Confidence: How you can give it to young financial advisers and watch them run with it

The InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 project is back, and we need your help finding and bolstering the next generation of talent.
MAR 16, 2017
By  CNELSON

Our fourth annual 40 Under 40 project is under way, and we need your help to uncover top young talent in financial advice. InvestmentNews' goal each year is to find the stories that inspire the industry and illuminate its clearest path to future success, which depends on knowing who our next generation of leaders will be and what ideas are emerging from them. In the first three years of this project we garnered well over 3,000 nominations. Great job, readers! Grasping what the future of our profession can be depends in large part on you telling us who amazes you on a daily basis. The editorial team vets these suggestions based on a candidate's accomplishments at such a young age, contribution to the industry, leadership at a firm and in the profession, and promise for continued success. Help us find these enterprising personalities. What's in it for you? Readers have told us time and again that learning about the 40 winners each year has been like a breath of fresh air — and has sparked innovative ideas they can apply in their own firms. And just hear what a difference being included in this project has made for some of our alumni through the years. The key word is confidence. If you help us give it to the next generation, they will run with it. Taylor Schulte, founder, Define Financial: "The InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 award gave me the confidence and motivation to continue pushing industry boundaries. In addition, the emphasis on giving back to the profession fueled me to take my philanthropic efforts to a whole new level." Julia Carlson, CEO and wealth adviser, Financial Freedom Wealth Management Group: "Making the 40 Under 40 list gave me confidence in my dreams to build a financial services business based on helping others achieve their goals. It inspired me to take massive action in passionately helping and empowering others to pursue abundance in all aspects of their lives." Darin Shebesta, vice president and wealth adviser, Jackson/Roskelley Wealth Advisors: "My life since the 40 Under 40 nomination: I would say I had my best year ever in business. My confidence has greatly expanded as a result and I'm proud of contributing to this great profession. It has elevated my presence in meetings and has assisted me in knowing my value and what I have to contribute." Nathan Harness, TD Ameritrade director of financial planning, Texas A&M University: "Being selected for 40 Under 40 has provided an opportunity for me to reach the next generation of clients and financial planners. It has opened the door to network with some of the future leaders in our industry and a platform to share ideas and best practices for our ever-evolving industry." Tricia P. Mulcare, principal, Homrich Berg: "Being selected for the InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 from candidates across the country immediately gave my clients (and prospects) comfort and gave my personal brand a big boost. My credibility as a speaker on personal finance topics increased, which has allowed me to reach more 'suddenly single' women with my important messages of expertise and support. I enjoy networking with the other alumni to discuss and address challenges faced in our industry." (InvestmentNews 40 Under 40: Nominate your favorite young adviser or associated professional) Andrew Sivertsen, partner, The Planning Center Inc.: "IN40 has been a huge boost to confidence in my skills and igniting passion to continue paving the way for young planners and clients. It has generated a lot of excitement from clients, friends and family in regard to building referral networks. Thanks IN40!" Jason Roberts, CEO, Pension Resource Institute: "Two-plus years in, the IN40 experience continues to open doors around the industry and across the country. I've referred our clients to 'classmates' for subject-matter expertise and have developed client relationships within our class and with prior year's IN40 alums. Too bad I'm no longer under 40!!" Stephen Rischall, founding partner and financial adviser, 1080 Financial Group: "Being part of the IN40 connected me with other next-gen advisers who are changing this industry for the better. Together we are challenging the status quo!" Neela Hummel, partner and chief planning officer, Abacus Wealth Partners: "I had a baby boy and have gone back to work with a more-narrow focus of working with decision-making women. I am working on empowering more women to make smarter financial choices while often balancing career and family." Lex Sokolin, partner - global director - fintech strategy, Autonomous Research: "The last year has been quite an adventure! AdvisorEngine (formerly Vanare/NestEgg), the company where I am now on the board, has raised $20 million ... and continues to experience tremendous growth as a wealth management technology platform. I have also joined Autonomous Research to run the Fintech practice, moved to London and launched a consulting offering focused on robo-advisers, blockchain and artificial intelligence." Aaron Klein, CEO, Riskalyze: "Riskalyze has probably tripled in size since I was named to InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 in 2015, and today we serve over 19,000 advisers across the country. We raised $20 million in growth capital ... and we're fueled up and building a long-term independent partner for our advisers. Lance Scott, founder and president, Bay Harbor Wealth Management: "Gaining recognition at a young age in a developed industry can be a significant boost to growth! Thanks IN40."

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