2018 Fund Directors Conference
October 15–17
Chicago, IL

Speaker Biographies

James Stavridis is a retired US Navy admiral, operating executive consultant for the Carlyle Group, and an independent director of Neuberger Berman Funds. In the course of his Navy career, he led the NATO alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as supreme allied commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, and Syria, as well as for piracy and cybersecurity. He also served as commander of US Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006 to 2009. He has published eight books and hundreds of articles in leading journals around the world. His focus is on innovation, strategic communication and planning, and creating security through international, interagency, and public/private partnerships in this turbulent 21st century. Stavridis earned a BS from the US Naval Academy, and both a master’s in law and diplomacy and a PhD from the Fletcher School.

Dalia Blass is the director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management. She previously served in a number of leadership roles in the Division of Investment Management, most recently as assistant chief counsel. She returned to the SEC as director of the division in September 2017 from Ropes & Gray LLP, where she advised on a broad range of investment fund, private equity, and regulatory matters. Blass earned a JD from Columbia University School of Law and a BA in international studies from American University.