Most investors spend decades in the same lane — stocks, 401(k)s, and maybe some real estate — without realizing how much of the investment landscape they’re missing. This session explores what it looks like to shift from a traditional retirement mindset to a full-scale, self-directed portfolio strategy, opening the door to private debt, private equity, energy, crypto, minerals, and aviation assets. The real unlock is building a clear asset-allocation framework and pairing it with the right structures to execute — turning a static retirement plan into a dynamic portfolio built to work.

What you’ll learn in this presentation:

• How to transition from a traditional investment mindset to a full-scale, self-directed portfolio strategy
• How to build an objective-driven asset allocation framework across diverse alternative asset classes
• How to evaluate new opportunities using due diligence, network expertise, and risk planning
• How to manage your self-directed IRA like a business — with a balance sheet, P&L, cash flow statements, and quarterly reviews
• How to plan exit strategies and calculate ROI before you invest

Stephen Lines is the current Chief Business Development Officer for Consumer Science North, LLC. Consumer Science North represents a new and novel platform for multi-channel asset management with a focus on being the market leader in innovative value creation and long-term investing strategy.

In his previous role with Syneos Health, he served as Vice President of Business Development and the Global Executive Leader for Consulting. Stephen was responsible for the company’s increasing development and expansion into high-growth pharma and biotechnology avenues both domestically and internationally.

Stephen has twenty-five plus years of business development and pharmaceutical commercialization experience, working for AstraZeneca, Abbott Laboratories and Bayer. He has a proven leadership track record in product development and commercialization. He has led acquisition efforts for key strategic assets and their further commercialization.

From 2014 to 2021 Stephen lead the Minnesota-based Executive Board for Health Partners Hospitals. His focus on philanthropy and community service lead to facility improvements at regional hospitals across the Twin City and MN/WI River Valley. Stephen believes that capitalism comes with a conscious, and with increasing success the give back should go hand in hand.

Stephen holds multiple degrees from the University of Minnesota, Keller School of Management, and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Graduating with honors in both academics and athletics from the University of Minnesota.