At a black-tie awards gala on Thursday, September 5, WealthManagement announced the winners of their annual “Wealthies,” which included awards for top asset managers, marketing/PR firms, trusts, and 19 other professional categories, as well as awards for top disruptors and outstanding philanthropy. This was the award gala’s 10th year as, “the only awards program to honor outstanding achievements by companies, organizations, and individuals that support financial advisor success,” according to a statement released on their site.
“A record-breaking number of nominations were submitted in 2024,” says David Armstrong, the director of editorial strategy and operations for WealthManagement and the Chair of the awards program, “With over 1,000 entries received this year from more than 400 companies—132 of which participated in the award process for the first time.”
Networking, Mentorship, and Community
More than an awards gala, the event began with CEO and CTO panel sessions featuring senior executives from finalist companies. These were followed by interactive roundtable discussions and networking sessions. Finally, the awards ceremony in the Ziegfeld Ballroom had an attendance of more than 500 professionals across multiple industries related to financial growth and investment.
“The Industry Awards program has significantly expanded in scope in the 10 years since it began, but the mission remains the same,” says Armstrong. “To recognize and celebrate the outstanding initiatives undertaken by companies and individuals that contribute to the success of financial advisors in their businesses and foster improved outcomes for their clients.”
Recognizing Top Industry Leaders
“This year’s winners hail from various types of firms, yet they all share a common trait,” says Armstrong. “They are the architects behind the programs, tools, and platforms that empower financial advisors to grow their businesses, enhance client service, and elevate the financial prospects and quality of life for millions of investors.”
Chosen by a panel of independent judges that includes CEOs, Founders, Principals, and Partners at top firms, and Armstrong himself, winners were recognized throughout the gala. While many won in multiple categories, notable winners included FS Investments for Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year, Dina DiLorenzo of Guggenheim Investments for CEO of the Year, Franklin Templeton of the Alternative Allocations Podcast for the year’s top Thought Leadership, and Jump’s AI Meeting Assistant for the year’s most Disrupting Technology.
The youngest category in the event, which was first introduced in 2022, was for the top technology provider in the area of Artificial Intelligence. The category received 22 nominations, and the award was ultimately given to CogniCor Technologies for the AI Co-Pilot.
Capping the Evening By Celebrating a Legend
The capstone event of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mark Tibergien, recognizing his outsized influence on the industry. Tibergian has built a career as a company executive and consultant as well as a columnist, author, and mentor. “We couldn’t be more thrilled than to honor Mark at our 10th anniversary celebration,” Armstrong said. “His influence on how registered investment advisors think about what they do, and how they do it, extends down to the very foundations of the business.”
Part of a Larger Service to the Industry
WealthManagement serves as a news and information resource for professionals in industries related to asset management and investment, as well as offering marketing solutions for the same. They boast that over 400,000 professionals make regular use of their information, insight, and analysis, and that their marketing clients include hundreds of firms. The evening gala at the Wealthies, as well as the mentorship and networking events taking place on the day before, have a decade-long history of bringing together the larger community surrounding asset management expertise.
