Recognized Wealth Management Leaders 2025

Damon Paull, AWMA® - Financial Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Military Veteran As a wealth management advisor and Amazon best-selling author in Money and Business, Damon Paull brings a military precision to financial journalism. His recent collaboration with former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss on "Empathetic Leadership" shows he can take complex financial concepts and turn them into stories that resonate with everyone. With over 8 years of industry experience and a background as a Marine Corps veteran and State Department contractor, Damon writes about: • Intergenerational wealth transfer • Corporate benefit plan optimization • Investment portfolio construction • Business succession planning • Veteran financial empowerment • Global market analysis through a geopolitical lens As a Wealth Management Advisor at Cetera Investors, Damon’s expertise goes beyond traditional financial planning. He uses cutting-edge financial technology and analysis tools to bring you fresh perspectives on emerging trends and investment opportunities. His writing style is data-driven with a storyline, making complex financial concepts accessible to sophisticated investors and general audiences. Regular contributor to discussions on wealth preservation, market dynamics and financial technology. Damon welcomes opportunities to provide professional commentary and in-depth analysis for financial publications looking for expert opinions on wealth management and investment strategies. For editorial inquiries or commentary: Damon Paull, AWMA Damon.Paull@ceterainvestors.com 832.535.2286 Glen Allen, VA Available for national and international commentary Cetera Investors. Damon Paull, Wealth Management Advisor. Securities and Insurance Products offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. 140 EASTSHORE DR. SUITE 105, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23059. 804-346-4670. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, not recommendations of Cetera Investment Services LLC or its representatives.

With over 15 years at Smith & Howard Wealth Management, my focus is on empowering clients through meticulous financial planning and investment management. We, as a team, have a steadfast commitment to our clients, ensuring they are equipped with a comprehensive financial plan that encompasses not just asset growth, but also tax efficiency, risk management, and estate considerations. Our affiliation with a leading accounting firm amplifies our ability to deliver insightful and holistic financial guidance. Recognizing the uniqueness of each client's journey, whether approaching retirement or managing wealth post-liquidity events, our services are tailored to maximize benefits. Partnering with business owners, we explore avenues beyond traditional retirement savings, leveraging tax-advantaged strategies to enhance their financial well-being. As an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, I champion fee-only advice, maintaining objectivity and aligning our success with that of our clients.

I understand that your financial success is the result of hard work, dedication, and…

9+ years PR and media relations experience. Now in the ultra-high-net-worth wealth management space with Fidelis Capital after years in the luxury goods and real estate sectors with Discovery Land Company, Casamigos Tequila, and Tiffany & Co. Have secured national coverage for Fidelis Capital in Barron's, Bloomberg, Crain Currency, Forbes, Kiplinger, Reuters, and the Wall Street Journal, along with trade coverage in Financial Planning, InvestmentNews, and WealthManagement.com. Fidelis Capital is a 5-star firm in Newsweek's 2026 list of America's Top Financial Advisory Firms. Subject matter experts at Fidelis Capital include: - Chris Gunster, CFA, Partner & Head of Fixed Income (previously Bank of America Chief Investment Office, oversaw $60 billion in assets; Forbes.com contributor) - Rick Simonetti, Founding Partner, CEO & Head of Wealth Planning (previously Wells Fargo Private Wealth Management's National Head of Wealth Planning; Kiplinger contributor) - Matt Michaels, CFA, CFP, Founding Partner & Co-Chief Investment Officer (previously Wells Fargo Private Bank Senior Private Wealth Portfolio Manager; deep expertise in private markets investing) - Neale Ellis, CFA, Founding Partner & Co-Chief Investment Officer (previously Bank of America Private Bank principal portfolio manager of Managed Active Core)

As a seasoned Wealth Advisor with over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, I've had the privilege of working with diverse types of clientele, helping them navigate the complexities of financial planning. My journey has been defined by a commitment to understanding each client's unique goals and developing tailored strategies that encompass everything from retirement and estate planning to tax-efficient investment portfolios. Throughout my career, I've worked closely with individuals and families at various life stages, from young professionals just starting their financial journeys to retirees looking to preserve and grow their wealth. My approach is holistic, ensuring that all aspects of my clients' financial lives are aligned with their long-term objectives. In addition to my advisory role, I’ve held leadership positions where I guided teams of financial planners in crafting comprehensive financial planning strategies. My leadership experience includes overseeing the design and implementation of systems that addressed complex financial needs, such as equity compensation planning, college funding, and insurance solutions. My goal is to continue empowering clients to achieve financial security and peace of mind, while leveraging my expertise and leadership to deliver personalized, results-driven financial strategies.

Will Lane is a seasoned financial expert with over 20 years of experience across the financial sectors of banking, investments and insurance. He leads educational workshops across the country focused on helping Black families build, protect, and pass down generational wealth. Specializing in retirement planning, estate planning strategies and life insurance, Will is known for his ability to make complex financial concepts practical, relatable, and easy to understand. His work centers on empowering families with the knowledge needed to move from short-term financial planning to long-term financial security. Will has been featured in national publications such as Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and American Business Stars, where he shares insights on the importance of financial literacy, legacy planning, and closing the racial wealth gap. A key aspect of his approach is helping individuals identify and overcome self-sabotaging financial patterns so they can make confident decisions about protecting their families, preparing for retirement, and leaving a lasting legacy. Through his education-first approach and no-nonsense delivery, Will has become a trusted voice for podcasts, panels, and publications focused on financial education, wealth building, and economic empowerment within the Black community.

I have over 20 years of experience helping successful families navigate the ever changing field of financial planning. New laws, new fads, and new "rules of thumb" are always coming out. My goal is always to help my clients sift through the noise and focus on the things they can control. I have always believed there are two E's of investing, economics and emotion. Handling both in a proactive, deliberate manner helps my clients to keep perspective of what is important on their financial journey

As a Senior Wealth Advisor and Partner at Croak Capital, I specialize in guiding high net worth families through the complexities of wealth. My approach blends technical financial expertise with an understanding of what matters most to my families. Whether its designing multi-generational estate plans, managing concentrated equity positions, or investing in private assets including private equity, hedge funds, or real estate I bring clarity to complexity. I believe true wealth advising goes beyond investments - it's about stewardship. That's why I regularly contribute insights on private wealth trends, family governance, and client experience excellence. If you're seeking a partner who can serve as your families CFO, quarterback your financial life, and bring a white-glove level of service, I and my team are here to help.

Director of Investment Research and Portfolio Manager at a Registered Investment Advisor with specific expertise in asset allocation, fixed income, equities, third-party manager due diligence, risk management, and financial planning. Well versed in ESG and mission-driven investing and analysis. Successful record of maximizing portfolio returns and profits through well developed financial research and quantitative analysis, project management, and client development. Experienced volunteer at nonprofit organizations. CFP certification and Wharton MBA.

Christine M. Parker, CFP®, is a family wealth management advisor and the founder of Parker Financial, LLC, an independent, fee-only registered investment advisory firm based in Maryland. She serves professionals who lead at work and at home, helping them navigate complex financial decisions while balancing career demands and family responsibilities. Christine’s work focuses on simplifying financial complexity for the modern family financial caregiver. With nearly 20 years of experience, she helps clients manage high-stakes decisions involving caregiving responsibilities, aging parents, multigenerational planning, trusts, and career transitions. A defining theme of Christine’s perspective is the understanding that the constraints of the unpaid caregiving life cycle are an emerging workforce, business, and economic issue with long-term implications. As caregiving increasingly affects leadership pathways, labor participation, and financial security, Christine brings a broader economic and behavioral lens to conversations often framed as individual challenges. Drawing on expertise in behavioral finance and decision-making psychology, Christine offers research-informed insights into how caregiving pressures and workplace dynamics affect financial outcomes and long-term well-being. She is known for combining data-driven analysis with practical, real-world guidance, making her a trusted source for journalists covering money, leadership, caregiving, workforce trends, and economic change.

𝗠𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: Both of my parents immigrated from Mexico as teenagers. They didn’t have much, but what they did have was grit. My dad was in construction, my mom working flexible jobs so she could stay close to us. Eventually, she became a foster mom, and our house was always filled with kids—many of whom came from homes filled with struggle, instability, and deep financial stress. It didn’t take long for me to realize: 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. It influences safety, peace of mind, opportunity, even emotional well-being. At 12 years old, I was cleaning houses with my mom and working on construction job sites with my dad... saving every dollar I could. I wasn’t just learning the value of hard work. I was making a vow: I would never feel powerless because of money. I would become the expert. And I would help other women feel powerful, too. I’ve kept that promise. I became one of the youngest CFP® professionals in the country. I have leaned on innovation and built my practice on one simple idea: 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴—𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Now, I serve women who are ready to align their money with what really matters. Not just retire well—but live well. Not just grow wealth—but use it with purpose.

I am an experienced wealth management and fintech marketing communications leader who has quantifiably shown how to drive greater demand. With over 15 years of experience delivering marketing strategies for fintechs and financial service firms, I have been sought out to create, from the ground up, the messaging and marketing programs that will quantifiably move the needle in driving brand awareness and revenue opportunities for an organization. After years of delivering marketing programs, I can anticipate challenges, get in front of them, and deliver on-time, on-budget solutions. Over the course of my career, I have had the good fortune to learn how to optimize marketing best practices and professional development. It gives me great pleasure when I am able to share what I have learned with my team and create an environment that allows for their professional growth and development.

Homrich Berg is a national independent wealth management firm based in Atlanta that provides fiduciary, fee-only investment management and financial planning services, serving as the leader of the financial team for our clients.

In 2015, wealth manager Michael DeMassa, CFA, CFP® left a corporate banking job in order to create Forza Wealth Management from the ground up, with a sole focus on providing sound investment advice to clients. Now, the Fee-Only advisory firm has a team of five providing custom-tailored wealth management services and managing nearly $400 million in assets. Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1997 CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), 2003 Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), 2006 Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®), 2024

I work with busy successful individuals and families who are looking to take control of their financial future without getting bogged down in confusing details. With over 13 years of experience, I help high earners and those approaching retirement make smart, impactful decisions confidently. As a flat-fee fiduciary, my mission is clear: to provide you with honest, personalized guidance that brings peace of mind. If you're unsure about hiring a financial advisor, let’s hop on a call. I’ll guide you on the right questions to ask, so you can confidently find the perfect advisor for your needs, no strings attached.

Centurion Wealth is a truly independent firm built on a foundation of sound ethics, mutual respect and deep integrity. We are free from conflicts of interest and are not beholden to any organization, investment company or products. This enables us to guide our clients toward their financial goals in an unhindered fashion. Our consistent, long-term approach to wealth management and quality portfolio construction means we are not chasing returns and we are not swayed by temporary headlines. Instead, we focus on the fundamentals of investing and financial planning. We are only interested in helping our clients achieve their financial goals through holistic planning and helping our clients’ assets grow in a manner consistent with their unique objectives. Advisory services offered through Centurion Wealth Management, LLC a registered investment adviser. Securities offered through Spire Securities, LLC member FINRA/SIPC.

I founded my firm to help families and business owners make confident financial decisions, without the confusion, pressure, or one-size-fits-all advice that too often dominates this industry. Before entering wealth management over a decade ago, I founded and operated a successful software company in Overland Park. Running a business taught me how systems really work: cash flow, risk, tradeoffs, and the consequences of decisions made today that don’t show up until years later. That perspective still shapes how I approach financial planning: structured, consultative, and focused on solving real problems for my clients. We work with clients on comprehensive wealth management, retirement planning, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, including 401(k) and other qualified plans for small and mid-sized businesses. Early in my career I recognized the importance of constant improvement and learning. I hold the ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant®), CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®) and CRPS® (Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist®) designations through the College for Financial Planning. More importantly, I believe good advice starts with listening. Every client’s situation is different, and effective planning requires understanding your goals, values, and preferences, not just numbers on a page.

I help women, young professionals, and growing families achieve financial independence through clear, strategic planning that considers tax, estate, and investment decisions so they can make informed choices and build lasting stability. My role is part guide, part partner. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional, I combine structured, values-based strategies with compassion and education, helping clients understand not just what to do, but why it matters. Knowledge creates confidence, and confidence leads to better decisions that last. Financial independence isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it means building wealth through tax-aware investing. For others, it’s protecting family through thoughtful estate planning, or regaining control after major life changes. My approach brings all the pieces together, ensuring your plan reflects your values, goals, and vision for the future. I frequently collaborate with accountants and attorneys to help clients develop integrated, well-aligned strategies. Clients appreciate my relationship-based approach, open communication, and the safe, judgment-free space to ask questions. Together, we simplify complex decisions and create strategies that lead to lasting progress and clarity. At WiseOak Wealth, financial planning isn’t just about managing assets. It’s about creating freedom, stability, and direction in the life you’re building.