2021 IDC Conference
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2021 Virtual Fund Directors Conference Thought Leadership Sessions

October 20–21

Thought Leadership Sessions

Wednesday, October 20 | Thursday, October 21

Wednesday, October 20
 

11:00–11:50 a.m.

Sponsored Thought Leadership Sessions
  • Citi

    Beyond Bitcoin: What’s Next for Digital Assets?

    The term “digital assets” has rapidly gained purchase in the financial services industry as a contrast to the traditional scope of established financial markets. As digital assets become more mainstream, the investment ecosystem is rapidly evolving to adapt.

    Please join us for a discussion on the future of digitisation of securities and what fund directors need to know.

    In this session, our panel of experts will discuss:

    • The evolution of digital assets: where are we now and where are we going?
    • Unique challenges fund boards face as the ecosystem continues to evolve
    • Regulatory, operational, tax, and vendor oversight considerations
       

    JAY BARIS
    Partner
    Sidley Austin

    IOANA NICULCEA
    Director, Head of FinTech Advisory, Business Advisory Services
    Citi

    MICHELE POLANSKY
    Client Executive, Securities Services
    Citi

    CHRISTINE SANDLER
    Head of Sales and Marketing
    Fidelity Digital AssetsSM

  • State Street

    The Opportunity for ESG

    The panelists will discuss the role of the board in evaluating and overseeing an enterprise ESG program, covering governance and oversight responsibilities, how to implement a consistent ESG investment approach, and what tools and data are needed to underpin a robust program.

    Moderator

    BRENDA LYONS
    Executive Vice President and Global Head of Asset Servicing Product
    State Street

    Speakers

    PHIL KIM
    Global Head of ESG Product
    State Street

    RICHARD F. LACAILLE
    Global Head of ESG
    State Street

    KAREN WONG
    Senior Managing Director, Global Head of ESG and Sustainable Investing
    State Street

  • Vedder Price

    Board Oversight of Innovative Investments and Strategies

    Innovation is everywhere, including in the Fund industry. Directors are being asked to oversee new and innovative investments and strategies, including crypto, ESG, and strategies that seek to provide defined outcomes over a stated outcome period. In this thought leadership session, attorneys from Vedder Price P.C. will explore and discuss the types of questions that directors should be considering as they evaluate the launch and ongoing oversight of funds that use such innovative investments and strategies.

    RENEE HARDT
    Shareholder
    Vedder Price

    JOHN MARTEN
    Shareholder
    Vedder Price

    JACOB TIEDT
    Shareholder
    Vedder Price

    KIMBERLY VARGO
    Shareholder
    Vedder Price
     

12:55–1:30 p.m.

Coffee Break
  • Stradley Ronon

    Board Perspectives: How Will Board Oversight Change Under the New Derivatives Rule?

    In August 2022, registered open-end funds, closed-end funds, and business development companies will be subject to new Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act, which ushers in a new era of regulation with respect to the use of derivatives and certain other transactions. Join Stradley Ronon for a discussion about how board oversight responsibilities will change under the new regime.

    DAVID GRIM
    Partner
    Stradley Ronon

    NICOLE SIMON
    Partner
    Stradley Ronon

Thursday, October 21
 

11:00–11:50 a.m.

Sponsored Thought Leadership Sessions
  • BBH

    Current ETF Trends: Board Oversight Considerations

    Retail and institutional investor demand for ETFs remains at an all-time high, driving asset managers into the ETF market for the first time, while pushing existing ETF issuers to ramp up product development efforts. And asset managers have never had so much choice in ETF product structure or operating models as they do now. While product innovation creates more opportunities for investors, it is shifting the focus of oversight for board members and compliance officers. In this 50-minute session, we’ll discuss key considerations for directors overseeing ETFs in this ever-shifting market. Topics will include:

    • What is unique about ETF oversight
    • How regulators are monitoring new active non-transparent and semi-transparent ETFs
    • When it does/doesn’t make sense to convert a mutual fund to an ETF
    • What the future may hold for the ETF market
      • Taxes
      • Other regulatory efforts
      • Emerging asset classes (e.g., crypto)
         

    TONY BAKER
    Founder and CEO
    Investment Innovations LLC

    JILLIAN DELSIGNORE, CIMA
    Managing Director, Head of ETFs and Indexing
    FLX Distribution

    RYAN SULLIVAN
    Senior Vice President, Exchange Traded Fund Services
    BBH

  • Dechert

    Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain for Fund Directors

    The past few years have been very good for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Many more investors are considering this asset class for inclusion in their portfolios. Both traditional and alternative investment management firms are also considering adding bitcoin and other cryptocurrency exposure to their mutual funds. In addition, the development of other digital assets and blockchain technology generally have advanced steadily. 

    With a rapidly changing regulatory environment and entrepreneurial firms looking to launch innovative products and solutions, exposure to bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies raises potentially novel considerations for mutual funds and their directors.

    James Catano, partner in Dechert’s Washington, DC, office; Katie Hyer, associate in Dechert’s Washington, DC, office; and Timothy Spangler, partner in Dechert’s Los Angeles and Silicon Valley offices, will discuss key developments in the evolution of bitcoin, digital assets, and blockchain with a particular focus on notable considerations relevant to directors overseeing mutual funds.

    JAMES CATANO
    Partner
    Dechert

    KATIE HYER
    Associate
    Dechert

    TIMOTHY SPANGLER
    Partner
    Dechert

  • Ropes & Gray

    Board Considerations for Securities Lending Programs: Current Landscape

    The panelists will discuss the role of the board in evaluating and considering securities lending arrangements for registered investment companies, including in light of changes in the securities lending market in recent years and regulatory developments. Topics will include:

    • Rationale for participating in a securities lending program
    • Current trends in securities lending practices
    • Key risks involved in securities lending programs
    • Board responsibilities in overseeing a securities lending program

    NATHAN BRIGGS
    Partner
    Ropes & Gray

    BRYAN CHEGWIDDEN
    Partner
    Ropes & Gray

    GEORGE B. RAINE
    Partner
    Ropes & Gray