THE WEST COAST'S PREMIER INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 | Omni Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
 JUST CONFIRMED: TERRY-BRANSTAD, FORMER US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA                                                                         NEW SPEAKERS ADDED DAILY!!!            
 

THE EVENT

PORTFOLIO is an immersive all-day event geared toward the local investment community and beyond, brought to you by CFA Society Los Angeles. PORTFOLIO will provide attendees the opportunity to accelerate knowledge acquisition, participate in relevant topic debates and dialogs, and network with fellow practitioners. Attendees will be provided with unique access to local and global thought leaders through an array of speaker showcases, discussion panels and breakout sessions.

PORTFOLIO aims to broaden understanding and inspire debate within our community, providing exclusive insights into the current investment landscape and examining the future of our industry by exploring the leading edge in portfolio theory, regulatory impact, emergent opportunities, geopolitical influences, and overviews in private markets and AI. Be sure to join your colleagues at our annual event, which is on its way to becoming the premier summit for enhancing the breadth and depth of knowledge of Southern California’s investment professionals.

Asset Classes: Equities · Fixed income · Real Assets (Real Estate, Infrastructure) · Private Equity · Venture capital · Gold· Digital Assets

Investment Trends: ESG · Fintech · Factor Investing · Algorithmic Investing · Direct lending · Floating Rate Investments · High Yield · Emerging Markets · Distressed Debt · Impact Investing · Co-Investments

Economic Concepts: Global Macroeconomics · Central Bank Policies · Interest Rate Movements · Geopolitical Risks · The Next Recession

Wealth Management Concepts: Asset Allocation · Asset Correlations · Tax Efficiency · Institutional, Foundation, Family Office, RIA, and BD Investing

Vehicles and Structures: ETFs · Hedge Funds · Liquid Alts · Asset-Backed Securities 

 

2024 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

 

VENUE

Omni Los Angeles Hotel
251 South Olive Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dress Code: Business Casual

Parking: Valet Parking - Event Rate - $25

Stay at the Omni Hotel for the discounted room rate of $359 per night between September 24-26, 2024. Book your stay today and secure this rate before it expires: https://buff.ly/3KkEYsu

Pricing does not include applicable state and local taxes and fees.

 

Tickets & EARLY BIRD RATES

Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, and cocktail reception.


Early Bird Pricing Breakdown
For CFALA Members:

  • $99.00 - Through July 1st, 2024;
  • $149.00 - July 2nd - August 31st, 2024;
  • $249.00 - September 1st- September 24th, 2024;
  • $299.00 - At-Door;

For Non-Members**:

  • $349.00 - Through July 1st, 2024;
  • $399.00 - July 2nd - August 31st, 2024;
  • $449.00 - September 1st- September 24th, 2024;
  • $499.00 - At-Door;

**Consider Local Society Membership! Whether you are a Charterholder, enrolled in the CFA Program, or an investment professional in Southern California, CFA Society Los Angeles provides members with numerous networking opportunities, topical events at reduced rates, career development programs and other benefits.

Not a CFA Charterholder or candidate? Associate Membership is only $175 per year, and members save up to $200 on PORTFOLIO - plus highly discounted rates for all CFALA events and exclusive Member ONLY events. Subject to application and approval. Interested? You should be! Contact us at info@cfala.org to learn more or check out our Membership Page to review all membership types, pricing, discounts and benefits.


Cancellation Policy: To receive a full refund of your Portfolio 2024 registration, you must submit in writing your request to cancel within 45 days of your registration or by Friday September 20, 2024, whichever is sooner to info@cfala.org. A full refund will be issued via your method of payment (if you paid by credit card, refund will be provided via the credit card).

If you are unable to attend and your registration was past the 45 day mark, you may elect to provide a substitute for your attendance at Portfolio 2024. Please note that if you are a CFA Society Los Angeles member your substitute must also be a Society member. Non-member registration may substitute any non-member. All substitutions must be provided to CFALA by September 20, 2024.


Health and Safety Policy: In keeping with the current guidance from the CDC, the State of California, and local regulations, CFA Society Los Angeles no longer requires attendees to show vaccination cards or negative covid tests. Should CDC, State, or Local regulations change, you will be notified by email prior to the event. If you are NOT feeling well or have been exposed to COVID, we ask that you not attend this event for the health and safety of all attending.

 

AGENDA

7:00 am: Registration, Breakfast & Sponsor Showcase

8:00 am: Opening Remarks with the CFA Society Los Angeles President

  • Mariya Entina, CFA, CPA, Portfolio Manager, DoubleLine Group

8:05 am: General Session #1 - CEO Chat with Katie Koch

A frank discussion on the evolving nature of the business of investing and managing an investment firm. What products are in demand from investors, both institutional and retail? In what form are those products being delivered? As the CEO, how does she organize and manage her teams to succeed? What opportunities and challenges does she foresee for the industry as a whole over the next few years?

  • Katie Koch, Chief Executive Officer, TCW
  • Moderator: Alicia Romo, CFA, Past President, CFA Society Los Angeles

9:00 am: General Session #2 - Fixed Income Strategy - Two Titans

Join us for a dynamic and fast-paced discussion featuring two of fixed income’s most engaging speakers. This exclusive event will offer an in-depth exploration of the latest market trends and economic forecasts, providing invaluable insights from these leading finance experts, rarely seen on the same stage. Together, offering a thorough examination of today’s complex financial landscape, these speakers will share their distinct viewpoints on how to position for and navigate through the uncertain waters ahead.

  • Jeffrey Sherman, CFA, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, DoubleLine
  • Michael Collins, CFA,  Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager, PGIM
  • Moderator: Y. Allen Kim, CFA, Director of Investment Strategy Group, Bel Air Investments

10:00 am: Networking/Sponsor Break

10:15 am to 11:15 am: Breakout Session #1 (3 Panel Options Available)

10:15 am - Option #1: Private Credit: A Growing Portfolio Allocation or a Growing Risk?

Is private credit (non-public debt typically extended to middle-market firms) showing signs of a valuation peak or continued momentum? Private credit has grown so fast in recent years that the market size is now on par with leveraged loans and high yield bonds, and so far has not shown distress in the form of defaults. Moreover, private credit firms have been taking down larger deals that would historically go to the leveraged loan market, while at the same time improving access to venture capital. The panel will discuss the changing dynamics and outlook of private credit.

  • Zachary Ellison, CFA, CAIA, Founder and Managing General Partner, Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.)
  • Brett Graffy, CAIA, Managing Director of Private Credit, Aksia
  • Jeff Topor, Portfolio Manager, Cliffwater, LLC
  • Moderator: Moira Conlon, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Financial Profiles

10:15 am - Option#2: Navigating the Future: The Strategic Impact of Active ETFs

Explore the latest innovations within the Active ETF space and how they are enhancing market efficiency, liquidity, and investment performance. This discussion will delve into the unique strategies that Active ETFs employ, their role in portfolio diversification, and the ways they address regulatory and operational challenges. Additionally, gain insights into future trends shaping the investment landscape and understand how these advancements are transforming the financial environment.

  • Brendan McCarthy, Managing Director, Client Solutions Group Goldman Sachs Asset Management
  • Robert Selouan, CFA, CAIA, Vice President - Senior Research Strategist, State Street Global Advisors SPDR
  • Bradley Zucker, CFA, CAIA, Director, BlackRock

10:15 am - Option #3: How to Navigate the New Landscape of Sustainable Investment?

With ESG integration now widely accepted as a matter of fiduciary duty, many investors have turned their focus to the next set of opportunities and challenges: the transition to a low-carbon economy. This panel will discuss how they identify value in today’s evolving sustainable investment landscape, including their approaches to biodiversity, supply chain resilience, the marine economy, and global regulations.
  • Heather Beatty, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ScopeFour Capital
  • Scott Carlton, Partner, Litigation Department, Paul Hastings, LLP
  • Moderator: Bonnie Wongtrakool, CFA, Global Head of ESG Investments and Portfolio Manager, Western Asset Management

11:15 am: Networking/Sponsor Break

11:30 am: Lunch & General Session #3 - Navigating Turbulent Waters: Geopolitical Impacts, Financial Markets, and the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

Hear from two distinguished former ambassadors as they delve into the complex interplay between the upcoming presidential election, global unrest and financial market dynamics. This discussion will offer unique perspectives on how current geopolitical tensions are influencing economic stability and investment strategies worldwide.

  • Ambassador David Adelman, Former US Ambassador to Singapore, & Managing Director and General Counsel, Kraneshares
  • Ambassador Terry Branstad, Former US Ambassador to China & Longest Serving Governor in US History

1:30 pm: Networking/Sponsor Break

1:45 pm to 2:45 pm: Breakout Session #2 (3 Panel Options Available)

1:45 pm - Option #1: Generative AI: How to unlock its promise & navigate hidden pitfalls

Join us for an intelligent discussion on the transformative power of Generative AI, featuring insights from leading experts. As Generative AI models like ChatGPT surge in popularity with increased investments and user adoption, understanding their potential and challenges is crucial. This session will help you gain a foundational understanding of Generative AI & explore industry use cases & real-world examples in investment, wealth management & beyond. Delve into the ethical considerations & data security challenges associated with large language models. 

  • Mayanka Melville, CFA, Head of Data, Generate Capital
  • Sarah Rich, Vice President, Lead Client Portfolio Manager, Goldman Sachs
  • Moderator: Kevin Winston, Global Lead Generative AI spokesperson, Amazon Web Services

1:45 pm - Option #2: The Future of Real Assets in a Portfolio

Real assets continue to play a critical diversifying role in portfolios for a broad range of investors. Join us for a lively panel discussion that will cover the breakdown of the asset class, the range of solutions that are available, and how investors are using specific solutions to mitigate portfolio risk and build more resilient portfolios. As part of the discussion, we will explore key areas of the asset class, including infrastructure, the energy sector, and niche real estate opportunities.

  • Michael Underhill, Chief Investment Officer, Capital Innovations, LLC
  • John Wieker, Executive Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer, Core Spaces
  • Moderator: Brian Haskin, Managing Director, Seaport Global Asset Management

1:45 pm - Option #3: Demystifying Reinsurance and Catastrophe Bonds

Reinsurance, also referenced as insurance-linked securities (ILS), is an asset class that can provide attractive returns while expressing an intuitively low correlation to traditional asset classes. Unfortunately, many investors are scared away by terms like “catastrophe bonds” and news about climate change. However, the risks are often misunderstood. This panel will provide an introduction to reinsurance, which is much larger than catastrophe bonds, and discuss how to access, evaluate and implement the asset class in a portfolio.

  • Daina Cantwell, Director Business Development, Nephila Advisors LLC
  • Sean Lee, CFA, Vice President, Callan LLC
  • Joseph Morgart, Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Amundi US
  • Moderator: Alfredo Gomez, CFA, CAIA, SVP & Senior Research Analyst, US Bank Wealth Management

2:45 pm: Networking/Sponsor Break

3:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Breakout Session #3 - (2 Panel Options Available)

3:00 pm - Option #1: Strategic Shifts: Enhancing Income and Diversifying Risk in a Changing Economic Landscape

Time to Increase Your Allocation? The CIO Titans talked about the macroeconomic outlook but what can you do to take advantage of this? Join our experts as they discuss how global bonds, public credit markets, and emerging markets can add income to your portfolio while diversifying risk.

  • Sejal Penkar, Director of Fixed Income Markets, Capital Group
  • Lynda Schweitzer, CFA, Portfolio Manager & Co-Head of Global Fixed Income, Loomis, Sayles & Company
  • Vesa Tontti, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
  • Moderator: Asha Joshi, CFA, President, SetuVest

3:00 pm - Option #2: Emerging Markets: A New Investment Cycle in Bonds and Equities?

Will global monetary easing, the strengthening profile of many EM countries, higher corporate earnings, AI optimism, geopolitical and global trade dynamics, and supply chain integration bode well for emerging markets bonds, and equities?

  • Brendan Ahern, Chief Investment Officer, KraneShares
  • Kent Chan, Equity Investment Director, Capital Group
  • Anisha Goodly, Managing Director & Head of Emerging Markets Portfolio Specialist Team, TCW
  • Moderator: Mary Machado-Schammel, Global Strategic Consultant, Coalition Greenwich

4:00 pm: Networking/Sponsor Break

4:15 pm - General Session #4 - CIO Insights – How are Leading CIOs Allocating Assets Today

Get insights from top Chief Investment Officers as they share their views and preferences for various asset classes – old and new. Gain an understanding of their considerations, ranging from traditional equities and fixed income to private equity, venture capital, cryptocurrencies, real estate, and more.

  • Jeremy Wolfson, Chief Investment Officer, City of Los Angeles - Water & Power Employees' Retirement Plan
  • Moderator: Karyn Williams, PhD, Managing Principal and Regional Manager (North America), Hightree Advisors & Zürich

5:15 pm: Cocktail Reception

 

 

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