The NASP Conference brings together more than 600 financial services professionals from across various sectors to learn about the latest concepts, trends, and solutions to pressing community issues. It takes place across 3 days with specific tracks for professional development, African infrastructure, investments, institutional finance and municipal investing.
Power. Performance. Excellence.
NASP’s 37th Annual Financial Services Conference returned to Detroit, Michigan for the first time in more than two decades, bringing together hundreds of leaders from across the financial services industry under the theme Power. Performance. Excellence. The sold-out conference was held June 8–9, 2026 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, and welcomed pension trustees, institutional investors, investment consultants, asset managers, wealth advisors, public finance professionals, corporate leaders, students, and elected officials for two dynamic days of networking, professional development, industry education, and business growth.
Designed to foster meaningful dialogue and expand access to opportunity across the investment industry, FSC2026 featured nationally recognized speakers, specialized educational programming, and expanded networking opportunities that reinforced NASP’s mission of advancing excellence, innovation, and inclusion throughout financial services.
Detroit provided an outstanding backdrop for this year’s conference, showcasing the city’s rich history, resilience, innovation, and growing influence within the financial services industry.
The conference officially began Sunday evening with the NASP Detroit Host Committee’s “All White Affair” at Baru Detroit. More than 150 attendees gathered for an evening of networking, music, refreshments, and celebration as NASP returned to Detroit for the first time in twenty years. The summer chic, all-white reception offered attendees an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and celebrate the start of another successful Financial Services Conference with unmistakable Detroit flair.
On Monday evening, attendees were welcomed to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, where they explored the museum’s exhibits while enjoying food, refreshments, and networking. The reception highlighted Detroit’s extraordinary legacy of African American history, culture, leadership, and artistic excellence, providing a meaningful welcome to the city and an unforgettable conference experience.
Tuesday morning’s Sponsor Breakfast welcomed 74 attendees—including 34 trustees and asset allocators—creating an intimate setting for sponsors and institutional investors to strengthen relationships and foster new business opportunities.
The conference concluded with the NASP Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception, celebrating distinguished leaders whose careers and contributions have strengthened the financial services industry and advanced NASP’s mission.
FSC2026 featured more than two dozen educational sessions spanning institutional investing, public finance, private wealth, alternatives, emerging markets, trustee education, professional development, leadership development, and financial innovation. The conference agenda included four plenary sessions, specialized educational tracks, fireside conversations with nationally recognized industry leaders, and trustee education programming offering CPE credits.
Throughout the conference, speakers explored some of the industry’s most pressing and timely topics, including the evolving U.S. economic and regulatory landscape, artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure, blockchain technology and digital assets, private markets and illiquid investments, affordable housing, institutional portfolio construction, fiduciary governance, wealth management, municipal finance, and investment opportunities across Africa and emerging markets. Additional sessions examined multigenerational workforce leadership, AI-powered productivity, HBCU endowment growth, and strategies for expanding access to capital and investment platforms.
The conference also featured several distinguished keynote presentations and executive conversations, including remarks from Robert Rodriguez, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), and Jesse Gossett, Senior Director at FINRA; a fireside chat with John W. Rogers Jr., Chairman and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments; a conversation with Michigan State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks; and a special discussion between NASP President & CEO Miguel Thames and Craig Pfeiffer, President & CEO of the Money Management Institute (MMI), exploring strategic industry partnerships and new pathways for asset managers to expand within the retail and wealth management marketplace.
Expanded networking opportunities were a hallmark of this year’s conference experience. In addition to the Detroit Host Committee’s All White Affair, the Welcome Reception at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Sponsor Breakfast, and the NASP Late Night Lounge, attendees utilized the conference app to schedule 31 one-on-one business meetings, with many additional meetings coordinated independently throughout the conference. These enhanced networking experiences provided meaningful opportunities for trustees, consultants, asset managers, wealth advisors, sponsors, and industry leaders to exchange ideas, build relationships, and develop new business opportunities.
FSC2026 also featured more than 20 complimentary one-on-one career coaching sessions led by coaches Ellen Bailey and Cheryl Mills. These personalized laser-coaching sessions provided attendees with individualized guidance on career planning, executive presence, networking, leadership development, and professional growth, underscoring NASP’s continued commitment to investing in its members’ long-term career success.
Returning for its 4th Annual College Day, NASP welcomed 14 students representing seven colleges and universities for an afternoon of professional development, mock interviews, résumé reviews, career coaching, and networking with industry leaders. The program continues to strengthen the talent pipeline by equipping students with practical career skills while connecting them directly with professionals across the financial services industry.
Throughout the conference, attendees heard from leading organizations during Sponsor Spotlight presentations featured on the main stage. This year’s participating firms included:
These presentations showcased innovative industry perspectives while highlighting the continued partnership and leadership of NASP’s sponsors in advancing excellence across the financial services industry.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, speakers, planning committee members, volunteers, the NASP Detroit Chapter and Host Committee, exhibitors, partners, and attendees whose dedication and support made the 37th Annual Financial Services Conference an extraordinary success.
Your continued partnership advances NASP’s mission of increasing access, expanding opportunity, and strengthening excellence throughout the financial services industry. Together, we continue building meaningful relationships, developing future leaders, and creating lasting impact across our profession.
As we continue the conversation around leadership, innovation, and inclusion in financial services, we invite attendees to stay connected with NASP—and encourage those who are not yet members to join us in this important work.
The NASP Consultant Retreat offers a unique setting for minority-owned asset management firms and consultants to network and build potential business relationships. The event includes a half-day of one-on-one sessions between asset management firms and consultants, as well as panels that discuss industry trends and initiatives.
As part of the organization’s advocacy initiatives, NASP hosts a Legislative Symposium with key financial oversight representatives and decision-makers from congressional committees, federal and regulatory agencies and quasi-public private sector entities.
The retreat aims to increase access to institutional investment consulting firms for our members, enabling more research meetings and providing opportunities for consultants to learn about investment managers from a wide range of professionals and their products.
Through networking, dialogue, and exposure, asset managers and consultants can strengthen their client base and share best practices in areas such as pitching to consultants and marketing firms. The event concludes with virtual small group meetings for consultants and managers.