My Must-Attend Sessions at the Morningstar Investment Conference

As a Morningstar contributor, I get to immerse myself daily in the ideas, trends, and challenges that shape our profession. Yet, the highlight of the year is when I get to join thousands of dedicated financial advisors at the Morningstar Investment Conference. The 37th annual conference is set for June 25-26, 2025, at Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier. This year’s offerings look even better than usual.

With so many industry experts and compelling topics, choosing which sessions to highlight feels a bit like picking favorite chocolates at a See’s Candies store! Nevertheless, I scoured the packed agenda to share the sessions I absolutely won’t miss:

Expert Insights and a Free Signed Copy of ‘How to Retire’

When: 9:15 a.m., June 25

Speakers: Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar, and Carolyn McClanahan, the founder of Life Planning Partners.

My interest here is twofold: First, as someone deeply involved in retirement planning content, hearing Christine Benz, our resident authority on retirement planning, and Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and highly regarded financial planner, is an opportunity I’m excited about. Second, getting a signed copy of Christine’s book How to Retire is a perfect way to kick off the conference.

Voice of the Investor: Evolving Investor Preferences and Values in 2025

When: 10:35 a.m., June 25

Speakers: Joe Agostinelli, senior director of market research at Morningstar, and Thomas Aviles, vice president of business development at Morningstar.

This session will explore how changing investor values and preferences have an impact on advisors and their clients. I’m interested in Morningstar’s take on recent investor survey results and how advisors can adapt. In my opinion, understanding these evolving preferences isn’t just academic; it’s essential for refining our value proposition and truly resonating with clients.

Analyzing the Active/Passive Divide

When: 1:15 p.m., June 25

Speakers: Bryan Armour, director of ETF and passive strategies research at Morningstar, and Tom Nations, director of research products at Morningstar.

The active versus passive debate is a perennial one, and I’ve always been a proponent of passive investing. Having said that, I’m curious to see how Morningstar’s latest Active/Passive Barometer report can uncover meaningful insights. For me, it’s not just about the current trends; it’s about gaining a deeper understanding of the analytical process itself, which I can then apply to my own evaluations and share with our advisor audience.

Kunal Kapoor Keynote

When: 3:15 p.m., June 25

Speaker: Kunal Kapoor, CEO of Morningstar

Kunal Kapoor is Morningstar’s CEO, so you can bet I want to hear what he has to say. In our current changing financial and economic environment, Morningstar must continue to deliver relevant and insightful information to investors, advisors, and the financial industry. Kunal’s perspectives on Morningstar’s latest offerings, the markets, and investor needs and expectations promise to be a highlight of the conference.

Lasting Legacies: The Evolution of Investment Icons

When: 3:35 p.m., June 25

Speakers: Salim Ramji, CEO of Vanguard, and Ben Johnson, head of client solutions, asset management at Morningstar.

Vanguard is a firm that has profoundly shaped the investment landscape over the past half-century. With Salim Ramji now at the helm, this interview offers a unique opportunity to understand how one of the industry’s titans plans to navigate its next chapter. I’m interested in hearing how Vanguard plans to expand its offerings while remaining true to its core principles.

Geopolitics, Leadership, and High-Performing Teams: Strategic Insights From Gen. Stanley McChrystal

When: 4:20 p.m., June 25

Speakers: Gen. Stanley McChrystal and Daniel Needham, President of Morningstar Wealth

Retired Gen. McChrystal’s experience in high-stakes environments and leading elite teams provides a unique lens through which to view the challenges advisors face. I’m eager to hear his perspective on how geopolitical shifts translate into market dynamics, and crucially, how advisors can build resilient teams and make strategic decisions under pressure. As a leader outside the financial world, I’m hoping (and expecting) to be fascinated by his advice on leadership, adaptability, and managing risk in an increasingly uncertain world—topics that are profoundly relevant to running a successful advisory practice.

How to Retire: The Advisor’s Guide to Retirement Planning for Women

When: 8:40 a.m., June 26

Speakers: Christine Benz, Carolyn McClanahan, and Jean Chatzky, founder and CEO of HerMoney.com

I’m definitely not a morning person, but I’m sure this panel will give me a jolt. Retirement planning for women presents unique challenges and opportunities. This expert panel will delve into critical questions surrounding longevity, intergenerational wealth transfer, and the crucial shift from saving to spending—and they promise actionable strategies. Given the longer life expectancies for women and their distinct financial journeys, this session is vital for advisors looking to provide truly personalized and meaningful advice to their women clients.

Grow Your Own Way: Top Producers Share How They Boost Their Business

When: 2:45 p.m., June 26

Speakers: Braden Draggoo, financial advisor at Draggoo Financial Group; Charlotte Geletka, managing partner and financial advisor at Silver Penny Financial Planning, whom Morningstar magazine profiled in 2021; and Sarah Weese, head of national accounts at Morningstar Wealth

I really enjoy panels composed of people who actually do the work and are successful in their fields, giving real-life examples and insights. After all, who better to learn from than those who are excelling in the field? This panel will discuss their real-world strategies for innovative client engagement techniques and business growth. Gaining actionable ideas, fresh perspectives, and genuine inspiration from successful practitioners is incredibly valuable for advisors looking to refine and expand their practices.

Register Now

For those of you who haven’t registered yet, there’s still time. For registered investment advisors holding a valid Central Registration Depository number, there’s fantastic news: You might qualify for a free Hosted Advisor pass. These passes are limited and offer a unique opportunity to engage with service providers, even using artificial intelligence matching to curate your personalized meeting schedule. For those who don’t qualify for the Hosted Advisor pass, the standard Advisor pass is $499, and general attendee passes are $1,199. You can find all the registration details and secure your spot here.

The Morningstar Investment Conference truly offers an unparalleled opportunity to deepen your expertise, expand your network, and gain practical insights that will directly benefit your clients and your business. I’m excited to join you at Navy Pier. Don’t miss out on this incredible learning and networking experience.