Leadership
Benjamin Vega
Executive Director
Benjamin Vega is a capital strategist and investment ecosystem architect with more than 15 years of experience spanning institutional fundraising, alternative investments, and nonprofit development. He has led capital formation initiatives, investor relations programs, and strategic fundraising campaigns across a broad spectrum of investment vehicles and mission-aligned ventures. His work includes connecting institutional allocators with opportunities in private funds, real assets, emerging managers, impact-oriented strategies, and diversified investment programs.
An Arizona native and Phoenix Country Day School alumnus, Ben earned his degree from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City before returning to Arizona to join a real estate investment firm, where he specialized in institutional outreach and investor engagement.
In the nonprofit sector, Ben has held senior leadership roles with high-impact organizations, including serving as Vice President and Chairman of the Active Scottsdale 20/30 Foundation and as Senior Development Officer at Phoenix Children’s Foundation. In these roles, he led multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns and advisory boards supporting transformative healthcare initiatives, including advancements in pediatric mental health and gastroenterology.
As Executive Director of the Arizona Fund Managers Association (AFMA), Ben leads efforts to strengthen and unify Arizona’s investment management community. He directs AFMA’s signature programs—most notably the LIFT AZ Summit—while cultivating relationships with institutional investors, regulatory stakeholders, and policymakers. Under his leadership, AFMA advances advocacy for the broader investment sector, promotes a business-friendly regulatory environment, and builds platforms that connect fund managers across diverse strategies, including private equity, venture capital, credit, hedge funds, real assets, and registered investment vehicles.
Ben is dedicated to positioning Arizona as a premier hub for capital formation by fostering collaboration among fund managers, institutional allocators, and public-sector leaders. His goal is to accelerate the growth of Arizona’s investment ecosystem and elevate the state’s influence within the national and global capital markets.