The 14th Annual
Prime Quadrant Conference

Mark Carney is the Chair of Brookfield Asset Management and Head of Transition Investing. In this role, he is focused on the development of products for investors that will combine positive social and environmental outcomes with strong risk-adjusted returns. Mr. Carney served as the Governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020, and prior to that as Governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 until 2013. He was Chairman of the Financial Stability Board from 2011 to 2018. Prior to his governorships, Mr. Carney worked at Goldman Sachs as well as the Canadian Department of Finance. He is currently the United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance and Co-Chair for the Glasgow Finance Alliance for Net Zero. He is also Chair of the Group of Thirty and Bloomberg LP’s Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Stripe, a member of the Global Advisory Board of PIMCO, the Board of Overseers of Harvard University, and the boards of The Rideau Hall Foundation, the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the Blavatnik School at Oxford, and the Hoffman Institute at INSEAD; as well as Senior counsellor of the MacroAdvisory Partners, and President of Chatham House. Mr. Carney holds doctorate and master’s degrees from Oxford University and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.

Former Vice President Al Gore is the founder and chairman of The Climate Reality Project, a nonprofit devoted to solving the climate crisis, a founding partner and chairman of Generation Investment Management, and a co-founder of Climate TRACE. He is also a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a member of the World Economic Forum’s board of trustees, and a past member of the board of directors at Apple. Gore was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976, 1978, 1980, and 1982 and to the U.S. Senate in 1984 and 1990. He was inaugurated as the 45th vice president of the United States on January 20, 1993, and served eight years. He is the author of the #1 New York Times best-sellers An Inconvenient Truth and The Assault on Reason and the NYT best-sellers Earth in the Balance, Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis, The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change, and most recently, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. He is the subject of the documentary movie “An Inconvenient Truth,” which won two Oscars in 2006 — and a second documentary in 2017, “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power.” Gore is a native Tennessean who currently resides on his farm in Carthage, Tennessee.

Chelsea Clinton is an advocate, storyteller, investor, mentor, teacher, and most importantly, mom to her three kids. As vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, Chelsea works alongside the Foundation’s leadership and partners to improve global health and wellness, increase opportunity for girls and women, create economic opportunity and growth, and inspire emerging leaders across the United States and around the world. A longtime public health advocate, Chelsea also serves as vice chair of the Clinton Health Access Initiative and uses her platform to increase awareness around issues such as vaccine hesitancy, childhood obesity, and health equity. In addition to her Foundation work, Chelsea is the Co-Founder of Metrodora Ventures, she teaches at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and has written several books for young adults and readers including the #1 New York Times bestselling She Persisted. Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford, a Master of Public Health from Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health, and both a Master of Philosophy and a Doctorate in international relations from Oxford University.

Ashton Kutcher is an actor, investor, entrepreneur, producer and philanthropist. Kutcher has been named one of TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” as well as being honored by Vanity Fair’s “New Establishment List,” which identifies the top 50 of an innovative new breed of buccaneering visionaries, engineering prodigies and entrepreneurs. Twice, Kutcher was named one of Forbes magazine’s “World’s Most Powerful Celebrities,” as well as one of Fast Company magazine’s “Most Creative People.” Kutcher has been investing in technology for over a decade, both as an angel investor and a founding partner of A-Grade Investments and Sound Ventures. His fund portfolio includes Airbnb, Uber, Flexport, Brex, Robinhood, GitLab, Airtable and Affirm among others. Kutcher is also the co-founder of Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children (www.thorn.org). Thorn drives technology innovation to fight the sexual exploitation of children. Kutcher recently starred in the Netflix original series, The Ranch. He also served as Executive Producer. Until 2015, Kutcher starred in the CBS comedy series Two and a Half Men. The show ranked as the second most-watched comedy on all of network television. Kutcher first gained recognition as Michael Kelso on the Fox series That 70’s Show, and went on to star in a variety of box office hits on the big screen – including What Happens In Vegas with Cameron Diaz, The Guardian with Kevin Costner, No Strings Attached with Natalie Portman and the cult hit Dude, Where’s My Car. Kutcher served as co-creator and producer of MTV’s hit series, “Punk’d,” and The CW’s reality series “Beauty and the Geek” and “True Beauty.” He has also produced films such as No Strings Attached, Killers and The Butterfly Effect. Additionally, Kutcher co-founded APlus, a digital media company devoted to spreading the message of positive journalism, a kind of storytelling that focuses on our shared humanity. In 2016, APlus was purchased by Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Marc Cohodes, a former General Partner of Rocker Partners/Copper River, is a long-time stock market analyst, as well as one of the most globally recognized and accomplished short sellers. Marc’s 40-year career as an investor and hedge fund manager began at Northern Trust Company in 1982 after graduating Babson College with a BS in Finance. He has since exposed many publicly traded companies and individuals who were engaged in fraud, illegal conduct, questionable accounting, and stock manipulation, including Lernout & Hauspie, Media Vision Technology, NovaStar Financial, AremiSoft, California Micro Devices, Network Associates, TakeTwo Interactive, Krispy Kreme Donuts, Boston Chicken, MiMedx Group Inc., and others. For more than 30 years, he has provided valuable and timely information to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice about companies engaged in fraudulent business practices. Most recently, his work helped uncover the dark sides of FTX, Silvergate and Signature Bank. His investigations of fraud in financial markets have been reported in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Barron’s, Bloomberg, and Institutional Investor, on CNN, and in award-winning books about financial fraud, such as Selling America Short and The Most Dangerous Trade. Marc was also the subject of two Harvard Business School case studies -about his successful efforts to expose frauds. Marc is currently a private investor.

Mohamed El-Erian is a globally recognized investor and economist with decades of leadership in international finance and asset management. He serves as Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz, one of the world’s largest financial services companies, and was formerly the CEO and Co-Chief Investment Officer of PIMCO, where he helped oversee the firm’s growth into one of the world’s leading fixed income investment managers. Dr. El-Erian has held senior positions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Harvard Management Company, and currently serves as President of Queens’ College, University of Cambridge. He is a board member, advisor, and trustee for several global corporations and nonprofit organizations, providing expertise in markets, risk management, and global economic policy. Regularly cited among the most influential voices in global markets, Dr. El-Erian is also a contributing editor at the Financial Times and a senior contributor at Bloomberg Opinion. His thought leadership on investment strategy and macroeconomics continues to shape decision-making for institutional investors, policymakers, and global business leaders.

TRH Stephen Harper served as Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister from 2006 to 2015, leading the country through the global financial crisis with policies that earned Canada a reputation for stability and resilience. His government advanced trade diversification, concluding free trade agreements with over 40 countries, including the Canada–EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement. Since leaving office, Mr. Harper has established a successful career in global business and advisory roles. He is the Chairman and CEO of Harper & Associates Consulting, an advisory firm focused on international business and investment, and serves as Chairman of the International Democrat Union (IDU). Mr. Harper sits on several corporate boards and provides strategic counsel on public policy, economics, and global markets. A Companion of the Order of Canada, he is recognized for his leadership, financial acumen, and international perspective.

Eli Manning joined Brand Velocity Group (“BVG”) – a private equity company focused on disrupting and improving the industry’s traditional approach to building and growing consumer-facing businesses – as a Partner in 2021. A proven leader on the field and a savvy investor and brand-builder off it, Eli is involved in all aspects of the firm, including supporting its growth, sourcing new investment opportunities, and enhancing the value of its portfolio companies. Throughout his 16-year career with the New York Giants, Eli was regarded as one of the NFL’s most elite quarterbacks. Known for his incredible work ethic, iron-man mentality and natural leadership skills, he led his team to Super Bowl wins in both 2008 and 2012, earning Super Bowl MVP honours each time. The former number one selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, Eli’s accomplishments extend well beyond the field, as he was recognized as the co-recipient of the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his work in the community. He lends his time to numerous charitable efforts, including Tackle Kids Cancer with the Hackensack University Medical Center, March of Dimes, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and the American Red Cross. He also has raised millions for The Eli and Abby Manning Children’s Clinics and the Manning Family Fund – launched in partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Eli attended the University of Mississippi, where he received numerous academic and athletic honors. He and his wife Abby reside in New Jersey with their four young children.

Michael Milken is Chairman of the Milken Institute, a global nonprofit think tank focused on advancing collaborative solutions in health, finance, and philanthropy. Often described as one of the most influential figures in modern finance, he helped democratize access to capital through the development of the high-yield bond market, enabling thousands of companies to grow and create millions of jobs. For more than four decades, Mr. Milken has been a leading philanthropist, directing his efforts toward medical research, education, and public health. Through the Milken Family Foundation and related organizations, he has supported groundbreaking work in cancer, public health policy, and education reform. He has also been deeply involved in financial innovation to expand capital access globally. Recognized by publications such as Forbes and The Economist for his lasting impact on capital markets and philanthropy, Mr. Milken continues to advise leaders in business, government, and academia on strategies for economic growth, healthcare innovation, and social progress.

Brian Mulroney served as Canada’s 18th Prime Minister from 1984 to 1993, where he advanced landmark economic reforms including the Canada–U.S. Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, and the Goods and Services Tax. On the global stage, he was recognized for his leadership in environmental agreements such as the Acid Rain Accord and Montreal Protocol, and for his outspoken opposition to apartheid. Following public service, Mr. Mulroney built a distinguished business career, serving as a senior partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and on the boards of major global corporations, including Barrick Gold, Archer Daniels Midland, Blackstone, and Quebecor. A Companion of the Order of Canada, he was widely regarded for his strategic insight, international experience, and enduring contributions to Canada’s economic and social development.

Rick Rieder, Senior Managing Director, is BlackRock's Chief Investment Officer of Global Fixed Income, Head of the Fundamental Fixed Income business, and Head of the Global Allocation Investment Team. Responsible for roughly $2.7 trillion in assets, Mr. Rieder is a member of BlackRock’s Global Executive Committee (GEC) and its GEC Investments Sub-Committee. He is also a member of BlackRock's Global Operating Committee, and Chairman of the firm-wide BlackRock Investment Council. Before joining BlackRock in 2009, Mr. Rieder was President and Chief Executive Officer of R3 Capital Partners. He served as Vice Chairman and member of the Borrowing Committee for the U.S. Treasury and member of the Federal Reserve’s Investment Advisory Committee on Financial Markets. Mr. Rieder currently serves on the Alphabet/Google Investment Advisory Committee and the UBS Research Advisory Board. He has been awarded the 2023 Outstanding Portfolio Manager by Morningstar, was nominated for Outstanding Portfolio Manager by Morningstar in 2021, was awarded the Global Unconstrained Fixed Income Manager of the Year for 2015 by Institutional Investor, was nominated for Fixed Income Manager of the Year by Institutional Investor for 2014, and was inducted into the Fixed Income Analysts Society Fixed Income Hall of Fame in 2013. Five of the funds Mr. Rieder manages (Strategic Income Opportunities, Fixed Income Global Opportunities, Total Return, Strategic Global Bond, and Global Allocation) have been awarded Gold Medals by Morningstar. From 1987 to 2008, Mr. Rieder was with Lehman Brothers, most recently as head of the firm's Global Principal Strategies team, a global proprietary investment platform. He was also global head of the firm's credit businesses, Chairman of the Corporate Bond and Loan Capital Commitment Committee, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the corporate pension fund. Before joining Lehman Brothers, Mr. Rieder was a credit analyst at SunTrust Banks in Atlanta. Mr. Rieder earned a BBA degree in Finance from Emory University in 1983 and an MBA degree from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1987. He is a member of the board of Emory University, Emory's Goizueta Business School, and the University's Finance Committee, and is the Vice Chairman of the Investment Committee. Mr. Rieder is founder and chairman of the Goizueta Business School's BBA investment fund and community financial literacy program, Graduation Generation Public School Collaboration in Atlanta. Mr. Rieder serves as Chairman and President of the Board of Education for North Star Academy's fourteen Charter Schools in Newark, New Jersey. He is on the Board of the BlackRock Foundation, the Board of Advisors for the Hospital for Special Surgery, and the Board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Newark and Essex County. Mr. Rieder is a Member of the Ownership Group and Board of Advisors of the Baltimore Orioles. He formerly served on the Board and National Leadership Council of the Communities in Schools Educational Foundation, and Trustee for the US Olympic Foundation. Mr. Rieder was honored at the Choose Success Awards ceremony in Atlanta in 2015 for his dedication to public education in Atlanta through CIS and Graduation Generation.

David Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest and most diversified global investment firms. Since establishing Carlyle in 1987, David has been instrumental in building it into a leader in private equity and alternative asset management, with a global presence across industries and geographies. A pioneering figure in private equity, David has spent decades shaping the evolution of the asset class, structuring landmark deals, and helping institutions, governments, and family offices access long-term investment opportunities. His strategic vision has guided Carlyle’s growth into a multi-strategy platform managing hundreds of billions in assets on behalf of investors around the world. Beyond his role at Carlyle, David is an influential economic thinker and philanthropist, with a focus on education, public policy, and cultural preservation. He is also a respected commentator on global markets and investment trends, frequently sharing insights through interviews, writings, and as host of high-profile conversations with leaders in business, politics, and finance.

Paul Ryan served as the 54th Speaker of the House of Representatives from October 2015 to January 2019. He was the youngest speaker in nearly 150 years. Ryan represented Wisconsin’s 1st District from 1998 to 2019. In Congress, he chaired both the House Ways & Means Committee and the House Budget Committee. In 2012, Ryan was selected as Governor Mitt Romney’s Vice-Presidential nominee. In 2021, Ryan was named as a Partner at Solamere Capital. In 2022, he was named Vice Chairman of Teneo, a global management consulting company. Ryan is a Board member of the Fox Corporation, of SHINE Medical Technologies, and of Xactus. He serves as a Professor at the University of Notre Dame, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and a trustee of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Ryan is a graduate of Miami University in Ohio.

Stephen Schwarzman is Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Blackstone, one of the world’s leading investment firms with a diverse portfolio spanning private equity, real estate, credit, and hedge fund solutions. Since co-founding Blackstone in 1985, Schwarzman has played a central role in defining the firm’s investment philosophy and global strategy, overseeing billions of dollars in transactions and driving significant value creation for investors worldwide. A visionary in alternative asset management, Schwarzman has been at the forefront of major mergers and acquisitions, pioneering innovative approaches to private equity and credit investing. His leadership has helped Blackstone grow into a global platform that provides institutional investors with access to unique investment opportunities across multiple asset classes. In addition to his investment expertise, Schwarzman is an influential voice in global economic and financial policy and a dedicated philanthropist, supporting initiatives in education, culture, and public policy. He has been recognized repeatedly for his contributions to the finance industry and for shaping the landscape of modern investment management.

Steve Young is the President and Co-Founder of HGGC, a leading middle-market private equity firm with over $6.9 billion in cumulative capital commitments. Since co-founding the firm, he has played a central role in its investment strategy, portfolio company growth, and overall leadership. Before his business career, Steve achieved legendary status as a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, where he was a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, Super Bowl XXIX MVP, and an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He has since leveraged the discipline and leadership of professional sports into a successful career in private equity and philanthropy. Mr. Young is also the founder of the Forever Young Foundation, which supports children facing significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Widely respected for his leadership on and off the field, he continues to bring a unique blend of strategic insight, teamwork, and commitment to excellence to his role at HGGC.

Sam Zell is a global, industry-agnostic entrepreneur and investor. He has a long track record of turning around troubled companies and assets, leading industry consolidations, and bringing companies to the public markets. His current investments are in logistics, health care, manufacturing, agribusiness, energy, and real estate. Sam is the chairman of Equity Group Investments, the private investment firm he founded more than 50 years ago. He also chairs three companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange: Equity Residential, an apartment REIT; Equity LifeStyle Properties, a manufactured home community and resort REIT; and Equity Commonwealth, an office REIT. Sam also founded and chaired Equity Office Properties Trust, which was the largest office REIT until its 2007 sale for $39 billion in the largest leveraged buyout before that time. In addition, he introduced both the first Brazilian and the first Mexican real estate companies to the New York Stock Exchange through Equity International, a private investment firm he founded to focus on real estate businesses in emerging markets. Sam is an active philanthropist with a focus on entrepreneurial education. Through the Zell Family Foundation, he has led the sponsorship of several leading entrepreneurship programs, including the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, the Zell Fellows Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and the Zell Entrepreneurship Program at Reichman University in Israel. The Zell Global Entrepreneurship Network (ZGEN) unites the students and alumni of these programs, providing connections, opportunities, mentorship, and support. Sam also sponsors the Samuel Zell and Robert Lurie Real Estate Center at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. He holds a JD degree and a BA from the University of Michigan. In 2017, Sam was recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds. That same year, Sam debuted his book, Am I Being Too Subtle? Straight Talk From a Business Rebel (Penguin Random House), in which he shares fundamentals and philosophies that made him a self-made billionaire.