CONFERENCE KEYNOTES

Carl Richards - The Sketch Guy

Your Money: Reimagining Wealth Through Simple Sketches - Advisor Edition

In this engaging and thought-provoking session, financial professionals will explore the critical tensions that shape advisor-client relationships and influence financial decision-making. Carl Richards, renowned for his New York Times sketches and behavioral insights, will guide advisors through an interactive discussion, helping them move beyond rigid planning to a more adaptable, client-centered approach. Using a selection of 7 to 12 curated sketches, this session will examine key challenges, such as:

• Purpose vs. Goals – How to align financial plans with a client’s deeper values, ensuring long-term engagement.
• Precision vs. Adaptability – Why financial planning should be seen as an ongoing process, not a static document, and how to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
• Facts vs. Emotions – The role of behavioral biases in financial decision-making and how to use empathy to strengthen trust and communication.

Carl Richards is a keynote speaker, author, and visual artist who helps people talk about money in a radically human way.

For over a decade, Carl was the creator of the Sketch Guy column in The New York Times, where his hand-drawn sketches made financial complexity surprisingly simple—and deeply emotional. His work has been featured everywhere from NPR and Morningstar to Harvard Business Review, and his sketches have been shared millions of times and used by financial professionals around the world.

The New York Times once said, “No one gets money and emotion better than Carl Richards”.

With more than 25 years of experience in the financial world and hundreds of keynote presentations delivered globally, Carl is known for his rare ability to make audiences laugh, cry, and rethink their relationship with money—all in the same hour. His talks blend storytelling, vulnerability, and live sketching into an experience that’s both entertaining and transformative.

Carl’s goal isn’t to make you slightly better with money. It’s to completely change the way you see it—and to give you the tools to have conversations that actually matter.

He lives in Park City, Utah, with his wife Cori and their four kids, whom he considers his best friends.

Ashley Quamme -

Owner and Founder, Beyond The Plan®

The Irreplaceable Advisor: Mastering the 7 Skills AI Cannot Replicate

As the advisory profession transforms, the true competitive edge is no longer technical expertise, but the human capabilities AI cannot replicate. This presentation introduces the seven relational competencies that elevate advisors from good to extraordinary. Rooted in financial psychology and behavioral science, the framework clarifies which skills matter most, when to use them, and what mastery looks like. Attendees learn how to navigate client emotions, build trust through life transitions, and strengthen multi-generational relationships. Whether you’re deepening personal impact or leading a firm, this session offers a clear pathway to developing the relational intelligence that defines an irreplaceable advisor. 

With over a decade of dedicated clinical experience, Ashley Quamme founded The Wealthy Marriage to create a space where couples and individuals could transform their relationships and lives. While she now focuses on directing the practice and supervising our clinical team, her vision and expertise continue to shape our therapeutic approach.

Ashley's extensive clinical experience informs our practice's specialized approach to relationship therapy. Her background includes:

• Over 12 years of couples therapy experience
• Advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy
• Certification in Gottman Methods
• Specialized work with military and veteran couples
• Expert knowledge in financial therapy and relationship dynamic

Lauren C. Liebes

Wealth Strategist at Capital Group

2026 Policy and Planning Update: Helping Your HNW Clients Leverage a New Planning Paradigm

Over the last several years, our concerns and conversations around tax planning have steadily evolved in response to policy changes and economic conditions. In 2025, the shifting policy focus of the Trump administration and passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (“OBBB”) have ushered in a new period of both wariness and opportunity for our industry.  HNW investors especially are focused on the effect recent changes in tax legislation and policy, and the economic climate, may have on their own tax and planning situations. During our session, Lauren will provide an of-the-moment policy update, as well as the top tax and planning considerations for HNW investors that respond to their real-time concerns and capitalize on the current state. Lauren will address the OBBB, as well as the creative income and estate planning strategies that leverage related planning opportunities and our current economic environment.

What you'll learn:

• An overview of the current tax policy landscape, including the changes in the OBBB
• Planning opportunities presented by the OBBB 
• The importance of focusing on planning that makes sense for your clients and their families, instead of trying to predict the future
• Practical tax planning moves to consider in 2026 (e.g., tax loss harvesting, charitable giving, gifting)

Lauren has 17 years of industry experience and joined Capital Group in 2025. Prior to joining Capital, Lauren worked as a wealth planner at Citi Private Bank. Before that, she worked as an attorney with the Tax and Estate Planning Practice Group at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. She received an LLM in taxation and certificate in estate planning from Georgetown University Law Center, a juris doctor from Southwestern Law School and a bachelor's degree from Boston University. Lauren is based in Washington, D.C.

Jeffrey Clark

Advanced Planning Director at Jackson, Speaker

Retirement Blind Spots: Lessons from Behavioral Finance

Planning for retirement requires logical, rational, and conscious thinking. The problem is many investors take

shortcuts in their thinking and decision making. The field of behavioral finance teaches us how financial

decision making is critical to retirement planning. This continuing education course explores ways to help

investors recognize planning errors to better prepare them for the income stream they may need and want in retirement. It is intended for an audience with an intermediate level of knowledge and includes planning

considerations around income decumulation, social security, taxes, legacy, protection, growth, and annuity

principles.

Jeffrey joined Jackson’s Advanced Strategies in September of 2011. Prior to joining Jackson, he was the head of Guardian’s Retirement Center of Excellence in New York City, which also fJeff joined Jackson’s Advanced Strategies in September 2011. Prior to joining Jackson, he was the head of Guardian’s Retirement Center of Excellence in New York City, which also focused on growing advisors’ businesses through a sales-oriented approach to advanced-planning concepts.

A frequent industry speaker and author on retirement design, funding, and sales, Jeff has addressed the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU), Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP), Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Top of the Table, and others. He has also authored articles for The CPA Journal, the Journal of Financial Service Professionals, and many other industry periodicals.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Brendan Daly

CELA Principal/Managing Partner Daly Perri Arnold & Knierim

Connecticut Estate Administration Fundamentals

In this session, Attorney Brendan Daly will walk you through the ins and outs of Connecticut’s probate process, including the steps needed to administer an estate, the differences between small and large estates, as well as the roles and responsibilities of both the Probate Court and an executor. Additionally, he will explain how to avoid a lengthy probate process, the importance of titling accounts and beneficiary designations properly, and when someone can avoid probate without the use of revocable living trusts. Finally, you’ll learn how careful planning can avoid pitfalls in the probate process.

Brendan is consistently recognized by Super Lawyers as one of Connecticut’s top elder law attorneys, earning the distinction annually since 2012. A Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) since 2008—one of only six in the state—he helps clients protect their assets, plan for long-term care, and navigate estate and Medicaid planning.

Known for his compassion and personalized approach, Brendan creates tailored strategies to preserve wealth, minimize taxes, and secure families’ futures. He also has a strong track record in Medicaid appeals and is a fierce advocate when benefits are denied.



His impact extends beyond individual clients—Brendan played a key role in shaping Connecticut elder law through the landmark case Lopes v. Starkowski. A frequent speaker and author, he lives in Simsbury with his wife and children.

Michael T. Clear and Erin D. Nicholls

Partners at Wiggin & Dana

Trust Marketing: Practical Insights Beyond the Hype

Trusts are powerful planning tools, but they are often oversold, overcomplicated (or simplified), or positioned as a one-size-fits-all solution. In this lively and practical session, Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls will break down common ways trusts are marketed to clients, separating thoughtful planning strategies from trendy or overstated approaches. Through real‑world examples and plain‑spoken commentary, they will explore when sophisticated structures add real value and when a Non-Grantor Incomplete Gift South Dakota Dynasty Trust may simply be too much.

Michael serves as Chair of the firm’s Private Client Services Department, leading a team of more than 30 professionals. As a Partner, he advises clients on the financial and personal complexities of estate planning, trust and estate administration, probate litigation, and business succession planning. With a background as a trained counselor, he brings a thoughtful understanding of family dynamics to his work, helping clients navigate difficult decisions with empathy and clarity while aiming to resolve disputes before they escalate to litigation.



His practice includes designing tax-efficient estate and gift plans, preparing wills and trusts, and guiding fiduciaries through estate settlement and administration. Michael also represents clients in probate litigation matters and assists business owners with succession planning, including structuring entities and facilitating business transitions. A frequent speaker and Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, he is actively involved in professional organizations. Michael earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Quinnipiac University School of Law and holds degrees from the University of Richmond and the University of Maryland. He lives in Fairfield, Connecticut with his family and remains active in coaching and athletics.

Erin is a Partner in Wiggin and Dana’s Private Client Services Department, where she focuses her practice on a wide range of tax, estate, and business planning matters. She is Co-Chair of the Family Office and Strategic Investments Group.

In that role, Erin works with individuals, family offices, and closely held businesses on issues related to wealth preservation, taxation, business succession planning, and charitable giving. She also counsels tax-exempt entities throughout all phases of their formation and compliance, and she advises a multinational financial institution with respect to fiduciary duties and trust administration.

Outside of the office, Erin is a fellow on the Connecticut Advisory Board of the Trust for Public Land, and she is an active member of the Connecticut Bar Association.

Erin earned her J.D. with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where she was a Connecticut Scholar and the Symposium Editor for the Connecticut Law Review. She earned her B.A. cum laude in Political Science from the Honors Program at the University of Connecticut, where she was also Captain of the Dressage Team.

Jim Renitsky

CIMA®, Director, Senior Growth Consultant at BlackRock

The Growing High-Net-Worth Practice

In his current role, Jim consults with the largest and fastest growing advisory teams/firms across the industry and leads growth related engagements including strategic planning, data driven business analytics, facilitator led study groups and he is a subject matter expert and lead presenter for many of BlackRock’s most popular programs focused on business growth and the client experience.



Jim’s service with BlackRock dates back to 2008. In his prior role, he was a senior partner for BlackRock’s Affinity Partners Group where he delivered practice management and fiduciary content as well as co-defined program strategy and led internal and external marketing for the group. He started his career with BlackRock as an Investment Management Associate covering Registered Investment Advisor clients. Prior to BlackRock, he was a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch.

Jim earned a BA in Business and Economics with a minor in Religion from Lafayette College in 2006. He holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designation and the Series 7 and 66 licenses.

Jim currently resides in Newtown, PA with his wife Shannon, sons JJ and Jack and daughter Hannah Mae.

Mark Brownstien 

Director of Medicare for Emerald Medicare

Medicare in Disruption: A Live Advisor Dialogue on IRA, OB3 & Emerging Planning Risks

Medicare is no longer a one-time enrollment decision—it’s an ongoing planning variable shaped by rapid policy change and market response.



In this live, unscripted conversation, Mark (Medicare specialist) and Dave (financial planner) break down how recent developments—including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and emerging proposals like OB3—are reshaping Medicare in real time.

From Part D disruption and carrier behavior shifts to IRMAA surprises and enrollment pitfalls, this session focuses on how these changes are showing up in actual client situations today—and what advisors need to do differently as a result.

After decades of experience as a trusted business advisor, Mark now specializes in educating clients about Medicare and delivering comprehensive and competitive options and solutions. Mark has led workshops for more than 4,000 clients and trusted advisors and has provided Medicare solutions for more than 3,000 individuals, including tax and financial professionals, medical office staff, veterans, and other senior advisors. A three-time president of his local Financial Planners Association (FPA), Mark has been recognized as an energetic leader who is both committed to the highest fiduciary standards and to training and supporting his excellent team focusing on exemplary customer service. A passionate, independent, and dedicated director, he is both a strong listener and authoritative advisor who calmly guides clients through the hype and confusion of Medicare toward a solution tailored to their specific needs. Mark is on the board of many community organizations, including Rivertown Film, the Nyack Chamber of Commerce, The Rotary Club, and Visit Nyack. He is a graduate of SUNY Binghamton School of Management and has lived in Nyack, New York, for more than 30 years.

Daniel Weiskopf, III

Portfolio Manager - Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF (BLOK)

Understanding Digital Assets: Blockchain, Crypto and Stablecoin Technologies

Medicare is no longer a one-time enrollment decision—it’s an ongoing planning variable shaped by rapid policy change and market response.

Daniel K. Weiskopf, III has been the portfolio manager for the Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF (BLOK) since inception in 2018. He also serves as a senior portfolio manager at Tidal Investments, LLC, BLOK’s investment sub-advisor.

Prior to joining Tidal in 2018, Dan was an ETF Strategist at Access ETF Solutions and Forefront Capital. Earlier in his career, he was at UBS Financial Services, American Diversified Enterprises and MH CApital Partners, a hedge fund which focused on small-midcap companies. His experience in bottoms up analysis of businesses in fragmented and growth industries is particularly useful in the understanding of Blockchain and the evolution behind the data center industry. Dan served on the board of the Bitcoin Mining Council and the Core Scientific debt restructuring board. Dan began his career in 1987 and has an MBA from Fordham University.

THANKS TO OUR PLATINUM & GOLD SPONSORS!

Financial Planning Association® is the leading membership organization in the US for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and others engaged in financial planning. As the Chapter for our state, FPA of Connecticut is committed to meeting the national organization’s promise of professional fulfillment through practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking.