Invest For a Cause with Invest For Kids

Don't miss your chance to participate in Chicago's investable ideas conference benefiting local children. Noted for being the city's “premiere investable ideas event,” Invest For Kids is scheduled to take place on November 9 at the Harris Theater in downtown Chicago. Created with the goal of improving the lives of children, Invest For Kids was founded by Ron Levin and Ben Kovler. They were inspired to create the event after attending the Ira Sohn Conference Foundation in New York. With more than 750 attendees in 2010, the second annual Invest For Kids raised in excess of $1,000,000. “We are proud that Invest For Kids is emerging as one of the most prominent investment conferences in Chicago,” Levin said in a press release. “Ben and I are focused on putting together an ultra-high quality roster of speakers, and this year's group is as strong as we've ever had.” Adds Kovler, “The timing of this year's event is quite interesting given the volatility of the current investment environment. I think all of the participants will be particularly interested in our speakers' current views and best ideas.” This year's speakers include:

• Leon Cooperman, Omega Advisors
• Michael Elrad, GEM Realty Capital
• John L. Keeley Jr., Keeley Asset Management Corp.
• Marc Lasry, Avenue Capital Management
• Michael Milken, The Milken Institute
• Richard Perry, Perry Partners
• Barry Rosenstein, JANA Partners
• Thomas A. Russo, Gardner Russo & Gardner
• Barry Sternlicht, Starwood Capital Group
• Sam Zell, Equity Group Investments

Co-founders Levin and Kovler have quite an extensive background, with Levin serving as a Managing Director in the Private Wealth Management group at Goldman Sachs GS. Levin is also in charge of the investment committee for Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, and is a member of the investment committee of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Kovler co-manages investments for his family office and family foundation in Chicago. He also co-authored Fundrum My Conundrum: A Book of Riddles, sits on the board and investment committee for Providence St. Mel School, and sits on the scholarship committee at the Jewish United Fund. Follow me @LouisBedigian