Tenth Annual Forum
Featuring a Keynote from Michael Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL
August 13, 2026

Forum Real Estate Group
240 Saint Paul St., Ste 400
Denver, CO 80206

7:30 am - 3:40 pm
Followed by a Happy Hour

Earn Continuing Education Credits
In-Person Program only

EXHIBITS          SCHEDULE            SESSIONS

Keynote SpeakerS

Michael Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL
My journey of learning and sharing led me somewhat randomly to the world of financial services, where I landed in search of a job after completing an undergraduate degree with a major in psychology and a minor in theater and a pre-med concentration (an education I used to figure out that I didn’t want to go into psychology, theater, or medicine!). I started out as a life insurance agent the first business day after college, and although I turned out to be a terrible salesperson, that first job helped me discover this thing called financial planning..

With the broad range of financial planning topics to learn, I dove quickly into the educational process full steam, ultimately racking up two Master’s degrees (one in Financial Services, and one in Taxation), along with my Certified Financial Planner (CFP) marks and a slew of other designations as well. In essence, I spent the decade of my 20s working as a full-time financial planner and part-time student on the side, learning as much as I could, and sharing those ideas, concepts, and solutions with our clients.

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Julia Sewell, Coach and Author

Julia Sewell didn’t set out to become a performance coach—she set out to solve a problem. Over and over, she met talented, capable people who weren’t getting the leadership or support they needed to thrive. Coaching had changed her own life, and she knew it was the perfect way to help others unlock their potential too.

For over 20 years, Julia has coached hundreds of clients, focusing much of her time and talent on women who are building their own businesses. Her clients value her not just for her knowledge, but for her street cred—she has “been there.” They trust her vulnerable and direct approach to building businesses and lives that are sustainable, client-focused, and high performing. Julia gives her clients the gift of high expectations daily, and she’s right there with them in the good, bad, and ugly along the way.

As the founder of The Self-Made Mom, Julia has transformed her coaching into a broader movement that empowers working mothers to thrive both professionally and personally. A mom of three (all born within 18 months), she speaks from experience when she says you can build a wildly successful business, make it to soccer practice, and still enjoy peace, joy, and deep connection at home. Her work is a rallying cry for women who refuse to choose between ambition and motherhood.

At the heart of Julia’s story is authenticity. She shares her own hilarious, heart-wrenching, and inspiring moments so women feel safe to tell their truths too. Whether through one-on-one coaching, her community, or The Self-Made Mom book, Julia equips women with the tools, mindset shifts, and courage to design lives and businesses they love.

Breakout sessions

Apollo Lupscu, PhD, Vice President, Dimensional Fund Advisors

Apollo Lupescu is a Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he started in 2004 after finishing his PhD in economics and finance at the University of California, Santa Barbara. During his tenure at the firm, Apollo has gained experience in a wide variety of practical subject matters. He was part of the Dimensional Investment Strategies group, worked directly with financial advisors in the Northeast area assisting in the development of their business, managed the internal Client Services team that provides broad analytical support, and then oversaw the firm’s national advisor retirement business. He is currently Dimensional’s “secretary of explaining stuff.” In this role, he frequently presents around the country and the world at financial advisor professional conferences and individual investor events.

Prior to joining Dimensional, Apollo had his own consulting firm, which provided services to the US Department of State and the White House on a variety of projects. His interests in finance and investments led him to teaching engagements at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In addition to his PhD from UCSB, Apollo has a BA from Michigan State University, where he competed in and coached water polo.

Darren Fisk, Founder & CEO, Forum Investment Group

Darren Fisk is a multifamily expert with more than 20 years of experience in real estate and finance. As the sole founder, he established Forum in 2007 with a focus on multifamily acquisition and development investments. Since then, Darren has expanded the firm’s capabilities to include real estate debt and structured finance solutions for multifamily owners, operators, and developers across the U.S. In 2020, the firm rebranded as Forum Investment Group to reflect its fully-integrated multifamily investment platform. Today, Forum has evolved into an innovative asset management firm that provides access and expertise to multifamily investments up and down the capital stack and throughout economic cycles.

As CEO, Darren leads all Forum’s business strategies, including serving as the head of two investment committees, overseeing the firm’s investor relations, and working closely with the company’s development and operations teams to execute Forum’s distinctive vision and design for its properties. Since its founding, Darren and Forum have invested in and/or developed over $2.4 billion in multifamily real estate, with more than 15,000 units in 21 states.

Darren is a graduate of the University of Colorado – Boulder, where he played football and received a Bachelor of Science in finance. He serves on the advisory board of ACE Scholarships and started the Fisk 5 Foundation with his wife, Blake, to shine a light on the significance of family to foster a culture of good judgement, integrity, character, graciousness, and humility for tomorrow’s leaders.

Grant Turner, Managing Director-Client Portfolio Manager, Forum Investment Group

Grant has more than 13 years of experience across real estate investment solutions, capital raising, and intermediary distribution. As Managing Director, Client Portfolio Management for Forum Exchange, he serves as a senior client-facing leader and subject matter expert across the firm’s 1031, DST, and 721 exchange offerings, supporting capital formation efforts and strengthening relationships across RIAs, wirehouses, IBDs, and high-net-worth advisor networks nationwide.

Before joining Forum, Grant served as an Exchange Specialist at Ares Wealth Management, where he supported the Black Creek and Ares Real Estate Exchange platforms and completed more than $867 million in 1031 exchange transactions.Throughout his career, Grant is known for his ability to simplify complex investment structures, build trusted advisor relationships, and execute with discipline and collaboration.

Grant holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Bellarmine University and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Outside of work, he enjoys mentoring younger professionals, public speaking, and staying active with family and friends.

Ben Low, Managing Director-Client Portfolio Manager, Rockies Region, Forum Investment Group

Ben has more than 20 years of financial services and alternative investment sales experience. As Managing Director – Client Portfolio Manager, Ben is responsible for investor client acquisition and capital raise efforts in the Rockies region.

Prior to joining Forum, Ben was Regional Director at Hines Securities for over 15 years, responsible for capital raise and brand awareness in the Southwest territory across RIA, IBD, wirehouse, and family office channels. Before that, he held Senior Vice President roles at Cole Real Estate Investments and NRF Capital Markets. Ben holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago and is series 7 and 63 licensed.

Nick Arndt, MSFP®, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, Transamerica

Early in Nick’s career, his experience with advanced planning strategies turned into a passion to help others increase their financial literacy and achieve a lifetime of financial security.  Nick works to bring timely and relevant guidance on retirement, estate and wealth planning strategies, and regulatory issues that impact financial professionals and their clients.

He has traveled the country to present on topics such as IRA planning strategies, estate and trust planning, Social Security, and Medicare guidance.  

Jay Sforza, Division Head, CAIS Capital Markets

Jason, "Jay," is the divisional head of client coverage, business development, and product origination for CAIS Capital Markets in the West. Jay works with some of CAIS's largest private wealth advisors and family offices to develop and implement custom structured note portfolios, as well as hedging and monetization strategies.

Prior to joining CAIS, Jay was a Director at UBS in cross-asset derivative sales and structuring. While at UBS, Jay co-ran the underwriting of equity, commodity, and FX linked investments and provided primary coverage to the firm's largest advisors and clients. He began his career at J.P. Morgan Private Bank as an Investor in the corporate executive and financial sponsors group in NYC. Jay received his BSBA with honors, Magna Cum Laude, from Boston University's Questrom School of Business.

Aaron Pratt, Senior Associate, CAIS Capital Markets

Aaron Pratt leads regional coverage of the mountain state territory for the CAIS Capital Markets group. Aaron works with independent financial advisors to provide access to custom structured note strategies and hedging & monetization solutions.

Prior to joining CAIS, Aaron was on a Fixed Income and Structured Notes desk focusing on municipal and corporate bond portfolio construction as well as structured product distribution. He started his career at Charles Schwab in Lone Tree, CO. Aaron graduated from the Colorado State University College of Business in Fort Collins, Colorado with a Bachelor's degree in Corporate Finance.

Steve Sweeney, Vice President - Advanced Markets, Allianz Life Financial Services

With more that two decades in the financial services industry, Sweeney has broad experience across multiple disciplines of financial planning. Using a wide array of sophisticated techniques, he counsels financial professionals as they help clients navigate their financial journeys. He is a trusted partner of financial professionals who are seeking technical knowledge that supports client objectives.

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