C-Circle: Economic Outlook 2025

2025 Economic Outlook – Year of Opportunity and Optimism?

What a difference a year makes! As we entered 2024, uncertainty loomed, but as we look ahead to 2025, optimism is taking center stage.

Join us for an exclusive discussion with Silicon Valley’s top C-level executives as we explore the key economic and market trends shaping the year ahead. Our expert panel will provide insights, predictions, and strategic perspectives on critical topics, including:

✅ The impact of the new administration on business and markets
✅ The trajectory of interest rates and their influence on economic growth
✅ Inflation trends and the potential effects of tariffs on global trade
✅ The long-awaited reopening of the IPO market—is this the year?
✅ The M&A and venture capital landscape—what’s next for dealmaking and investment?

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights, connect with industry leaders, and prepare for a year of growth and innovation.

SPEAKERS:

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Eddie Ackerman, Finance Operating Partner @ Thomvest Ventures

Eddie Ackerman is the Finance Operating Partner at Thomvest Ventures, where he plays a crucial role in shaping the financial strategies of portfolio companies. He acts as the interim VP of Finance during transition periods, provides financial advisory services to early-stage portfolio companies, collaborates with finance professionals within the portfolio, and oversees the Financial Operations of Thomvest Ventures itself.

Before his current role at Thomvest, Eddie was the Head of Finance at Styra, a Series B cloud-native authorization startup. His responsibilities at Styra included financial planning and reporting, cash flow management, budgeting, cross-organizational data analysis, pricing strategy, and leading product-led growth initiatives. Prior to Styra, Eddie served as the Head of Financial Analysis at Thomvest. Earlier in his career, he was a key member of the Strategic & Corporate Finance team at Encino, joining as employee #7, where he led financial acquisition analysis, corporate forecasting, and financial LP reporting.

Eddie's career began as an Investment Banking Analyst at Deutsche Bank, specializing in mergers and acquisitions for exploration and production companies. He holds a BBA with High Honors in Finance and Accounting from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas and an MBA from Stanford University. Additionally, Eddie sits on the board of Avalanche Technologies, a provider of radiation-resilient non-volatile memory products.

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Paul Single, Senior Economist @ City National Bank

Mr. Single joined City National Rochdale in 2003 and has 40 years of experience managing investment portfolios. He is responsible for the research, analysis, and implementation of various core-taxable fixed income strategies. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Strategy Committee, the group that determines the most appropriate balance of investments for clients’ portfolios. Additionally, he is a member of City National Bank’s Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO), which is the risk-management group that evaluates, monitors, and approves practices relating to the banks’ balance sheet and capital structure. Mr. Single is a frequent lecturer on the economy and investments, and is a contributing author for the monthly and quarterly economic reports.

Prior to joining City National, Mr. Single managed fixed income portfolios at Wells Fargo Bank/Wells Capital Management and at the Benham Management Group, which is now part of the American Century Family of Funds. He enjoys time outside with his wife and two young boys, cycling, sailing, and especially hiking in Yosemite National Park.

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Brian C. Wheeler, Partner @ Foley & Lardner LLP

Brian Wheeler is a seasoned strategic advisor with decades of experience providing legal and business guidance to clients across a wide variety of industries. Both Brian’s work in private practice and his in-house career have given him an extensive background in M&A —particularly cross-border M&A — transactions involving venture-backed companies in the technology and life sciences sectors, growth equity, private equity, and fund structuring.

Brian’s legal acumen extends beyond private practice to his significant in-house tenure at companies on the cutting-edge of the technological revolution. The former general counsel and head of corporate development of Heni, an international technology and art services company, Brian spent five years at SoftBank Investment Advisers, where as managing partner and general counsel he was involved in all aspects of the firm’s formation, expansion, operations, and management, particularly with regards to fund formation, fundraising, fund regulatory matters, and LP relations. At Softbank, Brian led a global team to design a structure for the Softbank Vision Fund, the world’s largest technology-focused investment fund at over US$130bn in invested capital.

Prior to moving in-house, Brian was a partner at a global law firm in its Palo Alto office. Proficient in Japanese, Brian previously practiced in Tokyo for seven years and in London for four years.

MODERATOR:

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ANDY ARMSTRONG

Audit Partner - Armanino LLP

Andy has over nineteen years of experience working with companies in computer software/SAAS and services, online/mobile advertising, professional services, manufacturing and distribution and life sciences. Andy specializes in working closely with venture and private equity-backed private companies in these sectors throughout their entire lifecycle from initial audits to their ultimate exit. Andy’s areas of technical expertise include: revenue recognition, stock-based compensation and complex debt and equity transactions. 

Pricing:

No Charge for ACGSV Members and Sponsors/Guests

$20 Other ACG Chapter Members

$50 Non-Members

Cancellation Policy:

Please note that if you cancel your attendance prior to 3 business days ahead of an event, a full refund can be requested. Please notify ACGSV via email to acgsv@acg.org. Unfortunately, any refund requests received within 3 business days of an event cannot be granted. We do not issue credits towards future events.