2026 Momentum: Independent Growth Meeting

Travis Brewer

Travis Brewer is vice president, senior business consultant for Institutional Wealth Management Services, which offers wealth management professionals and firms access to the investment, technology, and platform solutions they need to serve their investor clients and grow their businesses. Institutional Wealth Management Services is a part of Fidelity Investments, a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing, and other financial products and services to institutions, financial intermediaries, family offices, and individuals.

In this role, Mr. Brewer is responsible for consulting with broker-dealers and registered investment advisors (RIAs) on optimizing their business through business strategy development and execution, enhancing their client experience, and best practices for developing and engaging team members and improving firm efficiency.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Brewer served as a business consultant at Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions, at Charles Schwab Advisor Services, and TD Ameritrade Institutional. He also spent time with a Texas-based broker-dealer, HD Vest Financial Services, managing an advisor development program. Mr. Brewer has played pivotal roles in guiding RIAs and advisors towards operational excellence and sustainable growth. His expertise spans business strategy formulation, client experience design, and public speaking, where he has delivered impactful presentations to thousands, enhancing industry practices.

Mr. Brewer earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University. He also holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series licenses 7 and 63, as well as the Certified Financial Planner™ designation.

Robert Cooper Ph.D.

Robert Cooper, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist, New York Times bestselling author (with over 4 million books sold), and a leading high-performance business strategist.

He serves as CEO of Upwire®: High Performance Neuroscience (www.Upwire.io), a leading-edge neuroscience and data technology platform, and as CEO Cooper Strategic, a global consulting firm that draws on a peak performance database with more than one million leaders, professionals, and teams. He brings a long history of working with elite performers and top leaders using neuroscience to get the most out of their brains, their time, and their performance. His global team includes neuroscientists, leadership and teamwork researchers, Tier One Navy SEALs, veterans of Delta Force, fighter pilots, and world record-setting athletes.

For five straight years he was the highest-rated faculty member in the Lessons in Leadership Distinguished Speaker Series sponsored by top universities and business schools. He is the founder and senior mentor of the acclaimed 12 Leaders® program.

Called “a national treasure” by Professor Emeritus Michael Ray, Ph.D., of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Cooper emphasizes scientifically based insights, ultra-practical tools, counterintuitive wisdom, and disciplined metrics.

From industry nominations, experts, and an independent panel of judges interviewing CEOs, Cooper was named one of the “Most Influential Thinkers” for his impact on leadership and people strategy—“a definitive list of the top influencers who challenge conventional thinking, are visionary and transformational, bring credibility both inside and outside the business, command the respect of peers and key stakeholders, and add real value to the business.” He and his colleagues have developed the first scientific scoring grids for rising star companies, breakthrough leaders, and elite teams.

In a survey of leaders and professionals from more than 90 organizations, his work was compared to 20 widely known leadership authorities and top speakers. Cooper rated highest on every scale, including value, usefulness, applicability, delivery, and overall results. In an independent rating by the Global Senior Management Interchange, the value of Cooper’s work was rated at 4.9 out of 5.0.

As an invited Thought Leader, he has lectured at the Stanford Business School, Stanford Executive Program, Management Centre Europe, Ruling Companies Association (Italy), Leadership Trust (U.K.), and IMD. For a decade he served as a Fellow at the Silicon Valley World Internet Center. For three decades he has been certified as an instructor by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Cooper earned his Bachelor of Science degree with honors at the University of Minnesota. His first Ph.D. was in general psychology—with an emphasis on behavior change and leadership—and he earned a second Ph.D. in leadership and learning at University College London, ranked #1 in the world in leadership education and social sciences research by the QS World University Rankings. His original research centered on where learning and initiative intersect in the brains, goals, behavior, life, and work of high-performing leaders and entrepreneurs.

Cooper’s books—including Executive EQ: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership & Organizations, The Performance Edge, The Other 90%: How to Unlock Your Vast Untapped Potential for Leadership and Life and Get Out of Your Own Way: Five Keys to Surpassing Expectations— have sold over 6 million copies and appeared on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Business Week bestseller lists. The Other 90% reached #3 of the Top 100 Books on Amazon. USA Today named him “the ultimate business guru.”

Business leaders, top thinkers, and everyday readers and listeners have used words like “inspirational,” “extraordinary,” “cutting edge,” and “life-changing” to describe the impact and enduring value of Cooper’s work. His leadership and neuroscience teachings have drawn millions of readers and fans. His latest discoveries are on upwire.io.

Cooper and his colleagues have designed and delivered keynotes and leadership development programs for many executive teams and organizations, including: GM, Intel, Qualcomm, Barclays, Apple, Nike, Virgin, Google, Amazon, Amcor, Audi, Philips, 3M, Coca-Cola, BMW, Cisco, Accenture, Morgan Stanley, American Express, Verizon, Merrill, Northwestern Mutual, Wells Fargo, UBS, CalPERS, AC Nielsen, Capital One, Diageo, TIAA-CREF, Novartis, Hilton, Deloitte, American Hospital Association, YPO, Ford, Methodist Hospitals, FedEx, NASA, Department of Veterans Affairs HealthCare System, Idaho National Laboratories, HP, Hyatt, Seagate Technology, BSB Design, MetLife, ConAgra, McCann, IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, The Capital Group, and Infosys.

Cooper is a member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, Association for Psychological Sciences, Society for Psychophysiological Research, Cognitive Science Society, American College of Sports Medicine, NeuroLeadership Institute, Society for the Study of Motivation, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, and the Society for the Teaching of Psychology.

He served for six years as a U.S. Marine. He is a jet pilot. An All-American swimmer, he won the University of Michigan’s Honor Trophy Award for “outstanding achievement in scholarship, athletics, and leadership.”

Scott Eckel

Scott Eckel joined Schwab’s Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs in March 2012, and has more than two decades of policy experience in Washington, D.C. In his role at Schwab, Scott engages with policymakers, both on Capitol Hill and in the regulatory agencies, on issues of importance to Schwab and its clients in the areas of financial services, banking, market structure, tax, retirement, cybersecurity and privacy.

Scott came to Schwab after serving in senior policy roles in Congress for Members of both the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees.

Scott is a graduate of Duke University. He resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and six children.

Aaron Mulvihill

In this role, Aaron is responsible for delivering timely market and economic insights to institutional and retail clients, focusing on alternative investments. He is also responsible for publications such as the Guide to Alternatives.

Prior to joining J.P. Morgan in 2024, Aaron worked for global infrastructure solutions provider CRH for 12 years and KPMG for 2 years. He has held M&A, finance and operating roles across Europe, Australia and the U.S. As a regional divisional finance leader, he had responsibility for more than 25 manufacturing facilities, and in P&L and operating roles, directly managed a number of large-scale facilities supplying the water, energy and communication infrastructure markets. He also has significant emerging markets experience particularly in Eastern Europe.

Aaron graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, with a B.A. in European Studies. He is conversational in Russian and French as well as his native English. He is a CFA Charterholder and a Chartered Certified Accountant.

Mike Shannon

Mike Shannon is CEO of Impruve, an applied AI engineering firm exclusively focused on wealth management that pioneered the method of AI Stewardship and co-commissions the State of AI in Wealth Management research with Future Proof. Before Impruve, Mike founded and led Packback, a leading instructional AI company, through its acquisition in 2024. As a Partner at Impruve, Mike spends his days in executive strategy and AI architecture sessions across upper and middle-market RIAs.

David Jones

David Jones, Director, is a Senior Investment Strategist on the BlackRock Investment Strategy Team for the Americas. By meshing market signals with product solutions, the team seeks to deliver actionable insights on macro trends, investor positioning, and efficient implementation. Prior to joining BlackRock in 2022, David was Global Investment Strategist and Director at Bank of America Securities. His other professional experiences include serving at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 6 years as Senior Financial Economist in the Monetary and Capital Markets Division and working on the Desk of the New York Fed’s Markets Group from 2006 to 2014.David holds a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University and a Bachelors in Economics from University of Chicago.

2026 Momentum

Independent Growth Meeting

Wednesday, October 14 – Friday, October 16

Join us this fall for the inaugural 2026 Momentum Meeting, a premier event created exclusively for independent advisors. Step away from the day-to-day to connect with peers, gain fresh perspectives and invest in the future of your business.

Event Info

2026 Momentum

Welcome to the 2026 Momentum Meeting in Dallas—your time to connect with fellow advisors, share fresh ideas and renew your focus.

Every session, conversation and connection is a chance to serve better, empower more and inspire action.

Arrive on Wednesday, October 14, in time for:

Registration: 3 – 7 p.m.

Momentum is intended for Mariner Independent advisors only. You’re expected to attend all sessions and evening events. Guests are not permitted at any official programming.

Evening Events

Each night at 2026 Momentum brings a new way to connect, unwind and celebrate our shared purpose.

Welcome Reception | Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 6 – 8 p.m.

We will kick off 2026 Momentum with an evening at Vincent’s, a stunning sky bar on the 11th floor of the JW. Enjoy great food, refreshing drinks and meaningful conversations as you reconnect with colleagues, meet new peers and get excited for the days ahead.

Sponsored by Fidelity Investments

Networking Happy Hour | Thursday, Oct. 15 | 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Take a break after the day’s sessions and join us for cocktails, light bites and casual networking. It’s the perfect opportunity to continue conversations, make new connections and recharge before the evening’s events.

Sponsor Dine-Arounds at local restaurants | Thursday, Oct. 15 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy dinner at one of the area’s top local restaurants, hosted by our top sponsors. These predetermined small-group gatherings offer a relaxed setting to build relationships, share ideas and experience the local dining scene.

Sponsored by Fidelity Investments, Capital Group, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, BlackRock and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Venue Info

Momentum will be held at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District, a luxury hotel located in the heart of one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. With modern accommodations, exceptional amenities and easy access to Dallas’s renowned arts, dining and entertainment scene, it’s the ideal backdrop for an engaging and memorable conference experience.

During your stay, enjoy:

Expansive meeting spaces designed for collaboration and networking
A heated rooftop pool with private cabanas
Exceptional dining and lounges just steps from your guest room
Walkable access to the Dallas Arts District’s museums, restaurants and attractions

Travel & Accomodations

We’ll book your room based on the dates you provide during registration. Please do not make a reservation yourself.

You are welcome to fly into whatever airport best accommodates your needs. JW Marriott is 15 minutes from Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL). Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is 25 minutes from JW Marriott. Transportation is not provided.

Agenda

This year’s dynamic agenda brings 2026 Momentum to life with engaging general sessions designed to inspire, inform and empower your business. Hear from Mariner Independent advisor panels, industry guest speakers and Mariner associates as they share practical insights, proven strategies and real-world experiences you can put into action.

Between sessions, take advantage of opportunities to connect with fellow advisors, engage with Mariner associates and visit with our sponsors. Whether you’re exchanging ideas, expanding your network or discovering new resources, every conversation is an opportunity to learn and grow.

View Agenda

Guest Speakers

Travis Brewer

Vice President, Senior Business Consultant, Fidelity Investments

Robert Cooper Ph.D.

Neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author

Scott Eckel

Managing Director, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Aaron Mulvihill

Executive Director, Global Alternatives Strategist, J.P. Morgan Asset Management

Mike Shannon

CEO of Impruve

David Jones

Director, Senior Investment Strategist, BlackRock

FAQs

Where do I get hotel information?

2026 Momentum takes place at JW Marriott in Dallas. All events and lodging are at the hotel. You’ll receive your hotel confirmation before the event.

What should I wear?

Business casual is recommended for all conference sessions and evening events.

How do I get to/from JW Marriott?

Transportation is not provided. All standard rideshare options (Uber, Lyft, local taxi services) are available and can transport you to and from the airport.

Is there a fitness center at JW Marriott?

Yes. JW Marriott has a 24 hour fitness center which is included with your hotel stay.

Where do I get my name badge?

You must check in and pick up your badge before attending any sessions or evening events. You can pick up your name badge on Wednesday from 3 – 7 p.m.

Can I post on social media about Momentum?

Yes! If you use Hearsay, we encourage you to share photos and insights during the event using #Momentum2026. Show your clients your commitment to professional growth!

Travis Brewer

Robert Cooper Ph.D.

Scott Eckel

Aaron Mulvihill

Mike Shannon

David Jones

Event Info

2026 Momentum

Evening Events

Venue Info

Travel & Accomodations

Agenda

Guest Speakers

Travis Brewer

Robert Cooper Ph.D.

Scott Eckel

Aaron Mulvihill

Mike Shannon

David Jones

Sponsors

FAQs

Where do I get hotel information?

What should I wear?

How do I get to/from JW Marriott?

Is there a fitness center at JW Marriott?

Where do I get my name badge?

Can I post on social media about Momentum?