In this episode of The Nine, we turn to an urgent industry challenge: cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence.

We sat down with Judith Pinto, Managing Director and U.S. Banking and Capital Markets Security Lead at Accenture, fresh off the stage at Nicsa’s Asset & Wealth Management Summit where she presented “The Next Era of Defense.”

In just nine minutes, Judith shares

• How AI is changing cyber defense across financial services
• Emerging AI-driven threats that concern security leaders most
• The evolving balance between human expertise and automation
• The role of ethical hacking and bug bounty programs
• How firms can maintain client trust in an era of constant threats
• What organizations should do now to prepare for the next major shift in cybersecurity

This episode offers clear, forward-looking perspective for firms navigating an increasingly complex digital risk environment.

David Breakstone, Global Head of Wealth & Asset Management Go-to-Market at ServiceNow helps us unpack how artificial intelligence is redefining client engagement across the industry.

In just nine minutes, David shares:

·       How to balance automation with authenticity, trust, and human judgment.

·       How to overcome operational barriers to scaling personalized service; and

·       Where firms should begin their AI journey to drive measurable impact.

Listen for pragmatic insights on modernizing engagement while strengthening relationships in an increasingly digital environment.

In this episode of The Nine, we sit down with Bob Suh, Founder and CEO of OnCorps AI, to unpack the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence across financial operations. Trading volumes have surged across the industry, but operational capacity hasn’t kept pace. Bob explains why a new wave of agentic AI is changing that trajectory.

In just nine minutes, we explore:

• Why traditional outsourcing and automation haven’t kept pace
• What makes agentic AI fundamentally different from past technologies
• How learning agents reshape the economics of operations
• How agentic systems dramatically reduce false positives and operational noise
• What “human oversight” looks like as AI assumes more autonomous responsibilities

Bob offers pragmatic, experience-driven insight from more than a decade of building production-grade AI systems for financial institutions. If you’re navigating the future of operational efficiency, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Olmstead's Head of Data, AI, and Technology Practice, Anthony Whitford, shares the secrets of successful AI adoption strategy ahead of his panel at Nicsa's Asset & Wealth Management Summit November 11+12 in Boston.

For more, visit:

http://nicsa.org

and

http://olmst.com

And check out these articles for more detailed insights from Anthony:

• Clients demand FASTIR outcomes from their Data Operating Model
  https://www.olmst.com/fastir-data-outcomes/
• The Race Is On: Do You Have an AI Strategy?
  https://www.olmst.com/the-race-is-on-do-you-have-an-ai-strategy/
• Your Next Data Strategy Is Your AI Strategy
  https://www.olmst.com/your-next-data-strategy-is-your-ai-strategy/
• SPARTAH: Your Firm’s Guard Against AI Risk
  https://www.olmst.com/spartah-your-firms-guard-against-ai-risk/

Fidelity Digital Assets’ Ramine Bigdeliazari joins The Nine to discuss how digital assets and tokenization are reshaping asset & wealth management. From stablecoins to tokenized funds, he explores the opportunities, challenges, and future impact of this rapidly evolving space. 

Hear more at https://www.fidelitydigitalassets.com and http:// http://nicsa.org/podcasts

​In this special compilation episode of The Nine, we’re bringing you bite-sized insights from live Nicsa events, featuring expert voices on three of the industry’s most talked-about topics.

Mike De​m​bro (MFS) puts political noise in perspective with a data-driven look at investing through election cycles
Joanne Kane (​S​S&C) delivers a plainspoken, no-nonsense breakdown of what firms need to know about managing AI risk
Timothy Pitney (TIAA) highlights why longevity literacy is just as essential as financial literacy when planning for retirement

These clips are pulled directly from Nicsa’s marquee forums and webinars—bringing real-time intelligence to your headphones in nine minutes or less.

More at http://nicsa.org/podcasts

In this episode of The Nine, Mike Mastroianni—Nicsa Board member and industry operations veteran—joins host Sarah Walter to unpack the forces reshaping the asset and wealth management landscape. With experience across service providers, asset managers, and client channels, Mike offers a unique lens on how firms can lead through change. 

This conversation blends strategic foresight with grounded leadership—and is a must-listen for anyone helping to shape the future of fund operations, distribution, or innovation. 

Find more episodes at nicsa.org/podcasts

In this timely episode of The Nine, we explore the growing interest in dual share class ETFs—a product structure that could significantly reshape the investment landscape. Host Sarah Walter is joined by Christopher Swansey and Daniil Shapiro of Cerulli Associates, who offer expert insights into why asset managers are filing for SEC exemptive relief, how this structure works, and what it will take for it to succeed.

From operational complexities and intermediary concerns to fiduciary implications and platform readiness, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating product innovation in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

In this episode of The Nine, Sarah Walter welcomes Cheri Belski, Head of Investment Management Solutions at LPL Financial, for a dynamic conversation on leadership, adaptability, and the evolving future of asset and wealth management.

Cheri shares how an unconventional path—from politics to portfolio strategy—fueled her growth and helped her develop a mosaic view of the industry. From betting on herself in pivotal career moments to leveraging curiosity as a strategic tool, her story is a masterclass in career agility. She also offers powerful insights on how firms can blend technology and human connection to create client experiences that truly stand out.

More at nicsa.org/podcasts

In this inspiring episode of The Nine, host Sarah Walter is joined by Frank Heavey, Executive Director of the Expect Miracles Foundation (EMF). Frank shares the mission behind EMF—from raising over $23 million for cancer research to supporting young adult survivors—and offers a look into the Foundation’s most powerful initiative: the 2025 Distance Challenge.

Learn how this global, virtual movement brings the financial services industry and beyond together to raise funds, build community, and most importantly—spread hope. Whether you're logging miles, fundraising, or simply showing up, Frank reminds us that everyone can go the distance in the fight against cancer.

 Learn more at emfdistancechallenge.org

In this episode of The Nine, we're joined by Eric Pan, President and CEO of the Investment Company Institute (ICI), for a timely and insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of asset and wealth management. Fresh off the stage at Nicsa’s Strategic Leadership Forum, Eric shares his thoughts on how political shifts, technological innovation, and generational preferences are reshaping the investment world. From navigating regulatory change to embracing uncertainty in his own career path, Eric offers practical wisdom for both seasoned professionals and rising leaders.

Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on what it means to serve the end investor—and how our industry can rise to the challenge.