2025 Financial Markets Day

2025 Financial Markets Day

Wednesday, April 30 | 3-5:00 PM

Free for everyone

CFA Society Minnesota and NDSU's Challey Institute invite you to join us for a fireside chat with Steve Kaplan about Private Equity and Financial Markets on Wednesday, April 30. This event is free and open to all members of the NDSU community and the public.

The talk will begin at 3 p.m., in the Louise Auditorium in Barry Hall, followed by a Financial Markets Day panel discussion and audience Q&A. All are invited to stay for a reception with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments at 5:00 p.m.

Agenda

3-4:00 PM - Fireside chat with Steve Kaplan

4-5:00 PM - Panel discussion with Steve Kaplan, Cory Markling, CFA, and Kevin Prunty

The panel will focus on the different aspects of private equity including research, advisory, and ownership in lower-middle market companies.

5-6:00 PM - Reception for in-person attendees

Speakers

Steve Kaplan

Professor

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Steven N. Kaplan is the Neubauer Family Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the Thomas Cole Distinguished Visiting Professor Chair at the University of Chicago Law School. Professor Kaplan is also the Kessenich E.P. Faculty Director of the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

More about Steve Kaplan

Cory Markling, CFA

Partner

Eisner Advisory Group LLC

Cory is a Partner specializing in transaction advisory services. Cory advises clients on investment and financial due diligence matters related to mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, growth equity and debt capital placements primarily in the private markets.

Cory works with clients in a variety of industries including energy, technology, real estate, manufacturing, transportation, and entrepreneurs. Cory’s unique experience has enabled him to advise on more than 300 successful middle-market transactions and $4 billion in capital. Additionally, Cory's background includes middle market investments, global capital markets, and institutional research.

He has the expertise and versatility that enables him to provide key insights and an understanding of various markets and verticals from both a macro and micro point of view. Prior to joining the firm, Cory was a Partner and founder of the Transaction Advisory Services Practice at Lurie LLP, a Minneapolis-based regional accounting and advisory firm, which provided clients with solutions in accounting, audit, tax planning and wealth management, serving business leaders in a wide variety of industries including health care, professional services, technology, manufacturing, real estate and more. Cory is a frequent speaker as well as an Adjunct Professor at Hamline University where he teaches graduate programs on strategy and finance courses to students.

Kevin Prunty

Senior Managing Director

Longwater Capital Solutions

Kevin leads the Longwater Capital Solutions team, which is a multi-faceted private investment firm that invests in lower middle market private credit, minority equity and limited partner fund commitments.  Longwater Capital Solutions currently manages both the Longwater Diversified Access Fund as well as the Longwater SBIC Fund.  Kevin is responsible for all facets of the team including origination, structuring, portfolio management, deal operations and reporting, and is a member of the Investment Committee.   Kevin has over 25 years of experience in the private investment markets, managing over $4B in debt, equity and fund investments throughout his career. Kevin was most recently at RGA as a Senior Managing Director and Head of the Private Debt & Equity team, as well as a member of the Investment Committee. 

Originally from Chicago, Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was also a captain and four-year letter-winner on the men’s basketball team.