In the business world, CEOs typically receive more attention as they serve as the public face of the company. But as the wealth management industry continues to consolidate, chief financial officers are playing increasingly important roles in positioning their firms for future success.
Companies across the spectrum have been pursuing everything from mergers and acquisitions and strategic investments to aggressive recruiting and unique partnerships.
All of this requires capital, and CFOs are heavily involved in raising it.
Beyond that, wealth management CFOs confront ever-increasing needs to invest in technology, client needs and other services when the pace of change means those investments must be closely monitored for success and, often, replacement after new innovations.
Today’s honorees have contributed to their industry’s development, demonstrated excellence and hold sway as recognized leaders in their field.
We congratulate the winners, who are listed in alphabetical order below, on their accomplishments.
Kristy Britt, Chief Financial Officer, Osaic
Kristy Britt has been CFO of Osaic since 2024. In this role, she manages the firm’s financial operations, setting vision and strategy for the finance department, as well as heading long-term financial planning and cost management.
As CFO, Britt has helped oversee Osaic’s purchase of CW Advisors, a $13.5 billion RIA that has been expanding to serve ultra-high net worth clients. Osaic last year also purchased a majority stake in Innovative Wealth Team, which focuses on advisor succession and continuity.
Earlier this year, Osaic raised another $700 million by refinancing its debt, according to Moody’s Investors Service.
Britt previously held multiple financial leadership and strategic planning roles at Thomson Reuters, most recently as Head of Finance for the Operations and Technology organization.
She said that women seeking leadership roles in wealth management should not be afraid to take on challenges.
“I encourage seeking opportunities that broaden perspective, strengthen strategic thinking, and drive meaningful business transformation,” Britt said. “Taking on complex challenges helps build resilience, an essential quality in this industry. Equally important is surrounding yourself with mentors who support your growth, challenge you to stretch and help amplify your impact.”
Jeff Buchheister, Chief Financial Officer, Cetera Financial Group
Jeff Buchheister is the Chief Financial Officer of Cetera Financial Group where he helps oversee the company’s growth strategy and long-term vision.
Buchheister is the architect of Cetera’s M&A program and other strategic transactions, including succession deals, RIA tuck-ins and minority investments. Under his leadership, Cetera has completed approximately 100 such deals over the past five years, including 18 in 2025.
Last year, Cetera completed the largest integration in its history by moving Avantax onto its platform. In 2023, Cetera paid $1.2 billion to acquire Avantax, which specializes in tax-focused financial planning. This integration brought approximately 2,500 financial professionals and staff, along with more than $110 billion in total assets, into Cetera’s ecosystem.
Also last year, Cetera completed its acquisition of Concourse Financial Group Securities, a broker-dealer and RIA that oversees more than $12 billion in assets under administration and $4 billion in assets under management (AUM).
Buchheister previously held top roles at LPL Financial, including Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. He was also a senior manager at Deloitte, where he managed audit services for companies like E*Trade, American Funds, Pacific Life and TCW.
Buchheister said Cetera’s overall approach to M&A and deal making is finding transactions that benefit both investors and advisors.
“Connecting with more than 11,000 financial professionals and institutions means aligning our financial decisions with their growth goals,” Buchheister said. “We prioritize investments that expand capabilities, simplify complexity and create long-term value for our advisors and investors. This ensures advisors of all sizes have the resources and support needed to grow sustainably and maximize their enterprise value through their affiliation with Cetera.”
Jason Hanavan, President And Chief Financial Officer, VestGen Wealth Partners
Jason Hanavan is the President and Chief Financial Officer of VestGen Wealth Partners. He leads the firm’s finance, corporate functions and advisory practice operations.
As CFO, Hanavan established a financial reporting process, centralized accounting operations and drove common policies and procedures across 10 newly merged firms. Last year, VestGen acquired six practices representing roughly $1.5 billion in client assets.
Hanavan previously served as CFO for Tenerity, a customer loyalty and marketing firm, and Impetus Wealth Strategies, a private-equity-backed financial services startup. He began his career as an accountant at Deloitte.
Hanavan said his roles as President and CFO are strongly related.
“As President, my role is to support the CEO and the board in executing our strategy: helping advisors with succession and deliver best-in-class financial planning services to our clients,” he said. “Naturally, this leads to prioritization of key initiatives and investment of capital, which is where my role as CFO comes into play. As CFO, I’m not just focused on making the right decisions but also on making decisions that have the greatest impact for our shareholders, which are often profitability-driven.”
Molly McMillin, Chief Financial Officer, Choreo Advisors
Molly McMillin joined Choreo Advisors as Chief Financial Officer in October 2024. She has since helped the firm refocus on serving the needs of owners, builders and operators of closely held businesses.
In January, Choreo agreed to purchase Northeast Financial Group and Herbein Financial Group, RIAs in Pennsylvania that oversee $1.3 billion in combined client assets.
Before joining Choreo, McMillin was the CFO at Allspring Global Investments. In that role, she led all finance activities and provided insights and analysis for strategic initiatives. McMillin joined Allspring from its predecessor firm, Wells Fargo Asset Management, where she served in a variety of finance leadership roles supporting the Wells Fargo Wealth and Investment Management business lines.
McMillin said technology has provided Choreo with important tools to boost growth while building a sustainable business.
“Technology, and AI more specifically, changes everything and nothing,” McMillin said. “Our responsibility to run a sustainable, growing business hasn't changed; the tools we have now help us accelerate this commitment to our stakeholders. The investments our team made to drive effective strategic and financial insights, improve efficiency and drive productivity could not have been imagined a generation ago.”
“However, I can't stress this enough,” she said, “that while the tools of the trade have changed, the core value proposition of a strong finance department is exactly the same."
Justin Weinkle, Chief Financial Officer, Dynasty Financial Partners
Justin Weinkle is the Chief Financial Officer of Dynasty Financial Partners. He also chairs the firm’s Capital Committee, where he oversees all aspects of corporate finance, reporting and strategic capital management. He leads Dynasty’s Finance and Investment Banking teams.
Last September, Dynasty staked OpenArc Corporate Advisory, an Atlanta-based RIA founded by a team of former Merrill Lynch Wealth Management advisors that advised on $129 billion in institutional and personal client assets as of Dec. 31.
Under Weinkle’s tenure, Dynasty has been raising significant amounts of capital. Last October, the company secured a $125 million corporate credit facility that was supported by firms including Citibank, Flagstar Bank, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and UMB Bank.
In February, Dynasty conducted its sixth capital raise from a group of investors including Fortress Investment Group, BlackRock, Charles Schwab, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Abry Partners and Glick Family Office.
Since joining Dynasty in 2012, Weinkle has held several senior leadership roles, including Director of M&A, SVP of Finance and Head of Strategic Analysis and Chief of Staff to the CEO. Prior to Dynasty, Weinkle was an Analyst in KKR’s Client & Partner Group.
Weinkle said his role as CFO has significantly broadened over the years from just accounting and financial controls.
“I started as a CFO focused on controls and liquidity,” Weinkle said. “Today, the role is far broader: strategic partner, capital markets leader, operator and builder. I spend as much time on growth, fundraising, and technology as accounting — shaping strategy, scaling platforms and creating durable value for Dynasty’s clients, investors, resource partners and employees.”
Thomas Lee, Senior Editor and Staff Writer at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at thomas.lee@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
