LIFT AZ 2026
LOCAL INVESTMENT FUND TALENT
FOR ARIZONA
LIFT AZ 2026
LIFT AZ is an exclusive and immersive annual summit, where we're taking Arizona's investment industry to new heights. Presented by the Arizona Fund Manager Association, this exclusive one-day summit is designed for institutional investors, family offices, private fund managers, and dedicated investment professionals committed to advancing Arizona's financial future. The summit will be held at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ. Following the event, guests are invited to enjoy a cocktail reception with live music in the courtyard of the Heard Museum.
OUR GOAL
In order for Arizona to have capital, Arizona must first attract talent. LIFT AZ is an annual full-day summit aiming to bring together top local fund managers and sophisticated investors across private equity funds, hedge funds, and other private alternatives in order to create a thriving institutional investment management ecosystem in Arizona. LIFT AZ's main goal is for Arizona to better attract, and retain, top-tier talent and capital, from within and beyond, generating outsized economic impact and educational opportunities for our home state.
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.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS:
PLATINUM SPONSOR:
GOLD SPONSORS:
CONTENT SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
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
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Marc Schmittlein
COPPERPOINT INSURANCE CO.
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Stacy Tucker
FLINN FOUNDATION
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Jack Selby
THIEL CAPITAL
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Sandra Watson
ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY
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Daniel Seiden
ARIZONA CHAMBER
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Mike Viteri
ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
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Chad Welborn
COPPERPOINT INSURANCE CO.
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Conor O'Callaghan
SMEAD CAPITAL
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Krista Kerr
OAK STREET
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James Falbe
SAGUARO CAPITAL
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Thomas Martin
AKSIA
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Al Alaimo
ARIZONA RETIREMENT SYSTEM
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Chris Camacho
GREATER PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL
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Paul Matson
ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
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Mark Steed
ARIZONA PSPRS TRUST
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Jay Petkunas
THE WOLFF COMPANY
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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
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Bill Smead
SMEAD CAPITAL
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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
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Kyle Brown
TRINITY CAPITAL
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Brad Gulbrandsen
NORTHRIM HORIZON
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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
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Jeff Beyersdorfer
FRANKLIN MOUNTAIN CAPITAL
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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
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Brad Carroll
TRIPOST CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
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Cole Smead
SMEAD CAPITAL
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Cyndi Thomas
RCLCO FUND ADVISORS
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Dan Mahoney
SNELL & WILMER
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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
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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