Go to homepage
Since its inception in 2017, the Annual CFS Symposium has brought together distinguished experts to explore key topics in financial services. Panelists have led in-depth discussions on financial service reform, asset management challenges, blockchain technologies, ESG investing, special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), climate change mandates, investing in collectibles, and the role of AI in wealth management.
Led by the CFS Advisory Council, the symposium serves as a vital platform for fostering collaboration between academia and industry—bridging theory and practice to address key challenges shaping the financial services landscape.
Past speakers have been recognized leaders in their fields, representing prestigious organizations such as BlackRock, Bank of America, KKR, CNBC, IBM, Two Sigma, Neuberger Berman, and Mellon.
As a cornerstone of CFS’s broader mission, the symposium fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas among researchers and industry professionals. By leveraging its extensive network of Lehigh faculty, alumni, and industry leaders, the CFS continues to drive thought leadership and innovative solutions in financial services.
MAY 13, 2025
PRIVATE MARKETS IN FOCUS
AT NEUBERGER BERMAN IN NYC
The CFS 2025 Symposium featured an in-depth discussion on the evolving private markets landscape, examining emerging trends, key challenges, and innovations across private equity and debt. The panel also provided insights into how expanding investor access to private markets may influence long-term wealth creation.
Seth Finkel ’80, Managing Director, Neuberger Berman; Chair, CFS Advisory Council, moderated the dynamic discussion among panelists:
Chris Bokosky ’10, Private Markets Strategist, Neuberger Berman Private Wealth Investment Group
Nick Gillette ’14, Partner, SWaN & Legend Venture Partners
Kathleen Weiss Hanley, Bolton-Perella Chair in Finance, Director, Center for Financial Services, Lehigh University College of Business
Doug Krupa, Managing Director, Head of Americas, Global Wealth Solutions (GWS), KKR.
This program was brought to you in cooperation with Lehigh's CFS Advisory Council and Neuberger Berman.
MARCH 19, 2024
EXPLORING AI'S TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL IN WEALTH MANAGEMENT
AT NEUBERGER BERMAN IN NYC
The CFS 2024 Symposium explored AI's transformative power in wealth management. The moderator Carter Lyons, CFS Council Member and Chief Business Officer at Two Sigma and panelists, Sindhu Joseph, CEO and Founder of CogniCor, Chase Ginther, Principal AI/ML Architect st Snowflake, CJ Jaskoll, Head of Investment and Data Technology at Neuberger Berman, and Alberto Rossi, Director of the AI, Analytics, and Future of Work Initiative at Georgetown University, provided a robust conversation on how AI is shaping the short- and long-term future of the financial services industry. Brian Lenhart '04, who attended the annual symposium for the first time, shared his thoughts on the event, "excellent integration of academics and business and the whole event was such a testament to the strong lasting connections and education that Lehigh, and other institutions like it, provide for a lifetime."
This program was brought to you in cooperation with Lehigh's CFS Advisory Council and Neuberger Berman.
MARCH 8, 2023
INVESTING IN COLLECTIBLES
AT NEUBERGER BERMAN IN NYC
Scholars and professionals from a diverse network of organizations came together at the CFS 2023 Symposium to discuss alternative investments—specifically collectibles like watches, wine and spirits, art, and cars—at the annual Center for Financial Services' NYC Symposium.
The expert moderator and panelists provided an overview of how collectibles are defined as well as discussed the market for collectibles and how to start purchasing them. Areas of discussion included the advantages and disadvantages of investing in collectibles and how these unusual investments may fit into a broader portfolio strategy.
“Attendees heard about the state of the various collectible markets … and fascinating war stories including how Paul Newman’s watch got on the set of the movie ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ and the provenance of lace used to gussy up George Washington,” said Kathleen Hanley, CFS director and Bolton-Perella Chair in Finance at Lehigh College of Business.
The“Investing in Collectibles” panel was moderated by Robert Frank, wealth editor, CNBC, and included panelists Yves de Launay, senior vice president and head of wine, Sotheby's; Elizabeth Haynie Wainstein, owner, The Potomack Company, a Washington, D.C., auction house; and Eric Wind, owner, Wind Vintage, which sells vintage watches.
This program was brought to you in cooperation with Lehigh's CFS Advisory Council and Neuberger Berman.
APRIL 20, 2022
CLIMATE DISCLOSURE MANDATES PANEL
VIRTUAL EVENT
On March 21, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a much-anticipated rule that would mandate various disclosures related to climate change risks faced by public companies. Disclosures include the risks that climate change presents to their business, plans to lower emissions, and the total level of greenhouse gases they emit both directly and indirectly.
Proponents of mandatory climate risk disclosures believe the proposal will provide investors the relevant information to make prudent financial decisions and will provide consistent and clear reporting obligations for issuers. The proposal has received criticism, however, as to whether specific emissions-related disclosure falls under the purview of the SEC’s jurisdiction. In addition, some suggest that it is unclear whether the benefits of the rule may be outweighed by the costs of disclosure and compliance.
Kathleen Weiss Hanley, Bolton-Perella Chair in Finance, Director of the Center for Financial Services, Lehigh University College of Business, Former Deputy Chief Economist, Securities and Exchange Commission, moderated the discussion among panelists:
APRIL 14, 2021
IS THE TIMING RIPE TO GO PUBLIC?
VIRTUAL EVENT
In 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, there were a record number of initial public offerings. Airbnb, DoorDash, Palentir Technologies, and Snowflake decided to hit the market along with 490 additional IPOs. In fact in 2020 the volume of IPOs more than doubled from 2019, and the IPO market raised $174 billion – an astounding 150% increase from the previous year.
The dramatic boost in IPO activity is, in part, driven by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), sometimes called blank check companies. In 2020, SPACs accounted for half of all IPOs.
Kathleen Weiss Hanley, Bolton-Perella Chair in the Department of Finance, Director of the Center for Financial Services, Lehigh University moderated the discussion among panelists:
This event was jointly hosted by the Center for Financial Services and the Goodman Center for Real Estate
DECEMBER 1, 2020
THE NEW REALITY FOR THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY
VIRTUAL EVENT
The Lehigh CFS Advisory Council in cooperation with the Lehigh Wall Street Council presented a post-election panel discussion on the impact of the pandemic on the financial services.
Experts from the financial services field shared insights about today’s operating environment. Discussions included topics such as the acceleration of digital transformations, the creation of non-traditional partnerships, the importance and relevance of embedding social responsibility into business models, how companies have improved agility and risk management, and the development of new customer value propositions.
Daniel Pietrzak, Partner/Co-Head of Private Credit, KKR, Member and CFS Advisory Council member, moderated the discussion among panelists:
NOVEMBER 18, 2019
ESG INVESTING PANEL
AT REFINITIV IN NYC
Lehigh’s CFS hosted its Annual Symposium at Refinitiv. The expert panel discussed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing and shared their insights and knowledge on topics such as ESG’s rapid growth, ESG data analysis and scoring, sustainable funds’ performance over ordinary ones, arbitrage opportunities for non-ESG investors, and the future of ESG funds.
Keynote Henry McVey, Head of Global Macro & Asset Allocation & CIO at KKR, shared his macro insights with the engaged audience.
John Melvin ‘91, Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer at HIMCO and CFS Advisory Council member, moderated the discussion among panelists:
Please enjoy a photo gallery of the November 18 event.
This event was brought to you by the CFS in cooperation with Lehigh's CFS Advisory Council, KKR, Lehigh Wall Street Council, and Refinitiv.
DECEMBER 4, 2018
BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGIES PANEL
AT REFINITIV IN NYC
Lehigh’s CFS hosted its third Annual New York City Symposium at Refinitiv (formerly the Financial and Risk business of Thomson Reuters). The panel discussion focused on one of the biggest trends in the Fintech space – Blockchain Technologies. The expert panel provided thoughtful comments and an insider’s view into the exciting, fast-paced sector of finance and technology.
Julian Sluyters '82, Advisor at GECKO Governance and CFS Advisory Council member, moderated the discussion among panelists:
This event was brought to you by the CFS in cooperation with Lehigh's CFS Advisory Council, Lehigh Wall Street Council, and Refinitiv.
DECEMBER 5, 2017
CHALLENGES FACING ASSET MANAGEMENT PANEL
AT THOMSON REUTERS IN NYC
Lehigh’s CFS hosted its Second Annual New York City Symposium at Thomson Reuters, which brought together a panel of experts to explore the robust topic of “Challenges Facing Asset Management.” The panel discussed various areas in asset management, such as active vs. passive investing, ETFs, the increasing role of technology, and MiFID II.
Bob Doll ’76, Chief Equity Strategist and Senior Portfolio Manager at Nuveen Asset Management, moderated the discussion among panelists:
This event was co-sponsored by Thomson Reuters, Lehigh Wall Street Council, and Lehigh's CFS Advisory Council,
FEBRUARY 16, 2017
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF FINANCIAL SERVICES PANEL
AT THOMSON REUTERS IN NYC
Lehigh’s CFS hosted its First Annual New York City Symposium in February. Financial services experts explored the timely topic of “Unintended Consequences of Financial Services Reform.” This event was co-sponsored by Thomson Reuters, the Lehigh Wall Street Council, and the Lehigh CFS Advisory Council.
Seth Finkel ’80, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman Wealth Management and CFS Advisory Council member, moderated the discussion among panelists: