RWA Wealth Partners names Michelle Knight CEO

RWA Wealth Partners, an independent RIA overseeing $15 billion in client assets, has named a new chief executive.

On Monday, the firm announced it has appointed Michelle Knight as CEO. Knight steps into the role following the resignation of Mario Ramos, who guided the firm through the merger of Adviser Investments with Ropes Wealth Advisors and the subsequent rebranding to RWA Wealth Partners.

With a 15-year record as an investment advisor with the SEC, Knight previously held the position of president at RWA Wealth Partners. Before the merger, she served as CEO and chief economist at Ropes Wealth Advisors, where she contributed to the firm's growth to over $7 billion in assets.

With Knight being elevated to the CEO role, RWA Wealth Partners has become one of the largest female-led registered investment advisors in the US.

"Michelle has demonstrated strong leadership through the integration process over the past year, and we are excited to name her as the CEO of the combined organization," Matt Hamilton, a managing director at Summit Partners and member of the RWA Wealth Partners board of directors, said in a statement.

"RWA Wealth exists to serve clients with the highest standard of fiduciary care, and during her distinguished career in wealth management, Michelle has done just that. … She is the natural choice to lead the combined firm," Hamilton said.

"Our business serves individuals and multigenerational families … to deliver comprehensive, unbiased fiduciary advice in a personalized fashion through a team of caring experts,” Knight said. “I am proud to lead the RWA Wealth Partners team as we continue to pursue this mission."

Alongside Knight's promotion, the firm has also elevated several senior leaders to executive roles, completing the leadership integration. Those include Kristin Fazio as chief compliance officer; Joseph “JP” Powers as chief investment officer; Steve Reder as managing director of wealth management; Carlos Sotero as chief technology officer; and Venkat Patla as chief marketing officer.

"I look forward to working with all of our team members as we pursue our goal to be the nation’s foremost boutique provider of wealth management solutions, tackling complex financial challenges for individuals and families,” Knight said.