Fairport Wealth extends farewell to industry icon Heather Ettinger

Fairport Wealth is bidding a fond farewell to a respected veteran of the wealth industry, who’ll soon be retiring from the Ohio-based RIA’s leadership.

The Cleveland-based wealth management practice announced its chairwoman, Heather Ettinger, will be retiring effective June 30.

Ettinger, who has been with the firm since joining its predecessor Roulston & Co. in 1987, has played a significant role in the company's expansion and success. As of December 31, 2023, Fairport Wealth had a reported AUM of $4.5 billion.

Ettinger became co-managing partner in 2010 and was instrumental in driving both organic growth and completing over a dozen acquisitions. Since Fairport became a Hightower advisory business in 2017, the firm has grown from one to six offices, including locations in Cleveland, OH; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Harrisburg, PA; Princeton and Cherry Hill, NJ.

"Heather is a visionary leader, both for the company and the financial services industry," Matt Logar, CEO and president of Fairport, said in a statement. "Our clients remain our top priority, and Fairport is in an excellent place due to Heather’s thoughtful planning over the years. We will remain grateful for her decades of partnership and leadership."

A Dartmouth College graduate, Ettinger began her career at Baring Brothers in London. Throughout her career, she has been involved with various organizations championing diversity, equity and inclusion, including the Women’s Business Collaborative, 100 Women in Finance, Schwab Advisor Services DEI Advocacy Board, and Racing Towards Diversity.

“I’ve had a fabulous and rewarding career, making my mark both with the practice and within the industry,” Ettinger said. “While I will deeply miss my colleagues and our tremendous clients, Fairport is in excellent hands with a team that is laser-focused on a shared vision. I am excited and optimistic about the next phase of the practice’s growth and leadership.”

An author and renowned advocate for women’s financial education and progress, Ettinger has received numerous industry awards, including InvestmentNews’s 2019 Icons and Innovators Award and the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award for Unique Efforts in Advancing the Aspirations of Women by the Women’s Vote Project. In 2015, she was among the inaugural class of Women to Watch from InvestmentNews.

“Heather’s passion for championing women and girls is inspiring,” Emily Drake, chief experience officer for Fairport. “I feel so fortunate to have worked side by side with her on numerous women’s initiatives that helped fuel industry progress and positively influence colleagues.”