Top Financial Professionals in the U.S. Revealed for 2024
InvestmentNews Announces 2024 Hot List of Industry Leaders
Date: December 17, 2024
By: Leo Almazora
In a year marked by considerable growth within the wealth management sector, InvestmentNews has unveiled its second annual Hot List, highlighting the top financial professionals in the United States for 2024. This comprehensive list showcases 97 influential figures across various domains ranging from Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) to investment advisory firms and financial service providers. Their contributions have significantly shaped the industry over the past year.
Growth Amid Challenges
The U.S. financial landscape has witnessed substantial advancements throughout 2024, with surges in asset classes such as stocks, Bitcoin, and gold contributing to record highs in investor portfolios. Despite this growth, challenges persist. Financial professionals face increasing market volatility, geopolitical risks, and uncertainties regarding future returns, necessitating innovative strategies to navigate the evolving environment.
Amidst these dynamics, InvestmentNews sought to honor those who are setting standards and driving progress in the wealth sector. By inviting wealth professionals nationwide to nominate exceptional leaders, the publication sifted through hundreds of candidates before settling on this year’s distinguished individuals.
Pioneering Approaches to Wealth Management
Among this year’s awardees, leadership styles and methodologies varied, reflecting the diverse approaches to wealth management.
Craig Gould: A Unique Path to Public Listing
Craig Gould, CEO of Binah Capital Group, exemplifies a distinctive leadership style by taking his firm public on Nasdaq while others opt for private equity partnerships. Under his guidance, Binah Capital Group has amassed over $25 billion in assets under management (AUM), alongside approximately $300 billion in affiliated AUM through more than 550 RIAs. Gould emphasized the importance of creating long-term shareholder value as a key driver behind his decision to take the public route.
Thomas Ruggie: Early Adoption of Fee-Based Models
Thomas Ruggie, founder and CEO of Destiny Wealth Partners, has been at the forefront of a pivotal shift toward fee-based service models in the advisory business. “We were very early on the adoption of fee-based advisory practice,” Ruggie shared, attributing the lack of commission-driven recommendations to a more neutral advisory process. His firm currently manages a total of $1.2 billion in assets for a select group of clients, demonstrating the success of his early strategic decisions.
Liz Miller: Emphasizing Personalized Wealth Management
Liz Miller, founder and president of Summit Place Financial Advisors, has transitioned her focus from traditional investment management to a more personalized wealth management approach. Miller, who will assume the role of chair of the Certified Financial Planner Board next year, remarked, “After 15 years in front of a computer as a portfolio investor, I decided I wanted to be working more with individuals and helping with their planning.” This holistic approach to wealth has deepened her client relationships.
2024 Hot List Highlights
This year’s distinguished Hot List includes:
- Elizabeth Miller, Summit Place Financial Advisors
- Thomas Ruggie, Destiny Wealth Partners
- Amanda Arcilesi Simmons, ARC Wealth Management
- Beth Lawlor, U.S. Bank
- Craig Gould, Binah Capital Group
- Lawrence Calcano, iCapital
- Bob Long, Stepstone Private Wealth
- Jeffrey DeHaan, Clearwater Capital Partners
- Shawn Bostic, Kestra Financial
The leaders recognized in this Hot List are not only shaping the future of their organizations but also influencing the broader financial industry with their visionary strategies and dedication to clients.
Further Insights
For a complete list of awardees and additional insights into their contributions, readers are encouraged to visit the InvestmentNews website.
As the wealth management industry continues to evolve, these top financial professionals represent the forefront of innovation, client dedication, and strategic foresight that will drive the sector forward into 2024 and beyond.
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