Welcome Reception sponsored by New York Life

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by Flywire

‘Essentials’ Seminar 
Opening Remarks

• 529 ‘Essentials’ Seminar 2026 Welcome and Overview

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

529 Primer & Landscape

• Background and beginning of 529 plans
• Types of plans, features and requirements
• Historical milestones leading up to where we are today

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

Federal Tax & Regulatory Framework

• Legislative benefits and features
• The role of municipal issuer and program manager
• Tax benefits, considerations, and guidance under IRC Section 529
• Fundamentals of contributions, asset growth and distributions
• Qualified expenses (including the new credentialing expenses and expanded K-12 expenses), exemptions to the 10% penalty tax, estate & gift taxes
• State Law requirements and tax regulation of the issuer/program by the IRS
• Securities regulation of the issuer, program manager, distributor, investment manager by SEC, MSRB

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

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

Plan Governance & Administration Best Practices

• Oversight and fiduciary duties of 529 entities
• Guidance on good governance processes
• The underpinnings for disclosure best practices
• Advertising best practices

Presenter
Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group

Structuring & Evaluating the Investment Lineup

• Investment structure in philosophy and in practice
• Defining key terms and differentiating factors
• Investment types and management style trends
• New asset classes, trends in selection, and review of fee types

Presenter
Luis Sierra, CFA, Vice President, Marquette Associates

Lunch sponsored by BlackRock

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
Jonathan Hughes, Associate Director of College Planning and Content Creation and host of the MEFA Podcast, MEFA, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
Stacey MacPhetres, Senior Director, College Finance, College Coach

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Manulife John Hancock

Municipal Rulemaking & Advertising Regulation Overview

• Introduction to MSRB’s role with 529 plans and FINRA’s role in advertising 529 plans
• Key MSRB Rules and advertising fundamentals under FINRA rules for 529 plans 
• Best practices for industry participants and upcoming topics for review
• FINRA and MSRB’s recent activity and areas of focus including notices, rule proposals and upcoming topics for review
• Questions, comments, and how best to engage and work with MSRB and FINRA

Presenters
Abha Mohla, Director, Market Regulation, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Derek Ashworth, Director, Advertising Regulation, FINRA

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

• How do 529s alternatives stack up by Stack?
• Categories of education savings/investment vehicles
• Strength and weaknesses of different savings vehicles

Presenter
Chris Stack, Esq., Managing Consultant, Saving For College

Cocktail Reception sponsored by Goldman Sachs Asset Management

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by Ascensus

529 Conference 2026: 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

Moderator
Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group

Panelist
Joey Spellerberg, Treasurer, Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by Catalis

Product Strategy Trends and Outlook 

Moderator
John Mitchell, Director of College Savings & Deputy Chief, Financial Products, Illinois State Treasurer’s Office
Panelists
Rob Forshee, Product Manager – CollegeAmerica & ABLEAmerica, Capital Group

TBD

Lunch 
sponsored by Capital Group | American Funds

Investment Line-Up Creation, Evaluation and Oversight

Moderator
Kay Ceserani, Manageing Principal, Consultant, Meketa Investment Group
Panelists
Edward Kaminski, Corporate Vice President – Business Consultant, New York Life Stable Value
Jason Kephart, CFA, Senior Principal, Global Multi-Asset Strategy Ratings, Morningstar Research Services LLC
Peter Miller, Head of Client Investment Solutions, Invesco

Marketing: Engaging New Audiences

Moderator
Trisha Good, Executive Director, Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority
Panelists
Lael Oldmixon, M.Ed, Executive Director, Education Trust of Alaska

Networking Refreshment Break sponsored by MFS

Platforms, Fintech and Emerging Trends and Opportunities

Moderator: Rachel Biar, Deputy State Treasurer for Savings Program, NEST 529 Education Savings Program Director, Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office
Panelists
Dave O’Brien, VP, Platform Expansion, Backpack
David Bell, SVP – Head of 529 Savings Plans, Vestwell

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

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

Panelists
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
Risa Schulz, Executive Director, Product Development Manager and Head of 529 Business, Morgan Stanley
Kevin Miller, Senior Product Leader | Managed Investments, Edward Jones

Cocktail Reception

Registration and Breakfast sponsored by Transamerica

TBA

Investments: Differentiating Asset Classes

Moderator
Tiffany Spudich, Chief Investment Officer, Capital Cities
Panelists
Chris Solimine, Managing Director Stable Value Solutions, Transamerica

Networking Refreshment Break Sponsored by Pacific Life

Education Financial Planning Strategies in 2026

Moderator
John Park, Head of College Savings | US Wealth Advisory, BlackRock
Panelists
Mike Starensier, Sr Product Analyst | Wealth Management, Investment Products, LPL Financial

Opportunities and  Outlook in 2027 & Beyond

Moderator
John Hupalo, Founder & CEO, Invite Education
Panelists
Viraaj Kumar, Head of Retirement Product & Strategy, ISS Market Intelligence 
Brandon Goeke, Chief Operating Officer, Florida Prepaid College Board
Kimberly Yee, Treasurer, State of Arizona

To-Go Lunch