April STANY News 
STANY Annual Conference
STANY’s 90th Annual Conference Sets a New Standard for Success
STANY’s 90th Annual Conference delivered an unforgettable day of insight, innovation, and industry connection at the New York Stock Exchange, bringing together leaders from across the financial services ecosystem for one of the most successful conferences in the association’s history.
With more than 750 registered attendees, 71 distinguished speakers, and 17 dynamic sessions, the conference showcased the strength, energy, and collaborative spirit of the STANY community. From market structure and regulation to digital assets, tokenization, AI, ETFs, and extended-hours trading, the program reflected the issues and opportunities actively shaping the future of the markets.
The conference opened with a compelling discussion on the rapidly evolving trading landscape during the “Market Structure in Motion: Regulation, Innovation and What’s Next” panel featuring leaders from MEMX, Nasdaq, Hudson River Trading, and Piper Sandler. The conversation explored the growing complexity of market structure, fragmentation, liquidity, and the regulatory developments influencing trading operations across the industry.
One of the day’s most talked-about conversations was the fireside chat between Jon Herrick, Chief Product Officer of the NYSE, and Brian Steele, President of Clearing & Securities Services at DTCC, titled “The New Playing Field: How Infrastructure Shapes Market Opportunity.” Their discussion highlighted the critical role of infrastructure modernization, clearing innovation, and tokenization in the future of the capital markets.
Attendees also packed the room for “What Happens When Wall Street Goes Onchain?” featuring Edward Woodford, Founder and CEO of zerohash, and Amy Oldenburg, Head of Digital Asset Strategy at Morgan Stanley. The fireside chat examined the growing institutional adoption of digital assets, the evolution of stablecoins, and the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain technology.
Another standout session featured Jamie Selway, Director of the Division of Trading and Markets at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in conversation with Joseph Mecane of Citadel Securities. Their discussion addressed market oversight, regulatory priorities, and the future direction of the U.S. equity markets.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees had the opportunity to participate in specialized tracks covering some of the industry’s most pressing and innovative topics. Sessions explored the rapid expansion of ETFs and their growing role in portfolio construction and liquidity management, the future of 24-hour trading and global market accessibility, and the increasing impact of AI on trading, compliance, and operational decision-making.
Panels on venue performance analytics and liquidity transformation provided valuable insight into how firms are measuring execution quality and adapting to evolving trading dynamics. Other highly attended sessions examined the convergence of tokenized assets and digital trading rails, as well as the continued growth and innovation within the options markets.
The conference concluded with a forward-looking discussion on prediction markets and event contracts, highlighting how innovation and alternative products continue to reshape the financial landscape.
A major highlight of this year’s conference was the debut of the STANY Women in Finance (WIF) Luncheon, which replaced the traditional breakfast format and welcomed an even larger audience for meaningful conversations and networking opportunities. The luncheon featured two outstanding fireside discussions:
- Maisa Badawy, Global Head of Capital Markets at Capital Group, in conversation with Patricia Koetzner, Managing Director and Co-Head of Equity Trading at Siebert Williams Shank
- Agnes Bundy Scanlan, CEO of The Cambridge Group and Independent Director at Truist, in conversation with Mahlet Makonnen, Principal at Williams & Jensen
The WIF Luncheon reflected STANY’s continued commitment to elevating women across the financial services industry and creating opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and professional growth.
The conference also celebrated STANY’s 2026 honorees, recognizing both Lisa Utasi, ClearBridge Investments and Larry Tabb, Bloomberg for their leadership, innovation, and dedication have made a lasting impact on the financial services industry and the trading community as well as Susquehanna for its Innovations in Trading and Finance. The recognition of this year’s honorees served as a reminder of the exceptional talent and commitment that continue to drive our industry forward and strengthen the STANY community.
In addition to the educational programming, the conference community also came together to support an important cause. Through the annual conference raffle, STANY raised nearly $3,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The generosity shown by attendees, sponsors, and participants will help support families and children facing serious illnesses.
The success of the conference would not have been possible without the dedication and support of STANY’s sponsors, speakers, volunteers, committee members, and attendees. Their continued commitment to STANY’s mission to educate, connect, and advocate for the trading community continues to strengthen the organization and the industry as a whole.
As we reflect on the incredible momentum and engagement from this milestone event, we are already looking forward to next year’s conference and another opportunity to bring the industry together for meaningful conversations, thought leadership, and connection.
To view conference details and session information, visit the conference webpage:
https://stany.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=127&ts=1776448552
To view conference photos and highlights from STANY events, visit the STANY photo gallery:
https://stany.org/gallery.php
STANY Golf Outing
STANY Annual Spring Golf Outing Nearing Sell-Out
The countdown is on for one of STANY’s most anticipated networking events of the season — the Annual Spring Golf Outing on May 18th at the beautiful Fairmount Country Club. Registrations have been moving quickly and there are an extremely limited number of spots remaining. The clinic option remains available.
This annual tradition brings together professionals from across the trading and financial services community for a memorable day of golf, networking, and camaraderie in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Event Highlights
Participants can look forward to a full day of activities, including:
- 10:30 AM – Registration and BBQ Lunch
- 12:00 PM – Shotgun Start Golf Tournament (Scramble Format)
- Post-Golf Reception – Drinks, prizes, and networking
Whether you are a seasoned golfer or picking up the clubs for the first time, the outing offers something for everyone. The scramble format keeps the day fun and social, making it a perfect opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and build new connections across the industry. Beyond the golf, attendees will enjoy the outstanding facilities and scenic grounds at Fairmount Country Club.
With the outing nearly sold out, now is the time to register and be part of this premier spring networking event. Don’t miss your chance to join colleagues and friends for a day of great golf, and meaningful connections.
Emerging Leaders
Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: STANY Awards Emerging Leaders Scholarship to Aidin Marke
At its Annual Conference, STANY proudly awarded the 2026 Emerging Leaders Scholarship to Aidin Marke, an exceptional senior at Staten Island Technical High School who will attend Baruch College this fall. The scholarship was presented on behalf of STANY and its Emerging Leaders Committee by Committee member Patrick Godfrey of IEX.
Aidin was selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, all of whom completed programs through Futures and Options, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering New York City youth — particularly students of color and those from historically underrepresented communities — by providing professional development opportunities, career exposure, and pathways to higher education and long-term success.
Throughout the application and interview process, Aidin distinguished himself through his academic excellence, strong work ethic, and clear passion for finance.
STANY’s decision to honor Aidin reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of industry leaders and advancing excellence across the financial services community.
Congratulations to Aidin — we look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the years ahead.
Sam Belden Wins STANY March Madness Bracket Challenge in Support of EL Scholarship
Sam Belden of Forefront Communications emerged victorious in the STANY Emerging Leaders (EL) March Madness Bracket Challenge, earning top honors with a final score of 1330 placing his picks in the to 97.7% overall, while helping raise important funds for the STANY EL Scholarship program.
Thanks to Sam’s generosity, along with the enthusiastic participation of competitors across the industry, the Emerging Leaders Committee is well on its way to funding another scholarship opportunity for deserving students.
Congratulations to Sam on the win and thank you to everyone who participated and supported this important initiative.
News About Our Members and Friends
In Memoriam: Remembering Lee Korins, Former STA President (1933–2026)
It is with sadness that we note the passing of Leopold “Lee” Korins in February. A respected leader in the securities industry, Lee built a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in trading, exchange leadership, and market structure.
Lee spent 32 years at Merrill Lynch, where he became the firm’s youngest partner and held senior leadership roles including Director of Equity Trading and Managing Director of Broadcort Capital. He played a key role in specialist operations and clearing across U.S. exchanges and was widely recognized for his steady leadership during the market crash of 1987.
From 1989 to 1996, Lee served as Chairman and CEO of the Pacific Stock Exchange, and later as President and CEO of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
Lee served as President and CEO of both the Security Traders Association and the STA Foundation from 1998 to 2002, guiding the organization through one of the most challenging periods in its history following the destruction of its World Trade Center offices on September 11, 2001.
A graduate of the Wharton School and a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 101st Airborne, Lee also devoted significant time to public service, education, and civic leadership throughout his career.
He is survived by his wife, Karen (Cini) Korins, his partner and best friend of 48 years.
In Memoriam: Remembering Lee Packard (1938-2026)
After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Colgate University and earning his law degree from Harvard Law School, Lee joined the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where he rose to become Director of the Division of Trading and Markets. In that role, he helped develop the landmark Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, one of the most significant reforms to U.S. securities regulation since 1934. His work also advanced the deregulation of fixed commission rates, modernization of broker-dealer financial responsibility rules, and the development of a central securities depository system.
In 1977, Lee founded the Washington, D.C.-based securities law firm now known as Pickard Djinis and Pisarri, where he served as senior partner until his retirement in 2022. Throughout his career, he was widely recognized as a leading authority on securities law and regulation, advising firms across the financial services industry and frequently lecturing and writing on market structure and regulatory matters.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Lee was devoted to his family, lifelong friendships, travel, and the outdoors. He remained active in tennis, squash, and skiing throughout his life and was a generous supporter of his alma maters.
Lee is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lynne Sparks Pickard; his children Gregory, Ashley, and Gabriel; six grandchildren; and his brothers Lynn and Terry.
Events of Interest
Supporting MDA’s Wings Over Wall Street- 2 upcoming events:
Trivia Night– May 20th – The Chelsea Bell
Looking for a great way to network, have fun, and support an important cause? Join MDA’s Wings Over Wall Street for Trivia Night on May 20th at The Chelsea Bell!
This energetic fundraiser brings together industry professionals for an evening of friendly competition while raising critical funds and awareness for ALS research through the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for emerging leaders and junior members to connect with peers and become more involved in charitable initiatives across the industry.
We hope to see you there! For more information, to register, or to donate, visit 
Wings Over Wall Street Gala–June 4th– 48 Wall Street
For more than 26 years, Wings Over Wall Street has united the financial services community in the fight against ALS, raising more than $13.4 million to advance critical research and support vital medical initiatives. Each year, the Wings committee works alongside corporate sponsors, industry leaders, and individual donors to raise awareness and funding for this relentless disease.
Join the industry on June 4, 2026, for the 26th Annual Wings Over Wall Street and help continue this extraordinary impact.
STANY is proud to have several members serving on the Wings committee, including Kim Unger of Security Traders Association of New York, Lisa Utasi of ClearBridge Investments, and Matt Weinberg of IEX Group, all working to support this important cause and strengthen industry involvement.
To learn more, register, or support the event, visit HERE.