ACADEMIC RESEARCH. EXPLAINED.
MARC academic conference, which is hosted by the Villanova Finance Department. (Recent event recap here. Recent coverage of the event is available here and here.)
The Democratize Quant mission is to turn academic insights into investment performance. The event is a joint effort between Alpha Architect and Villanova University and serves as a complement to the long-standing
Benefits of the conference:
- No costs
- Intimate environment (screened access)
- The pursuit of intellectual truth (no product-hawking; no jerks)
Who should attend? Investors looking to improve their knowledge:
- Independent advisors
- Family offices
- Do-it-yourself HNW
- Academic and practitioner-researchers
TOMORROWS IDEAS. TODAY.
Your Research Experts
Topic #1: The Future of the ETF Industry
Link to Paper

Dave Nadig
ETF Industry Pioneer
- Introduction
- Presenter: Wes Gray
- 1015-1030
- ETF Industry Update
- Presenter: Dave Nadig
- 1030-1100
- Does Passive Investing Make Prices Less Efficient?
- Presenter: Marco Sammon (HBS)
- Discussant: Mike Green
- 1100-1150
- Do Flows Predict Price Changes?
- Presenter: Sam Hartzmark
- Discussant: Nikki Boyson
- 1200-1250
- Practical Factor Investing
- Presenter: Tommi Johnsen
- Presenter: Jack Vogel
- 1300-1400
Topic #2: Passive Investing and Stock Prices

Marco Sammon, PhD
Finance Professor, Harvard
Discussant

Mike Green, CFA
Portfolio Manager, Simplify
Michael joined Simplify in April 2021 after serving as Chief Strategist and Portfolio Manager for Logica Capital Advisers, LLC. Prior to Logica, Michael managed macro strategies at Thiel Macro, LLC, an investment firm that manages the personal capital of Peter Thiel. Prior to Thiel, Michael founded Ice Farm Capital, a discretionary global macro hedge fund seeded by Soros Fund Management. From 2006-2014, Michael founded and managed the New York office of Canyon Capital Advisors, a $23B multi-strategy hedge fund based in Los Angeles, CA, where he established their global macro strategies, managing in excess of $5B of exposure across equity, credit, FX, commodity and derivative markets.
In addition to his work as a market theorist and portfolio manager, Michael has been noted for his work as a public speaker and financial media participant. He is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a CFA holder.
Topic #3: Do Flows Predict Price Changes?

Sam Hartzmark, PhD
Finance Professor, Chicago
Hartzmark holds a PhD from Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California, a MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in mathematics/economics (summa cum laude) with a double major in religion from Emory University.
Discussant

Nicole Boyson, PhD
Finance Professor, Northeastern
She currently serves as a co-editor for Financial Analysts Journal and is on the board of directors for the Eastern Finance Association.
Boyson has served on several program committees of professional organizations such as the Western Finance Association and the Financial Management Association, has been a track chair for the Financial Management Association and the Eastern Finance Association, and acts as an ad-hoc referee for journals including The Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Financial Economics, and The Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis.
A CPA, her prior work experience includes 8 years in industry, at KPMG Peat Marwick, Third Federal Savings and Loan Association of Cleveland, Pension Consulting Services, and Ernst & Young.
Boyson has presented her work at prestigious academic and industry conferences, and is passionate about expanding the relation between academic work and industry practice. She regularly and frequently engages with the media (often via Twitter), and has been featured on Bloomberg television, NPR Marketplace, and numerous podcasts. She is also regularly cited in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Barrons.
In her spare time, Boyson enjoys reading, tending to her flower garden, and spending time with her husband and children. She is a member of the Milton Library Foundation Board and the Board of Trustees for the First Congregational Church in Milton.
Topic #4: Practical Factor Investing for Advisors
Tommi Johnsen, PhD
Alpha Architect Consultant
