32nd Annual Securities Operations Summit

Registration is Now Open & the Agenda is Now Available!

Click on the Registration tab on the left hand side to register.

AGENDA AT A GLANCE

ISITC’s 32nd Annual Securities Operations Summit is themed Advancing Today, Transforming Tomorrow: Driving the Next Era of Financial Services. ISITC has been at the forefront creating the path forward in financial services and the Summit is a must-attend event for professionals in the financial services industry, offering a unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders and innovators shaping the future of the sector. This Summit will explore critical topics such as Cybersecurity, AI, Digital Assets, T+1 in EU/UK, Regulatory, and more.

General Sessions

Keynote Speaker
Gary Chan, Global Head of Enterprise Operations, Citadel

Keynote Address Panel
Moderator: Sarah Shenton, CEO, AccessFintech
Gary Chan, Global Head of Enterprise Operations, Citadel
Lou Rosato, Managing Director of Investment Operations, BlackRock

Innovate. AI at Scale: Real Use Cases Transforming Securities Operations – Can Ops Keep Up?
Michael Sands, Managing Director, Beacon Advisory Partners
AI and real-time processing are transforming securities operations from exception handling to predictive analytics. This session will feature real-world case studies of AI deployments that have moved from pilot to production, and examine how operations teams are adapting to 24/7, real-time expectations without sacrificing accuracy or compliance.

Innovate. Cybersecurity: How Are You Innovating to Stay Ahead of Cyber Attacks?
Brett Conlon, Chief Information Security Officer, American Century Investments
Mick Leach, Field CISO, Abnormal AI
Financial operations face increasingly sophisticated cyber threats that target every layer of the ecosystem. This session will explore how firms are deploying advanced detection tools, AI-driven threat modeling, and collaborative intelligence sharing to strengthen defenses. Speakers will share operational strategies for resilience in an environment where the next attack is always evolving.

Elevate. Enabling the Next Generation of Talent
Moderator: Nandana Penukonda, Business Systems Analyst, MFS Investment Management
Emily Dollar, Senior Manager, Sales Development, Gardner Resources Consulting
Kylie Martin, Middle Office Operations Specialist, American Century Investments
Paola Suarez, Vice President Product Owner, PGIM
While advances in automation, AI and data analytics have reshaped how work is performed and roles are defined, critical skills like problem-solving, communication and collaboration have become even more significant. Our expert panel will discuss how companies and leaders need to approach the hiring and enabling of the next generation of talent in this rapidly evolving world of work.

Integrate. T+1 in EU/UK: The Global Impact
Barney Nelson, CEO, The Value Exchange
What do you need to know about T+1 in 2026? With the first wave of market deadlines due in European markets at the end of 2026, now is the time to be driving change in your investment operations. Drawing on recent industry research this update will provide a snapshot of the key areas of risk, focus and activity across the global industry as we prepare for accelerated settlements across Europe, Brazil and Asia-Pacific.

Innovate. Digital Assets: From Hype to Integration
Moderator: Barney Nelson, CEO, The Value Exchange
Charles Carter, SVP, Global Head of Digital Asset Transformation & Operations, State Street Corporation
Marissa McDonald, Head of Risk, Controls & Resiliency, Digital Assets, BNY
Tokenized securities and smart contracts are moving closer to mainstream adoption, but operational readiness remains a challenge. This discussion will focus on custody, clearing, and regulatory integration, sharing lessons from early movers and outlining what it will take for digital assets to live within existing market infrastructure.

Integrate. Regulatory Whiplash for the Financial Industry: Staying Ahead of Shifting Demands
Moderator: Michele Lieber, SVP, Global Head of Government Affairs and Regulatory Strategy, FactSet
Thomas Andrew, Managing Director, Associate General Counsel, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Steve Byron, Managing Director, Head of Technology, Operations, & BCP, SIFMA
The financial industry is bracing for a period of rapid and overlapping regulatory shifts that will redefine how institutions operate, manage risk, and serve clients. This panel brings together leading policy, regulatory and industry experts to examine the accelerating pace of change across prudential oversight, market-structure reforms, digital-asset and payments policy, climate and sustainability disclosure mandates, operational-resilience requirements, and emerging AI governance frameworks. With global regulators moving on divergent timelines—and often with conflicting priorities—firms face increasing pressure to interpret, adapt to, and anticipate rules before they crystallize. Attendees will gain a forward-looking view of the regulatory landscape—and practical insight into how to stay ahead of the next wave of reforms as the cycle intensifies.

Breakfast Session

Elevate. Diversity You Don’t See: The Art of Well-Being
Jason D. Butler, Professor, Department of Expressive Therapies, Lesley University
In the financial services sector, many pressures and identities people carry aren’t visible—mental health concerns, neurodiversity, invisible disabilities, or cultural and personal stresses that shape how they work and connect. This session offers a perspective from the creative arts and psychology, introducing simple reflective and imaginative practices that support grounding, empathy, and resilience. Creative arts use music, dance, drama, visual art, and therapies like art therapy to inspire learning and healing. Participants will explore brief creative exercises that help surface unseen challenges and strengthen well-being in demanding environments. No artistic experience is required—just openness to trying something different.