Fall 2026 Beach Fin Rising Symposium Summary

Celebrating Connection, Learning, and Opportunity: Highlights from the Fall 2026 Beach Fin Rising Symposium and an Invitation to Join Us Next Spring

The Fall 2026 Beach Fin Rising (BFR) Symposium was a highly successful event, bringing together more than 200 students, Finance Advisory Board members, industry professionals, and faculty. The day offered valuable opportunities for networking, professional development, and knowledge sharing. The symposium focused on two central themes: financial literacy and the evolving landscape of wealth management careers.

The symposium started with the Financial Literacy: Building for life presentation of Wade Perry, Managing Principal, Stonemark Wealth Management, and a member of the Finance Department Advisory Board. The presentation integrated wealth management, financial literacy, artificial intelligence, and career development into a cohesive educational experience. Wade Perry’s engaging presentation offered practical, actionable guidance attendees can implement immediately while inspiring them to pursue future opportunities in finance. The key takeaways from his speech were: spend less than you earn; pay yourself first by saving consistently; start investing early and stay invested; avoid high-interest debt; protect and build your credit; maintain an emergency fund; continue investing in your education and career, use AI as a tool not a substitute for judgment; think long term and develop financial habits that create lifelong wealth.

The program continued with a panel discussion moderated by Melda Mergen, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Credo Investment Partners and Finance Department Advisory Board member. Panelists included Jeff Kuhlman (Executive Director and Wealth Advisor, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management), Matthew V. Pixa (President, My Portfolio Guide; Registered Investment Advisor; CSULB Alumnus), Rhett Litavsky (Vice President, First Trust Buffer ETFs and Structured Investments), and Richard Garcia-Guerrero (Vice President, Community Manager, J.P. Morgan Chase; CSULB Alumnus).

Panelists provided an in-depth overview of the wealth management industry, highlighting its distinguishing characteristics, recent developments, and the range of career paths available to students. They offered valuable advice based on their professional experiences, making the industry’s opportunities and challenges clear to attendees. A key theme of the discussion was the rapid evolution of the field, particularly with the increasing influence of technology and artificial intelligence. Panelists addressed how these developments are impacting daily responsibilities, hiring practices, and the skills most valued by employers. Students were encouraged to adopt new technologies ethically while continuing to develop strong communication and networking skills, which remain essential for career success.

The symposium concluded with a networking session, where students engaged with presenters, panelists, and Advisory Board members. Industry guests noted the professionalism, enthusiasm, and engagement demonstrated by CSULB students throughout the event. Attendees left with valuable new connections and valuable takeaways.

We invite all students, faculty, and industry professionals to participate in the next Beach Fin Rising Symposium. Spring 2027 Finance Symposium will focus on careers in corporate finance. Additional details will be announced soon.