NAPFA Large Firm Forum 2025

Keynote Sessions

The Future of Longevity: Science, Society, and Financial Planning

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | 8:30 AM

Advances in biotechnology and science are reshaping our understanding of aging and longevity, presenting profound implications for individuals and society. In this thought-provoking keynote, Joel Rothman, PhD, will explore the cutting-edge innovations driving longer lifespans and their ripple effects across financial planning, investing, retirement strategies, and societal norms.

Dr. Rothman will offer a captivating glimpse into the latest breakthroughs in longevity research, from genetic interventions to regenerative technologies, and examine how these developments challenge traditional assumptions about work, wealth, and well-being. Beyond the science, this session will delve into critical questions about ethics, equity, and the role of financial advisors in preparing clients for a future marked by extended lifespans and evolving retirement needs.

You will leave with:

• Insights into the transformative potential of longevity-focused science and its societal impacts.
• A deeper understanding of how these advances may reshape client needs, retirement planning, and investment strategies.
• Tools to anticipate and navigate the intersection of innovation and financial advising in a rapidly changing world.

About the Presenter

Dr. Joel Rothman is an internationally recognized leader in biotechnology and developmental biology, bringing over three decades of groundbreaking research and teaching to the stage. As the Wilcox Family Chair in Biotechnology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, he directs the Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program and has received numerous honors, including the Searle Scholars Award and the Shaw Scientists Award.

Dr. Rothman’s research has explored the genetic mechanisms of aging, cancer, and embryonic development, with findings that have shaped scientific understanding of cell behavior and programmed cell death. His work with the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism pivotal in molecular genetics, has revealed critical insights into tumor suppression, genetic signaling pathways, and longevity.

Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Rothman’s story reflects a lifelong commitment to discovery and innovation. Before earning his Ph.D., he worked as a winemaster in Sonoma, where his curiosity and creativity were first honed. A frequent contributor to leading journals and a mentor to rising scientists, Dr. Rothman also serves on editorial boards and scientific committees that guide the future of biotechnology and medicine.

Dr. Rothman’s expertise, combined with his ability to connect science with societal implications, makes him a compelling voice on the future of longevity and its impact on financial planning, retirement, and beyond.

7 Non-Obvious Trends Shaping the Future Normal

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | 8:30 AM

What does it take to identify world changing trends that will actually last? For the past decade, Rohit Bhargava and Henry Coutinho-Mason have been on the front lines of the future—going into cutting-edge labs, private testing facilities, and invite-only showcases around the world. Now for the first time ever, this exclusive talk will reveal the most powerful stories and instigators that are already shaping humanity’s next decade. From biophilic skyscrapers to generative AI to haptic interfaces, this keynote will offer a clear-eyed overview of not only the technology changing our world, but also explore the deeply human questions all this advancement will raise. Rather than offering “futurist theater” with obvious forgettable examples, this talk is updated with new stories (sometimes pulled from that morning’s news!), a charismatic delivery style, and interactive exercises to deliver a memorable experience for any size audience. This is not a boring academic talk. Instead, it's a pull-no-punches, always entertaining, constantly surprising, highly actionable (and deeply non-obvious!) glimpse into what the future will look like ... and how each of us can train ourselves to anticipate big shifts before they happen.

This program will help leaders and teams:

• Create a strategy to take their organization into the future and navigate significant change or disruption either through industry shifts, restructures, pandemic effects and/or new leadership.
• Gain exposure to cutting edge ideas and technologies (as well as the innovators behind them) that can help inform new initiatives and products.

You will leave with:

• A greater understanding of the fundamental forces of disruption that are shifting consumer behavior and beliefs across industries and what this means for them.
• A roadmap of relevant innovations and advances that can help to shape strategic planning and current efforts around building products and services for existing and future potential customers.

About the Presenter

Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to inspire more non-obvious thinking in the world. He is the 3-time Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of ten books and is widely considered one of the most entertaining and original speakers on trends, innovation and marketing in the world. Rohit has been invited to deliver “non-boring” keynotes and workshops in 32 countries around the world to change the way teams and leaders think at the World Bank, NASA, Intel, LinkedIn, MetLife, Under Armour, Univision, Disney and hundreds of other well-known organizations.

Prior to becoming an entrepreneur and founding the Non-Obvious Company and Ideapress Publishing, he spent 15 years leading marketing strategy at Ogilvy and Leo Burnett where he advised global brands on human behavior, marketing and storytelling. Outside his speaking and consulting, Rohit has taught persuasive speaking and global marketing as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, is frequently quoted in the global media and writes a monthly column on non-obvious ideas for Inc magazine. Rohit lives in the Washington DC area with his wife and is a proud dad of two boys. He loves the Olympics (he’s been to five!) and actively hates cauliflower.