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Honoring the winners
Hundreds of leading advisors, executives, and professionals in financial services gathered on June 25 beneath the chandeliers of the Edison Ballroom in New York City to celebrate the second annual InvestmentNews Awards and showcase the brightest talent shaping wealth management.
Veteran journalist Gregg Greenberg hosted the gala with his trademark wit and humor as the room recognized outstanding achievement across advisor services, technology, diversity, philanthropy, and leadership. Among the evening’s most illustrious attendees was Lifetime Achievement award-winner Ric Edelman, who co-founded Edelman Financial Services in 1986 and now leads the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals.
“This is unlike any other event; whereas most events are focused on industry trends and policy regulation, market anticipation, this event is an opportunity for the best and the brightest in the industry to come together to relax and celebrate the accomplishments that we have achieved, which are serving so many Americans across the country,” Edelman told InvestmentNews.
“I wish they didn’t call it a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award, because that kind of suggests I’m finished, but I think that I’m just getting started,” added Edelman, 67. “We’re heavily engaged in a great number of projects, and are expecting to be as busy over the next 40 years as we were over the past 40. I jokingly suggested that the award should be called ‘Achievement in Life So Far,’ rather than ‘Lifetime Achievement.’”
Even as temperatures reached 100 degrees on the day of the awards in Manhattan, the Times Square ballroom was buzzing with energy and anticipation as guests hoped to hear their name called.
“The vibe is intense,” Edelman said. “There is a lot of excitement in the room as people are being acknowledged and rewarded for their hard work and sacrifices, and it’s really an honor to be part of it.”
The next generation arrives
While Edelman was celebrated for his career that’s spanned four decades, others were recognized as newcomers representing the future of financial services. Winning the Osaic Award for NextGen Advisor of the Year was Sydney Woodward for her work at the San Francisco-based RIA Yeske Buie.
“I think young people have a superpower, which is time,” said Woodward, 26. “Getting clients and getting them comfortable and confident in their early years, and making those big decisions before they’re already further into their development is such a blessing. And it makes it easier when you’re sitting across with someone who maybe is more relatable.”
Woodward is part of the future of wealth management, which is increasingly transforming from its origins as a male-dominated industry. About $105 trillion is projected to be passed down from older generations over the next quarter century, with women expected to control more than ever before.
“Some of the big trends for me that I see is the rise of women in the industry. When I started, there were very few,” said Harmon Kong of Apriem Advisors, who won Regional Advisor of the Year – West. “Women are going to control the majority of the wealth, as men don’t live as long as women do. So, I think it’s a big trend that’s going to be evolving and developing, so firms who aren’t really paying attention to that may be left behind.”
CEO and president Rhonda Ducote leads Apriem Advisors, which also won RIA Team of the Year for the 10 Advisors or More category.
Advisors embrace conscious capital and alternatives
“I think this younger generation wants not just to invest for profit – they want to find investments that have some sort of social impact or social good,” added Kong. “I see social impact investing rising and becoming mainstream, and that’s very exciting, sort of conscious capitalism.”
Investing for social good is a priority for Envision Wealth’s James Brewer, who won Advisor of the Year for the ESG and Responsible Investing category. Brewer is passionate about investing in causes that protect the environment and animal rights, as well as supporting women and avoiding private prison investments.
“There are some people that believe that bottom-line investment is not the most important thing, but how they’re affecting the world and the future is more important,” said Brewer.
Other advisors awarded for their investment strategies include Thomas Ruggie, who won Advisor of the Year for the Alternative Investments category. His Florida-based firm, Destiny Family Office, has made direct investments into private companies focused on the technology and defense industries, including Anduril, SpaceX, xAI, and Tropic, a startup that uses AI to analyze and optimize a company’s spending and procurement processes.
“We’ve kind of taken the Harvard-Yale-type approach, at least for our high-network clients, which is we’re [allocating] 20 percent to 40 percent alternatives for clients; I’m personally like 40 percent,” said Ruggie. “We’re doing so much in the AI space, which really isn’t in the public markets at this point.”
A word from the editor
The InvestmentNews Awards brought together an exceptional group of professionals who are shaping the future of financial advice in the US. What stood out most throughout the evening was not only the individual achievements being recognized, but also the collective progress of a profession that continues to evolve and strengthen year after year.
The winners and Excellence Awardees featured in these pages reflect a wide spectrum of talent, ideas, and leadership. Their work highlights the many ways financial professionals are driving better outcomes for clients, advancing diversity and inclusion, and finding new solutions in an environment that is more complex than ever.
Equally important was the sense of community in the room. Colleagues and peers came together to recognize excellence, share in each other’s success, and acknowledge the broader purpose we all serve in building trust and supporting financial well-being.
We extend our congratulations to every honoree, and our thanks to the judges, sponsors, and partners who helped make this year’s awards possible. As you look through this guide, I hope you find not just stories of accomplishment, but also a clear picture of where our profession is heading.
Andy Burt
Managing Editor
InvestmentNews
Event highlights
Gallery
FEATURED WINNERS
AWARD CATEGORIES
Advisor of the Year – Alternative Investments
Winner
- Thomas Ruggie
Destiny Family Office
Excellence Awardees
- Brian Glenn
Premier Path Wealth Partners - Erick Rawlings
Fiduciary Trust International - Jeff Eulberg
Evergreen Gavekal - Marti Marache
Harbor Asset Private Wealth - Matthew Walker
Fortitude Family Office - Nikhil Kumar
Hartree Partners - Stephanie Petrosini
Morgan Stanley
Advisor of the Year – ESG/Responsible Investing
Winner
- James Brewer
Envision Wealth
Excellence Awardees
- Bud Sturmak
Perigon Wealth Management - Jane Swan
Veris Wealth Partners - Jason Britton
Reflection Asset Management - Jeffrey R. Kingzett
Ameriprise Financial - Maggie Kulyk
Chicory Wealth - Jane Swan
Veris Wealth Partners - Nick Cantrell
Green Future Wealth Management
Advisor of the Year (Regional – Mid-West)
Winner
- Sam Huszczo
SGH Wealth Management
Excellence Awardees
- Bryan Bibbo
JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management - Eva Stukenberg
Thrivent - James Hegland
Hegland Mainz Financial - Jane LaLonde
LaLonde Wealth Advisor Group - Jonathan Smucker
Marietta Investment Partners - Susan Sukys
Mosaic Financial Group
Advisor of the Year (Regional – Northeast)
Winner
- Dennis Morton
Morton Brown Family Wealth
Excellence Awardees
- Garrett Taylor
Coastline Wealth Management - Gideon Drucker
Drucker Wealth - Gregory Fortier
Centinel Financial Group - John Sklencar
Physicians Private Client Group - Mark Jones
Fiduciam Financial - Lisette Cooper
Fiduciary Trust International - Michael Lehman
Premier Path Wealth Partners - Tim Hamilton
Compound Planning
Advisor of the Year (Regional – Southeast)
Winner
- Dave Alison
Alison Wealth Management
Excellence Awardess
- Abigail Bennett
Verum Partners LLC - Damon Lichtenberger
North Star Resource Group - Gayle Canini
Employee Benefits Administration, Inc. - Padric Scott
Crossroad Capital Partners - Shannon Reintgen
Koss Olinger - Timothy Roark
Koss Olinger - Yusuf Abugideiri
Yeske Buie Inc.
Advisor of the Year (Regional – Southwest)
Winner
- John Loyd
The Wealth Planner
Excellence Awardees
- Alejandro Behrens
Maximai Investment Partners - Kim-Ha Nguyen
U.S. Capital Wealth - Kirk Badii
Badii Group Private Wealth Management - Mark Connely
Wealth Design Group (Park Avenue Securities) - Misty Garza
Bogart Wealth - Scott Van Den Berg
Century Management Financial Advisors - Sofia Hernandez
Thrivent
The Independent Financial Group Award for Advisor of the Year (Regional – West)
Winner
- Harmon Kong
Apriem Advisors
Excellence Awardees
- Dustin Blodgett
Insight Capital Management - Kristin Bartlow
Journey Strategic Wealth - Matt Iantosca
Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management - Michelle Perry Higgins
California Financial Advisors - Terry Parham Jr.
Innovative Wealth Building - Tyler Williamson
Capita Financial Network - William Coughlin
Alpha Capital Family Office
Award Sponsor
Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG) is a privately held, independent broker-dealer headquartered in San Diego, CA. For over 22 years, IFG has delivered exceptional support and service to financial advisors in a truly independent environment. The firm offers personalized resources—including branding, marketing, education, practice development, and succession planning—designed to help advisors grow their practices and serve clients more effectively.
IFG fosters a family-oriented, call-center-free culture where service is never compromised. The firm is also deeply committed to community impact, with ongoing charitable support for youth and families across Southern California.
Asset Manager of the Year
Winner
- Ares Wealth Management Solutions
Excellence Awardees
- Beacon Capital Management
- Calamos
- J.P. Morgan Asset Management
- Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management
- Research Affiliates
- WisdomTree
Broker-Dealer/Custodian of the Year
Winner
Excellence Awardees
- Apex Fintech Solutions
- Axtella, LLC (BDs: Sigma Financial Corporation and Parkland Securities, LLC)
- Cambridge Investment Group
- Goldman Sachs
- Independent Financial Group, LLC
- Interactive Brokers
- Osaic
- Park Avenue Securities
DEI Organizational Effort of the Year
Winner
- Janus Henderson Investors
Excellence Awardees
- SignatureFD
- The American College of Financial Services
- Zenith Wealth Partners
DEI Trailblazer of the Year
Winner
- Cary Carbonaro
Ashton Thomas Private Wealth
Excellence Awardees
- Brandon Dixon-James
Resilient Wealth Management - Chad Cooper
Gateway Financial Advisors, LLC - Chelsea Ransom-Cooper
Zenith Wealth Partners - Colleen Bell
Cambridge Investment Group - Markell Byrd
Wells Fargo - Sandra Cho
Pointwealth Capital Management - Thomas Brigandi
Thomas Brigandi Foundation
The Thrivent Award for Employer of Choice
Winner
- Cambridge Investment Group
Excellence Awardees
- Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments
- Research Affiliates
- RFG Advisory
- Sanctuary Wealth
- SEIA – Signature Estate and Investment Advisors
- SignatureFD
- Steward Partners
- Trajan Wealth
Award Sponsor
Thrivent is a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization offering advice, investments, insurance, banking and generosity programs and solutions to millions of clients nationwide. Founded more than 120 years ago, Thrivent helps people use their money as a tool to lead a life of higher purpose.
In addition to providing purpose-based financial advice, Thrivent supports and amplifies clients’ generosity efforts. This unique approach to generosity has created a ripple of positive impact in local communities – something unique among Fortune 500 companies. In 2023, Thrivent and its clients raised and donated more than $300M through Thrivent’s generosity programs while volunteering 14M hours in the communities where they live and work.
Excellence in Philanthropy and Community Service
Winner
- Jordan Toma
Prudential Advisors
Excellence Awardees
- Grant Rawdin
Wescott Financial Advisory Group - Hannah Moore
Amplified Planning - Harlan Fischer
Branch Financial Services, Inc. - Heidi Davis
Linscomb Wealth - Lance Knight
Ashton Thomas Private Wealth - Shannon Sedgwick Davis
Bridgeway Foundation - Shaun McDuffee
Twin Oak Advisors
Lifetime Achievement in the Wealth Management Industry
Winner
Most Innovative Use of Wealthtech
Winner
Excellence Awardees
- BlackRock
- Compound Planning
- Farther
- Fiduciary Trust International
- LPL Financial
- Prudential Advisors
- Raymond James
RIA Firm of the Year
Winner
Excellence Awardees
- Ashton Thomas Private Wealth
- Beacon Pointe Advisors
- Concurrent Investment Advisors
- EP Wealth Advisors
- Homrich Berg Wealth Management
- Mercer Advisors
- NewEdge
- Wealthcare
- Wealthspire Advisors
RIA Team of the Year (10 Advisors or More)
Winner
Excellence Awardees
- Adams Brown Wealth Consultants
- Bogart Wealth
- Caprock
- Journey Strategic Wealth
- Koss Olinger
- Opal Wealth Advisors
- Parcion Private Wealth
- Procyon Partners
- TFO Wealth Partners
RIA Team of the Year (Under 10 Advisors)
Winner
- Morton Brown Family Wealth
Excellence Awardees
- Connecticut Capital Management Group LLC
- CovingtonAlsina
- GRANTvest Financial Group
- Powers Advisory Group, LLC
- Satovsky Asset Management
- Signature Estate & Investment Advisors
- TradeWinds
- U.S. Capital Wealth
The Osaic Award for NextGen Advisor of the Year
Winner
- Sydney Woodward
Yeske Buie Inc.
Excellence Awardees
- Amanda Charles
Moxie Wealth Management - Christopher Stevenson
Forrest Financial Partners - Dinon Hughes
Nvest Financial - Gloria Garcia Cisneros
LourdMurray - Grace Bossert
Mercer Advisors - Jonathon Mason
Farther Finance - Patrick Marcinko
Bogart Wealth - Riley Saunders
Cassaday & Company, Inc
Award Sponsor
Osaic, Inc. (“Osaic”), a portfolio company of Reverence Capital Partners, is one of the nation’s largest providers of wealth management solutions, supporting approximately 11,000 financial professionals. Osaic’s mission is to empower entrepreneurial advisors to build thriving businesses and fulfill their clients’ dreams. Visit www.osaic.com to learn more.
The Park Avenue Securities Award for CEO of the Year
Winner
- Terry Rasmussen
Thrivent
Excellence Awardees
- Adam Malamed
Sanctuary Wealth - Andres Garcia-Amaya
Zoe Financial - Cammy Smith
Integrated Equity Management - David Lau
DPL Financial Partners - Greg Raines
TAG Advisors - Natalie Wolfsen
Orion - Rafael Loureiro
wealth.com - Rick Kent
Merit Financial Advisors - Thomas Carroll
Homrich Berg Wealth Management
Award Sponsor
Park Avenue Securities is The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America’s broker-dealer and corporate Registered Investment Advisor, offering clients an expanded suite of products and solutions to help them achieve well-being. With more than 2,400 registered financial advisors, the firm’s Assets Under Management surpassed $58 billion as of year-end 2024.
Wealthtech Provider of the Year
Winner
Excellence Awardees
- Advisor360°
- Advyzon
- AssetMark
- Envestnet
- FINIAT
- FusionIQ
- GeoWealth
- iCapital
- Jump
- Kwanti
- PureFacts
- Vestmark
Wholesaler of the Year
Winner
Excellence Awardees
- Gigi Norcross
Green Century Capital Management - Jeff Borrowman
1847Financial, LLC - Josh Gongaware
First Trust - Joy Harrison
Jackson National Life Distributors LLC
Methodology
Stage 1 – Nominations
The call for nominations was open to all wealth management professionals and organizations – including financial advisors, advisory brokerages, BDMs, fund providers, and service providers – from across the USA.
Nominations were accepted from December 2, 2024, to March 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
To submit a nomination, entrants visited the Nominate page of the website. There was no fee to submit a nomination.
Stage 2 – Research
The InvestmentNews Awards team conducted research and drew on knowledge and information gained through InvestmentNews to support and supplement nominations received and to ensure that no one deserving of recognition was missed. Excellence awardees were determined from both pools of information.
Stage 3 – Excellence Awardees
Once all nominations were considered and research was complete, excellence awardees were selected in each category (except the Lifetime Achievement category) and notified via e-mail or phone.
All excellence awardees were then invited to complete a detailed submission, providing an opportunity to address the category criteria in more detail. All submissions remained confidential unless otherwise marked and were not shared with any third parties other than the judges.
Excellence Awardees were officially announced in April 2025 on the event website and promoted in InvestmentNews magazine and online channels. Promo packages to leverage these achievements across marketing and promotions were made available for purchase.
Stage 4 – Judging
All submissions from the excellence awardees were forwarded to the independent judging panel comprising industry leaders and senior representatives. The panel assessed and voted for winners in each category according to the relevant category criteria.
Voting commenced in May 2025, and the judges’ decisions were impartial, balanced, incisive, and fair. Any judge with a conflict of interest in a category recused themselves from judging that category.
Stage 5 – Winners
Using a simple points system to aggregate judges’ votes, the excellence awardee with the top score in a category was named the winner.
Winners were announced at the awards show on June 24, 2025, and on the event website. They were also promoted in InvestmentNews. Promo packages to leverage these achievements across marketing and promotions were made available for purchase.
2025 Judging Panel
-
Chet Bennetts
Assistant Professor, Financial Planning and CFP®/ChFC Program Director
The American College of Financial Services -
Cheryl L. Evans
Director, MI Finance
Milken Institute -
Hossein B. Kazemi
Professor of Finance; Director, Center for International Securities & Derivatives
Center for International Securities & Derivatives Markets/University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management -
Karin Levi
Head of Financial Services Marketing
LinkedIn (North America) -
Lindsey Lewis
Director and Chair of the American College Center for Women in Financial Services
The American College of Financial Services -
Darren Tedesco
President
Advisor360° -
Brian Thompson
Clinical Professor of Economics, Director of the Economics Undergraduate Program, Richard H. Driehaus College of Business
DePaul University -
Kara Valentine
Managing Director, HNW and RIA Strategy
The Rudin Group
2025 Sponsors
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