In February, we always look forward to honoring the Top Black Industry Leaders in wealth management as part of our Pathfinder Awards series. However, we’ve witnessed less progress in advancing the Black community in wealth management than hoped when commencing the awards series in 2022. This year, we honor the winners while asking them to address the industry on why we’ve lagged in the last half decade.
WSR Pathfinder Awards – Top Black Industry Leaders Of 2026
WSR celebrates Black History Month by recognizing the fifth annual Top Black Industry Leaders as part of our Pathfinder Awards series, which honors excellence in underrepresented communities in wealth management.
This year’s winners are Kevin Beard, Chief Strategy Officer at WealthVest; Alex David, President and CEO at Equity Services; Robin Patin, Senior Director of Wealth Management at Choreo; Edward N. Walters, President of World Investment Advisors; and K. Orian Williams, Senior Field Director, Strategic Accounts at Pacific Life.
The Wealth Industry’s Diversity Paradox
Concurrently with the awards, we asked the winners to address why our industry is seeing a lack of progress and ways we can get back on track.
The winners spoke of financial education in grade school, instilling belief and access to wealth creation, measures to deepen the talent pool, continued DEI initiatives and more.
Industry Experts Address How Advisors Can Improve Personalization
Industry experts address how advisors can make personalization repeatable and scalable without causing problems for operations or compliance. Alex Laipple, Chief Growth Officer at Ethic; Yaela Shamberg, Chief Product Officer at Communify; and Ritik Malhotra, Founder and CEO at Savvy Wealth, shared their views.
AI is part of the answer, but the whole picture is much more complex.
AcquireUp’s CEO Explains Benefits Of Seminars
Speaking to WSR ahead of his firm’s Masterclass by AcquireUp event, Greg Bogich discusses how seminars and workshops can be effective growth tools for advisors. He also addresses estate planning, which has become a popular seminar topic.
According to Bogich, seminars can build an advisor’s authority, brand equity and credibility.
Where Growth Meets Client Demand: The Case For Private Markets
David McNatt of AssetMark presents the case for private markets investments for individual clients, explaining that they are rising in popularity, fit better for certain investor profiles and are bolstered by technology that helps advisors overcome barriers to providing clients with access.
“Access doesn’t guarantee an overall better experience – guidance does,” said McNatt, explaining the advisor’s role in bringing private markets to clients.
Wealthtech Roundup
This edition of the roundup features F2 Strategy’s wealthtech outlook, appointments by AdvisorEngine and Kestra, Osaic partnering with FINNY, Altruist’s AI tax tool, Wealth.com partnerships, Orion’s partnerships and more.
Among other notable items, F2 found that RIAs are adopting AI technology faster than bank-based advisors.
Deals & Recruiting Roundup
This week’s roundup covers acquisitions by MAI, Integrated Pension and Ascentis; a minority stake by Elevation Point; recruiting by LPL, Raymond James and Osaic; Simplicity partnering with LPL; and appointments by Sowell, World, Mercer and AE Wealth.
Well known industry executives moved firms, including Shannon Larson and Abby Salameh.
Sowell Management Names Vincent Gimarelli As Chief Development Officer
Sowell Management named former AssetMark executive Vincent Gimarelli to the newly created role of Chief Development Officer. Gimarelli will lead the firm’s growth strategy, including M&A initiatives.
This follows closely after the appointment of Daryl Seaton as CEO last month.
Orion Adds DPL Annuity And Insurance Solutions For Advisors
Orion and DPL Financial Partners announced an expansion of their integration that provides advisors with annuity and insurance solutions within the Orion Connect platform.
The integration now includes three new tools: Annuity Comparison Calculator, Guaranteed Income Analysis and Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGA) Marketplace.
Jeffrey Sheftic Joins World Investment Advisors As Chief Growth Officer
World Investment Advisors named Jeffrey Sheftic as its Chief Growth Officer, replacing Mike Woods, who became EVP of Corporate Development for its parent, World Insurance Associates.
This appointment follows closely after the firm named Edward Walters as President and Tyler Mahoney as Chief Financial Officer.
Ascentis Wealth Management Adds Dallas-Based Ascentis Family Wealth
Ascentis Wealth Management announced that it onboarded newly launched Ascentis Family Wealth. Led by Kevin Gray, the Dallas-based firm expects to oversee about $250 million in assets under management.
As part of the transaction, Gray will take an equity stake in Ascentis Wealth Management.
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Larry Roth
CEO
Wealth Solutions Report
