Inside the LUMINARIES Program: Methodology

All nominations are reviewed by our editorial team using the criteria posted online. Out of hundreds of submissions, a percentage of candidates are selected as finalists, with a large number of nominations being excluded.

The criteria for the selection of finalists and winners include: the nominee’s qualitative and quantitative impact on the firm, its advisors, the broader professional community, industry and investors nationwide; a demonstrated ability to achieve goals and display ingenuity in terms of creative thinking and problem solving — i.e., filling a significant gap — and to serve the best interests of investor clients and the broader community in which they live and work; and a personal commitment to the highest ethical standards, service and excellence.

The Judging Process for Winners

An independent judging panel of 12 industry experts reviews the list of finalists and selects the winners, which represent a small percentage of the finalists. The judges include widely respected and diverse leaders from across the industry. 

The selected winners are honored at an awards ceremony to highlight their achievements and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Coverage Plan

LUMINARIES finalists and winners are highlighted through a year-round coverage plan on ThinkAdvisor.com and in Investment Advisor magazine, designed to celebrate their achievements as well as to offer advice and best practices for moving the industry forward.

A biweekly editorial briefing highlights leaders from the year’s LUMINARIES class, selected based on editorial merit and the power of their individual stories.