Wealthcare: Shifting the Industry Focus Beyond Returns

Featuring Sylvia Kwan, Ph.D., CFA, CAIA
CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Ellevest

U.S. equity markets have posted well above average returns for the last three consecutive years, and we are seeing new record highs year-to-date. By any traditional measure, it's been a huge success for our clients. Why then, do clients still feel a baseline of financial anxiety?

In this fireside chat, Dr. Sylvia Kwan, CEO and CIO of Ellevest, reimagines the future of wealth management through the lens of "wealthcare" -- a paradigm shift from traditional portfolio optimization to prioritize functional wealth and well-being. Join us to discover how a shift from "return on investment" to "return on life" can strengthen client engagement, align investments with values, and define a new standard of success for the future of financial advice.

Founded in 2014, Ellevest is a women-founded, women-led financial services company dedicated to closing the gender wealth gap. Our mission is to get more money in the hands of women, their families, and the next generation through personalized, intentional wealth management and financial planning.

This session brings a noted cast of industry veterans to identify aspects of alternative investments and pass on their knowledge. We will examine typical varieties of offering structures and the corresponding related potential benefits and risks associated with investments in alts. Examples of topics covered will be the investment process of sales, suitability and required disclosures. Panelists will identify how certain rules and regulations apply to the various types of offerings and why due diligence is an absolute critical part of the process to identify potential risks. Alternative investments cover a wide variety of industry sectors, including but not limited to real estate, energy, equipment and commercial debt. This session will also address some of the legal, tax and regulatory issues surrounding alt offerings with some of the best minds in the industry!

Kick off the conference with an opening session featuring insights from ADISA leadership, a look ahead at the week's programming, and recognition of industry excellence. ADISA CEO Jade Miller and ADISA Board President Matt Iak will outline the strategic direction of ADISA, priorities for the year ahead, and key trends shaping the alternative investments industry. ADISA Executive Director John Grady will provide a legislative and regulatory update, highlighting recent developments and advocacy efforts impacting members. Attendees will also hear from the Spring Conference chair Jake Heidkamp (FactRight), and CPC chair Katie Shook (Eagle Point Credit Management), on what to be on the lookout during the event.

With Conference Planning Committee Chair Katie Shook, Eagle Point Credit Management; 2026 Spring Conference Committee Chair Jake Heidkamp, FactRight; 2026 ADISA President Matt Iak, U.S. Energy Development Corporation; ADISA Executive Director John Grady; and ADISA CEO Jade Miller

Hear from industry experts Taylor Garrett with Mountain Dell Consulting on updates with how the 1031 market did in 2025, where we are year-to-date and what to expect going forward. Stanger's full alternative investment capital raise update with Kevin Gannon will follow.

Timely update of two critical alternative investment sectors. Leading real estate market expert Green Street will open with a data-driven update on the real estate market, covering macroeconomics trends, capital flows, valuations, and key forces shaping investor sentiment. The session will then shift to an oil & gas industry update, exploring current market dynamics, energy fundamentals, regulatory considerations, and how evolving conditions are influencing investment strategies.

With Bayle Smith, Green Street

Join seasoned professionals for a candid fireside chat on building a career in alternative investments. Panelists representing product sponsors, distribution and advisory firms will share real-world career paths, critical skill sets, and lessons learned navigating growth opportunities in the alts ecosystem. Designed to be practical and transparent, this session offers actionable guidance for professional early in their careers or exploring their next move within alternatives.

Participants: Jeff Bangerter, Concorde Investment Services; Tyler Carter, Orchard Securities; Tim Witt, Peachtree Group; Jo Venetch, Hana Solutions; Dan De Leon, Starboard Realty Advisors

This panel will examine professional sports as an institutional-quality asset class, highlighting why team ownership has demonstrated long-term value appreciation, resilient cash flows, and low correlation to traditional markets. Speakers will discuss the structural tailwinds supporting franchise values, including constrained supply, expanding media rights, global fan engagement, and evolving league economics. The conversation will explore how private investment structures provide diversified access to sports ownership while addressing governance, liquidity, and risk considerations. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of where sports investing fits within modern alternative investment portfolios.

Moderator: Jake Heidkamp, FactRight
Participants: Steve Dymant, SteelPeak Wealth; Jarrett Bell, CAZ Investments

In the past decade there has been significant growth in equity raised in 1940 Act Funds that provide exposures to alternative investments. In this session we will explore key developments and trends within the interval and tender offer fund market, including liquidity dynamics, recent regulatory changes that expand the investment opportunity set available to non-accredited investors. The session will also discuss the prospective inclusion of alternative investments into retirement accounts and how 1940 Act Funds may be a preferred investment structure.

Moderator: Jake Heidkamp, FactRight
Participants: Martin Dozier, Alston & Bird; Jacob Mohs, Interval Fund Tracker; John Grady, ADISA

Artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies are reshaping the world and the investment landscape -- but separating transformative opportunities from overhyped noise requires a closer look. Join a candid conversation between an asset manager deploying capital into cutting-edge AI and blockchain opportunities and an advisory firm navigating these allocation decisions on behalf of clients. Together they'll unpack how they evaluate emerging technology investments, manage the unique risks of this rapidly evolving space, and position portfolios to capture innovation-driven growth.

Moderator: Micah Jordan, NexPoint
Participants: Hamiz Awan, Plutus21 Capital; Doug Blake, Kingswood US

Join us as we walk through a few case studies using various tax strategies to maximize tax benefits for clients' portfolios. You'll learn how to implement various strategies including 1031 exchanges, opportunity zones, and a mix of other tax strategies that can help your clients.

Participants: Mark Kosanke, Concorde Investment Services; Matt Chancey, Realta Equities; Scott Escujuri, Legacy Wealth Management

Discover the technology firms and service providers helping to streamline operations across the alternative investment ecosystem. The ADISA Spring Tech Fair features interactive demos and live Q&A focused on practical solutions for compliance support, due diligence workflows, and smoother client onboarding and processing. Meet the teams behind the tools, see real-time capabilities in action, and walk away with ideas to reduce friction, improve oversight, and enhance the overall investor experience.

Consider this your change to level up – no software update required!

Sponsored by:

Venture capital and private equity are asset classes that have historically been difficult to access in the wealth management channel. Attendees will learn more about investment structures available in the market, as well as a discussion of key topics in these sectors including valuations, transparency, liquidity and exit strategies and sector outlooks. 

Moderator: Doug Blake, Kingswood US
Participants: Don Short, InvestX; Tom Staudt, ARK Invest; Jonas Grankvist, Liberty Street Advisors

Commercial real estate is navigating one of the most complex market environments in decades -- defined by higher interest rates, constrained capital markets, valuation uncertainty, and uneven performance across property types. With transaction volumes muted and pricing discovery still evolving, investment committees face a critical question: Is this the moment to deploy capital, remain patient, or stay on the sidelines?

Moderator: Jonathan Trump, Cetera Financial
Participants: Matt Fries, Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation; Nick Rosenthal, Griffin Capital Company; John Griggs, Deloache Capital

This session examines the current state of Opportunity Zones and how the program has evolved since its inception, featuring insights from Opportunity Zone industry expert Jimmy Atkinson. We'll discuss where Opportunity Zones are headed, why they may present timely opportunities for certain clients, and how recent and anticipated changes impact decision making. The presentation will cover key tax and investment considerations, along with the critical factors advisors and clients should evaluate when assessing Opportunity Zone strategies in today's evolving landscape.

Participants: Jimmy Atkinson, OpportunityZones.com; Mike Haven, U.S. Energy Development Corporation; Robert Burke, Cantor Fitzgerald

A debate becomes most valuable when it invites candid, good-faith conversation that ultimately strengthens the broader marketplace. Proponents of lifecycle funds highlight disciplined de-risking, predictable glidepaths, lower valuation risks and behavioral guardrails that help investors and managers stay aligned with long-term goals. Advocates for evergreen vehicles emphasize permanent capital, flexibility, and the ability to compound without the constraints of fixed maturities. By openly examining these trade-offs -- structure vs. adaptability, predictability vs. opportunity -- participants contribute to a more informed ecosystem where investors, advisors and managers can make clearer decisions and collectively elevate the quality and transparency of investment solutions. Debaters will square off to answer the question: "Should investors rely on evergreen investment vehicles as their primary allocation tool?" 

Moderator: John Donvan, Journalist, Author, Moderator-in-Chief for "Open to Debate"

Arguing For: Fred Baerenz, AOG Wealth Management; Kevin Kensinger, Olympus Property
Arguing Against: Keegan DeSilva, Great Point Capital; Brian Dunn, Peachtree Group

The hit TV series "Landman" has brought oil and gas operations into the spotlight -- but how much reflects real world sponsor activity?

This interactive session will use short clips from the show to examine practical due diligence considerations in oil and gas programs. Led by Brett Evans, attorney and principal at Evans Law P.C., alongside experienced sponsor operational managers, the discussion will separate fact from fiction while exploring real E&P scenarios, risk management practices, and transactional developments.

Moderator: Brad Updike, Mick Law
Participants: Brett Evans, Evans Law

This in-depth discussion explores how DST and 721 exchange structural design influences income durability, growth potential, fee layering, risk profile, and exit outcomes. Featuring broker-dealer due diligence leaders, the conversation will examine how these structures are evaluated during the review process -- and how those same considerations can help firms and advisors set clear, realistic expectations with clients.

A dedicated portion of this session will focus on 721 exchange optionality and valuation considerations -- and increasingly complex area embedded with distinct structural, liquidity, and execution risks. Designed to bridge institutional due diligence standards with practical advisor education.

Moderator: David Sengstock, Mick Law
Participants: Amy Arnold, Concorde Investment Services; Ashish Phansopkar, Cambridge Investment Research; Peter Magnuson, Osaic

As market volatility, interest rate dynamics, and shifting borrower fundamentals reshape the credit landscape, private credit strategies are entering a period of meaningful transition. This session will provide an update on current credit market conditions and explore how credit-based funds are adapting underwriting standards, structuring, and risk management in response to ongoing uncertainty. Panelists will examine where opportunities are emerging, how managers are pricing risk, and what diligence considerations advisors should prioritize when evaluating private credit offerings. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how today's evolving credit environment may impact portfolio construction and client outcomes.

Moderator: Kris Studebaker, Snyder Kearney
Participants: John Kneisley, Prospect Capital; Joey Roth, Eagle Point Credit Management; Daniel Siegel, Peachtree

Hear from the iconic Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl Championships, earned the Super Bowl XXVII MVP award, received the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1997, and before all that was the first pick in the 1989 NFL draft. 

Sorry to all the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers fans - we’re thrilled to bring the leader of the Cowboys’ 90s dynasty to ADISA’s 2026 Spring Conference in the same town all of the magic began!