Finance experts to share vision for today and tomorrow at LIFT2 Symposium

After two years of delay prompted by the pandemic, Wright State University’s Leading Innovation in Finance Today and Tomorrow (LIFT²) Symposium returns with experts sharing their views with the local finance community, students, faculty and staff, all in person.

“We’re really excited to be back in person,” said Marlena Akhbari, Ph.D., co-founder of LIFT² and an associate professor in the Department of Finance and Financial Services. “The respite was unintentional. We hope a lot of people will be excited to have us back.”

The sixth annual LIFT² Symposium is hosted by the Wright State Raj Soin College of Business and the Department of Finance and Financial Services. It will be held Friday, March 25, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Student Union.

The symposium is free for Wright State students. Registration is $25 for students from other universities, $125 for advance general registration and $150 for those who register the day of the symposium. Up to five continuing education credit hours are available for a variety of industry certifications.

The symposium schedule and registration information are available at wright.edu/lift.

The event is designed for practicing professionals in the banking, insurance, accounting, investing and financial planning industries.

“Anybody with a client-facing role will walk away with something actionable for themselves,” Akhbari said. “It’s also an opportunity for our students to network with the speakers and those well-known in the industry and our regional partners.”

Akhbari said previous symposiums drew 120 to 150 regional professionals and about 30 to 50 students in finance programs from as far as Western Kentucky University and The Ohio State University.

“It’s been well received,” Akhbari said. “The professionals who come to speak are impressed by the event. A lot of people who attend are graduates of our programs. That’s always lovely.”

LIFT² organizers strive to keep the symposium fresh and pertinent.

“That’s why we call it ‘Today and Tomorrow,’” Akhbari said. “We offer sessions appropriate to the time. This year we have a representative from the Federal Reserve coming. Everyone is anxious to know what the Fed will do.”

For the first time, the symposium will feature a talk on fintech.

“Fintech, as a sub-set of the financial services industry, has been percolating for 10 years,” said Bill Wood, former director of the Financial Services Program in the Raj Soin College of Business and a co-founder of LIFT².

As technology advances so has its application in all aspects of the financial services industry, he said.

“Fintech is much more today than the ‘robo investing’ of its initial years. Fintech is an emerging industry that captures the application of technology to improve all aspects of the FS industry,” he said. “The concept of fintech invades new applications, processes, products and business models that are slowly — or not so slowly — transforming the industry.”

LIFT² Symposium speakers and their topics:

Doug Lennick

Doug Lennick, CEO and co-founder of think2perform, is the breakfast keynote speaker: “Leveraging Your Financial Intelligence: At the Intersection of Money, Health and Happiness.” Lennick is legendary for his innovative approaches to developing high performance in individuals and organizations and is an expert at developing practical applications of the art and science of human behavior.

Theresa Busher

Theresa Busher, Social Security public affairs specialist, is a presenter at two breakout sessions: “Hot Topics in Social Security: What financial services professionals need to know in 2022.” Busher has worked for the Social Security Administration since 1993 and has experience with all Social Security benefit programs, including retirement, disability and SSI.

Travis Engebretsen

Travis Engebretsen, director of business strategy at Ramsey Solutions, is a presenter at two breakout sessions: “Fintech in Wealth Management and Financial Planning.” Engebretsen is responsible for building and launching Ramsey Solutions’ new digital banking business. He previously worked in community banking, developing award-winning fintech partnerships.

Steve Gresham

Steve Gresham, wealth management executive and a whealthtech investor, is the luncheon keynote speaker: “Your Next Chapter is Just Beginning: Get Ready for the Most Valuable Clients in History.” During his 38-year career, Gresham has led several successful transformations, most recently as executive vice president and head of the private client group at Fidelity Investments.

Rick Kaglic

Rick Kaglic, vice president and senior regional officer in the Cincinnati branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, is the speaker for the final session: “Economic Outlook in the Time of Uncertainty.” Kaglic oversees the management of the branch and is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key business and community leaders in southern Ohio and western Kentucky.