Peter Phelan is Vice President of Strategic Advisory at Elliptic, where he brings extensive experience at the intersection of banking, public policy, and market infrastructure. In his role, Peter helps financial institutions explore opportunities in the digital asset space, guiding them on trusted, compliant pathways to innovation and effective regulatory engagement.
Previously, Peter served as Head of Regulatory Management for Citi’s Client business line, where he coordinated interactions with U.S. and global regulators across Citi’s Institutional Credit Management (wholesale credit, transaction management) and Digital Asset/Distributed Ledger Technology functions. Before that, he was Chief Administrative Officer for Citi’s North American Institutional Clients Group, overseeing all control functions and leading Citi’s LIBOR transition program.
In June 2023, Peter was named Chair of the Federal Reserve–convened Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC), successfully leading the global, industry‑wide transition from LIBOR to SOFR.
Prior to Citi, Peter served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Capital Markets at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he led policy work on the GSEs, securitization markets, and the LIBOR transition, and was awarded the Treasury Medal for his service. He also co‑led the implementation of Uniform Mortgage‑Backed Securities (UMBS) with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and contributed to the Secretary’s pandemic emergency response team, coordinating with the Federal Reserve on market stabilization facilities.
Earlier in his career, Peter held roles at CIT Group and Commerzbank, managing capital markets teams delivering interest rate and foreign exchange risk management solutions and overseeing asset/liability management across multiple markets.
Linda Jenkinson is a pioneering entrepreneur and board director; she was the first woman founder and CEO to list a company on the NASDAQ. She’s built and led multiple global businesses, chaired public company boards, and currently serves as Chair of three ASX-listed companies. She’s also the founder of LevelUp, a program that helps growth-stage founders scale their companies with confidence and vision. Linda combines deep experience in fintech, logistics, and strategy, and she’s passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders. Linda holds an MBA from Wharton and is a Chartered Accountant.
Paul Brody is the Global Blockchain Leader at EY (Ernst & Young) since 2015, overseeing the firm’s blockchain strategy and solutions, including the OpsChain tokenization platform and Blockchain Analyzer analytics tools.
As a prominent advocate for public blockchains and privacy technology, Paul has led EY to develop the Nightfall privacy-enabled Ethereum Layer 2 network and the Starlight zero-knowledge compiler, both contributed to the public domain and the Ethereum community.
Before joining EY, Paul held various roles at IBM, including Electronics Industry Vice President. He began his career at McKinsey & Co. in Los Angeles and holds a degree in Economics and a certificate in African Studies from Princeton University.
Strategic financial services executive with 15+ years of experience driving transformation, innovation, and business growth across global financial institutions. Currently leading the blockchain and digital asset strategy within BBVA Asset Management & Global Wealth, shaping the bank’s position at the forefront of tokenization and next-generation financial infrastructure.
Recognized for a strategic vision bridging technology, regulation, and business, and for fostering high-impact partnerships and ecosystems that accelerate digital transformation. Combines a strong foundation in control, governance, and risk management —gained through roles in internal audit and a Big Four firm —with a proven ability to execute complex projects, influence senior stakeholders, and translate innovation into measurable business value.
Known as a thought leader in international forums, with a reputation for clarity of vision, data-driven strategy, and disciplined execution in rapidly evolving financial environments.
Ryan is currently the Head of Digital Assets for Citibank’s business. The TTS team helps enable their global clients by simplifying the management of treasuries, payments and commerce on a day-to-day basis. Recently, Ryan and the team announced Citi Token Services, which is a pilot that enables clients to transfer liquidity between Citi branches on a 24/7 basis. The service uses blockchain and smart contract technologies to deliver digital asset solutions for institutional clients. Citi Token Services will integrate tokenized deposits and smart contracts into Citi’s global network, upgrading core cash management and trade finance capabilities.
In Ryan’s last role she was responsible for IBM’s America’s blockchain team, helping to enhance client’s solutions and capabilities for building Digital Ecosystems. She provided strategic guidance for; operational and governance considerations, technology roadmaps, and services infrastructure to help clients focused on TIPS (Tokenization, Identity, Provenance & Sustainability).
In addition, her team helped build New York’s Excelsior Pass (Digital Wallet for Vaccinations & PCR tests), which was groundbreaking with millions of users and will help serve as a framework to aid in the development and implementation of digital health credentials and beyond. The blueprint will help as a guide to assist other states, territories, and entities in the expansion of credential systems to advance economic development efforts nationwide.
Prior to that Ryan was the Global Head of Industry at R3 (Fintech Startup), where she sat at the forefront of blockchain innovation across multiple industries. She was responsible for the strategic direction of R3’s key verticals, helping industry leaders capture the full benefits of blockchain for their businesses. Ryan also launched the Centre of Excellence for distributed ledger technology (DLT) in cooperation with ACORD (Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development).
Cuy Sheffield is the VP and Head of Visa’s Crypto team. Leading the global crypto product team within the fintech product organization. Cuy is a fellow at the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute, a co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cryptocurrencies and a member of the advisory group for the Digital Dollar Project. Before Visa, Cuy worked on business development and partnerships for TrialPay, a fintech startup that Visa acquired in 2015.
Will Peck has served as Head of Digital Assets since October 2021. In this role, he oversees WisdomTree’s digital asset initiatives. From February 2020 to October 2021, he served as Head of Strategy and Emerging Technologies, where he was responsible for oversight of corporate development and other strategic initiatives, including investments in emerging technologies. From September 2014 to January 2020, he held various positions on our Strategy team, including Senior Analyst, Senior Associate and Director. From July 2012 to July 2014, Mr. Peck worked as an Investment Banking Analyst for Bank of America Merrill Lynch covering a range of financial services companies. In connection with our strategic investment in December 2019 in Securrency, Inc., a technology company focused on blockchain-based financial services infrastructure, Mr. Peck joined Securrency’s board of directors. He received an A.B. in Government, cum laude, from Harvard University.
Justin leads a global team focused on integrating traditional and digital market functions, along with group procurement and supply chain management, to help ensure clients have seamless access to cutting-edge financial solutions, industry expertise, and market advocacy.
With extensive experience in market structure, third-party risk management, global operations, and strategic partnerships, Justin is responsible for overseeing Northern Trust’s global network of third-party vendors, sub-custodians, financial market infrastructures (FMIs) and agent banks. He plays a key role in ensuring the safekeeping and administration of international client assets while championing best-in-class procurement, risk management and operational practices.
A recognized industry leader, Justin has held various senior leadership roles, including Global Head of Market Advocacy, Global Head of Change Management, and Global Head of Fixed Income Operations. His work has been instrumental in driving innovation across financial markets, particularly in the development of unified asset servicing solutions for institutional investors navigating both digital and traditional portfolios.
Justin’s strategic vision, supported by his global team, continues to shape the future of financial services, positioning Northern Trust at the forefront of digital asset adoption and market innovation. His leadership in regulatory advocacy and enterprise financial enablement reinforces Northern Trust’s commitment to excellence and technological advancement in global markets.
In recognition of his leadership in both the areas of regulatory advocacy and driving innovation across the industries, Justin was recognized at the Global Custodian awards as the GC Person of the Year 2017 and inducted into the GC Legends hall of fame in 2019. Justin represents the securities industry as a board member and director of the Association for Financial Markets in Europe’s (AFME) and International Securities Services Association’s (ISSA). Justin has previously held the following industry positions: chairman of International Securities Association for Institutional Trade Communication (ISITC) Europe, also as founder and chairman of the SWIFT International Securities Advisory Group.
Robert Leshner is the CEO and Co-founder of Superstate, an asset management firm modernizing investing through tokenized financial products. Prior to founding Superstate, Leshner co-founded Compound Labs in 2017, which developed one of the first DeFi applications.
Robert is a venture investor at Robot Ventures and co-hosts The Chopping Block, a crypto-native podcast. He is directly responsible for designing smart contracts such as Governor Bravo and the ERC-7246 token standard, Encumber.
He has a degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Additionally, Robert is the former chair of the San Francisco Revenue Bond Oversight Committee and a CFA charter holder.
Donna Milrod is executive vice president and chief product officer at State Street, responsible for leading the strategy, value proposition and growth of our Asset Servicing business, including Digital Asset Solutions. Donna is a member of State Street’s Executive Committee, the company’s senior leadership team.
Previously, Donna led the company’s Global Asset Managers segment business as well as the Global Clients Division.
Donna has over 25 years of experience in banking and financial services including leadership positions at Deutsche Bank, where she served as deputy chief executive officer for its North America business. Before joining State Street, she was a senior advisor to Broadridge and McKinsey & Company, where she provided advice for navigating risk, optimizing operating efficiencies and increasing revenue growth. Prior to that, Donna was with the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) where she served on the Management Committee and was the head of DTCC Solutions, delivering innovative post-trade processing solutions to clients.
Currently, Donna serves as an independent board director of Orion Innovation, a privately held technology services company. She also sits on the board of Partnership Fund for New York City and is a member of the New York Women’s Forum, the Committee of 200, National Association of Corporate Directors, Council on Foreign Relations and the Economic Club of New York. Previously, she served on the boards of Valmont Industries (NYSE:VMI) and Cabela’s Inc. (NYSE:CAB).
Donna has appeared on American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Finance list for five consecutive years (2021-2025). In 2025, Donna was inducted into Global Custodian’s Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions and distinguished career in securities services. She was named to TabbFORUM’s 2025 Top 40 Innovators list; an honor roll of executives who are leading technology-driven innovation and disruption in financial markets. In recognition of her leadership driving positive change around workplace inclusion and diversity, Donna earned a place on each of INvolve’s Executive Role Model, Advocates and Allies lists: Empower (2024, 2023), Outstanding (2023) and HERoes (2024, 2022).
Donna was honored by Crain’s New York Business as one of 2021’s Notable Women on Wall Street, and in 2019 was named one of the Most Influential Corporate Board Directors by WomenInc. Magazine.
