latin America, and Australia driving significant international growth and engagement for its growing $13 billion business. Michael was appointed by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to represent Amazon on the CFTC’s Technology Advisory Committee.
Before joining Amazon, Michael made significant contributions to the growth of global asset management firm AlTi Global. As Chief Geopolitical Risk Officer, he helped oversee the growth of the firm from $12 billion to $50 billion assets under management. Prior to AlTi Global, Michael worked for the U.S. Treasury Department for almost a decade. Michael made significant national security contributions to the U.S. Treasury, where he served in senior diplomatic, policy and intelligence roles in Europe, Africa, and Middle East under two presidential administrations and three Treasury Secretaries culminating with becoming the first U.S. Treasury attaché to Qatar and Kuwait. Michael built the first U.S. Treasury office in Qatar and Kuwait acting as the principal financial diplomat to the banking sectors in those nations.
He is affiliated with the Atlantic Council, Center for New American Security, the Trilateral Commission, the Bretton Woods Committee, the Wharton Cypher Accelerator, Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University, French-American Foundation, and Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center. He has held adjunct teaching roles at the Columbia University School of International Affairs (SIPA) and at the Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies. He is a graduate of Harvard Business School, has a Juris Doctor graduate from Boston University School of Law, a Master’s graduate from Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, and a B.A. from George Washington University. Raised in Brookline, Massachusetts, he lives in Palm Beach, Florida with his wife Nolan and served on the Board of The Town of Palm Beach Investment Committee. He was honored by Palm Beach Illustrated as one of the city’s 100 most influential business leaders in 2021.
Joshua Gross
CEO
Mill Creek Capital Advisors
Joshua Gross, CEO | Mill Creek Capital Advisors
Prior to co-founding Mill Creek in 2006, Josh was a Principal at Hirtle, Callaghan & Co from 1998-2006. Previously, Josh worked at Quantex Microsystems and served active duty in the United States Navy including being stationed aboard the carrier U.S.S. America (CV-66).
Josh received an M.B.A. in Finance from The Pennsylvania State University and a B.A. in Economics and Philosophy from Rutgers University.
Josh is deeply involved in the community and serves/served on several philanthropic boards in leadership roles including The Hillside School (Marlborough, MA), Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, PA), Einstein Healthcare Network & Jefferson Healthcare (Philadelphia, PA), Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA), The Philadelphia Orchestra (Philadelphia, PA), Westtown School (Westtown, PA), and Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club & Foundation (New Brunswick, NJ). Josh is an active member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and Chief Executives Organization (CEO).
Travis also has significant experience preparing gift and estate tax returns, and helping clients minimize gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes through life insurance trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, spousal lifetime access trusts and annual exclusion gifting.
Travis is a regular guest speaker at formative tax events, including leading tax webinars for Lorman Live, and participating in the DC Bar Estate Planning Tax Series.
While in law school, Travis was a member of the Virginia Tax Review.
Travis Harrison
Partner
McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Travis Harrison, Partner | McDermott Will & Emery LLP
Travis also has significant experience preparing gift and estate tax returns, and helping clients minimize gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes through life insurance trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, spousal lifetime access trusts and annual exclusion gifting.
Travis is a regular guest speaker at formative tax events, including leading tax webinars for Lorman Live, and participating in the DC Bar Estate Planning Tax Series.
While in law school, Travis was a member of the Virginia Tax Review.
Tim Holland
Chief Investment Officer
Orion
Tim Holland, CFA Chief Investment Officer | Orion
Tim joined Brinker Capital in 2017 as Global Investment Strategist and was named Chief Investment Officer following Orion’s merger with Brinker in 2020. In the CIO role, Tim had responsibility for the investment management and strategies for Orion Portfolio Solutions and Brinker Capital Investments. He has over 24 years of investment experience.
Prior to joining Brinker Capital, Tim was a Portfolio Manager at TAMRO Capital Partners, where he directed overall portfolio construction on two long-only, US equity strategies based on fundamental company and industry analysis and understanding the potential impact of economic, industry, and political trends on portfolio holdings. Prior to TAMRO, Tim was employed as an Equity Analyst at Manley Asset Management, a long/shorthedge fund firm. Additionally, he was a Partner at Towers Group, a boutique corporate communications firm providing media and public relations counsel to capital markets companies.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Drew University. He holds the FINRA Series 65 designation and is a CFA® charterholder.
Tim’s insights on the markets and investments are frequently featured in top-tierbusiness media, including CNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Radio, The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, and Financial Times.
Monica Jalife
Senior Portfolio Manager
Withum Wealth Management
Monica Jalife, Principal/Investment Advisory Team | Withum Wealth Management
In addition to her role at Withum Wealth Management, Monica is a Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Pinnacle Associates Ltd, a Withum Wealth co-founder. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Monica worked in the Mexican Consulate as an analyst in their financial department.
Monica is an active member in her community. She conducts financial literacy courses in English and Spanish for women victims of domestic violence and for the hispanic community. She has also participated in half marathons to raise funds for children with terminal diseases and volunteers her time at summer camps for terminally ill children. When she lived in Mexico City, Monica created computer manuals to educate staff at Universidad Iberoamericana and also taught illiterate adults how to read and write.
Monica currently resides in Orlando, FL with her husband Francisco and her two young daughters, Camila and Sofia. Monica enjoys spending time with her family, reading, skiing and tennis. She is also very passionate about travel and learning about different cultures. She has visited five continents – Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia and South America.
Rick Kent
CEO & Founder
Merit Financial Advisors
Rick Kent, CEO & Founder | CFP®, AEP®, RFC® | Merit Financial Advisors
Rick delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. Audiences appreciate his practical strategies they can apply directly to their business model. Rick offers his insight to business owners, advisors, and executives. Having been a key player in multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years, Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better.
Earning many awards for his financial services capabilities, his team, and his vision have further highlighted Rick’s journey towards excellence. This perspective motivated him to coach, develop, inspire, and mentor fellow advisors as they strive to keep up with the ever-changing financial services industry. He brings this same dedication to his work with business leaders to empower their teams and achieve greater success. Being a successful entrepreneur, Rick started multiple companies making him a diverse leader willing to share his recipes for success with others. Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors 2018, 2019, 2020, & 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. Recognized firms were required to be a registered investment advisor (RIA) that has been in business at least one year and having a minimum of 15 full-time/part-time employees. The assessment consisted of a questionnaire on benefits and policies completed by human resources staff along with an engagement & satisfaction survey completed by a minimum of 40% of staff. 50 firms were selected for this award from an undisclosed list of submissions. There was no charge to be included in this award listing.
Barron’s 2023 Top 100 Private Wealth Management Teams, the teams are ranked on a variety of factors, including their size and shape, their regulatory records and credentials of their members, and the resources they have at their disposal to serve their client bases. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. InvestmentNews RIA Firm of the Year 2024 – The InvestmentNews Awards team will conduct research and draw on knowledge and information gained through InvestmentNews to support and supplement nominations received.
Barron’s 2023 Top RIA Firms, Data is verified with the advisors’ firms and with regulatory databases in three major categories of calculations: Assets, revenue, and quality of practice. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services.
The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor 2023 ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.
2017, 2018, 2020 Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers evaluates SEC registered investment advisers that reported at least $300 million in assets under management and were selected based on the following criteria: adviser AUM, asset growth, the company’s age, industry certifications of key employees, SEC compliance record and online accessibility.
RIA Intel’s 2022 RIA of the Year – More Than $1 Billion AUM award, was based on the quantitative as well as qualitative criteria: an impressive RIA that has grown beyond a practice and into a complex business for the betterment of clients and its employees.
The Forbes ranking of America’s Top RIA Firms 2022, 2023 developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. The algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
Gregory Khost
Managing Director
Neuberger Berman Private Wealth
Greg Khost, Managing Director - Private Wealth | Neuberger Berman
Rick Lake
Founder
Narrative Alpha
Rick Lake, Founder | Narrative Alpha
As a speaker, Rick has been an invited presenter at the Morningstar Investment Conference, the London Business School, the MIT Sloan School of Management, the Yale School of Management, and at financial industry conferences around the US. As an author, he was co-editor of Private Equity and Venture Capital, a reference book used at business schools across the US. Rick also presented his white paper, the “Democratization of Hedge Funds,” at the SEC Hedge Fund Roundtable in 2003.
Rick is the founder of Narrative Alpha, a consulting practice dedicated to helping alternative managers grow and serve advisors. Rick is also an Adjunct Professor at the Digital Business Institute of the Boston University Questrom School of Business. Rick graduated cum laude from Harvard.
Jen Leary
CEO
CLA
Jennifer Leary, CPA, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member | CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
CLA provides a range of professional services in five distinct areas: assurance, tax, outsourcing, wealth advisory, and digital. With nearly 9,000 talented professionals in the U.S., CLA is one of the fastest-growing firms in the country, with anticipated revenue exceeding $2 billion by the end of 2023.
Jen has more than 25 years of experience in the accounting and finance professions. Before taking on the role of CEO, she held several strategic positions at CLA, including Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Principal of the Carolinas and Georgia. A CPA by training, Jen has served clients in the United States and Europe in a wide variety of roles, from assurance, consulting, mergers and acquisitions, and global concierge services.
A visionary and an advocate for the future of the profession, Jen speaks regularly about the power of a career in accounting and finance. She is actively involved with numerous strategic partnerships to ensure that CLA continues to build a robust talent pipeline. Through her entrepreneurial spirit that is part of the firm’s DNA, Jen is passionate about developing digital technology to best serve CLA’s 200,000+ clients now and long into the future.
Jen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and management information systems from the University of Delaware. She is a member Wall Street Journal CEO Council, the North Carolina Association of CPAs (where she is also a member of the board of directors), the American Institute of CPAs, and serves on the boards of the CLA Global Network, CLA Foundation, and CLA Wealth. She is also a contributor to the World Bank and a sought-after speaker on leadership, strategy, and expansion.
William Marr
Senior Managing Director – Wealth Management Group
Welton Investment Partners
William Marr, Senior Managing Director - Wealth Management Group Welton | Investment Partners
In previous roles he led due diligence and allocated to Hedge Funds and CTAs, including as Global Head of Hedge Fund Research at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Bill also headed Alternative Investments at Zurich-based Bank Julius Baer and Boston-based State Street Global Advisors. Most recently he founded and managed Granite Street Capital, a consultancy focused on developing and implementing growth strategies for alternative investment managers. Bill holds a BA from Bowdoin College.
John Mell
Wealth Manager
Laird Norton Wetherby
John K. Mell III, CFA, CFP® , Wealth Manager & Employee Owner | Laird Norton Wetherby (LNW)
John began his career as an associate with LNW in its San Francisco office in 2004 where he worked with a variety of individual and non-profit clients. He was promoted to Wealth Manager in 2007 and has led our New York office since 2010.
Kerry Peck
Managing Partner
Peck Ritchey
Kerry Peck, Managing Partner | Peck Ritchey
- Advises individuals and banks charged with the administration of estates and trusts. Guides fiduciaries through the probate process, appearing in court as required, assisting them in the transfer of assets, and resolution of claims, as well as the implementation of the decedent’s estate plan.
- Vigorously represents all parties in will contests and contested guardianships including minors and disabled adults.
- Assists families to plan for disabled children or other family members who are, or are likely to become, disabled and require special protection.
Kerry Peck has been appointed Guardian Ad Litem in the Circuit Court by the Probate Division, Chancery Division and County Division, involving complex cases including health care, tax issues, real estate and medical issues. Mr. Peck has been appointed Special Administrator, Successor Administrator and/or Successor Trustee in contested trust and estate cases all by Court order.
Patrick Runyen
Principal & Director of Organic Growth
Modera Wealth Management
Patrick Runyen, Principal & Director of Organic Growth | Modera Wealth Management, LLC
Pat is a Certified Financial Planner®, a Certified Public Accountant, and a Personal Financial Specialist. He lives in Downingtown, PA with his wife and two sons.
Caleb Silver
Editor in Chief
Investopedia
Caleb Silver, Editor in Chief | Investopedia
Heather Snyder, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Medical & Scientific Relations
Alzheimer’s Association
Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Medical & Scientific Relations | Alzheimer's Association
Dr. Snyder leads the Association’s International Research Grant Program and other strategic funding initiatives that accelerate promising investigations into our understanding of Alzheimer’s and dementia. As the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research, the Association currently has more than $430 million invested in over 1,110 active projects in 56 countries spanning six continents.
An expert in the field, Dr. Snyder has been featured in numerous TV interviews and print and online news articles, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.
She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in biology and religious studies from the University of Virginia.
Avy Stein
Founder and Co-Chairman
Cresset Capital
Avy Stein, Founder and Co-Chairman | Cresset Capital
Together with Co-Founder, Eric Becker, Avy has been involved with starting, investing in, and growing over 150 businesses and raising funds totaling over $8 billion. Before launching Cresset in 2017, Avy served as Chief Executive Officer of Willis Stein & Partners, a private equity firm he co-founded in 1994, where he managed the firm’s investments in the education, recycling, telecommunications, energy, and consumer sectors. During that time, Avy also co-founded Lincoln Clean Energy, a developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale clean energy projects later acquired by I Squared Capital in 2016.
Earlier in his career, Avy served as Managing Director for Continental Illinois Venture Corp (CIVC). Previously, he was President of Cook Energy Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and production company, and served as the parent company’s Vice President of Corporate Planning and Legal Affairs. Avy began his career in 1980 as an attorney at Kirkland & Ellis.
Deeply committed to giving back, Avy is an active philanthropist and civic leader. He serves on the board of directors for HilCo Global, a Chicago-based financial services company that specializes in asset valuation, monetization, and advisory solutions. He is a member of the Board of Trustees, former Treasurer, and Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ravinia Festival and is a member of the Harvard Law School Leadership Council. Avy provides fundraising support and strategic counsel for B.U.I.L.D. (Broader Urban Involvement in Leadership Development), a nonprofit organization that provides career and educational development for at-risk youth on Chicago’s south and west sides. He is also a director for the Western Golf Association and supports the Evans Scholars Foundation.
Avy received his law degree from Harvard Law School and holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Illinois.
George Vradenburg
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s
George Vradenburg, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman | UsAgainstAlzheimer’s
George Vradenburg is the Chairman and Co-Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2), a disruptive and catalytic force committed to stopping Alzheimer’s by 2020. The patient-led UsA2 platform seeks to escalate the fight against Alzheimer’s through a broad range of powerful voices and coalitions from various walks of life and social sectors.
UsA2 serves as the convener of the only industry coalition dedicated to stopping Alzheimer’s — the Global CEO Initiative (CEOi) on Alzheimer’s – as well as the co-convener of a 100+ member coalition of the Alzheimer’s-serving community — Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD). He chairs the only patient-led Alzheimer’s clinical trial network – the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation (GAP).
As a result of his UsA2 work, in 2011 George was appointed to the National Advisory Council on Research, Care and Services by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and in 2013 to the World Dementia Council by UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Also in 2013 George was appointed by Congress to the Long Term Care Commission charged with devising a comprehensive long term support and services plan for the United States.
Among other efforts, George has testified twice before the U.S. Congress regarding the Global Alzheimer’s pandemic; conceived and supported the Alzheimer’s Study Group; and, through the Vradenburg Foundation, has supported the Alzheimer’s Disease International World Alzheimer’s Reports and the National Institute of Health’s Global Alzheimer’s Research Summit.
Before his retirement, George served in senior executive positions at AOL/Time Warner, Fox and CBS. George is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Leadership Council, and the Economic Club of Washington.
George received his B.A. from Oberlin College, magna cum laude, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School, cum laude.
To attend Convergence, you must be one of the following:
- RIA
- Registered Rep
- Financial Planner
- Wealth Manager
- Investment Advisor
- Broker/Dealer FA
- Wirehouse Advisor
- Family Office
- Bank/Trust Professional
- Institution (pension and retirement plans, endowments and foundations)
- Accredited Investor, except those working for financial service companies
Except for Accredited Investors, you must directly serve individual or institutional clients. Those representing companies that primarily offer products or services to financial advisors or investors are not permitted to attend. We reserve the right to deny admission to any registrant not meeting the above criteria.
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FP Alpha
Using artificial intelligence, FP Alpha reads important financial documents to surface recommendations from real experts. In minutes, you can scale up your financial advice and be confident that the planning insights you deliver back to clients were composed by humans, not computers.
The end result is the perfect combination of advisor intelligence and artificial intelligence.
Welton
Investing in approximately 90 global markets, our scientific approach relies on the combination of scientific methods, proven quality movement managerial methods and seasoned staff.
Our clients include multi-manager funds, institutions, private banks and family offices throughout the world.
Founded in Northern California’s Silicon Valley and headed by CEO Patrick Welton, Welton Investment Corporation® is a National Futures Association (NFA) member, and is registered as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA) and Commodity Pool Operator (CPO) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
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For more information, visit www.bitwiseinvestments.com
BlackRock
For more information, visit www.blackrock.com.
CogniCor
For more information, visit www.cognicore.com.
Financial Advisor
For more information, visit www.fa-mag.com.
Investments & Wealth Institute
For more information, visit www.investmentsandwealth.org.
L1
For more information, visit www.l1.co.
LifeX
For more information, visit www.lifexfunds.com.
Nasdaq Global
For more information, visit www.nasdaq.com.
Prisidio
Learn more at www.prisidio.com.
Abra
For more information, visit www.abra.com.
Jump
We believe that financial advisors won’t be going away even as technological progress accelerates—on the contrary, Jump believes that AI will help advisors do their most important work: creating a lasting, trusting relationship with their clients as they help them navigate some of the most important decisions of their lives.
For more information, visit www.jumpapp.com.
Orion
For more information, visit www.orion.com.
VIP Guest
FREE
- Free Admission – the registration fee is waived
- Free Hotel – we will book your hotel room at Event location and pay for its costs
- Free Event Meals – we will pay for your meals at all Event Meals
Financial Professional
$199
- Special Hotel Room Rate of $289+tax per night
- Meetings with our sponsors
- Sponsor-hosted dinners
- You personally manage $50 million or more in client assets
- You determine which investments are recommended to your clients
- You meet with 8 sponsors for 15 minutes each at times provided by TAYF
- You attend one Sponsor-hosted dinner on February 25
- You attend Event’s full program, beginning 3pm on Monday, February 24 and ending 12:30pm on Wednesday, February 26
- You secure your registration with a credit card. Your card will be charged the costs of your hotel room plus Event maximum published registration fee only if you fail to meet the above requirements
- You provide TAYF with information about your job and company, which TAYF will use solely to evaluate your qualification as a VIP Guest. You will be informed of TAYF’s decision on a timely basis. TAYF’s decision will be at its sole discretion.
- As a VIP Guest, you are responsible for making and paying for your travel arrangements.