2025 PLANADVISER 360
Registration and Breakfast
sponsored by MassMutual Stable Value Investments
Opening Remarks
Alison Cooke Mintzer, Publisher, PLANADVISER
Elizabeth Aidoo, Financial Planner, Manager of DEI and Spanish Language Services, Francis LLC
Moving From Aspiration to Reality
The use of artificial intelligence; personalizing benefits and investments for participants; and holistic wellbeing programs have been talked about in the retirement plan advisory industry for years. Jeff Cullen, CEO of Strategic Retirement Partners, says the time is now to implement these concepts. We’ll chat with Cullen about how advisers can use AI to increase efficiency in their practices; the tools, resources and education advisers can use to implement personalization; and what the convergence of health, wealth and retirement mean for plan sponsor and participant clients.
Interviewer
Elizabeth Aidoo, Financial Planner, Manager of DEI and Spanish Language Services, Francis LLC
Interviewee
Jeff Cullen, CEO, Strategic Retirement Partners
Can the Convergence of Retirement and Wealth Management Truly Serve Participants?
Industry leaders will debate the pros and cons of retirement and wealth management convergence, what the business model should look like, and how to address the potential for conflicts of interest. Attendees will get a chance to vote on their views.
Moderator
Sean Bjork, President, Bjork Asset Management
Panelists
Jon Anderson, Head of Workplace & Retirement, Cetera Financial Group
Joe DeNoyior, President, Hub Retirement and Wealth Management
Shane Hanson, President and CEO, Freedom Fiduciaries
Kelli Send, Co-founder, Senior Vice President – Financial Wellness Services, Francis, LLC
Are they buying what you’re selling?
Join the team at Fidelity as we break down this age-old sales question. Patrick Duffy, Head of Core Market Sales, will moderate a discussion where research meets reality. We’ll explore if your philosophy, your compensation model, and your go-to-market strategy are helping you win new clients and deliver successful plan outcomes. In this interactive presentation, we’ll get your real-time feedback and share tools that can help you stay ahead of the competition in 2026. You won’t want to miss it.
Moderator
Patrick Duffy, Head of Core Market Sales, Fidelity Investments
Panelist
Devyn Duex, Principal | Financial Advisor, CAPTRUST
Matt Gist, VP Advisor Consultant, Fidelity Investments
sponsored by Fidelity Investments
Lunch
Ask the Recordkeepers
Recordkeepers have resources to help retirement plan advisers deliver excellent client service, and advisers have knowledge to help recordkeepers improve their processes. There’s opportunity for collaboration, rather than competition. A top adviser connects with recordkeepers and takes audience questions.
Moderator
Leah Sylvester, Executive Partner | President – Retirement Plans, Shepherd Financial
Panelists
Rich Custer, Regional Director | Customer Care, Principal
Jared Gardner, Vice President, Experience, Human Interest
SECURE 2.0 In Focus: Tax Advantages of NQDC Plans for 50+ Savers
Speaker
Dave Tippets, Regional Vice President, Nonqualified Plans, Newport
sponsored by Newport, an Ascensus company
Fireside Chat: Re-Centering the Fiduciary Process
A chat with Paul Sommerstad, Partner at Cerity Partners, about help plan sponsors are asking for—from investments to plan design. With discussion about broad benchmarking and cost considerations.
Interviewer
Alison Cooke Mintzer, Publisher, PLANADVISER
Interviewee
Paul Sommerstad, Partner, Cerity Partners
Break
Private Markets in DC Plans: Past, Present, and Path Forward
Join Anne Lester and explore the evolution and future of private markets within Defined Contribution retirement plans. Attendees will gain both foundational knowledge of private markets and best practices to enhance participant outcomes and retirement security in today’s evolving market environment.
Speaker
Anne Lester, Member of the Board of Directors, Partners Group
sponsored by Partners Group
The Price Is Right: Correctly Pricing and Structuring Adviser Services
Legislation, changing client needs and industry consolidation have evolved the way advisers are paid. Join an interactive discussion to see whether your fees are too low, too high, or just in line with the industry.
Moderator
George Fraser, Senior Partner, Fraser Group, a Division of Benefit Commerce Group, an Alera Group Company
Panelists
Jason Chepenik, Vice President, OneDigital Financial Services
Kim Cochrane, Director, Client Services, Hub International MidAtlantic
Greg Kaplan, Senior Vice President, Retirement Services, Newfront Retirement Services
Emerging Leader and Excellence in Operations Awards
Opening Night Celebration
Exhibit Hall
Fidelity Fun(d) Run
Rise and shine and join us to run or walk in the PLANADVISER 360 sunrise Fidelity Fun(d) Run! The beautiful 2.6 mile course runs through the golf course and is a perfect way to kick-off day 2 of the conference. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers in both the men’s and women’s heats. Don’t forget to pick up your swag as you head out to start your day!
The run will start at Marshall’s Outpost Lawn.
sponsored by Fidelity Investments
Breakfast
sponsored by MassMutual Stable Value Investments
Opening Remarks
Edward Rueda, Editor, PLANADVISER
Leah Sylvester, Executive Partner | President – Retirement Plans, Shepherd Financial
Fireside Chat
An ERISA attorney will talk about retirement policy, plan governance, the interplay of litigation and policy, and more.
Interviewer
Leah Sylvester, Executive Partner | President – Retirement Plans, Shepherd Financial
Interviewee
Jamie Fleckner, Partner, Chair, ERISA Litigation, Goodwin
Managed Accounts vs. TDFs
Experts and top advisers will discuss the pros and cons of managed accounts and target-date funds in defined contribution plan investment menus. They’ll explore the personalization offered and pricing of these investment options.
Moderator
Rob Massa, Managing Director, Houston Market Retirement Practice Leader, Prime Capital Financial
Panelists
Andrea Cummings, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Retirement & Income Solutions, Principal Financial Group
Sean Kelly, Vice President, Financial Advisor, Heffernan Financial
Bill Ryan, Partner, Head of Defined Contribution Solutions, NEPC
Break
Table Topics: Practice Challenges and Opportunities
For advisory firm support staff, industry leaders will discuss retirement plan advisory industry challenges. Then attendees will break into groups to discuss opportunities for advisers’ businesses and practice management.
Facilitators
Crista Bresnahan, Senior Relationship Manager – Retirement Solutions, Brio Benefits, an Alera Group company
Jennifer Doss, Senior Director | Defined Contribution Practice Leader, CAPTRUST
Deane Mayerhofer, Chief Operating Officer, Strategic Retirement Partners & President, Glove Inc
Table Topics: Service Models
Industry leaders will discuss how services are evolving to include broader discussions of plan design, outcomes and participant services. Then attendees break into groups to discuss current best practices in serving plan sponsors and participants.
Facilitators
Kristi Baker, Managing Partner, CSi Advisory Services, a division of HUB International
Derek Fiorenza, Co-Founder, Summit Group Retirement Planners
John Ludwig, Financial Advisor, LHD Retirement
Jennifer Sahady, Senior Financial Wellness Consultant, Optional Practice Area, MarshMcLennan Agency
Workshop: The Reluctant Retiree
People are working at older ages and employers often refer to them as the “reluctant retiree”. What is holding people back from retiring? This session will cover who and why, and discuss potential solutions to alleviate the problem.
Presenter
Benjamin Goodman, Vice President, TIAA Institute
sponsored by TIAA
Workshop: The PEP Journey: 5 years of Surprises and Successes
From initial expectations to the unforeseen realities, PEPs are reshaping how advisors approach their books of business. Over five years, perceptions have shifted, and what began as uncertainty has evolved into optimism. Advisors now see the potential of PEPs because they’ve witnessed firsthand the efficiencies, growth, and opportunity these plans bring to the table.
Presenter
Mark Christensen, PEP Sales Director, The Standard
sponsored by The Standard
Lunch
Workshop: Mapping the 401(k) Client Experience
Learn how to market to a new generation of plan committee members.
Speaker
Rebecca Hourihan, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, 401(k) Marketing
Workshop: Refining Your Brand and Message
Hear tips for making subtle adjustments to strengthen your brand identity and how you convey it to others.
Speaker
Sheri Fitts, Speaker | Consultant | Creator, Sheri Fitts & Co
Break
Case Study: Running a Modern Plan Advisory
A top adviser and one of their team members will talk about factors that go into practice building and practice management and how to adapt to evolving industry trends. They will share their stories, including pitfalls and successes.
Speakers
Christian Mango, SVP, Corporate Development, OneDigital
Nate White, Senior Vice President, Retirement Plan Consulting, OneDigital Financial Services
Industry Talk
Education and Retirement Partnership Opportunities for Growth.
Presenter
Viraaj Kumar, Associate Director, Product, ISS Market Intelligence
Essential Workers: The Support Staff That Make Plan Advisories Great
Panelists who work behind the scenes at an advisory discuss their roles and how they add to the team, as well as what drew them to the advisory industry.
Moderator
Deane Mayerhofer, Chief Operating Officer, Strategic Retirement Partners
Panelists
Zarah Bautista, Client Services Administrator, Hub International Limited
James Jaramillo, Director of Relationships, Finspire
Brittany McChristian, Conversion Project Manager, Newfront
Exhibit Hall Reception
Breakfast
sponsored by MassMutual Stable Value Investments
Opening Remarks
Rebecca Moore, Managing Editor, Custom Content, PLANADVISER
Ask the Plan Sponsors
Hear from retirement plan sponsors what they value in an adviser and what needs could still be met.
Moderator
Rebecca Moore, Managing Editor, Custom Content, PLANADVISER
Panelists
Thea Ammon, Senior Benefits & Wellness Administrator, OneAZ Credit Union
Niki Schlotzhauer, Controller, Spooner Physical Therapy
Transition to Workshops
Attendees choose between attending the Emerging Leader Workshop for more junior advisory firm employees or the Expanding Your Practice Workshop about how advisory shops can leverage their expertise to support health/welfare plan sponsors.
Emerging Leader Workshops
The Why
Industry-leading advisers will share stories and facilitate exercises to help less senior advisory firm staff create a personal brand; determine their best skill set and focus; and help them recognize the challenges and optimal practices of emerging leaders. Whether in advising, operations, client relations, data, participant education or some other piece of the business, they’ll learn pragmatic steps to stay on the path to success in the industry.
The Knowledge and Skills
Industry-leading advisers will share tips and resources to help less senior advisory staff learn the soft skills and technical knowledge needed to succeed in their role and build expertise and confidence. Topics for this workshop include advisory business basics; technology; mechanics of retirement plans; industry jargon vs. client vocabulary; building professional relationships; managing a busy schedule; and more.
Facilitators
Francisco Abril, Vice President, Financial Wellness and Employee Engagement, HUB Retirement and Wealth Management
Gina Buchholz, Investment Advisor Representative, 401k Plan Professionals
Phil Sherman, Senior Retirement Plan Consultant, Deschutes Investment Consulting LLC
Fiduciary Best Practices for Health Benefit Plans Workshop
You may not be interested in becoming a health care expert, and you definitely don’t want to disrupt any current relationships you have, but changes are coming for your plan sponsor clients, and you don’t want to be unable to answer when a client has questions. Join us for this introductory workshop that includes expert-led educational exercises.
Part 1: ERISA and Health Benefits
Experts will provide an overview of the requirements of the Consolidated Appropriations Act—what’s here and what’s coming for plan sponsors, and the challenges they may encounter.
Part 2: Health Benefit Fiduciary Process
Learn how to apply what you know about the retirement plan fiduciary process, compensation disclosures, contract negotiations, etc. to aid plan sponsors in building a process for their health benefit plans.
Facilitators
Jason Andrade, Executive Vice President, Partner, The Mahoney Group
Barbara Delaney, Principal, SS/RBA, a member firm of Global Retirement Partners, LLC
Jamie Greenleaf, Co-founder, Fiduciary In a Box
Ethan McWilliams, AVP, Senior Compliance Consultant, Lockton Companies
To-Go Lunch