conference@i-w.org
Key Topics
Invest in Your Growth—and Your Clients’ Success
Standard Pricing | $795 |
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Signature Member Registration |
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Elite Member Registration |
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On-Demand
1.5 CE
Watch Your Tail (Risk)
Originally Occurred: 9:10 am - 10:25 am, Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025
Presenters:
Liz Thomas, CFA®, Head of Investment Strategy
Liz Thomas, the highest-rated presenter at Strategy Forum 2024, is back by popular demand! In this session, Thomas will share her perspective on the economy and markets, and the opportunities and tail risks they present. She'll cover topics such as the artificial intelligence spending boom, credit conditions, geopolitical forces, labor markets, and monetary policy to help translate all of the cross-currents into actionable insights for portfolios. Expect a candid and thorough outlook on markets for the remainder of this year, and into 2026.
Learning Objectives:
Decode the current macro and market signals.
Identify risks and opportunities for an actionable portfolio plan.
Evaluate the forces that may move markets in 2026 to frame future client conversations.
On-Demand
1 Ethics CE
The Complexity Behind Acting Badly While Thinking of Ourselves as Good
Originally Occurred: 10:45 am - 11:45 am, Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025
Presenters:
Dan Ariely, Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics
During this talk, Dan Ariely will discuss how the principles of behavioral economics can help us understand some of the irrational tendencies behind unethical behavior. It turns out one of the biggest forces in unethical behavior is not the temptation to accumulate more of something but rather rationalizations. An interesting aspect of human behavior is our capacity to behave dishonestly but to think of ourselves as honest — which is the main point of rationalization. The implications of this research are far reaching and include a better understanding of financial crises, regulations, the potential pitfalls that we should all worry about, and day-to-day misbehaviors.
Learning Objectives:
What are the real underlying causes of unethical behavior?
How can we analyze our environments to identify places that more easily lead to dishonest behavior?
How can we overcome the temptation to behave dishonestly?
On-Demand
1 CE
Executive Compensation: Unlocking Your Concentrated Stock
Originally Occurred: 11:20 am - 12:10 pm, Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Presenters:
John Nersesian, CIMA®, CPWA®, CFP®, Founder, Nersesian Wealth Education LLC
Rich Hazzouri, CFA®, CPWA®, QPFC, Executive Director, Financial Advisor, Senior Institutional Consultant, Morgan Stanley
Merrie Zhang, CFA®, Vice President, Head of Client Portfolio Management, Quantitative Equity Solutions, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Concentrated equity positions present taxable investors with both a blessing and a curse. They are a blessing because significant concentration likely resulted from past price appreciation, boosting investors’ wealth. But they are also a curse, because an outsized contribution to total portfolio risk can dominate the future.
These clients often struggle to diversify their exposure because of a complicated mix of behavioral factors and the tax consequences of selling highly appreciated positions held in taxable accounts. This session will explore the unique risks of holding a concentrated stock position and examine how volatility, liquidity constraints, tax considerations, and behavioral biases can impact portfolio outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical tools, solutions, and a framework to help clients make informed decisions about managing concentrated stock positions.
Learning Objectives:
Quantify concentration risk by assessing a position’s contribution to total portfolio risk, stress-testing volatility and liquidity scenarios, and setting action thresholds for intervention.
Evaluate tax-aware diversification approaches by comparing feasibility, costs, risks, and after-tax implications to select an appropriate path aligned with client objectives and constraints.
Apply a client-ready decision framework that integrates behavioral coaching (e.g., endowment effect, loss aversion), documents trade-offs, and produces an implementation plan with monitoring, rebalancing cadence, and tax/risk constraints.
On-Demand
1 Tax & Regulations CE
Planning Under the 2025 Tax Act: Changes Affecting Planning with Estates and Trusts
Originally Occurred: 1:40 pm - 2:30 pm, Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Presenters:
Steve Siegel, JD, LLM, President, The Siegel Group
The 2025 Tax Act has made many changes in the tax law, some effective immediately, some in 2026. This session will focus on the planning issues arising from the changes in the new law involving estate and trust planning and the timing of those issues that should be addressed.
Learning objectives:
Gain an overall understanding of the most important provisions of the 2025 Tax Act involving estate and transfer tax changes and planning of interest to wealth managers.
Evaluate the range of planning tools and suggestions prompted by the estate and trust changes in the tax law.
Focus on those estate and trust planning techniques and strategies most helpful to clients with moderate and high-net-worth.
On-Demand
1 CE
From Transactions to Transformations: Rethinking Philanthropic Advice for the Ultra-Wealthy
Originally Occurred: 3:40 pm - 4:30 pm, Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Presenters:
Christine Gaze, CIMA®, CFP®, Chair
David York, CPA, Managing Partner & Author, Estate Planning Attorney, York Howell
Ron Ransom, Chief Executive Officer, American Endowment Foundation
Noel Pacarro-Brown, CIMA®, CPWA®, Financial Advisor, Senior Vice President, Investing with Impact Director, Family Wealth Advisor, Senior Investment Management Consultant, Morgan Stanley
The explosive growth in private wealth during the past several decades has created a distinct class of ultra-wealthy clients—nearly 3 million U.S. households now hold between $10 million and $50 million in net worth. For financial advisors, this shift presents both opportunities and challenges. While traditional philanthropic advice often focuses narrowly on tax strategies and funding vehicles, today’s wealthiest clients increasingly are motivated by deeper questions of meaning, legacy, and impact. This engaging panel will explore how advisors can elevate their role in the philanthropic conversation—helping clients move from transactional giving to transformative generosity. Attendees will leave with actionable tools, conversation frameworks, and new perspectives to deepen relationships with their wealthiest clients, positioning themselves as trusted partners not just in financial success, but in shaping lasting legacies of purpose.
Learning Objectives:
Practical strategies for navigating complex tax considerations—such as the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill—while keeping clients’ broader goals at the center.
How to use behavioral and mental framing techniques to help clients build momentum in their giving journey.
Real-world examples of advisory firms that have successfully cultivated a “culture of generosity” within their teams and client communities.
The art of asking powerful, reflective questions that inspire clients to articulate their desired legacy and vision for impact.
When and how to collaborate with philanthropic advisors or specialists to unlock greater clarity and effectiveness in client giving strategies.
On-Demand
1 CE
Finding Opportunity in Securitized Credit
Originally Occurred: 9:10 am - 10:00 am, Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Presenters:
Laura Mayfield, Assistant Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, Asset Backed Securities (ABS), Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.
This session will educate financial professionals on today’s securitized credit landscape, emphasizing how the asset class has evolved since the Global Financial Crisis and why it may offer compelling opportunities today. We'll cover the structure, risk-reward trade-offs, relative value versus corporate credit, the role of active management, and where securitized credit fits within diversified fixed income portfolios. The presentation demystifies common misconceptions and highlights how institutional investors increasingly are allocating to this market.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the basic structure and purpose of securitized products, including asset-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations, and residential mortgage-backed securities.
Describe key reforms and structural improvements in the market since the Global Financial Crisis.
Identify the benefits and risks associated with securitized credit versus corporate credit and the role of active management.
Evaluate relative value metrics, including spread and volatility comparisons.
Understand how securitized assets can enhance fixed income portfolios, including specific roles in duration, credit risk, and return targets.
On-Demand
1 CE
Resilience & Happiness at Work
Originally Occurred: 8:00 am - 9:00 am, Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Presenters:
Emma Seppälä, PhD, Best-selling author, Yale lecturer, and international keynote speaker
The wealth management industry is high-stakes, fast-moving, and often emotionally charged—for both clients and professionals. Success depends not only on financial acumen but also on your ability to stay composed under pressure, recover from setbacks, and make clear decisions amidst uncertainty. This talk explores science-backed strategies for building mental resilience tailored to the unique challenges of investment advising, navigating client relationships, managing market volatility, and remaining agile and creative in a constantly changing environment. You'll walk away with actionable tools to handle difficult conversations, remain calm during volatile negotiations, and use adversity as a catalyst for creativity and growth in your career and practice.
Learning Objectives:
Identify science-backed techniques for building personal resilience in the workplace to effectively manage stress, navigate office politics, and remain composed during challenging situations such as negotiations.
Apply practical tools and strategies to foster a positive and connected work environment that promotes well-being, engagement, and productivity.
Evaluate the impact of workplace happiness and meaningful professional experiences on individual and organizational performance using insights from current research.
On-Demand
1 CE
Risk Preferences, Personality, and Investor Psychology
Originally Occurred: 8:00 am - 9:00 am, Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025
Presenters:
Chris Geczy, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Finance, Academic Director, Wharton Wealth Management Initiative, Academic Director, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Center
This presentation presents the psychological and neurological underpinnings of clients' financial behaviors, risk tolerance, and investment decision-making. The session will explore how personality traits and market experience shape investor behaviors. Session highlights include an exploration of personality-based assessments and an analysis of cases illustrating market experience effects on client decisions.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the psychological and neurological factors that influence clients' financial behaviors and risk tolerance.
Learn how personality traits and prior market experience shape investment decision-making.
Apply insights from personality assessments and case studies to better support client financial decisions.
On-Demand
1 CE
Tax Alpha Amplified: Strategies to Maximize Client Value
Originally Occurred: 11:20 am - 12:10 pm, Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Tax efficiency isn't just a best practice; it's a fiduciary imperative. Join Nuveen Advisor Education tax specialist Jim Bergeron as he and Nuveen experts share strategies for tax-optimized portfolios and their applications in wealth transfer strategies. Discover how top advisors are implementing tools such as long/short extensions, 1031 exchanges, and custom municipal vehicles to deliver superior client value in today's dynamic markets while addressing both current tax optimization and long-term legacy planning objectives.
Learning Objectives:
Master the current tax landscape to identify challenges and opportunities for high-net-worth clients.
Develop comprehensive, multi-year tax planning frameworks that seek to maximize after-tax returns.
Deploy sophisticated tax-alpha strategies designed to enhance tax efficiency.
On-Demand
1 CE
Building and Nurturing High-Performing Teams
Originally Occurred: 10:20 am - 11:10 am, Monday, Nov 17, 2025
Presenters:
Julie Littlechild, Founder. Chief Executive Officer, Absolute Engagement
Sue Hadden, Vice President, Wealth Management, Wealth Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Brian Konish, CFP®, CPWA®, Certified Private Wealth Advisor, Managing Director—Investments, KB Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
In the Investments & Wealth Institute’s “2025 Team and Business Leader Study,” 93 percent of respondents reported leadership or management challenges. The key concerns included: finding the right people, finding the time to support team members, developing expertise across team members, and creating a culture to engage team members. In this panel presentation, you will hear from client engagement expert Julie Littlechild, and practice management consultant Sue Hadden, who will share new research and practical actions to develop high-performing teams.
Learning Objectives:
In this session you will learn how to address key challenges and opportunities in building high-performing teams (HPT), in order to deliver better client service and enhanced client outcomes.
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