XPX Tri-State Summit 2025
New York City: Deal! or No Deal!
Location
The Offices of Citrin Cooperman - 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Date
Wednesday, March 26th, 1:30 - 7:00 pm EST
Exit Planning Exchange Summit 2025
Dear Tri-State XPX Members and Friends,
On behalf of the Chapter Presidents and the Leadership Team we wanted to tell you how excited we are for The Summit on March 26th!
We have not had a Summit since 2023 and this year’s Summit we are ushering in a dynamic and laser focused few hours of conversation, connection, coffee, and cocktails with our area’s elite thought leaders in Private Equity, Policy, plus conversations with Business Owner clients. Gone are the days of dull conferences!
We will be setting the stage at the top of The Summit and threading the thematic throughout all sessions- is 2025 the pivot point for the deal space?
We intend not only to learn together, but to drive forward the power of a well-run deal team by forging our relationships and sharing in a few laughs as well.
I am particularly excited to hear our Sponsors’ “why” and take on Deal or No Deal in 2025. As well as to be witness to the arc of the PE Panel’s expert discussion ranging from KKR’s Chief Investment Strategist through to Family Office investors they will all have a view on what they are keen on in 2025 and beyond.
Proudly, at the end of the day we will have added to our bar service premium single malt scotches and a new Vodka from a music producer: it will all be enjoyed in Citrin Cooperman’s very on-trend and gorgeous Rockefeller Center space.
Registration is capped at 80 people; once we hit 80, we will start a waitlist. So, please be sure to register if you have not. If you are interested in sponsoring – we’ve made it very accessible and fun this year, so please reach out for details.
We look forward to seeing you in a handful of weeks, and cheers to reaching The Summit!
Diane O’Bryan Johnston, CIMA (she/her)
XPX Tri-State Chair
Summit Program
Explore our speakers, sponsors, and more!
Tickets & Registration
Early Registration Fees (through 3/26/25):
-
All Tri-State & Local Chapter Members (Expires 3/26/25) $150.00
-
XPX Chapter Network Members (Expires 3/26/25) $175.00
-
Non-Member (Expires 3/26/25) $215.00
Regular Registration Fees:
-
All Tri-State & Local Chapter Members (Day of Event) $175.00
-
XPX Chapter Network Members (Day of Event) $200.00
-
Non-Member (Day of Event) $240.00
Program Agenda
Check-in | Networking
Light Refreshments
Setting the Stage... Where Are We Going in 2025?
Private Equity Panel
Speakers for Deal Making in Uncertain Times
Break | Networking
Panel Policy
Speakers for Navigating the Economic and Tax Landscape in 2025 and Beyond
Business Owners Panel
Speakers for Lessons from the Deal Cycle: Successes, Failures, and What I Wish I’d Known
Networking & Cocktail Reception
Moderators & Panelists
David Barral
David Barral, VP at Northern Trust, crafts tailored financial plans to help clients achieve their goals. A CPA and CFP® with extensive tax advisory experience, David also teaches financial courses at NYU. He holds degrees from St. John’s and Villanova and actively contributes to financial planning committees and journals.
Nichol Chiarella
Nichol Chiarella, M&A Tax Practice Leader at Citrin Cooperman, has 20+ years of expertise in transaction advisory, tax structuring, and compliance. She leads diversity initiatives and specializes in buy-side and sell-side tax planning. Nichol supports industries ranging from technology to real estate, fostering client success in private equity transactions.
Brian Ciszczon
Brian Ciszczon, Citrin Cooperman’s National Tax Office Leader, specializes in complex tax advisory with 25+ years’ experience. Focused on equity, debt, real estate, and international tax matters, Brian also authors articles and teaches tax strategy courses. Previously a partner at PwC and RSM, he brings deep expertise across industries.

Carrie DiLauro
Carrie DiLauro, Director of Operations at HRCP, oversees investor relations, marketing, and operational management. With 20+ years in manufacturing and fund administration, she drives efficiency through system improvements. A Cornell and Harvard alum, Carrie excels in fiscal responsibility and global process optimization.

Daniel Eisemann
Daniel Eisemann, SVP of Corporate Development at Fairfield-Maxwell, leads deal execution, portfolio management, and restructuring. With 15+ years in M&A and performance improvement, he has held key roles at Asgaard Capital, FTI Consulting, and Alvarez & Marsal. Daniel holds degrees from Johns Hopkins and UVA Darden, serving on boards like SpeedPro Imaging and UBS.

Terry Hannafin
Terry Hannafin, Partner at Carter Morse & Goodrich, advises family-owned businesses on M&A transactions. With 15+ years in deal execution across industries, he serves on boards for Exit Planning Exchange and AM&AA. A Boston College alum and former NCAA athlete, Terry is deeply involved in youth sports and resides in Connecticut with his family.

Paul Hsiao
Paul Hsiao, Executive Director in UBS's Asset Allocation team, crafts portfolio recommendations for $1.7 trillion in assets, leveraging a decade of financial services expertise. Specializing in economics, macro research, and advisory, he identifies trends and risks to drive investor success. Paul collaborates with media and executives to simplify finance, empowering clients to achieve their goals.
Diane Johnston
Diane Johnston, XPX Tri-State Chairperson and SVP of Wealth Management at UBS Financial Services, navigates complex financial landscapes to assist business owners and small institutional plans (ERISA/E&F) in wealth management. With over two decades of expertise, she provides tailored financial strategies, tackling regulatory, tax, and investment challenges. Diane's passion lies in empowering clients to connect with their wealth and optimize outcomes, especially for endowments and foundations. A Long Island resident, Diane enjoys sailing, exploring new sports, and indulging her artistic pursuits through writing, painting, and sketching.

Alex Lirtsman
Alex has over 20 years of experience in data, innovation, and digital strategy. He founded and scaled Ready Set Rocket into a top digital transformation consultancy, working with major brands like BlackRock, JPMorganChase, NBA, and ACLU. Now, as CEO of CorralData, he leverages AI to help regulated industries securely democratize data without traditional BI complexity or LLM risks. CorralData integrates with hundreds of platforms for instant insights. Alex also teaches Digital Strategy and AI at NYU and Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business, focusing on MBA/MS programs.
Matthew Rappaport
Matthew Rappaport, Co-Chair of Tax at Falcon Rappaport & Berkman, specializes in tax planning for real estate, private equity, and closely held businesses. Known for innovative solutions in 1031 Exchanges and Opportunity Zones, Matthew guides clients in structuring and compliance. He serves ultra-high-net-worth families and collaborates across financial disciplines.
Paula Campbell Roberts
Paula Roberts, KKR’s Chief Investment Strategist for Global Wealth, advises on macroeconomics and private asset allocation. With two decades in investment strategy and economics, Paula chairs KKR’s Global Wealth Investment Council and drives inclusion initiatives. A Yale and Harvard alum, she serves on prominent boards like the NYC Ballet and advises the Federal Reserve.
Richard Rudolph
Rich Rudolph, Founder of Rudolph Capital, brings 25+ years of experience acquiring and managing family businesses. Formerly with Bradford Equities, he has overseen $400M+ in acquisitions, building trusted relationships with business owners. Rich holds degrees from St. Bonaventure and Boston College and resides in Connecticut with his family.

Andrew Wenger
Andrew is principal at Sandton Capital Partners where he focuses on investments in distressed debt, special situations, private credit, and structured asset backed opportunities. Prior to Sandton, he was a Senior Associate at Obsidian Point Partners where he focused on industrial platform acquisitions in the lower middle market. Before finance, he was a professional soccer player in Major League Soccer. Andrew is a graduate of Columbia Business School and Duke University where he majored in history.
David Barral
David Barral, VP at Northern Trust, crafts tailored financial plans to help clients achieve their goals. A CPA and CFP® with extensive tax advisory experience, David also teaches financial courses at NYU. He holds degrees from St. John’s and Villanova and actively contributes to financial planning committees and journals.
Nichol Chiarella
Nichol Chiarella, M&A Tax Practice Leader at Citrin Cooperman, has 20+ years of expertise in transaction advisory, tax structuring, and compliance. She leads diversity initiatives and specializes in buy-side and sell-side tax planning. Nichol supports industries ranging from technology to real estate, fostering client success in private equity transactions.
Brian Ciszczon
Brian Ciszczon, Citrin Cooperman’s National Tax Office Leader, specializes in complex tax advisory with 25+ years’ experience. Focused on equity, debt, real estate, and international tax matters, Brian also authors articles and teaches tax strategy courses. Previously a partner at PwC and RSM, he brings deep expertise across industries.

Carrie DiLauro
Carrie DiLauro, Director of Operations at HRCP, oversees investor relations, marketing, and operational management. With 20+ years in manufacturing and fund administration, she drives efficiency through system improvements. A Cornell and Harvard alum, Carrie excels in fiscal responsibility and global process optimization.

Daniel Eisemann
Daniel Eisemann, SVP of Corporate Development at Fairfield-Maxwell, leads deal execution, portfolio management, and restructuring. With 15+ years in M&A and performance improvement, he has held key roles at Asgaard Capital, FTI Consulting, and Alvarez & Marsal. Daniel holds degrees from Johns Hopkins and UVA Darden, serving on boards like SpeedPro Imaging and UBS.

Terry Hannafin
Terry Hannafin, Partner at Carter Morse & Goodrich, advises family-owned businesses on M&A transactions. With 15+ years in deal execution across industries, he serves on boards for Exit Planning Exchange and AM&AA. A Boston College alum and former NCAA athlete, Terry is deeply involved in youth sports and resides in Connecticut with his family.

Paul Hsiao
Paul Hsiao, Executive Director in UBS's Asset Allocation team, crafts portfolio recommendations for $1.7 trillion in assets, leveraging a decade of financial services expertise. Specializing in economics, macro research, and advisory, he identifies trends and risks to drive investor success. Paul collaborates with media and executives to simplify finance, empowering clients to achieve their goals.
Diane Johnston
Diane Johnston, XPX Tri-State Chairperson and SVP of Wealth Management at UBS Financial Services, navigates complex financial landscapes to assist business owners and small institutional plans (ERISA/E&F) in wealth management. With over two decades of expertise, she provides tailored financial strategies, tackling regulatory, tax, and investment challenges. Diane's passion lies in empowering clients to connect with their wealth and optimize outcomes, especially for endowments and foundations. A Long Island resident, Diane enjoys sailing, exploring new sports, and indulging her artistic pursuits through writing, painting, and sketching.

Alex Lirtsman
Alex has over 20 years of experience in data, innovation, and digital strategy. He founded and scaled Ready Set Rocket into a top digital transformation consultancy, working with major brands like BlackRock, JPMorganChase, NBA, and ACLU. Now, as CEO of CorralData, he leverages AI to help regulated industries securely democratize data without traditional BI complexity or LLM risks. CorralData integrates with hundreds of platforms for instant insights. Alex also teaches Digital Strategy and AI at NYU and Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business, focusing on MBA/MS programs.
Matthew Rappaport
Matthew Rappaport, Co-Chair of Tax at Falcon Rappaport & Berkman, specializes in tax planning for real estate, private equity, and closely held businesses. Known for innovative solutions in 1031 Exchanges and Opportunity Zones, Matthew guides clients in structuring and compliance. He serves ultra-high-net-worth families and collaborates across financial disciplines.
Paula Campbell Roberts
Paula Roberts, KKR’s Chief Investment Strategist for Global Wealth, advises on macroeconomics and private asset allocation. With two decades in investment strategy and economics, Paula chairs KKR’s Global Wealth Investment Council and drives inclusion initiatives. A Yale and Harvard alum, she serves on prominent boards like the NYC Ballet and advises the Federal Reserve.
Richard Rudolph
Rich Rudolph, Founder of Rudolph Capital, brings 25+ years of experience acquiring and managing family businesses. Formerly with Bradford Equities, he has overseen $400M+ in acquisitions, building trusted relationships with business owners. Rich holds degrees from St. Bonaventure and Boston College and resides in Connecticut with his family.

Andrew Wenger
Andrew is principal at Sandton Capital Partners where he focuses on investments in distressed debt, special situations, private credit, and structured asset backed opportunities. Prior to Sandton, he was a Senior Associate at Obsidian Point Partners where he focused on industrial platform acquisitions in the lower middle market. Before finance, he was a professional soccer player in Major League Soccer. Andrew is a graduate of Columbia Business School and Duke University where he majored in history.
Summit Committee

Deborah Agrafojo

Jeffrey Berkman

Jill Braunstein

Jason Correia

Terry Hannafin
Terry Hannafin, Partner at Carter Morse & Goodrich, advises family-owned businesses on M&A transactions. With 15+ years in deal execution across industries, he serves on boards for Exit Planning Exchange and AM&AA. A Boston College alum and former NCAA athlete, Terry is deeply involved in youth sports and resides in Connecticut with his family.
Diane Johnston
Diane Johnston, XPX Tri-State Chairperson and SVP of Wealth Management at UBS Financial Services, navigates complex financial landscapes to assist business owners and small institutional plans (ERISA/E&F) in wealth management. With over two decades of expertise, she provides tailored financial strategies, tackling regulatory, tax, and investment challenges. Diane's passion lies in empowering clients to connect with their wealth and optimize outcomes, especially for endowments and foundations. A Long Island resident, Diane enjoys sailing, exploring new sports, and indulging her artistic pursuits through writing, painting, and sketching.

Jeanette Jordan

Danielle Kelly
James Knoebel
