Welcome Reception

Registration and Breakfast 

‘Essentials’ Seminar 
Opening Remarks

• 529 ‘Essentials’ Seminar 2025 Welcome and Overview

Paul Curley, Executive Director, 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

529 Primer & Landscape
Presenter
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Savingforcollege.com

Federal Tax & Regulatory Framework

Presenter
Mark Chapleau, Esq., Founding Member, Chapleau Law Group LLC

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Catalis

Plan Governance & Administration Best Practices

Presenter
Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group

Structuring & Evaluating the Investment Lineup

Presenter
Luis Sierra, CFA, Vice President, Marquette Associates

Lunch

Municipal Rulemaking & Advertising Regulation Overview

Presenters
Abha Mohla, Director, Market Regulation, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Derek Ashworth, Director, Advertising Regulation, FINRA
Ira Gluck, Vice President, Advertising Regulation, FINRA

529 Stable Value 201

Panelists
Zach Gieske, President, Stable Value Investment Association (SVIA)
Maya Pillai, AVP, Head of Stable Value Wrap, Pacific Life
Ben Soltsov, Vice President & Portfolio Manager, GSAM 

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Pacific Life

The College Finance Landscape

Understanding College Costs, the Changing Financial Aid Terrain, the Impact of Student Loan Debt & Obstacles to Saving for College.

In this session, we will cover:

• FAFSA Changes 
• Demystifying the Financial Aid Formula
• The Student Loan Landscape and the Impact of Student Loans on Saving for College
• Obstacles to Saving for College and what we can do to help families overcome
• 2025 updates and potential impacts on the horizon
• Common questions from parents in 2025, and best practices on how to respond
• Audience Questions and Answers
  

Presenters
Julie Shields-Rutyna, Senior Director of College Planning, Education, and Training, MEFA
Stacey MacPhetres, Senior Director, College Finance, College Coach

Comparing College Savings Vehicles: How do 529s Stack Up?

Presenter
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Savingforcollege.com

Reception brought to you by New York Life

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by T. Rowe Price

529 Conference 2025: Chair’s Welcome and State of the 529 Industry

Presenter
Paul Curley, Executive Director, 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

State’s Perspective on Industry Trends and Building Momentum

As the 529 industry continues to grow, we always celebrate that our market is founded upon the early state-run prepaid plans created by the vision, foresight and determination of the state agencies and treasury departments to help families nationwide. From the 1996 authorization of Section 529, the U.S. Congress never wavered in placing the stewardship of our Plans with the States. While the market today would not exist without investment managers, wealth managers, program administrators and technology developers, we bring the story board back to its foundation with this panel of State leaders, who will share their visions for setting the industry’s direction to reach its full potential growth ahead.

Moderator
Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group

Panelists
Cassandra DiBenedetto, Executive Director, ScholarShare Investment Board
Julie Peachey, Deputy State Treasurer of Consumer Programs, Pennsylvania Treasury
Mark Cain, Executive Director, my529

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Flywire

Product Strategy Trends and Outlook

Moderator
Michele M. Bowman, Sr. Director, Relationship Management, SS&C Technologies Inc.

TBA

Lunch sponsored by The Capital Group | American Funds

Investment Line-Up Adjustments for Market Volatility in 2025

Moderator
Tiffany Spudich, Chief Investment Officer, Capital Cities

Consumer Behavior and Marketing Strategies

Moderator
John Mitchell, Director of College Savings & Deputy Chief, Financial Products, Illinois State Treasurer’s Office

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by MFS

Platforms, Fintech and Emerging Trends and Opportunities

Moderator
William Thompson, Deputy Executive Director, Florida Prepaid College Board

National Broker-Dealers View on Product, Marketing & Distribution Strategies

Moderator
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Savingforcollege.com

Panelists
Brea Tabernik, Senior Product Manager | Managed Investments, Edwards Jones
Chuck Ranney, Wealth Management Solutions, Vice President – Mutual Funds, CEFs & 529 Plans, Ameriprise Financial
Ryan White, CFP^®, CIMA^®, Senior Director | 529 Plans, Product Management, Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Richard Polimeni, Managing Director, Head of Education Savings Programs, Investment Solutions Group, Bank of America Merrill
Risa Schulz, Executive Director, Product Development Manager, Morgan Stanley

Reception

Networking Event sponsored by Scholar’s Edge and Principal

Registration and Breakfast 

Opening Remarks 

Presenter
Paul Curley, Executive Director, 529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence

Investment Line-Up Trends and Outlook

Panelists
Lael Oldmixon, M.Ed, Executive Director, Education Trust of Alaska
Kim DeDominicis, Portfolio Manager, T. Rowe Price

Networking Refreshment Break Sponsored by John Hancock

Top-5 Education Financial Planning Strategies

Panelists
Steve Elzerman, Product Analyst – Managed Investments, Edwards Jones
Travis Brickfield, Director, Product Specialists – Mutual Funds, ETFs, and 529 Plans, Raymond James
Daniel J. Tocci, JD, Advanced Planning Consultant, Commonwealth Financial Network^®

Outlook for 529s in 2026 & Beyond

Moderator
Rachel Biar, Deputy State Treasurer for Savings Programs, Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office
Panelists
LaKesha Page, Director of College Savings and ABLE TN, Tennessee Department of Treasury

To-Go Lunch