University Career Conference: Launch Your Finance Career

Ty Montgomery

Associate, Network and Investments & Former NFL Wide Receiver, Next Legacy

Ty helps lead relationship development and investment support at Next Legacy. As part of both the network and investment teams, he focuses on building meaningful connections across the ecosystem, engaging athletes, LPs, GPs, and founders, while contributing to deal sourcing, diligence, and strategic community initiatives. Ty also plays an active role in advancing the firm’s signature programs and supporting athlete engagement across the platform.

Before joining Next Legacy, Ty spent nine years in the NFL, beginning his career with the Green Bay Packers where he became widely known for his versatility on the field. During his playing career, he developed a deep passion for finance, sparked by the Parable of the Talents in the Book of Matthew. What began as angel investing soon evolved into a full-time calling.

Ty graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Political Science. He grew up alongside more than 17 foster siblings and now serves on the board of Connections Homes, continuing his mission to support youth aging out of foster care through redemptive relationship, service, and mentorship.

Outside of work, Ty is grounded by his faith and energized by adventure, sports, and helping others grow. He's always down for a trip, a conversation about Jesus, a round of golf, or discovering a new favorite restaurant.

: tymontgomerynfl

John Ailanjian , CFA

Managing Partner, Next Legacy

2025 - 2026 CFA Society San Francisco Board President

John is an investor in early-stage fintech, consumer, enterprise, and vertical SaaS companies, primarily in North America. He’s been instrumental in developing Next Legacy’s direct investment strategy through co-investments and dedicated direct funds. John also plays an integral role in programming and education for the firm’s fellowship program.

Previously, John was CEO and Founder of Aspen Highland Management. There he sourced and analyzed investments for high-net-worth families. His diversified portfolio included Loadsmart, Color Genomics, Palantir, ZipRecruiter, Unikey, Peek Travel, Uber, Facebook, New Fortress Energy, Top Golf, Coupang, and Boom Supersonic. John also spent nine years at Goldman Sachs in a cross-asset capacity, advising hedge funds and family offices on structured investments and strategies.

He received his B.A. in Economics from UCLA, where he serves as an Advisory Council Member for the Masters of Quantitative Economics. John is also a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program. He is a Board Member of the CFA Society of San Francisco and was recently inducted into the Society of Kauffman Fellows. In addition, John is actively involved with the Special Olympics of Northern California.

As a recent empty nester with his wife Beth in Burlingame, CA, he adores visiting their three children in college, exploring wine country, and finding the next best dining spot in San Francisco.

: jailanjian

Dr Cynthia Teniente-Matson

President, San José State University

No bio provided

John Ailanjian , CFA

Managing Partner, Next Legacy

2025 - 2026 CFA Society San Francisco Board President

John is an investor in early-stage fintech, consumer, enterprise, and vertical SaaS companies, primarily in North America. He’s been instrumental in developing Next Legacy’s direct investment strategy through co-investments and dedicated direct funds. John also plays an integral role in programming and education for the firm’s fellowship program.

Previously, John was CEO and Founder of Aspen Highland Management. There he sourced and analyzed investments for high-net-worth families. His diversified portfolio included Loadsmart, Color Genomics, Palantir, ZipRecruiter, Unikey, Peek Travel, Uber, Facebook, New Fortress Energy, Top Golf, Coupang, and Boom Supersonic. John also spent nine years at Goldman Sachs in a cross-asset capacity, advising hedge funds and family offices on structured investments and strategies.

He received his B.A. in Economics from UCLA, where he serves as an Advisory Council Member for the Masters of Quantitative Economics. John is also a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program. He is a Board Member of the CFA Society of San Francisco and was recently inducted into the Society of Kauffman Fellows. In addition, John is actively involved with the Special Olympics of Northern California.

As a recent empty nester with his wife Beth in Burlingame, CA, he adores visiting their three children in college, exploring wine country, and finding the next best dining spot in San Francisco.

: jailanjian

Jaycob Arbogast , CFP, MBA

Director, Center for Excellence in Finance, California State University, Chico

No bio provided

: jaycob

Dominic Bilotti , CFA, CFP

Director, Apollo Global Management Inc.

2025 - 2026 CFA Society San Francisco MPAC Co-Chair

Mr. Bilotti is a Director for Apollo Global Management. Previously, he served as a Vice President and Regional Consultant for SPDR ETFs for State Street Global Advisors in the Bay Area, consulting on strategies relating to business development, capital market insights and potential product solutions.

Prior to joining SSGA, Mr. Bilotti spent time at both Vanguard and T. Rowe Price, mainly in distribution roles, as well as participating in a company-sponsored leadership rotational program.

Mr. Bilotti holds a bachelor's degree in finance from San Diego State University and is a Bay Area native. He holds the CFA designation, is an active member of CFA Society San Francisco and is Co-Chair of the Member Programming Advisory Council. He also holds a CFP designation along with Series 7 and 63 licenses with FINRA.

: dominic-bilotti-cfa-cfp®-b75327b8

Charles Chen , CFA, FRM

Sr. Treasury Analyst, Financial Risk and Strategy, Google

No bio provided

: charlesbychen

Dr Matthew Faulkner , CFA

Finance Professor, San José State University

Dr. Matthew Faulkner is a finance professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance at the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business at San José State University. His research interests intersect corporate finance and behavioral finance to understand why and how companies and management make decisions. His private consulting work is in valuation. Dr. Faulkner imparts knowledge to both undergraduate and graduate students in corporate finance and business valuation.

In addition to his academics, he is a CFA charterholder, CFA Institute volunteer, a Trustee for the City of San José pension fund, serves as a FINRA arbitrator, and a volunteer coach with First Tee. Dr. Faulkner holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from UNC-Wilmington, an MBA in international finance and investments from the University of Valencia, Spain, and UNCW, and a doctoral degree from Florida Atlantic University.

: matthew-f-29002144

Rachel Gee

Manager, FS Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY

No bio provided

: dianargee

Eric Geedey

Chief Executive Officer, CFA Society San Francisco

Eric oversees the Society’s operations, programming, membership engagement, and financial operations. He plays a significant role in formulating and executing growth initiatives, strategy development and overall business process. Prior to joining the Society, Eric spent nine years as an entrepreneur, serving as Principal for businesses focused on holistic health and finance. At Wells Fargo Bank, he worked in both treasury management sales and commercial banking. Earlier in his career, Eric worked at Del Webb Corporation in shareholder relations and treasury management, where he earned his Certified Cash Manager (CCM) designation. 

: geedeyea0108

Nancy Kazdan

Founder & CEO, Kazdan International

Nancy Kazdan is a trusted advisor to global leaders. She is known for driving measurable revenue growth through precision-engineered communication strategies. With over two decades of international experience, she transforms business professionals into exceptional communicators who win deals, secure investments, and thrive in competitive markets. Her expertise spans startups, small businesses, and international organizations that must grow and achieve business objectives in a globally competitive environment.

Nancy has been engaged by Apple, Ernst & Young, IBM, PwC, Colliers Jardine, Russell Investment Group, Deutsche Asset Management, Credit Suisse, Bloomberg, Aconex, Intech, Thomson Reuters, amongst others.

Nancy integrates behavioral science, neuroscience, and cognitive psychology into her proprietary communication frameworks. Her evidence-based methodologies empower individuals and teams to influence stakeholders, negotiate complex deals, and lead with authenticity.

Her cross-cultural experience spans North America, Asia, Mexico and Australia; she’s shared her expertise as a guest lecturer at the Australian Graduate of Management (AGSM) and presenter at top financial forums, including Bloomberg and Opal Financial Group.

: nancykazdan

Asad Malik , CFA

ML Finance & Strategy Lead, Google

No bio provided

: asadim

Ty Montgomery

Associate, Network and Investments & Former NFL Wide Receiver, Next Legacy

Ty helps lead relationship development and investment support at Next Legacy. As part of both the network and investment teams, he focuses on building meaningful connections across the ecosystem, engaging athletes, LPs, GPs, and founders, while contributing to deal sourcing, diligence, and strategic community initiatives. Ty also plays an active role in advancing the firm’s signature programs and supporting athlete engagement across the platform.

Before joining Next Legacy, Ty spent nine years in the NFL, beginning his career with the Green Bay Packers where he became widely known for his versatility on the field. During his playing career, he developed a deep passion for finance, sparked by the Parable of the Talents in the Book of Matthew. What began as angel investing soon evolved into a full-time calling.

Ty graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Political Science. He grew up alongside more than 17 foster siblings and now serves on the board of Connections Homes, continuing his mission to support youth aging out of foster care through redemptive relationship, service, and mentorship.

Outside of work, Ty is grounded by his faith and energized by adventure, sports, and helping others grow. He's always down for a trip, a conversation about Jesus, a round of golf, or discovering a new favorite restaurant.

: tymontgomerynfl

Dr Julian Vogel , CFA, CAIA

Assistant Professor of Finance, San José State University

No bio provided

: julianunvogel

Sheng Xu , CFA, CAIA, FRM

Advisory Board Member, Lair East Labs

2025 - 2026 CFA Society San Francisco MPAC Co-Chair

At BlackRock, Sheng Xu leads AMRS regional network connections and previously co-chaired BlackRock’s Global VP network, delivering over 100 events and interviewing more than 10 senior executives. She collaborates with senior leadership to drive strategic initiatives for the firm’s investment and trading platform.

Ms. Xu has also held various roles across data, analytics, product, and client relationships, and also played a key role in establishing networks across Latin America and Asia Pacific. Ms. Xu is a passionate advocate for Web3, and has over seven years of experience in the blockchain sector. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Lair East Labs, a top 100 startup accelerator worldwide per Crunchbase.

Ms. Xu co-chairs the CFA Society San Francisco Member Programming Advisory Council. She holds a BS in Applied Physics from China, an MBA, and an MS in Finance from Drexel University. Outside of work, she is a PADI professional diver who enjoys traveling and exploring the underwater world.

: imsheng

Catherine Zhang , CFA

Investment Officer, Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association

No bio provided

: catherinezhang1