Last year, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was attending a wealth festival with thousands of people, casual attire, food trucks, and the opportunity to power network through "speed dating." While I’m always up for something new, I was hesitant — but I ended up loving every minute of it.
This year, however, I arrived at Future Proof with confidence, ready to speak, learn and connect with industry experts — right under an umbrella, next to a California food truck and an elevated coffee station.
Future Proof, the industry’s largest wealth festival, continues to evolve in a way that feels authentic to the industry it serves. Now in its third year, the event has grown significantly, with more attendees and increasingly nuanced content. The discussions are now focused on topics like serving ultra-high-net-worth clients and the robust multi-family office industry that caters to them.
I had the opportunity to moderate one such session, titled “Unlocking the Ultra-High-Net-Worth Market: Secrets to Attract and Serve Elite Clients.” I spoke with industry veterans Joe McLean, managing partner at the MAI Global Family Office; and Jason Ozur, CEO of Lido Advisors. They discussed the evolution of the wealth management industry and emphasized the importance of staying nimble and flexible and understanding the needs of ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Another key theme at Future Proof was the modernization of wealth management. Ainslie Simmonds, head of global strategy at BNY Pershing and president of BNY Pershing X, spoke about the rising expectations of sophisticated clients for mature digital experiences. “Future Proof is about building a more modern wealth management industry,” Simmonds said. “We need to constantly think about elevating the client experience. That’s why we built Wove and released Wove Investor earlier this year, which allows advisers to connect all aspects of a client’s financial picture in one place.”
The event also tackled niche topics like concierge medicine — particularly how it fits into wealth management for ultra-wealthy clients, who often prioritize longevity and well-being. In a session titled “I’m Not a Doctor, I’m Your Wealth Manager,” John Samuels, founder of Wellworth, a national health advisory firm, emphasized the importance of incorporating health advisory into wealth planning. “A wealth adviser isn’t planning adequately if they don’t create a budget line item for health advisory,” Samuels said.
One of my favorite sessions was centered on women and wealth, a topic close to my heart. Moderated by Blair Duquesnay — who also happens to be an investment adviser at Ritholtz Wealth Management — the panel included Laura Combs from Mercer Advisors; Cary Carbonaro, a longtime thought leader in this space; and Ashley Bleckner from Ellevest. They discussed the great wealth transfer and how to prepare women to step into the role of breadwinner.
Beyond the content, podcasts and fireside chats, the event made me feel like an authentic human being. For someone used to wearing high heels in freezing, stuffy conference rooms, sacrificing personal wellness or barely taking a moment for myself, Future Proof was a refreshing change. I participated in sunrise yoga, wore clothes that expressed my true personality and enjoyed connecting with people in a relaxed setting. Grabbing a coffee, water or a bite to eat when I needed to was such a relief.
This festival remains a highlight for me — and catching Third Eye Blind in concert was just the cherry on top.