2026 AIF Institute Private Wealth Investing Symposium
March 3 | New York City | One Vanderbilt
We invite you to join us on March 3, 2026, at One Vanderbilt in New York City for the Inaugural AIF Institute Private Wealth Investing Symposium, a one-day program bringing together senior wealth executives, asset managers, and academic experts to explore how private markets are reshaping wealth and retirement portfolios..
Agenda to be released soon
Agenda at a Glance
March 3
8:30 a.m.
Registration
8:45–9:00 a.m.
Symposium Welcome Remarks
- Brant Maller, Founder and CEO, AIF Global and the AIF Institute
- Andrew Messer, Executive Director, AIF Global and the AIF Institute
9:00–9:45 a.m.
The Big Picture: Private Markets, Wealth, and the Future of Alternatives
Market overview examining supply and demand dynamics, the expanding role of the wealth channel, innovations in fund structures, regulatory guidance, and key liquidity and legal risks
- Michael Sidgmore, Co-Founder & Partner, Broadhaven Ventures
- Alisa Wood, Partner and Co-CEO, KPEC, KKR
10:00–10:45 a.m.
Academic Research Perspective: Alternatives in Wealth and Retirement
- Michael Ewens, Professor of Finance, Columbia Business School
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Roundtable: The Top Challenges Facing Wealth Firms Incorporating Alternatives
Discussion on firms’ goals for alternatives, operational and regulatory hurdles, and where innovation and collaboration are most needed
Session Leader:
- Daniel Amiri, Investment Director, Alternatives, Northwestern Mutual
Session Participants:
- Dave Pappalardo, Private Wealth Consulting Practice Leader, Segal Marco Advisors
- Robert Picard, Head of Alternatives, Hightower Advisors
- Scott Lavelle, Head of Manager Research and Investment Product Design, PNC Asset Management Group
12:00–1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00–1:40 p.m.
Portfolio Construction in a Private Markets Era: Evolving Beyond 60/40
Practical perspectives on where alternatives add value and how wealth platforms are adapting model portfolios.
Session Leader:
- Chris Schelling, Managing Director, Aksia
Session Participants:
- Neil Blundell, CIO, CAIS Advisors
- Stephanie McCormick, Partner and Portfolio Manager, Brown Advisory
2:00–2:45 p.m.
Valuations Without a Playbook: Comparing Evergreen and Closed-End Approaches
Examining valuation frameworks, liquidity mismatches, and trade-offs between evergreen vehicles and traditional closed-end funds for portfolio construction and risk management.
Session Leader:
- Mark Robillard, Vice President, Alternative Investments Research, Fidelity Investments
Session Participants:
- Doug Krupa, Head of Global Wealth Solutions, KKR
- Ben Wells, Partner, Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP
3:00–4:00 p.m.
Roundtable: Managing Liquidity in a Semiliquid World
A discussion of the trade-offs in evergreen private market structures, examining how governance, redemption design, and suitability balance investor access with resilience and liquidity risk realities.
Session Leader:
- Dan Lepore, Head of Liability Management, Cliffwater
Session Participants:
- Daniel Amiri, Investment Director, Alternatives, Northwestern Mutual
- Joshua Deringer, Partner and Management Board Member, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
- William Kieser, Principal, Quantitative Research Group, Ares Management
4:30–5:00 p.m.
Institutional Allocator’s View: How Private Wealth Is Reshaping Private Markets
Session Leaders:
- Dominic Garcia, Trustee, Cliffwater Corporate Lending; Chair, Coller Capital Secondaries PE Fund; Former CIO, New Mexico PERA
- Pete Keliuotis, Head of Alternatives Consulting, Callan
5:00–6:00 p.m.
Reception & Cocktails at One Vanderbilt
2026 AIF Institute Private Wealth Investing Symposium Participant List
Confirmed Investor, Consultant, and Finance Academic Participants (to date)
The following investors and consultants have already confirmed their participation in the 2026 AIF Private Wealth Investing Symposium. Additional confirmations are expected in the coming weeks.
Advance
Nicholas Seney, Manager, Investment Management
Aksia
Nisha Iyer, Pan-Alts Analyst
Chris Schelling, Managing Director
BNY Wealth
Fei Tsum, Head of Investment Architecture
Brown Advisory
Stephanie McCormick, Partner and Portfolio Manager
CAIS Advisors
Neil Blundell, CIO
Catherine Catabran, Senior Vice President, Business Development
Callan
Pete Keliuotis, Head of Alternatives Consulting
Cliffwater Corporate Lending
Dominic Garcia, Trustee
Dan Lepore, Head of Liquidity Management
Columbia Business School
Michael Ewens, Professor of Finance
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Joshua Deringer, Partner and Management Board Member
Fidelity Investments
Mark Robillard, Vice President, Alternative Investments Research
Niraj Agarwal, Portfolio Manager, Private Real Assets
Fire Capital Management
Kelsey Syvrud, Director of Investment Strategy
Hightower Advisors
Robert Picard, Head of Alternatives
Jefferies Wealth Management
Laurie Goodman, Global Head of Investment and Wealth Solutions
LDS Investments
Jiwoo Park, Managing Director
Longwall Family Office
Terrence Purcell, Partner & Co-CIO
Monetary Authority of Singapore
Sin Lek Ang, Deputy Director
Pui Ee Lai, Chief Representative
Morgan Stanley
John James, Director of Investments
Northwestern Mutual
Daniel Amiri, Investment Director, Alternatives
PNC Asset Management Group
Brad Ackerman, Head of Alternative Investments
Scott Lavelle, Head of Manager Research & Investment Product Management
SCS Financial
Kyle Spalding, Managing Director, Private Equity
Segal Marco
Dave Pappalardo, Senior Vice President, Private Wealth Consulting Practice Leader
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Ben Wells, Partner
Voya
Lanyon Blair, Head of Manager Research and Selection
William Blair
Joshua Walshe, Director, Investment Research and Solutions