Join DBusiness for the 2024 Michigan Economic Forecast, where we will examine what’s in store for the new year as it relates to the local and state economy, as well as national and world markets.

Event begins at 8:30am with networking, coffee, and a buffet breakfast.

Program begins at 9:30am.

Keynote Speaker:

Jay Jacobs | U.S. Head of Thematics and Active Equity ETFs, at BlackRock

Jay Jacobs is U.S. Head of Thematics and Active Equity ETFs at BlackRock in New York City. In this role, Jay is responsible for the research and development of the Megatrends suite, driving the commercialization of these products, as well as managing product sales and marketing for the Megatrend franchise. Jay is also responsible for BlackRock’s active equity and international ETF suites.

Previously, Jay joined Global X ETFs in 2013 and founded the firm’s Research and Strategy team, which originates the firm’s insights on markets and ETFs. He also guided the planning and development of the firm’s strategic direction.

Prior to joining Global X, Jay was a business analyst at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the ETF and Indexing Group, where he helped to launch hundreds of ETFs on the NYSE Arca trading platform.

Jay is a frequently cited expert in print and online publications as well as broadcast media including CNBC, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal among others. He holds a BA from Emory University in International Studies and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He is a CFA charter holder.

Mr. Jacobs is a member of the executive advisory board of Columbia Business School’s Program for Financial Studies. He resides in the New York area and is an avid explorer, spending his spare time in the outdoors hiking, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking.

Christopher Letts | Family Wealth Director, Alternative Investments Director, and Senior Vice President with The Pine Harbor Group at Morgan Stanley

Chris is a Family Wealth Director and focuses his work on serving the most affluent clients of the firm. He currently manages $1.3 billion in client assets and specializes in advising wealthy families- especially those considering substantial liquidity events due to the sale or recapitalization of a privately held business.

In 2022 & 2023 Chris was ranked by Forbes Magazine as Morgan Stanley’s overall #1 “Next-Gen Wealth Advisor” in the State of Michigan. He was included in Crain’s Detroit Business inaugural “Notable Money Manager” list in 2022 and was honored as a “30 in their Thirties” awardee by DBusiness Magazine in 2019. He has been included as a Five-Star Wealth Advisor by Hour Detroit every year since 2013.

He is a co-founder of Pine Harbor Group which was ranked by Forbes as one of the top-teams in the State of Michigan in 2023. He is also an Alternative Investments Director, where he does firm-leading work for high-net-worth clients with non-public investments.

Chris is a national advocate for Middle Market entrepreneurs and is often quoted in the media on this topic. He was elected the President of the Association of Corporate Growth’s Detroit chapter where he worked with investment bankers and private equity executives to advance the interests of Middle Market businesses. Chris serves on the advisory board at MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business and helped his alma mater create an innovative Masters in Wealth Management Program- the first of its kind in the Big Ten.

Chris is a native of Toronto but is very proud to live in his adopted hometown city of Detroit and cares deeply about giving back to his community. He is currently an advisor to Winning Futures, an award-winning non-profit committed to mentoring and empowering underserved youth.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

ACG Detroit Chapter

Delta Dental of Michigan

Detroit Pistons

Fishbeck

PNC Bank

With your ticket purchase, you will receive a 1-year subscription to DBusiness Magazine. This will be mailed to the address provided. This offer will be added to the end of the subscription for current subscribers.