$100M Club: Top Female Advisors 2025

 

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Championing change: rewriting the rules

There’s no danger of celebrating women who succeed in the industry becoming cliché while they still face systemic barriers to earn a seat at the table. That’s why the achievements of InvestmentNews’ $100M Club: Top Female Advisors 2025 deserve even greater respect, with women estimated to make up less than 30 percent of the total national advisor body.

Together, the $100M Club represents a cohort of female advisors transforming the landscape of wealth management with their qualities, achievements, and forward-thinking strategies. They are setting new standards for client service, leadership, and innovation.

It’s not simply about making money for clients in the short-term, as a snapshot of the S&P 500 since 2024 to mid-2025 shows a steady rise, bar a two-month plummet due to political interference. The point being IN’s prestigious list showcases advisors who stand out even in an environment where asset prices have increased across the board, underlining their soft skills and ability to connect trust with clients as true difference makers.

A detailed analysis of the profiles of the members of IN’s $100M Club illustrates what sets these women apart and how they are driving their careers, and the industry, forward.

Integrity, empathy, and vision

At the heart of the Top Female Advisors’ their success is a blend of technical expertise and human qualities. They exemplify preparedness, organization, and ethical integrity, consistently putting clients’ needs first. These women are recognized for their analytical acumen and market knowledge, but equally for their ability to listen, empathize, and build trust.

Many are praised for guiding clients through life’s most vulnerable moments – widowhood, divorce, or loss – offering not just financial advice but emotional support and advocacy. This client-centric approach, where profitability is secondary to building lasting relationships, has earned them industry-wide respect and loyalty.

The ability to connect on a personal level is a recurring theme, with the Top Female Advisors being described as “cheerleaders” and “advocates” who spend countless hours educating clients and ensuring they feel supported. This extends to their teams as well, with a strong emphasis on mentoring, collaboration, and fostering inclusive environments.

Pathway to success

The achievements of these advisors are as diverse as they are impressive. Many hold advanced credentials – CFP®, CFA, CPA, CEPA – demonstrating a commitment to technical excellence. Their trajectories often involve breaking through barriers, from starting as interns or client associates, to rising to executive leadership.

Success is also measured by the impact on clients and the community. Those on the list routinely go beyond investment management, offering holistic financial planning, tax and estate strategies, and even concierge-level services. They are recognized for driving organic growth through referrals, expanding into new markets, and many are active in their communities, serving on boards, volunteering, and leading financial literacy initiatives, particularly focused on empowering women and underserved groups.

Innovation is another hallmark of the Top Female Advisors, many of whom have been early adopters of technology, integrating advanced tools to enhance client experience and streamline operations. They embrace new service models, such as outsourcing administrative tasks, to focus on high-value planning or launching specialized teams and initiatives.

Driving the industry forward

What truly distinguishes these women is their commitment to shaping the future of wealth management. They are not only leaders within their firms but also thought leaders in the broader industry, frequently speaking at conferences, publishing books, hosting podcasts, and mentoring the next generation. Their leadership is evident in initiatives to recruit and develop female talent, create succession plans, and foster diversity and inclusion at all levels.

Many have spearheaded strategic acquisitions, led successful mergers, or launched new business lines, demonstrating entrepreneurial vision and adaptability. Perhaps most importantly, these advisors are changing the face of the industry by proving that women not only deserve a seat at the table but excel when given the opportunity. They lead with authenticity, resilience, and a collaborative spirit, building firms that are flexible, client-focused, and poised for sustainable growth.

Standing out from the stereotypical white, gray-haired guy has driven Katie Pickler on.

She also has the added challenge of being seen in her own right and not as the daughter of David, the founder of the eponymous firm located in Tennessee.

“It’s been an evolution and I’m continuing to mimic what my dad has created by making sure that the people get the same level that they get with him, but they’re also getting something different because I’m not him,” Pickler says. “He is a human calculator and I can get you the same numbers, but I can’t rattle it off like he can. However, I’m really good at relationship building and making sure that I empathize with someone.”
 

What has allowed Pickler to make her own name is realizing that not all clients are going to suit her. She has developed discipline and focus since starting in the business.

“At first, I wanted to asset grab. I wanted to be everyone’s advisor, but I realized you’re not a fit for everybody. There are some people who just want to waste your time and are never really going to do anything with you,” explains Pickler.

Being a specialist enables Megan Dorn to offer a different perspective compared to most other advisors. With a strong foundation in tax, and due to her experience in preparing returns for years, her default setting is how decisions will impact the client’s bottom line.

She says, “I began expanding my financial knowledge in a more formal way. I completed my CFP designation in just eight weeks – a fast and focused deep dive that reflects how seriously I take this work. I also pursued my CLTC designation to better serve clients planning for long-term care needs.”

Dorn’s learning hasn’t stopped, as she invests by participating in mastermind groups, working with personal development coaches, taking advanced classes, and attending webinars.
 

Despite being so resolute in her dedication, Wisconsin-based Dorn did have a difficult start.

“I was a young woman – one of the few in a room full of middle-aged white men. At many industry events, I was often assumed to be someone’s assistant or secretary. It was a clear reminder that I didn’t fit the traditional mold of what a financial advisor was ‘supposed’ to look like,” she says.

However, colleagues had a more progressive attuite and supported Dorn to find her voice.

She adds, “They’ve championed me and my journey as a business owner, a mother, and a woman in finance. I’ve also built strong networks with other women advisors who are equally committed to lifting each other up.”

While a succession plan had been put in place, Angela Brill stepped up into the CEO role unexpectedly in March. The firm’s founder stood down ahead of schedule due to ill health, handing over the reins.

“One of the question marks was how the organization would react to a changing of the guard, even though I was at his right-hand side for many years,” she says. 

The extra responsibility was coupled with Brill also dealing with the loss of her sister. She adds, “I’m pretty proud that the business didn’t suffer and that I didn’t suffer.”

The challenge has been to transition clients with whom she has a strong bond to another advisor in the firm without feelings of abandonment and without risking breakage to the firm.
 

Brill continues to be involved in client affairs when executive duties allow.

“I told them you can lean on the other advisors for the day-to-day blocking and tackling, but I’m going to be there for the big, important conversations,” she says. “My clients have been overwhelmingly positive and I would say there’s a lot of high fives from the ladies. They think it’s absolutely awesome to see a woman rise up the ranks.”

She is also well aware that the wider industry now looks at her as a role model, as it’s rare to have a female CEO. That responsibility is something that Brill, who has a specialty as a Certified Divorce Financial Planner, embraces.

“Within my organization, I am looking to bring in and help younger women who want to be in this career and help them navigate it because it’s still a very male-dominated environment and, typically, young ladies aren’t raised steeped in money and finances.”

Even to those outside Prosperity Advisors, Brill is there to shine a light.

“It’s like a ladder – somebody helped you up, so you reach down and help somebody else. I think that’s important, I really do,” she says. 

A common attribute of the female advisors in the $100M Club is being able to connect and create empathy with clients.

Dorn, for example, didn’t start out in finance. She has a degree in psychology with a concentration in clinical counseling. This training, along with her passion for numbers, has enabled her to thrive.

“One of the biggest challenges I face is working in an industry where not all advisors put their clients’ best interests first. That can create skepticism and confusion for people who genuinely want help but don’t know who to trust,” she says. “I’m deeply committed to changing that by focusing on education, empowering people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and feel confident about their financial future, whether they work with me or not.”

Dorn demands the same ethical standards from her team members and her understanding of psychology means she doesn’t pressure or single-mindedly focus on sales.

She explains, “Creating and maintaining client trust is the foundation of everything I do, and honestly, it’s not something that can be rushed or forced. I don’t believe in sales tactics or tracking closing rates. My philosophy is simple: do the right thing for people, and trust will grow naturally from that. When clients know your intentions are genuine, they feel safe and that’s when real relationships begin.”

Brill also displays an ability to forge connections that are enabling her firm to operate better. Prosperity Advisors has grown from a single office in Kansas City to having six locations nationwide.

“For me, it’s how you expand the business while making people who aren’t at the headquarters feel part of the culture, have a sense of belonging, and feel incorporated into the business,” Brill says. “That’s a challenge I’m going to continue to face and lean into.”

Behavioral finance was an important part of Pickler completing her master’s degree in financial planning, which has given her an insight into the mindset behind investing. Some clients have even joked that meetings can sometimes be like enjoyable therapy sessions. However, Pickler is aware of where that line begins and ends.

She says, “We’re not therapists, but at the end of the day, it’s about what they are saying that they’re not saying. As advisors, we need a bit of a psychology background to really understand that.”

Again, playing to Pickler’s edge as an advisor is her previous experience at a nonprofit raising funds for type 1 diabetes. She has embraced a different dynamic but has pursued the drive to be a positive influence.

“I was worried I was going to miss that feel-good of making a difference. But quickly, I realized I can still have those wins by helping somebody save money for their kid’s college, be able to afford to buy the house or to make their financial goals happen,” she explains.

Since stepping into the CEO role, Brill has leveraged her data-driven mindset, which her predecessor was not as attuned to. Prosperity uses a selection of tech including anti-fraud platform Carefull, estate planning tool Wealth.com, and Jump as an AI notetaker.

Brill also brought on board a data analyst to integrate the information the firm receives from Cetera and Redtail.

“We have what we call a data warehouse, where I’ve got a tremendous number of reports available at the click of a button,” she says.

These changes enable Brill to see how profitable certain clients are and who’s serving them. That insight extends to any decisions to acquire other firms.

She explains, “If they are within our OSJ, I can see right into their practice and know everything I want to know about that firm. Whereas before, the data gathering was incredibly cumbersome as I’ve always been front and center on both the decision-making and the implementation of acquisitions.”

Pickler is similarly pioneering by extending her services to widows. For many advisors, they are an afterthought or an ignored demographic.

“Being a female is a huge asset because we still have a lot of people in society where their husband did all the finances and when the husband passes away, they are helpless. They do not know what to do,” she says.

Instead of a male advisor acting as a surrogate husband or father figure, Pickler stands shoulder to shoulder with these clients.

“With me, they have a female who’s empowering them and telling them they can do this.”

Pickler also uses her EQ inside the firm and leads an unreasonable hospitality workshop. The concept is to listen and be aware of little details and preferences that make a difference to clients.

“The biggest thing from the seminar is that we do not ever let someone know, ‘That’s not my job’. Instead, it should be, ‘How can I help you? I will get this done.’”

What truly sets the $100M Club apart is not the numbers, but the diversity in their approaches, as some focus on high-value relationships, while others on client volume or organic growth. There is no single formula for success, and the lack of direct correlation between assets managed, client base, and new client acquisition underscores the importance of adaptability and client-centricity.

Perhaps most importantly, these women are changing the face of wealth management by championing diversity, inclusion, and a client-first mindset. They prove that leadership is not about fitting a mold but about forging authentic connections and driving meaningful impact.

As more women rise to prominence in wealth management, the industry as a whole stands to benefit from their vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

$100M Club: Top Female Advisors

• Courtney Mahoney
  _{Kerrigan Mahoney Investment Group
  RBC Wealth Management}
• Crystal Garrett
  _{Tiras Wealth Management
  Ameriprise}
• Cynthia Duncan
  _{Summitry LLC}
• Cynthia McHugh
  _{The Clemens McHugh Financial Consulting Group
  RBC Wealth Management}
• Darcy Smoot
  _{Nelson Capital Management}
• Darla Kashian
  _{Nicollet Investment Group
  RBC Wealth Management}
• Eden Lopez
  _{LSS Group
  RBC Wealth Management}
• Eileen O’Connor
  _{Hemington Wealth Management}
• Elizabeth Thorley
  _{Thorley Wealth Management}
• Emily Boothroyd 
  _{Merit Financial Advisors}
• Emily Hazelroth
  _{Summitry LLC}
• Emily Weed
  _{Emerald Advisors}
• Gabrielle Clemens
  _{Impact/Clemens Private Wealth Management
  RBC Wealth Management}
• Gina Thompson
  _{Kinetix Wealth Group
  RBC Wealth Management}
• Heather J. Perlmutter
  _{Tocqueville Asset Management LP}
• Heather Krause
  _{Krause & Thorpe Wealth Management Team
  RBC Wealth Management}