SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
James Grant
GRANT’S INTEREST RATE OBSERVER
James Grant, founder and editor of Grant’s, is an alumnus of Indiana University (and, before that, of the USS Hornet).
Among his nine books are Money of the Mind a history of borrowing and lending in America; a life of John Adams, the second president of the United States; and, most recently, Bagehot: The Life and Times of the Greatest Victorian a biography of the great Victorian financial journalist and central bankers’ muse, Walter Bagehot.
A lawyer, CFA, and CPA by background, Peter Nesvold founded Nesvold Capital Partners after a 25-year career working primarily with asset and wealth management firms. He previously served as COO of Financial Services Investment Banking at Raymond James, and COO/CCO of Silver Lane Advisors, a premier investment banking boutique specializing in the asset and wealth management industries.
Outside of work, Peter is an Adjunct Professor of corporate finance at Fordham University and has published four books on M&A with McGraw-Hill.
Kara Armstrong
Kara Armstrong is Chief Operating Office of Capsouth Wealth Management. Kara has been with the CapSouth team since 2012, working in many areas of the company including accounting, trading, human resources, and operations.
In her current position as Chief Operating Officer, she enjoys doing whatever it takes to help our people, and our business, improve every day. Of our eight core values, Driven to Improve is her passion, and if asked, she’ll tell you there’s always something else to work on.
Megan Carpenter
Megan Carpenter is CEO and Co-Founder of FiComm Partners, an award-winning agency for RIA firms and financial advisors.
Recently named to the Investment News 40 Under 40 list, Meg’s expertise spans over 15 years of helping RIA firms and advisors connect, communicate and engage effectively with their target audiences. Her passion to promote the industry is demonstrated through her involvement with the CFP Board Center for Financial Planning Workforce Development Advisory Group.
Louis Diamond
Louis has guided many of the top teams in the industry as they’ve transitioned to another employee-model firm or launched RIA firms. And as a next generation leader himself, Louis has a passion for representing complex multi-generational teams.
A George Washington University magna cum laude graduate with a BBA degree in Finance and International Business, Louis began his career with some of the biggest names in the financial services industry. His time working as a consultant at Ernst & Young, and in wealth management at Morgan Stanley and UBS, well prepared him to understand the financial world from a client’s perspective.
Terry Igo
SANIBEL CAPTIVA TRUST COMPANY
Terry Igo joined the firm at its inception in 2001 on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. He was instrumental in growing the initial client asset base to over $1 billion, followed by the successful corporate expansion into Naples and Tampa.
In addition to directing company-wide operations, Terry serves as a member of the Asset Management Committee, the Risk Management Committee, and Strategic Planning. He has served as advisor to many Florida non-profit organizations, assisting with capital and planned giving campaigns; and increasing awareness of philanthropic giving.
Julie Littlechild
Julie Littlechild is the Founder & CEO of Absolute Engagement. She has worked with and studied successful financial advisors and their clients for more than twenty years and conducts one of the largest investor research studies to examine what clients need, want and expect. She is the author of a popular blog, the co-host of the Becoming Referable podcast, and the author of The Pursuit of Absolute Engagement
Julie sat on the national board of the Financial Planning Association, was twice identified as one of the 25 Most Influential People in Financial Planning and won the Influencer Award in practice management. She works in the US, Canada, UK and Europe and holds an MBA from the University of Toronto.
Nick Maggiulli
Nick Maggiulli is the Chief Operating Officer of Ritholtz Wealth Management and author of the blog Of Dollars And Data.
Prior to becoming COO, Nick worked as both a data scientist and a litigation consultant.
He has a bachelor degree in economics from Stanford University and is originally from Southern California. He currently lives in New York City.
You can read Nick’s blog, Of Dollars and Data here.
Sonya Mughal, CFA
Sonya joined Bailard in 1994. She serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Risk Officer for the firm. She is also a portfolio manager for the Bailard all cap growth/technology and science equity strategy and oversees security analysis, portfolio optimization, and portfolio construction across the firm's core equity portfolios.
Sonya currently serves on the Schwab Advisor Services Advisory Board. From 2012 to 2018, she served as a Silicon Valley Community Foundation investment committee member.
Steve Sanduski, CFP®
Steve is the founder of Belay Advisor and co-founder of ROL Advisor.
He is a New York Times Bestselling author and the co-author of Tested in the Trenches: A 9-Step Plan for Success as a New-Era Advisor and Avalanche: The 9 Principles for Uncovering True Wealth.
Steve is also a frequent contributor to the trade press including Financial Advisor Magazine.
He’s the host of Between Now and Success, which is one of the most popular podcasts in the financial industry.
Kristen Schmidt
As Founder & President of RIA Oasis, Kristen uncovers the real-time hurdles advisors face when it comes to technology, integrations & workflow building. As a Technology Strategist & Speaker, Kristen works directly with advisors and planners to assess, research, & implement technology platforms. Her passion is uncovering business solutions by marrying tech with best practice initiatives.
Kristen’s career spans over 17 years in financial services, specializing in operational efficiencies related to technology & business infrastructure. From managing Operations of a now billion dollar+ RIA based in the Midwest to being an alumni member of the TD Ameritrade Institutional Operations Panel, Kristen uncovers the ever-changing tech landscape by being boots on the ground with a variety of influencers. She is now as an agnostic, strategic partner to tech vendors, RIA firms, Hybrid model firms, Financial Planning firms, Consultants & Custodians throughout the industry.
Colin Sharp
KNOXBARRET
Prior to joining Knoxbarret , Colin was the COO of the Riverbridge Partners Board of Governors where Colin was responsible for promoting and supporting collaboration across the organization and fostering the professional development of individuals. He was also a member of the management team.
Prior to joining Riverbridge, Colin worked at Peregrine Capital Management as Chief Technology Officer.
Matt Sonnen
Matt founded PFI Advisors to help existing RIAs tackle the various operational and strategic issues that arise as they continue to grow, and to help billion-dollar breakaway teams start their own RIAs.
He left Focus Financial Partners in 2015 to launch PFI with his wife and business partner to help RIAs become more successful.
Matt understands the importance of efficient systems, as he carried out two full system replacements while COO/CCO of Luminous Capital. He has 20 years of industry knowledge and experience to help your firm reach its full potential.
Seth Streeter MS, CFP®, CDFA™
Seth co-founded Mission Wealth in 2000 and today it is a nationally recognized wealth management firm that specializes in guiding clients through major life events. Clients seek Seth’s counsel when faced with events such as retirement, inheritance, divorce, sale of a business, receipt of stock options, health concerns or the loss of a loved one. Seth helps his clients not only optimize their finances, but also live more fulfilling lives.
He is a thought-leader for conscious financial planning as well as an ambassador for environmental sustainability to combat the urgent threats of climate change.
MERCER CAPITAL’S RIA TEAM
Mercer Capital’s Investment Management Industry team provides a range of corporate valuation and financial advisory services to wealth managers, asset managers, independent trust companies, broker dealers, and investment consultants. They routinely assist clients with corporate planning and reorganization, internal transactions, and tax issues as well as valuations of intangible assets, options, and assets subject to specific contractual restrictions. The team also consult with investment management clients working to establish succession plans and comprehensive buy-sell agreements and companies in the process of selling or buying.
Matthew R. Crow, ASA, CFA
President
Brooks K. Hamner, CFA, ASA
Vice President
Taryn E. Burgess, CFA, ABV
Senior Financial Analyst
Zachary W. Milam, CFA
Senior Financial Analyst