Meet the RIA

With more than $24 billion in assets under management, Johnson Investment Counsel has continued to grow while remaining 100% employee-owned. In this conversation, Jason O. Jackman, CFA, Chief Executive Officer and Principal, discusses the firm's evolution, areas of growth and success, and how its family office approach helps distinguish the firm in today's wealth management landscape.

Michael Zeuner, Managing Partner at WE Family Offices, joins Michelle Yu to discuss the firm’s growth and rising demand for independent, fiduciary advisory services among ultra-high-net-worth families. He also explores how AI is helping families discover family office solutions, improve advisor efficiency, and shape the future of client service.

CEO Raj Bhattacharyya discusses how Robertson Stephens is building its next phase of growth through strategic expansion, culture-first recruiting, and technology investment, while maintaining a personalized fiduciary approach as it scales its national RIA platform.

Jacob Taurel, Managing Partner of Activest Wealth Management, shares the firm’s evolution, its purpose-driven approach to serving families, and ways the team helps clients navigate cross-border financial challenges while building lasting relationships across generations.

Hightower CEO Larry Restieri discusses the firm's next phase of growth, including its Hightower 3.0 strategy, the expansion of Hightower Signature Wealth, and the rollout of the Hightower One platform. He also shares how the firm is balancing scale with advisor independence, expanding its family office capabilities for ultra-high-net-worth clients, and positioning Hightower for continued growth th...

Jonathan Binns, Partner and Portfolio Manager at Rose Capital Advisors, discusses the firm's approach to wealth management, the culture and values that shape its client relationships, and how Rose Capital is navigating growth while remaining focused on personalized advice and long-term client outcomes.

David Salsburg, Founder, President, and Partner at Gresham Partners, shares the story behind the firm's founding and how they have grown as a trusted advisor to ultra-high-net-worth families. He discusses the challenges clients bring to Gresham, the values that define the firm's culture, and how its 100% employee-owned structure helps align the interests of clients and advisors over the long term.

Henry Hagenbuch, Senior Managing Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at Lido Advisors, discusses the firm's growth strategy, what differentiates its approach in today's competitive M&A landscape, and the key qualities Lido looks for when evaluating potential partners. He also shares how the firm's culture, philosophy, and long-term vision continue to drive expansion across the wealth manage...

RFG Advisory CEO Shannon Spotswood discusses how the firm is helping independent advisors build stronger businesses through technology, investment solutions, and platform support. She shares RFG’s vision for artificial intelligence, including its investment in Zocks and the development of ClickONE, while also highlighting the growing importance of institutional-quality investment capabilities thro...

Ritik Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Savvy Wealth, discusses the launch of Savvy Intelligence and explains how an AI-native technology stack helps advisors streamline financial planning, automate complex analysis, and deliver more personalized client service. He also shares early adoption results, the firm’s advisor-driven product development approach, and why AI is designed to enhance—not replace—t...

Triad Wealth Partners' Chief Investment Officer Brent Coggins explains how the firm's planning-first philosophy helps advisors align investments with clients' long-term goals. He also discusses investor behavior, portfolio construction, and what sets Triad's approach apart in a competitive wealth management landscape.

Matthew Liebman, Founding Partner and CEO of Amplius Wealth Partners, discusses the factors behind the firm's rapid growth, what sets Amplius apart in an increasingly competitive RIA landscape, and the innovations shaping its future. He also shares how the firm is leveraging video communication to stay agile, strengthen client relationships, and deliver a more personalized wealth management experi...

Domenick D'Andrea, Co-Founder of DanDarah Wealth Management, shares how the firm helps retirees, pre-retirees, and small business owners navigate retirement income planning, estate strategies, and long-term wealth management. He also discusses DanDarah’s personalized fiduciary approach—and even how Cooper, the firm's beloved canine ambassador, plays a role in client communications and engagement.

Jonathan Rogers, Co-Managing Partner at Forum Financial, shares more about the firm’s history and why its 100% advisor-owned partnership model is central to both the client and advisor experience.

Verum Partners’ Dustin Barr discusses how the firm’s relationship-first culture, team-based approach, and employee-owned structure help create a highly personalized wealth management experience. He also shares how Verum differentiates itself through collaborative planning, transparent communication, and a values-driven philosophy designed to guide clients through both long-term financial goals and...

Alera Wealth Chief Growth Officer Jeff Silverman shares how decades of experience advising individuals, business owners, and corporate clients helped shape his views on leadership, culture, and building a successful advisory firm. He also discusses what makes Alera’s collaborative model unique, the qualities the firm looks for in potential partners, and how advisors can think about the next stage...

Jordan Waxman, founder and managing partner at Nucleus Advisors of Hightower Advisors, discusses how his boutique firm serves entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, and executives through highly personalized, values-based wealth planning. From pre-liquidity event strategy to multi-generational legacy conversations, Waxman shares how Nucleus’ trademarked “withness” philosophy helps clients navigate comp...

YDF Founder D. Vance Barse shares how a pivotal career moment reshaped his philosophy around wealth planning and why he believes traditional financial advice often falls short for affluent families. He also discusses the proactive strategies used by $2 million to $20 million households, the importance of communication in building trust, and what differentiates his approach within today’s increasin...

Snowden Lane Partners Senior Partner and Managing Director Armando Ureña discusses the evolving wealth management landscape, the growing demand for high-touch advisory relationships, and the opportunities emerging for advisors building durable practices. He also shares how Snowden Lane’s advisor-owned partnership model, international wealth management capabilities, and client-focused culture conti...

Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit Financial Advisors, discusses the firm’s growth strategy, evolving M&A approach, and commitment to cultural alignment as the RIA landscape shifts. She also shares her perspective on the changing role of financial advisors, investments driving scalability, and her long-term vision for Merit’s impact on the wealth management industry.

Rick Buoncore, Chairman and CEO of MAI, shares how the firm’s approach to wealth management has evolved to meet clients’ increasingly complex and holistic needs, extending well beyond traditional investment advice. He also explains how MAI’s belief that health underpins lasting wealth — and its commitment to being the best, not the biggest — shapes retirement planning, family support during major...

Carley Dillon of Brighton Jones shares how the firm’s “Personal CFO” approach goes beyond investments to deliver integrated wealth management across clients’ entire balance sheets. She discusses the firm’s nationwide expansion plans, business lines including women’s wealth and family office services, and how Brighton Jones is preparing for the $124 trillion great wealth transfer.

JC Abusaid, CEO and President of Halbert Hargrove, reflects on the firm’s evolution from a small practice in the 1980s to a more strategic, growth-oriented RIA focused on long-term sustainability. He shares how turning down an acquisition offer became a defining moment—sparking a renewed commitment to succession planning, culture, and building a firm designed for the future.

Brent Brodeski, Founder and CEO of Savant Wealth Management, outlines how Savant’s hybrid ownership and integration model is designed to provide long-term stability, alignment, and succession solutions for RIAs. He explains how the firm differentiates itself from traditional private equity-backed buyers by emphasizing shared ownership, cultural integration, and a sustainable path forward for found...

 Courtney Hutchinson, Partner and Managing Director at Beacon Pointe Advisors, discusses her transition to the firm and the key considerations behind the move. She shares how she evaluated the right partner, how her leadership role evolved through the process, and how the integration has progressed since joining Beacon Pointe.