LIFT AZ 2026
LOCAL INVESTMENT FUND TALENT
FOR ARIZONA
LIFT AZ - March 12, 2026
Advancing Arizona’s Investment Future Together!
LIFT-AZ is the flagship annual summit of the Arizona Fund Manager Association (AFMA), dedicated to elevating Arizona’s investment management industry to new heights. This one-day gathering brings together institutional investors, family offices, private fund managers, and leading investment professionals who share a commitment to advancing Arizona as a premier destination for capital formation and fund innovation.
This year's summit will be held on March 12, 2026 at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ—an iconic setting that reflects Arizona’s culture and heritage. Following the day’s programming, guests are invited to connect and unwind at a private cocktail reception with live music in the Heard Museum courtyard.
OUR GOAL
Through thought leadership, networking, and collaboration, LIFT-AZ advances AFMA’s mission: to build a more connected, capital-efficient, and resilient investment management community in Arizona. By convening leading voices across private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, credit, real assets, and beyond, the summit generates meaningful opportunities for economic growth, educational engagement, and long-term impact in our state.
If you have any questions regarding registration, please reach out to info@azfundma.org for assistance
Interested in Sponsoring LIFT AZ 2026?
Become a vital part of our mission by joining us as an event sponsor.
Your support at any level will contribute to the success of this transformative event, and further our shared commitment to elevating Arizona's investment ecosystem.
If you are interested in exploring sponsorship opportunities for LIFT AZ 2026, or have any inquiries about how you can get involved, please contact our Executive Director Ben Vega at Ben@azfundma.org.
Need to Book a Hotel Reservation?
Take advantage of our special group rate at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Phoenix Midtown, offering rooms for $259.00 USD per night. Space is limited.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS:
PLATINUM SPONSORS:
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
STRATEGIC PARTNERS:
See you on March, 12th 2026!
Past Speakers & Attendees
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Dan Quayle
CERBERUS
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Doug Ducey
FORMER GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA
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Dr. Christopher Howard
ASU ENTERPRISE
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Michael Green
SIMPLIFY
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Christopher Thornberg
BEACON ECONOMICS
-

Marc Schmittlein
COPPERPOINT INSURANCE CO.
-

Stacy Tucker
FLINN FOUNDATION
-

Jack Selby
THIEL CAPITAL
-

Sandra Watson
ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY
-

Daniel Seiden
ARIZONA CHAMBER
-

Mike Viteri
ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
-

Chad Welborn
COPPERPOINT INSURANCE CO.
-

Conor O'Callaghan
SMEAD CAPITAL
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Krista Kerr
OAK STREET
-

James Falbe
SAGUARO CAPITAL
-

Thomas Martin
AKSIA
-

Al Alaimo
ARIZONA RETIREMENT SYSTEM
-

Chris Camacho
GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL
-

Paul Matson
ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
-

Mark Steed
ARIZONA PSPRS TRUST
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Jay Petkunas
THE WOLFF COMPANY
-

Jeff Mindlin
ASU ENTERPRISE PARTNERS
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Jeff Padden
BALBEC CAPITAL
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Helaine Rosenbaum Dryden
EPISTEME CAPITAL
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Tricia Lee
DECHERT LLP
-

Bill Smead
SMEAD CAPITAL
-

Cole Smead
SMEAD CAPITAL
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Youmna Assad
EISNER AMPER
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Boots Dunlap
RRA CAPITAL
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Callie McDaniel
UMB FUND SERVICES
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Janelle Goulard
PANGAEA VENTURES
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Michael David
BRIDGE BANK
-

Kyle Brown
TRINITY CAPITAL
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Brad Gulbrandsen
NORTHRIM HORIZON
-

Joe Hegener
ASTEROZOA CAPITAL
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Marcus Kurschat
CLEAR SKY CAPITAL
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Michael Perini
PERINI CAPITAL
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Andrew Robertson
JUNIPER MESA MANAGEMENT
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Jim Small
SANTE REALTY INVESTMENTS
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Gregg Scoresby
CAMPUSLOGIC
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Noah Brocious
CAPITAL FUND 1
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Paul Cardon
BENCH EQUITY
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Ben Brockwell
INVISION AZ FUND
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Bill Prophet
KOCH ASSET MANAGEMENT
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Brett Hucklebridge
STEEL CANYON CAPITAL
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Margaret McKnight
STEPSTONE GROUP
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Cordell Rogers
CARDON FAMILY OFFICE
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Ted Van Brunt
RRA CAPITAL
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Kyung Kim
RRA CAPITAL
-

Jeff Beyersdorfer
FRANKLIN MOUNTAIN CAPITAL
-

Mark Brenner
CRIMSON CANYON
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Matt Behrens
NAJAFI COMPANIES
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Patrick Armstrong
JDA INVESTMENTS
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Leib Bolel
GRAYHAWK CAPITAL
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Lawrence H. Summers
FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
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Sen. Mark Kelly
U.S. SENATOR
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Dr. Mickey Levy
HOOVER INSTIUTION
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Rob Copeland
NEW YORK TIMES
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Jack Selby
AZ-VC
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Dale Gibbons
WESTERN ALLIANCE BANK
-

Brad Carroll
TRIPOST CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
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Cole Smead
SMEAD CAPITAL
-

Cyndi Thomas
RCLCO FUND ADVISORS
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Dan Mahoney
SNELL & WILMER
-

Eric Balchunas
BLOOMBERG
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Frenchy Iles Cremieux
RICHMOND AMERICAN HOMES
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Janelle Goulard
PANGAEA VENTURES
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Jay Laurila
COHEN & COMPANY
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Jeff Gunderson
LENNAR
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Jefferson Weston
PSPRS
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Jordan Rose
ROSE LAW GROUP
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Larissa Herczeg
1 SEED PARTNERS
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Matt McIlwain
MADRONA VENTURE PARTNERS
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Nate Nathan
NATHAN & ASSOCIATES
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Pam Krill
GODFREY & KAHN
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Rodgers Harshbarger
UNC MANAGEMENT COMPANY
-

Shelley Santulli
NEPC
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Danny Seiden
ARIZONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
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Mat Sorensen
DIRECTED IRA
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Paul Binsfeld
HONORARY CONSULATE OF LuUXEMBOURG
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Alex Chucri
PRAVATI CAPITAL
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John Schmidt
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
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Ben Vega
ARIZONA FUND MANAGER ASSOCIATION
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Jessica Pacheco
ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS
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Glenn Williamson
CANADA ARIZONA BUSINESS COUNCIL
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Thomas Radic
REVTEK CAPITAL
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Drew Trojanowski
SOUTHWEST MISSION ACCELERATION CENTER
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Michael Green
SIMPLIFY