Bleakley Financial Group, Snowden Lane Partners, and Dynasty Financial Partners have each announced strategic updates this week as they position for their next chapters of growth and expansion.
Bleakley, the New Jersey-based hybrid RIA and financial planning firm, has appointed Ray Sclafani to its board of directors. Sclafani is the founder and CEO of ClientWise, a coaching and consulting firm that works with financial advisors nationwide.
His addition to the board is expected to support Bleakley’s strategic initiatives around advisor development and long-term succession planning.
“Ray is a trailblazer whose contributions to the advisory profession are second to none,” Andy Schwartz, chief executive at Bleakley, said in a statement on Wednesday. “He’s spent his entire career helping advisors reach their full potential, and his voice will be instrumental as we scale our platform and deliver on our promise to advisors and clients alike.”
A seasoned veteran with nearly four decades of experience, Sclafani previously spent 20 years as a managing director at AllianceBernstein and is based in Irving, Texas. His appointment coincides with Bleakley’s 40th anniversary and a planned rebrand that reflects the firm’s national reach and the landmark investment from Rise Growth Partners, the venture set up by Joe Duran to support growing firms in the independent space.
Meanwhile, Snowden Lane Partners has added two senior executives to help accelerate business development and recruiting. Rob Russak has joined as managing director of business development after roles at Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo. Dana Crane, a recruiting veteran with more than two decades of experience, will lead talent acquisition across advisor channels.
The hires come on the heels of a record year for Snowden Lane, which saw 30 percent revenue growth in 2024 and offered partial equity liquidity to its advisor-owners earlier this year.
“Rob and Dana both exemplify the integrity, expertise and entrepreneurial spirit that define Snowden Lane,” said Rob Mooney, CEO of the firm. “Their appointments reflect our strong commitment to investing in our people, culture and capabilities.”
The two executives will operate out of Snowden Lane’s New York headquarters and are expected to play a central role in supporting advisor teams and expanding the firm’s recruiting pipeline.
In a separate development, Dynasty Financial Partners revealed plans for a new national headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg. The firm has signed a long-term lease to occupy several floors at 400 Central, a mixed-use tower under construction, with a move-in date expected in late 2026.
“This is more than a lease; it’s a defining moment in Dynasty’s evolution,” said Shirl Penney, CEO and founder of the firm. “With this lease we are doubling down on St. Petersburg, not only as our corporate headquarters, but as the central hub for our growing national network.”
Dynasty’s new space will include a rooftop event venue, trading floor, content studio and meeting center, and is designed to support over 300 employees as the firm expands its platform for independent RIAs.
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