The Evolution of Modern Markets examines how markets have shifted from public to private, the role regulation has played in that transition, and what emerging structures such as prediction markets reveal about where markets may be headed next.

Marty Malloy is Professor of the Practice in Finance and Faculty Director of the Pre-Wall Street Career Track at the Wake Forest University School of Business.

He joined Wake Forest in 2020 following a 35-year career on Wall Street. Over the course of his career, Marty held senior sales and trading roles across major global institutions, spending the majority of his time leading secured financing businesses in both equity and debt markets. He began his career at Lehman Brothers, where he spent 10 years, followed by 17 years at Barclays, including eight years based in London, and later roles at Citibank.

His experience spans multiple asset classes and includes deep expertise in balance sheet management, capital allocation, and counterparty risk management. This broad market perspective informs both his teaching and his ongoing engagement with financial institutions.

Marty currently serves on the board of Rothera, a joint venture between Susquehanna International Group and Robinhood focused on providing institutional exchange access and liquidity in prediction markets. He is also a board member of Covenant House New Jersey, an organization dedicated to supporting homeless and trafficked youth.

Building a Multi-Generational Portfolio will explore how to design portfolios that balance growth, risk, and purpose across generations, with practical considerations for families thinking beyond their own lifetime.

Stephan Shipe, Ph.D., CFA, CFP® is the founder and CEO at Scholar Financial Advising. He started the company in 2018 and specializes in working with clients on customized solutions to complex financial situations. He has a wide range of experience working with corporate executives, business owners, and ultra-high net worth families. These strategies typically involve financial risk analysis, traditional and alternative investments, concentrated positions in public or private companies, and tax efficient wealth management and transfer.

While the numbers are important, Stephan would argue that the most rewarding part of a strong advisory relationship is helping his clients with the emotional and psychological aspects of money, investments, and generational wealth transfer.

Stephan holds a Ph.D. in Finance with a support area in econometrics from Florida State University. He is also a CFA Charterholder and a CFP® Professional. His experience and research related to investor behavior, executive compensation, and investor protection has led him to be a regular media contributor and work with regulators on new laws related to investment advisor fee disclosures. In addition to his experience as an advisor, he has taught university finance courses at Wake Forest University, University of New Hampshire, and Florida State University.

A New Signal for Market Valuations introduces a research-driven framework based on corporate investment behavior that may help identify periods when markets are overvalued or undervalued. The session discusses the evidence behind this signal and how disciplined investors can incorporate it into long-term portfolio decisions.

Deon Strickland, Ph.D. is a financial advisor and in-house economist at Scholar Financial Advising.

He earned his Ph.D. in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University. Earlier in his career, Deon served as an economist at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where he worked on regulatory policy related to fair disclosure and public company reporting.

In addition to his advisory work, Deon has taught finance at Wake Forest University since 2008 at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has published extensively in leading academic and practitioner journals, with research focused on investor behavior and trading in volatile markets. His work has been cited more than 300 times and featured in major publications including The Wall Street Journal.

Spending with Intention challenges the common tendency among affluent families to underspend and examines how wealth can be deployed more deliberately over a lifetime. The session addresses practical applications of “die with zero” principles and how to align financial resources with personal values, experiences, and long-term fulfillment.

Derek Cheshire, CFP®, EA is an Associate Financial Advisor at Scholar Financial Advising, where he works closely with individuals, families, and business owners on comprehensive financial planning and tax strategy.

He brings more than a decade of experience in financial advising and planning. Derek earned his MBA with a specialization in financial analysis from the University of Colorado at Denver and obtained his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2016. In 2020, he became an Enrolled Agent with the IRS, a credential that authorizes him to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

Before joining Scholar, Derek prepared tax returns for small businesses and their owners, developing deep expertise in taxation and the financial complexities facing entrepreneurs. His background allows him to integrate tax strategy directly into long-term financial planning, helping clients make informed decisions across investments, retirement planning, and business ownership.

Investing in Private Businesses in an Era of Mass Retirement explores demographic trends are driving a wave of business acquisitions, why private equity firms are consolidating retiring owners’ companies, and what this means for investors considering direct business ownership.

Brandon Mendez, Ph.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Finance at the Darla Moore School of Business, where he teaches corporate finance and investments. He earned his Ph.D. in Finance from Florida State University and brings prior professional experience in financial services, auditing, and consulting.

His research focuses on corporate finance, labor markets, and capital allocation dynamics, including how demographic shifts influence business ownership and investment opportunity. Drawing on both academic research and real-world experience, Brandon examines how structural changes in the economy shape private markets and long-term investment strategy.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Brandon brings a disciplined, analytical perspective to understanding risk, valuation, and market behavior.

Current Topics in Estate Planning covers key developments in estate planning that high-net-worth families should be paying attention to, and how today’s decisions can shape long-term outcomes.

J. Aaron Bennett, J.D. is an attorney whose practice focuses on estate and wealth transfer planning, trust and estate administration, and planning for closely held businesses.

With a background in financial services and advanced training in trust and wealth management, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to advising families, business owners, and fiduciaries on complex legal and financial decisions. His work frequently involves designing structures that preserve wealth across generations while addressing tax efficiency, governance, and succession planning.

Aaron’s approach integrates legal strategy with practical implementation, helping families navigate sensitive transitions and long-term legacy planning with clarity and structure.