Many thanks to Jonathan Epstein and the Board of the DCALTA – Defined Contribution Alternatives Association for including me at their well-attended (200+) Annual Meeting at the Nuveen/TIAA headquarters in midtown NYC on July 21. The agenda was packed and kept the room filled for the entire day, with DCALTA Board Chair Michelle Rappa of Neuberger Berman doing a great job as conference chairperson, as well.
The association is getting a fast start, doubling in size in three years, with membership and engagement still growing by double digits. Visiting with Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association (DCIIA) President and CEO Lew Minsky, who was in attendance, reminded me of the supporting role I had played as a founding Board member of that organization over a decade ago in another phase of the industry’s growth. Noting the importance of this sector and DCALTA’s mission to support retail investors in achieving a secure financial future, Eric Pan, CEO of the Investment Company Institute, was the keynote speaker, and he cited the growing partnership in several programs between the two associations, including a joint fall conference in NYC.
The Committees of DCALTA are producing an impressive array of thought leadership pieces essential to understanding and effectively serving this complex market. Stay in touch with the Association for this reason alone!
The opportunity to hear the viewpoints and keep up to date on innovative fast moving trends in the defined contribution field has always been important to my practice, and I hope to be back again next year to share this experience with so many friends including Board members Timothy Shannon of CAIS, Vincent Manning of Global Trust Company, Jani Venter of Brookfield and Ben Heidari of SEI, among others.