AssetOps Americas schedule

The Operator’s Decade - Setting the tone for the day: Why operations is now a strategic function. How are operators shaping the future of asset management? 

During this 5-minute networking session, the aim of the game is to meet 3 peers from different firms to exchange: 

• Your biggest operational bottleneck 
• One transformation initiative underway 
• Your biggest pet peeve in investment operations 

• AI and automation reshaping investment workflows 
• Integrating private markets into traditional portfolios 
• Operating model implications for large and mid-sized asset managers

• Preparing operational data for AI workflows 
• Breaking down data silos across front, middle, and back office 
• Data governance and investment data architecture under pressure

• Where are operations leaders focusing time and budget for the next  6-12 months? 
• Balancing operational resilience with innovation 
• Peer exchange on priorities across public and private market operations

Speakers:

• Robert McEwan, Chief Operating Officer, LuminArx Capital
• Russell Newman, Chief Operations Officer, Great Lakes Advisors

Operators work through a real operational scenario: 

• T+1 to T+0 transition implications 
• Exception management in real-time settlement 
• Data flows between OMS, custodians, brokers and CCPs 

Moderator: Aruna Parthiban, SVP Operations, Goldman Sachs Asset Management

Speakers: 

• Mark Persiani, Head of Global Investment Operations Services, BlackRock 
• Laura Jacques, Trade Operations Vice President, Fidelity Investments 
• Allison Tanenbaum, Managing Director and Global Head of Trading Operations, Apollo Global Management 

• Scaling AI safely across front-to-back operations without introducing operational or regulatory risk 
• Establishing guardrails for security, compliance, transparency, and auditability as AI becomes embedded in investment workflows 
• Integrating AI, automation, and human oversight to create controlled, end-to-end operational processes that drive efficiency while maintaining control 

• Why SMAs are reshaping asset managers' operating models.
• The technology, data and workflow capabilities needed to scale custom portfolios.
• Lessons learned from transforming SMA operations while enhancing the client experience

Speakers:

• Ryan Sheehy, Head of SMA, Personal Account Management, Lord Abbett

• Discussing evolving custody models 
• Meeting new service expectations from custodians 
• Strategies on balancing outsourcing with internal control 

Speakers: 

• Aki Jain, Head, Asset and Liability Operations, World Bank Treasury  
• Mark Spear, Deputy Head of Transaction Management, BlackRock 

• How COOs are balancing automation with empathy — managing fear, change fatigue, and reskilling across diverse teams 
• Embedding a culture of experimentation, agility, and data literacy across the organization 
• What defines an effective operational leader in 2026: communication, adaptability, and psychological safety 

Speakers: 

• Lou Rosato, Managing Director, Investment Operations Group, BlackRock 
• Andrew Cinquina, Head of Compliance Technology, Point72 
• Hazel Sy, Head of Cross-Program Transformation Data Technology, Citi 
• Tamar Goldstein, Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel & Managing Director, Kimmeridge
• Sam Permutt, Managing Director, Associate General Counsel, Cain

• How are firms building strategic partnerships that support global operating models and client service excellence? 
• Designing oversight frameworks that satisfy regulatory expectations while enabling operational agility 
• Ensuring data integrity, service continuity, and consistent client outcomes across outsourced functions 

Speakers:  

• Matt Leef, Global Head of Middle Office, T. Rowe Price 
• James Stewart, Vice President - Strategic Execution Manager, AllianceBernstein 
• Eric Bolisay, Managing Director, Core Public Operations, Nuveen

• What separates effective leaders from reactive leaders during periods of uncertainty?
• Managing boards, investors, employees and clients when information is incomplete and decisions cannot wait
• Leveraging strategic communication to maintain trust, confidence and momentum during disruption

Speakers:

• Taylor Ingraham, Partner, ASC Advisors
• Debon Lewis, Human Infrastructure Architect | Leadership Advisor, Transformative Growth Partners