Agenda

Join us for a breakfast buffet prior to the start of the conference.

Pre-Conference Session A (optional): Can’t Get No Satisfaction

Speaker: Tom Cook – Principal, Senior Consultant, NEPC;
Dan Beaton – Senior Consultant, NEPC

Share your wishlist, as a plan sponsor, on what you’d like to see more of from your plan participants.

*This session would benefit Defined Contribution clients.

 

Pre-Conference Session B (optional): Mitigate Risks and Maximize Returns: Fund Commitments, Co-Investments and Direct Sourcing

Speaker: Dan Gimbel, CIMA® – Principal, Senior Consultant, NEPC;

Michael Painter –  Managing Partner, Plexus Capital;

Sigurd Strack – Chief Investment Officer of Private Investments, Trinity Alps Capital

A look at the opportunities, risks and nuances of direct sourcing and co-investing.

*This session would benefit Private Wealth clients.

Visit our registration desk in the America Ballroom Foyer on the fourth floor to check in and pick up your name badge.

Speaker: Mike Manning, CFA, CAIA – Managing Partner, NEPC

Speaker: Tim McCusker, FSA, CFA, CAIA – Partner, Chief Investment Officer, NEPC

Get the inside scoop on our 70-person strong Investment team and discover what sets us apart from our peers.

Lunch will be served on the fourth floor.

Speaker: Sarah Samuels, CFA, CAIA – Partner, Head of Investment Manager Research, NEPC

A first for the NEPC Client Conference, get an interactive, behind-the-scenes tour of our proprietary investment framework through case studies, including private markets, public markets and hedge funds.

Speakers: Tim McCusker, FSA, CFA, CAIA – Partner, Chief Investment Officer, NEPC;
Rick Rieder – CIO of Global Fixed Income & Head of Global Allocation Investments, BlackRock

Refreshments will be served in the America Ballroom Foyer on the fourth floor.

Speaker: Phillip Nelson, CFA – Partner, Head of Asset Allocation, NEPC;
Scott Perry, CAIA – Partner, Head of OCIO & Portfolio Strategy, NEPC

A lively discussion around NEPC’s market themes and outlook, and their implementation within OCIO client portfolios.

Speaker: Zack Kass – Leading Expert in AI; Former Head of Go To Market, OpenAI

A past, present, and future look at Artificial Intelligence. It spells out where we are, how we got here, where we’re going and how you can prepare.

Join us for a happy hour sponsored by Backstop Solutions in the America Ballroom Foyer on the fourth floor immediately following our closing session of the day.

Join us for dinner at one of two Boston-based restaurants for an opportunity to network with your peers.

Enjoy a complimentary high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and soothing yoga session led by NEPC’s very own, Emma Andrews. It’s not just a workout; it’s a transformative journey for your mind, body, and spirit. No fancy gear needed—just bring yourself and get ready to recharge your energy and rejuvenate your soul.

Join NEPC’s Lindsay Powers for a 3.5-mile journey through the streets of Copley Square to the Charles River! Whether you prefer to run, jog, or walk, this scenic excursion guarantees a fantastic workout while showcasing the beauty of the city. All fitness levels and abilities are welcome, so lace up your shoes and get ready to explore Boston’s iconic landmarks. Route maps will be provided beforehand.

Join us for a breakfast buffet prior to the start of the conference.

Speaker: Steve Charlton, CFA – Partner, Head of Client Solutions, NEPC

Speaker: Libby Cantrill, CFA – Managing Director and Head of Public Policy, PIMCO

During this session, Libby will share PIMCO’s views and insights on the 2024 election, expectations for the policymaking environment, and importantly, the potential impact of politics on investment portfolios and the economy.

Speaker: Jennifer Appel, CFA – Senior Investment Director, Asset Allocation, NEPC

Delve into the macroeconomic and portfolio implications for investors in a world teeming with fragmentation and uncertainty.

Session A: Passive Investing: Riding the Next Wave

Speaker: Kristina Tomasik – Investment Director, NEPC

A guide to passive investing amid its continuing popularity.

 

Session B: Manager Selection: Lessons from the Graveyard

Speakers: Alex Rickels, CFA – Investment Director, NEPC;
Rosann Halleran – Senior Investment Director, NEPC

Learn from the mistakes of managers that didn’t make it and invest in a strategy that will withstand the test of time.

 

Session C: Distressed Real Estate Investing: Opportunities and Strategies

Moderator: Shelley Santulli – Principal, Senior Investment Director, Real Assets, NEPC;
Speakers: Todd Liker – Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, Oaktree Capital Management;
Kathleen McCarthy – Global Co-Head of Blackstone Real Estate, Blackstone Inc.;
Thomas E. Wagner – Head of North American Real Estate and Senior Managing Director, Cerberus Capital Management

An exploration of the different investment opportunities across capital structure, property sectors and geographies, and their successful execution.

 

Session D: Diversifying Portfolio Risk

Speakers: Kadmiel Onodje, CAIA – Senior Investment Director, NEPC;
Kyan Nafissi, CFA – Investment Director, NEPC

An insight into NEPC’s tried and tested approaches to effectively diversifying portfolios. 

Lunch will be served on the fourth floor.

Session A: The Great AI Race

Speakers: Andrew Pettersen, CFA – Senior Investment Director, NEPC;
Andrew Heiskell – Global Equity Strategist, Partner, Wellington
Santo Politi – Founder and Managing Partner, Spark Capital;
Lu Zhang – Founder and Managing Partner, Fusion Fund

An exploration of the competitive AI landscape and its impact on investment portfolios, economic productivity and growth.

*This session would benefit Endowment and Foundation clients.

 

Session B: Fireside Chat: Perspectives and Innovation in Pension Management

Speakers: Rose Dean, CFA – Partner, NEPC;
Paul Matson – Executive Director, Arizona State Retirement System

An insight into Arizona State Retirement System’s governance, risk approach, and Contribution Prepayment Program (CPP) – a pioneering approach to pension obligation management that offers budget flexibility through changing financial conditions.

*This session would benefit Public Fund clients.

 

Session C: Are We Getting Too Personal?

Speakers: Mikaylee O’Connor – Principal, Head of Defined Contribution Solutions, NEPC
Will Stanco – Senior Consulting Analyst, NEPC

A breakdown of how managed account providers use (or don’t use) different inputs when constructing portfolios for participants.

*This session would benefit Defined Contribution clients.

 

Session D: The Great Debate: What to do with your Fully Funded Pension Plan

Moderator: Aaron Chastain, CFA – Principal, Senior Consultant, NEPC;
Speakers: Janis Kane, CFA, FSA, EA – Director of LDI Solutions, NEPC;
Jeff Stevenson – President and CEO, October Three;
Amy Trainor, FSA – Senior Managing Director, Partner, Multi-Asset Strategist, and Portfolio Manager, Wellington Management

A discussion of the various ways to manage assets and liabilities, including new and unique strategies and risks.

*This session would benefit Defined Benefit clients.

Session A: Navigating GP & LP Liquidity Solutions

Speakers: Nick Mann – Principal, Senior Investment Director, Private Markets, NEPC;
Kumber Husain – Managing Director for Audax Strategic Capital;
Chris Jaroch – Senior Managing Director at Newbury Partners;
Lindsay Sharma – Managing Director, Industry Ventures

A close look at the different ways general partners are creating liquidity in a higher interest-rate environment.

 

Session B: An Evolutionary Tale: The Past, Present and Future of Infrastructure Investing

Speaker: Larissa Davy – Senior Investment Director, NEPC

A discussion on the role of infrastructure as an asset class and potential investment opportunities. 

 

Session C: Is There a Bubble in Private Debt?

Speakers: Oliver Fadly – Partner, Head of Private Debt Investments, NEPC;
Colton Lavin, CFA – Investment Director, NEPC;
Akila Grewal – Partner in Client and Product Solutions, Apollo

An examination of the private debt market.

 

Session D: Unlocking Opportunities: The Power of Global Equity Investing

Moderator: Nedelina (Nina) Petkova – Senior Investment Director, NEPC;
Speakers: James Reichert, CFA – Partner and Senior Director of Portfolio Strategy, NEPC;
Rajiv Jain – Chairman and CIO, GQG Partners;

A discussion with seasoned professionals on investing globally and how to navigate the volatility around higher rates and geopolitics.

Speaker: Orlando Bravo – Founder & Managing Partner, Thoma Bravo

Speaker: Steve Charlton, CFA – Partner, Head of Client Solutions, NEPC