SUMMIT SPRING
TECH SAVV Y, HR WI SE & FI SCALLY READY
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
DAY 1 – MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Registration Hours
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Sponsor/Exhibitor Set Up
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Breakfast
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
– Puneet Behl, Finance Chair
– Nicole Montalvo, Technology Chair
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Opening Keynote: AI Possibilities in Pooling
– Ann Gergen, AGRIP
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Networking Break
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
A Deeper Dive into Financial and Actuarial Requirements in CAJPA Accreditation
– Jim Marta, James Marta & Co
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Benchmarking 2.0 - the Metrics Risk Pools Should Be Using – Dan Steele, ACWA JPIA
– Puneet Behl, PRISM
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
The Future of AI in Risk Pools: Strategy, Partnerships, and Beyond
– Feras S. Gharfeh, FPOV
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Networking Break
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Understanding Loss Trends & Risk Financing Alternatives
– Mike Harrington, Bickmore Actuarial
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Laying the Groundwork: Data Management for AI-Era Governance
– Christopher Wiseman, Sacramento County
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Networking Reception and Raffle
DAY 2 – TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Registration Hours
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Navigating the Many Types of Risk in Investment Portfolios
– Carlos Oblites, Chandler Asset Management
– Dan Byrnes, AAM
– Mallory Sampson, PFM Asset Management
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
AI Dos and Don’ts: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid
– Martin Ronquillo, ASCIP
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Networking Break
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Financial Closing Roundtable
– Ritesh Sharma, James Marta & Co
– Min Su, Sedgwick
– Alana Theiss, PRISM
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
ADA Compliance Regulations & Impacts
– John Northup, WebAIM
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Real-World AI Applications in the Workplace
– Erik Kowalewski, ACWA JPIA
– Jose Tribuzio, Spear Technologies
– Dan Low, SIA
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch
1:15 PM
Sponsor/Exhibitor Break Down
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Communication Tools for Productivity
– Karen Antunes, NBSIA
– Sam Adams, GSRMA
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Employee Engagement and How it Relates to Organizational Culture
– Karen Antunes, NBSIA
– Carrie Green, NBSIA
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Closing Remarks
– Puneet Behl, PRISM
– Nicole Montalvo, PRISM
DAY 2 – TUESDAY, MAY 20
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Registration Hours
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast Sponsored by Gilbert CPAs
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Navigating the Many Types of Risk in Investment Portfolios
Carlos Oblites, Chandler Asset Management
Dan Byrnes, AAM
Mallory Sampson, PFM Asset Management
This panel discussion will examine the different risks pools have faced in the past, managed in the present, and planned for in the future. Looking back over the last 50 years, we will examine the best and worst calendar years for pools and how they may have navigated their ways through them. Ww will discuss the risks of today that may add more pressure to the liquidity and return objectives of portfolios as we are seeing more geopolitical risk as well as risk related to what different pools may cover. In order to prepare for additional risk, we will discuss how pools are now exploring the use of captives for a portion of their investment portfolios. Captives have systemic and un-systemic risks that we will segment into those that can and cannot be diversified away.
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
AI Dos and Don’ts: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid
Martin Ronquillo, Director of Cyber Risk, ASCIP
In this session, we’ll explore the key dos and don’ts of AI implementation, helping organizations navigate ethical considerations, compliance, and best practices. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging AI responsibly, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring transparency, security, and fairness in AI-driven decisionmaking. Whether you’re integrating AI into risk management, operations, or customer service, this session will provide practical guidelines to maximize benefits while mitigating risks.
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Networking Break
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Financial Closing Roundtable
Ritesh Sharma, Accounting Manager, James Marta & Company LLP
Min Su, Finance Director, Sedgwick
Alana Thiess, Director of Financial Operations, PRISM
Drawing on their combined 50-plus years of experience, the speakers will discuss best practices and potential pitfalls in closing and financial reporting for public entity risk pools.
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
ADA Compliance Regulations & Impacts
John Northup, Director of Evaluations, WebAIM
An overview of accessibility laws, principles, guidelines, and techniques in the context of last year’s ruling from the Department of Justice.
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Networking Break
GENERAL SESSIONS
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Real-World AI Applications in the Workplace
Erik Kowalewskii, IT Manager, ACWA JPIA
Jose Tribuzio, Spear Technologies
Dan Low, Business Systems Engineer, SIA
This panel will explore how organizations are beginning to incorporate artificial intelligence into their operations to improve efficiency, support decision-making, and enhance communication. The session will begin with an overview of key considerations for getting started with AI, including the importance of policy, training, and responsible use. Presenters will share examples of how AI is being tested or piloted in different contexts, along with brief demonstrations of potential workplace applications. The session may also include highlights of how AI is being integrated into existing systems and processes, as well as early lessons learned around governance and implementation. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of practical use cases and things to consider when exploring AI within their own organizations.
12:30 PM– 1:15 PM Lunch
Sponsored by PFM Asset Management
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Communication Tools for Productivity and Engagement
Karen Antunes, HR/Operations Manager, NBSIA
Sam Adams, Director of Information Technology, GSRMA
In this session we will explore communication tools for productivity and engagement. This will include communication platforms, employee internal social media platforms, and other tools used to improve productivity. We will explore how to maximize these resources for best productivity and engagement.
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Employee Engagement and How it Relates to Organizational Culture
Karen Antunes, HR/Operations Manager, NBSIA
Carrie Green, NBSIA
An exploration of employee engagement, and how it relates to organizational culture. In this session we will discuss employee engagement, the signs of engagement or lack of, and how to improve overall engagement. We will tie this back to organizational culture, including how to evaluate and change culture, when needed.
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM Closing Remarks
Puneet Behl, Finance Committee Chair, PRISM
Nicole Montalvo, Technology Committee Chair, PRISM
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS & EXHIBTORS!
