As we enter the final days of March, I am excited to announce our fifth annual Top Women Industry Leaders, part of the Pathfinder Awards series, in celebration of Women’s History Month. Again, we honor excellence among women industry leaders and professionals while giving winners a platform to address issues of diversity and women’s advancement.
The Firms That Win From Here Won’t Be The Ones That Waited
Ryan George of Docupace explains why firms must take action to improve operations quickly rather than wait for certainty. He sets out three steps to decisive leadership, including separating signal from noise, setting a decision threshold and ensuring change reaches the frontlines.
George also explains how operational inefficiencies can harm valuations.
WSR Pathfinder Awards – Top Women Industry Leaders Of 2026
This year, the winners of the invitation-only awards are: Andree Mohr, President of Integrated Partners; Leslie Norman, Chief Technology Officer at Dynasty Financial Partners; Desireé Sii, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Accounts at AssetMark; Anne Marie Stonich, Chief Client Experience Officer of Coldstream; and Lisandra Wilmott, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Savvy Wealth.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding wealth management professionals.
Women In Wealth Management: Progress, Gaps And Imperatives
We asked the Pathfinder Award winners about glass ceilings, serving women clients, the Great Wealth Transfer to women and onboarding the Next Gen of female advisors and professionals.
Advancing women in wealth management isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a business imperative.
RIA Sellers Have More Options – But Buyers Are Getting Pickier
In my quarterly review of M&A, I explored how options for sellers are expanding while buyers are raising the bar with Nate Angelo of Composition Wealth, Bomy Hagopian of Berkshire Global Advisors, Pradeep Jayaraman of Bluespring Wealth and Jeff Nash of Bridgemark Strategies.
The maturing of wealth management M&A is bringing more analysis to purchases, more models for affiliation and a longer-term focus on firms’ strength.
Purposeful And Purpose-Filled Philanthropy
Deb Dubin of Moneta explains why advisors should want to add philanthropy to their practices, presents five steps to incorporate philanthropy into a practice and provides resources for advisors.
Dubin explains that building deliberate, meaningful philanthropy into client relationships strengthens the connections with clients and their families.
Beyond AUM – Redefining Advisor Success
Shehab Mohammad of Artisancap argues that success isn’t in asset numbers, but in balance, meaningful work and health, especially for the Next Gen.
Mohammad says that once true success is occurring in an advisor’s practice, asset growth will follow naturally.
Investments Roundup
This month’s roundup covers Morningstar on liquidity for private markets, Direxion’s research on leveraged funds, HFR’s report on hedge fund gains, AdvisorEngine’s TAMP, Envestnet’s interval funds and more.
Liquidity issues continue to raise concerns in the private markets space.
Deals & Recruiting Roundup
This week’s roundup covers minority stakes by Summit and Goldman Sachs; recruiting by RBC, Raymond James, Carson, LPL, Stratos and Cetera; Edelman’s ownership program; and appointments by F2, Perigon and Republic.
This was a strong week for recruiting of advisory businesses under $400 million.
JIFFYAI Launches AI Advisor Companion
JIFFYAI launched its AI Advisor Companion, a new solution designed to help advisors with client interaction and productivity.
The firm emphasized that its solutions now cover “the whole client lifecycle.”
iCapital Is Buying Annuity And Insurance Tech Firm Hexure
iCapital agreed to acquire annuity and insurance technology firm Hexure in a move the wealthtech firm said will help it develop an end-to-end annuity and insurance tech platform that connects to iCapital’s alternatives and structured investments platform.
iCapital said this move is in response to alts and insurance converging.
Summit Takes Minority Stake In $1.2 Billion New Jersey RIA
Summit Financial took a minority stake in Signet Financial Management, a $1.2 billion RIA based in Parsippany, New Jersey. Private investment firm Merchant Investment Management holds stakes in Summit and Signet.
Summit said this deal follows its strategy of investing in firms and providing technology, investment and planning capabilities, while allowing them to remain independent.
Goldman Sachs Invests $42.5 Million In GeoWealth
Tech-based TAMP GeoWealth extended its Series C funding with a minority investment from Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Family office The Global Resources Group retains majority ownership and Apollo, BlackRock, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and Kayne Anderson Capitol Advisors remain minority holders.
The firm said the capital would be used to provide liquidity for shareholders and to fund its growth.
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Larry Roth
CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
