ThinkAdvisor is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Luminaries Awards, who were acknowledged on stage Thursday at the New York Hilton Midtown. Now in its fifth year, the Luminaries Awards showcase excellence in financial services and spotlight innovative contributions from both firms and individuals.
Among the firms that have been named 2025 Luminaries winners in multiple categories for outstanding achievement are the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Docupace, Mercer Advisors, Milemarker, Orion and RBC Clearing & Custody.
New Luminaries awards for 2025 included honors for chief investment, marketing and technology officer. Also, we expanded the awards to encompass industry categories from asset management to ultra-high-net-worth wealth management/family offices, as well as technology platforms, products and services focused on business development, financial planning, and investment management and operations.
In addition, this year's recognition program featured awards for thought leadership and education, industry innovation and disruption, achievement in marketing, and excellence in mergers and acquisitions. Plus, we honored outstanding Next-Gen Rising Stars and Luminaries with Heart for their community-focused efforts.
Out of the nearly 700 nominations received, the Luminaries judging panel selected 89 individual and firm winners, as well as 62 honorees in the Next-Gen Rising Stars and Luminaries With Heart categories. This year, 39 women were named as either winners or honorees,
In the afternoon before cocktails, dinner and the awards ceremony, ThinkAdvisor hosted an opening keynote discussion on what’s ahead for the wealth management industry in 2026. The VIP panel featured Dynasty Financial CEO Shirl Penney and Orion CEO Natalie Wolfsen, who were interviewed on stage by April Rudin, CEO of the Rudin Group and co-author of "Wealth Management With a Difference."
The panel was followed by roundtable discussions focused on the ups and downs of dealmaking, as well as how to tap next-gen talent for business growth; what’s next for AI and innovation; strategies for moving into high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth client segments; and new ways to make a difference and connect with clients seeking impact.
Both Penney and Wolfsen were named CEO of the Year in their respective industry categories during the evening ceremonies.
For detailed information about each of the 2025 Luminaries award winners, honorees and finalists, please visit our event site. Photos from the Dec. 4 events can be viewed in the 2025 image gallery.
This year’s winners and honorees are:
Advisory Support, Products and Services (Group 1)
Advisor Education
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
The American College of Financial Services
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
Nationwide Retirement Institute
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning Inc. (CFP Board Center for Financial Planning)
Charitable Giving/Philanthropy
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
TIFIN Give
Individual Honorees - Luminaries With Heart Award
Renee L. Baker, The RBI Group
Mark Delp, Impact Wealth Management
Ric Edelman, Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals
Danita Harris, CAP, GUICE Wealth Management
Sam Marks, FJC - A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds
Chris Vizzi, South Coast Investment Advisors
Compliance/Law Firms
Firm Award - Industry Disruption/Innovation
STP Investment Services Inc.
Consultants
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
Gladstone Connect
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
MarketCounsel Consulting LLC
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
FP Transitions
Recruitment Firms
Firm Award - Product, Service & Thought Leadership Innovation
BrokerHunter
Financial Advisory and Asset Management Firms (Group 2)
Advisor Support Platforms
Firm Award - Industry Disruption/Innovation
XY Planning Network
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Shirl Penney, Dynasty Financial Partners
Individual Award - CMO of the Year
Jennifer Geoghegan, Rise Growth Partners
Individual Award Honoree - Luminaries With Heart
Tina Powell, Intention.ly
Individual Award Honoree - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Andy Finnegan, Nebo Wealth
Asset Managers
Firm Award - Excellence in Marketing and PR
Ocean Park Asset Management
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
F/m Investments
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
PGIM
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Katie Koch, TCW
Individual Award - Chief Investment Officer of the Year
Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo, Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Individual Award Honoree - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Margaret A. Farquharson, Nationwide
Individual Award - Thought Leader of the Year
Seema Shah, Principal Asset Management
Broker-Dealers - Fewer Than 1,000 Advisors
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
Prospera Financial Services
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Billy Hopkins, Silver Oak Securities
Individual Award Honoree - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Katie Mohan, Prospera Financial Services
Broker-Dealers - Greater Than 1,000 Advisors
Firm Award - Excellence in Marketing and PR
LPL Financial
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
Raymond James
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
Prudential Advisors
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
Cetera Financial Group
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Marianne Caswell, Park Avenue Securities
Individual Award - Chief Investment Officer of the Year
Philip Blancato, Osaic
Individual Award Honorees - Luminaries With Heart
Jim Breen, Wells Fargo Advisors
Lindsay Haskins, Cambridge Investment Research Inc.
Marivic Dar, Prudential Advisors
Individual Award Honorees - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Nicolette Davicino, Armstrong, Fleming & Moore Inc.
Myles Zueger, Adams Wealth Partners-Raymond James
Individual Award - Thought Leader of the Year
Valerie Galinskaya, Merrill Center for Family Wealth
Custodians
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
TradePMR
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
RBC Clearing & Custody
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Jennifer Warren, Wilmington Trust
Individual Award - CTO of the Year
Noel Stave, RBC Clearing & Custody
Financial Planning/Tax Planning
Firm Award - Industry Disruption/Innovation
Drucker Wealth
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Heather Roberston Fortner, SignatureFD
Individual Award - CMO of the Year
Carolyn Sakstrup, Thrivent
Individual Award Honorees - Luminaries With Heart
Jason C. DiLauro, DWT Wealth
Brandon Dixon-James, Resilient Wealth Management
Phil Kim, Signature Wealth Concepts
David A. Pickler, Pickler Wealth Advisors
Heather Robertson Fortner, SignatureFD
Individual Award Honorees - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Justene Charlesworth, Charlesworth Financial Services
Cody Garrett, Measure Twice
Kyle R. Kuyat, Defining Wealth
Vinya Muso, Gagne Wealth Management
Katie Pickler, Pickler Wealth Advisors
Zackary Royce, Falcon Wealth Planning
Stephanie L. Van Albert, Moneco Advisors
Individual Award - Thought Leader of the Year
James Comblo, FSC Wealth Advisors
Insurance and Retirement Products
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
Human Interest
Individual Award - Executive of the Year
Brooks Tingle, John Hancock
Real Estate Investments
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
Veris Residential
RIAs - Less Than $10 Billion AUM/AUA
Firm Award - Excellence in Marketing and PR
Francis Financial Inc.
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
Prosperity Capital Advisors
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
Farther
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
intellicents
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
James Bogart, Bogart Wealth
Individual Award - Chief Investment Officer of the Year
Ryan Fleischer, Revolution Group LLC
Individual Award - CMO of the Year
Erin Taylor, Sowell Management
Individual Award Honorees - Luminaries With Heart
Tyson Ray, FORM Wealth Advisors
Mike Bisaro, StraightLine
Heidi Davis, Linscomb Wealth
Jeff Dobyns, SageSpring Wealth Partners
Maggie Kulyk, Chicory Wealth
Grant Rawdin, Wescott Financial Advisory Group
Jim D. Roberts, Jim Roberts Investment Advisors LLC
Emily Vennerstrom, NorthRock Partners
Individual Award - M&A Leader of the Year
David Wood, Gateway Financial Partners
Individual Award Honorees - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Elijah Essa, Essa Financial
Spencer Knickerbocker, Stonebrook Private
Kaitlyn Laney, Trek Wealth Solutions
Georgia Lord, Corbett Road
Aaron Moon, Inspire Advisors, LLC
Stephen Nicholas Jr., Northeast Private Wealth Management
Riley P. Saunders, Cassaday & Co.
Duke Schillaci, Elevation Point
Brian Keith Seymour II, Prosperitage Wealth
Adem Tumerkan, Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel
Brandon M. Wester, Longwave Financial
Tim Rodgers, 49 Financial
Individual Award - Thought Leader of the Year
Patricia Brennan, Key Financial Inc.
RIAs - More Than $10 Billion AUM/AUA
Firm Award - Excellence in Marketing and PR
Private Advisor Group
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
Mercer Advisors
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
Wealthspire Advisors
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Dave Welling, Mercer Advisors
Individual Award - Chief Investment Officer of the Year
Eric Sterner, Apollon Wealth Management
Individual Award - CMO of the Year
Kelly Coulter, Private Advisor Group
Individual Award - CTO of the Year
Mohan Gurupackiam, Steward Partners
Individual Award Honorees - Luminaries With Heart Award
Jake Daly, Newfront Retirement Services Inc.
Jon Jones, Brighton Jones
Charles Scarallo, Wealthspire Advisors
Hayley Wood Bates, Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA)
Individual Award - M&A Leader of the Year
Kay Lynn Mayhue, Merit Financial Advisors
Individual Award Honorees - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Ali Ahmadi, Newfront Retirement Services Inc.
Shinaola Atoro, Mission Wealth
Andrew Frattaroli, Wealthspire Advisors
Tom McNary, Mercer Advisors
John Rasic, Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA)
John Tidwell, North Star Resource Group
Individual Award - Thought Leader of the Year
Laura Mattia, Wealth Enhancement Group
TAMPs and Model Marketplaces
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Michael Kim, AssetMark
Individual Award - Chief Investment Officer of the Year
Tim Holland, Orion
UHNW Wealth Management/Family Offices
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
First National Wealth Management
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Brad Vineyard, Astra Wealth Management
Individual Award Honoree - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Oren Cabir, Kayne Anderson Rudnick
Individual Award - Thought Leader of the Year
Christopher A. Zook, CAZ Investments
Technology Platforms, Products and Services (Group 3)
Business Development
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
AssetLink
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
SmartAsset
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
Wealthtender
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Natalie Wolfsen, Orion
Individual Award Honoree - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Haley Connaughton, Franklin Templeton
Individual Award - Thought Leader of the Year
Kristen Luke, Kaleido Creative Studio
Client Engagement
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
FINNY
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
Snappy Kraken
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
Catchlight
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Parker Ence, Jump
Individual Award Honorees - Next-Gen Rising Stars
Eden Ovadia & Victoria Toli, FINNY
Financial Planning
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
Wealth.com
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
FP Alpha
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
eMoney Advisor
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
H. Adam Holt, Asset-Map
Individual Award - CMO of the Year
Abby Domine, Flourish
Investment Management
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
Alphathena
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
iCapital
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
Syntax Data
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
Lee Andreatta, Advyzon Investment Management (AIM)
Individual Award - CMO of the Year
Alex Cavalieri, CAIS
Individual Award - CTO of the Year
Tushad Driver, Alphathena
Operations
Firm Award - Industry Disruption
AdvicePay
Firm Award - Product or Service Innovation
Trust & Will
Firm Award - Thought Leadership and Education
F2 Strategy
Individual Award - CEO of the Year
David Knoch, Docupace
Individual Award - CMO of the Year
Ryan George, Docupace
Individual Award - CTO of the Year
Kailash Duraiswami, Milemarker
Individual Award - Thought Leader of the Year
Kyle Van Pelt, Milemarker
Marketing/PR Services
Firm Award - Digital Marketing Campaigns
Canoe Intelligence
Firm Award - Educational Programs
Franklin Templeton
Firm Award - Public Relations Campaigns
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning Inc. (CFP Board Center for Financial Planning)
(Credit: Adobe Stock)
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