Brendan Ahern

Chief Investment Officer, KraneShares

Brendan Ahern is the Chief Investment Officer at KraneShares. Brendan joined KraneShares in 2013. Brendan leads the firm’s research and education efforts and actively works with investors on a variety of subjects ranging from asset allocation to trading to articulating the growing influence that index providers hold in the asset management industry. Prior experience includes over ten years with Barclays Global Investors (subsequently BlackRock’s iShares), which he joined in 2001 during the rollout of their ETF business. His career has spanned a period of tremendous growth for ETFs, which has contributed to his profound knowledge of the ETF landscape. Brendan is considered a preeminent expert in global financial markets with a particular focus on China. He is a frequent visitor to China and actively maintains daily contact with a deep local research network comprised of investment banks, brokers, and regional and boutique research firms. He produces a daily update called China Last Night (www.chinalastnight.com), which also appears as a column on Forbes.com. He is often sought after by leading business and financial outlets and regularly appears on CNBC and Bloomberg to discuss China’s capital markets. He is a frequent guest of Bloomberg Radio’s Daybreak Asia, and he is quoted in The Wall Street Journal and Investor’s Business Daily. Brendan graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and has a MS in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco.

 Zack Ellison, CFA, CAIA

Managing General Partner & Chief Investment Officer, Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.)

Zack Ellison, CFA, CAIA, is the Founder and Managing General Partner of Applied Real Intelligence (A.R.I.) and Chief Investment Officer of the A.R.I. Senior Secured Growth Credit Fund, which provides customized financing solutions to North America's premier innovators. Zack’s distinguished career spans roles at five publicly traded financial firms, including three with over $1 trillion in assets. He has worked at some of the world’s largest financial institutions, including Scotia Bank, Deutsche Bank, and Sun Life Financial, where he excelled as a media and technology investment banker, corporate bond trader, and portfolio manager. A recognized thought leader in funding innovation, Zack writes monthly columns for Venture Capital Journal and Built In, where he shares insights on investing in innovation, financial strategies, and maximizing risk-adjusted returns. He also hosts The 7 in 7 Show with Zack Ellison, a podcast featuring conversations with top wealth managers, focused on timeless investment principles and the future of investing.

Zack holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS in Risk Management from NYU Stern School of Business and will complete his Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Florida in 2025. Beyond his professional achievements, Zack is deeply committed to mentorship and giving back. Inspired by his single mother, whose resilience and determination shaped his values, Zack has mentored students and young professionals through organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and the “I Have a Dream” Foundation. From excelling at top financial institutions to building a leading investment firm from the ground up, Zack’s journey exemplifies creativity, strategic thinking, and a passion for helping entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

 Bryan Fujita, CFA

Chief Investment Officer, Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions (LAFPP)

Bryan Fujita is the Chief Investment Officer at the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions (LAFPP), a $33 billion pension plan providing retirement benefits to the public safety members of the City of Los Angeles. He leads all aspects of LAFPP’s investment program including policy formulation, investment strategy development and implementation, and risk management. Prior to joining LAFPP, Bryan was the Chief Operating Officer at the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) where he directed the daily investment activities of LACERS’ multibillion-dollar investment portfolio. He has also held positions at The Walt Disney Company, where he managed pension investments and financial risk, and at Wedbush Securities, where he was a founding member of the Managed Assets Program and served as an asset allocation specialist for institutional and high-net-worth clients. Bryan has a BA in Economics and an MBA in Finance from UCLA. Additionally, he has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute.

 Jonathan Grabel

Chief Investment Officer, Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA)

Jonathan Grabel is the CIO for the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA). Mr. Grabel manages a $82 billion defined benefit pension fund on behalf of LACERA's 194,000 active and retired members. He also oversees the investments for the LACERA-administered $5 billion healthcare benefits program. Prior to LACERA, Mr. Grabel was the CIO for New Mexico PERA, where he oversaw the investments for the agency’s $15 billion defined benefit fund and the associated PERA SmartSave deferred compensation plan. Previously, he was a general partner at a private equity firm focused on growth-stage investments in technology, networking industries, and digital communications. Earlier in his career, Mr. Grabel was an investment banker. Mr. Grabel received his BS in economics from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business and his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a CPA (inactive).

 Derek "Drex" Jancar

Chief Executive Officer, October’s Very Own (OVO)

Derek “Drex” Jancar is the Chief Executive Officer of October’s Very Own (OVO), the globally recognized lifestyle brand co-founded by Aubrey “Drake” Graham, Noah “40” Shebib, and Oliver El-Khatib. An accomplished executive with over 13 years of leadership experience at October's Very Own (OVO), Derek previously held roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, playing a pivotal role in driving the company's growth and success.

Prior to his tenure at OVO, Derek co-founded The Remix Project in 2009, an organization focused on empowering underserved youth through arts and culture.

Derek also founded and served as President of Artist Group Management, where he worked with artists and industry professionals to elevate creative careers. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a track record of building impactful businesses, Derek continues to shape the future of the creative industry

 Mary Machado-Schammel

Global Strategic Consultant, Coalition Greenwich

Mary Machado-Schammel has been in the Financial Services Industry for over 35 years in various roles as a Chairman of an M&A Advisory Firm/Investment Banker to the Lower Middle Market, Global Investment and Corporate Banker to Fortune 100 in the Emerging Markets, and Strategic Consultant to the C-Suite of Fortune 500 firms, including Chief Investment Officers, and the Buy-Side. Mary works with Global Strategic Consultant Coalition Greenwich, formerly Greenwich Associates, a division of Indian-based CRISIL- an S&P Global Company. She is also Co-Founder and Chairman of M&A Advisory Firm Venture Advisors Business Sales and Acquisitions. The firm, which is industry agnostic, specializes in working with founder/owner businesses in the lower end of the middle market to prepare and sell them to strategic buyers, including private equity firms. Mary’s prior professional experiences include being Head/SVP of Standard Chartered Bank, West, where she led the Bank’s initiative to build its investment and corporate banking business with Fortune 100 corporations through global teams in emerging markets. At Merchant Bank First Interstate Bank Limited, Mary managed portfolios of sovereigns, multinationals, and banks in developed and developing countries with specialties in distressed debt and aircraft finance.

Mary is exceptionally committed to community involvement, serving as the American Women for International Understanding Liaison to the U.S. Department of State for the International Women of Courage Program, board member of Georgetown University Board of Governors, CFA Los Angeles Board of Governors, The Ann Peppers Foundation, Co-Founder and Chair of Georgetown’s Wall Street Alliance West, Ambassador to Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace, and Security, Ambassador to the National Association of Corporate Directors Pacific Southwest, and former Senior Advisor to UCSD's Center for Commerce and Diplomacy. She is the former Chair of Pasadena's Code Commission and a 2011 Pasadena Redistricting Task Force member. Mary has a B.A. from Georgetown University International Studies and Economics and a Global MBA from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business/School of Foreign Service and ESADE University. .

 Dave Mays

CEO & Co-Founder, Breakbeat Media

Dave Mays is a visionary entrepreneur who was among the first to see the potential of Hip-Hop music and culture to endure beyond a fad. As a 19-year-old Harvard sophomore, Mays founded The Source magazine as a single-page newsletter. Mays built The Source into the #1 selling music magazine on newsstands globally, outselling Rolling Stone and reaching a total audience of nine million readers each month. During his nearly 20 years leading The Source, it became a Hip-Hop institution, helping to empower and influence a culture that today is ubiquitous worldwide.

Currently, Mays is the co-founder and CEO of Breakbeat, a content, technology and lifestyle platform designed to authentically serve the interests and perspectives of the massive global Hip-Hop audience. Breakbeat has built the first hip-hop focused podcast network, which showcases some of the culture’s most authentic voices and stories while providing content that reflects the unique perspective of the multicultural hip-hop community. Breakbeat’s YouTube channel has over 750,000 subscribers and has generated over 100 million views of its podcast content. Breakbeat's mission is to empower and uplift the human community by tapping into the extraordinary influence, authenticity and unifying spirit of Hip-Hop.

 Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman

Founder & CEO, Lights Out Sports

Shawne Merriman, famously known as “Lights Out,” is a former NFL linebacker celebrated for his explosive athleticism and game-changing performances. During his illustrious career with the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, Merriman earned the 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year title, three Pro Bowl selections, and two All-Pro honors. Known for his signature sack dance and electrifying energy, Shawne lit up stadiums across the league.

Post-retirement, Merriman transitioned his passion for competition into the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), founding Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, a prominent MMA promotion showcasing top talent. Furthering his entrepreneurial journey, Shawne launched Lights Out Sports TV, a free streaming platform that revolutionizes fan engagement by featuring live sports channels such as fishing, rugby, motocross, and even high-stakes chess.

Beyond his sports and business ventures, Shawne is deeply committed to giving back. Through his Lights On Foundation, he supports at-risk youth, empowering them with resources and opportunities to succeed. Shawne’s inspiring journey from NFL stardom to entrepreneurship and philanthropy underscores his resilience, vision, and dedication to making an impact both on and off the field.

 Rob Price, CFA

Founder & CIO, Sound Money Capital

Rob Price, CFA is the founder and CIO at Sound Money Capital - an actively managed crypto fund. Sound Money provides HNWs and Family Offices with professional asset management services, acting as the bridge between traditional finance and crypto.

Prior to Sound Money, Rob was head of asset allocation for South Africa's largest pension fund and Mercer's African partner, Alexander Forbes Investments.

Price is committed to growing sound money adoption through professional asset management and quality research, creating a bridge between traditional finance and crypto.

 Karyn Williams, Ph.D

Regional Investment Manager (CIO), North America, Zurich Global Investment Management (ZGIM)

Dr. Karyn Williams is the Regional Investment Manager (CIO), North America, Zurich Global Investment Management (ZGIM), responsible for all the invested assets and investment-related business initiatives, and a member of ZGIM and North America Finance leadership teams. Dr. Williams developed her expertise as investor, educator, trustee, independent public company director, treasurer, advisor, educator, and entrepreneur. Throughout her career, she has worked with nearly all types of investors, improving investment outcomes through education, governance, risk management, team building, and the application of advance analytics and financial technology. Her vision for change, education, and collaboration are hallmarks of her effectiveness as a leader in the field of investment management, where she continues to contribute through published articles and research, teaching and mentoring, trusteeship, and other industry leadership positions.

 Jeremy Wolfson

Chief Investment Officer, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Jeremy Wolfson, Chief Investment Officer, currently manages the Investment Section of the $22 billion dollar Los Angeles Water and Power Employees' Retirement Plan. He is responsible for all pension plan asset classes including broad equity, fixed-income, real estate, private equity, private credit, hedge funds, real return and cash. He currently serves on the advisory boards of various private market funds. The Department of Water and Power, established over 100 years ago, currently employs over 12,000 people and is the largest municipal utility in the nation. Prior to joining DWP, Mr. Wolfson worked for the Los Angeles City Treasurer for two years where he was responsible for actively managing the City's $8 billion dollar fixed-income portfolio and was promoted to Chief Investment Officer. Before joining the City, Mr. Wolfson worked for Bank of America (approximately 11 years) as well as First Tennessee Bank (2 years) as a Vice President and managing Principal in their institutional fixed-income groups.

In February 2010, Mr. Wolfson was recognized as one of Institutional Investor News' 2010 Rising Stars of Public Fund Investing at the 9th Annual Public Pension Fund Awards Ceremony. In 2014, Mr. Wolfson was nominated by CIO Magazine as a finalist for innovative Plan of the year. In 2016, Mr. Wolfson was recognized as one of the Top 30 Pension Fund Chief Investment Officers in the United States by The Trusted Insight, and was nominated for Investor Intelligence Award: Fixed Income by Institutional Investor. In 2017, Mr. Wolfson was honored and recognized for his contributions to the investment community over his career by the Neighborhood Youth Association at the Investors in Education Banquet. In late 2021 he was nominated as a finalist for CIO of the year by Chief Investment Officer Magazine and in September 2021, he was elected by the employees of the Department of Water & Power to represent the department on the Board of the Los Angeles Deferred Compensation Plan. In 2024 he was awarded CIO of the year for Strategy by Markets Group. Mr. Wolfson obtained his Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance from California State University, Northridge, his MBA from Pepperdine University, and various executive education programs including the Wharton School of Business, and Harvard Business School. He is a member of the CFA Institute and is on the CFALA Strategic Advisory Council.