Building on the momentum of the American College Center for Ethics in Financial Services’ previous AI Ethics Summit, this year’s roundtable, Cross-Functional Operationalization of Responsible AI in Financial Services, brought together professionals across ethics, risk, compliance, and technology functions to address real-world implementation challenges. Conducted under the Chatham House Rule to encourage open and candid dialogue, the discussion explored both the barriers and opportunities of integrating AI responsibly within financial services organizations. To guide the conversation, attendees completed a pre-event survey identifying top challenges and opportunities in operationalizing responsible AI. Key themes included the need for AI literacy, cross-functional collaboration, adaptable governance frameworks, and a strong organizational culture that prioritizes transparency and accountability.

Three panelists, each representing ethics and compliance, enterprise risk, and data privacy functions at different companies shared practical strategies for aligning AI initiatives with business values and regulatory expectations. They emphasized the importance of embedding responsible AI principles into existing enterprise risk management systems, and in some cases evolving those systems as necessary. Leaders spoke to the critical role of executive sponsorship and cultural tone-setting in fostering trust and enabling thoughtful adoption of AI technologies. The conversation underscored a shared commitment to ongoing learning and cooperation, culminating in the creation of a practical playbook for responsible AI governance in financial services.

As a member of the Alliance for Ethics, corporate supporters benefit from receiving exclusive access to the full roundtable report. All other interested parties should please contact us at ethics@theamericancollege.edu to become an Alliance corporate supporter and unlock exclusive content and events!

More from The College

• To learn more about AI in financial services, you can explore further with research from the Center for Ethics in Financial Services.
• Stay informed about our latest AI research and initiatives—follow us on LinkedIn for updates and insights.

In the article, American College Center for Ethics in Financial Services Managing Director Azish Filabi, JD, MA and Center Leadership Strategy Fellow Dr. Caterina Bulgarella emphasize the importance of recognizing and navigating stakeholder blind spots to strengthen trust in the financial services industry. Drawing from research by the Center for Ethics in Financial Services, they highlight the importance of understanding the belief systems, values, and expectations of all stakeholders, including clients, employees, regulators, and the media.

The authors highlight that differing perspectives among stakeholders can lead to misunderstandings and biases, which hinder the development of trust-based relationships. They suggest that financial institutions should move beyond merely meeting customer expectations and instead focus on understanding the underlying beliefs, needs, and values of their stakeholders. By doing so, firms can identify shared interests that extend beyond financial transactions, fostering more meaningful and trustworthy relationships.

Education on strategies to navigate trust-based relationships can help uncover opportunities, including stronger client engagement and long-term success. Home office leaders and financial professionals looking to leverage trust as a strategic asset can take the next step by enrolling in the Trust Certificate Program: Strategies for Building Trust. The program equips participants with knowledge about the science of trust and how to apply various frameworks and models to real-life challenges. Designed to help participants build deeper connections, address barriers to trust, and create trust-based relationships that drive long-term success, this live, fully remote program applies practical frameworks developed by the Center for Ethics.

The June 2025 cohort is now open for individual registration and will be delivered in three sessions: June 13, June 20, and June 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. Co-instructors include Dr. Caterina Bulgarella, Azish Filabi, JD, MA, and Dr. Domarina Oshana. Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate of completion.

More from The College

• Read the full article to explore how recognizing and addressing blind spots can help strengthen trust across financial services.
• Learn more about the Center’s Trust Certificate Program including enrollment information.
• Access information on the Center’s research on trust's role in financial services.

In this timely episode of the Shares podcast, Michael Finke, PhD, CFP® speaks with Scott Lincicome, JD of the Cato Institute about the market uncertainty spurred by recent shifts in tariff policy, including the pros and cons of tariffs historically and their potential impacts on businesses, financial professionals, and consumers. They explore how tariffs may have unintended consequences for protected industries, as well as other important information advisors should know when talking with clients.

Scott Lincicome, JD is the vice president of general economics and the Cato Institute’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies. He writes on international and domestic economic issues, including international trade; subsidies and industrial policy; manufacturing and global supply chains; and economic dynamism. Lincicome also is a senior visiting lecturer at Duke University Law School, where he has taught a course on international trade law, and he previously taught international trade policy as a visiting lecturer at Duke. Before joining Cato, Lincicome spent two decades practicing international trade law at White & Case LLP, where he litigated national and multilateral trade disputes and advised multinational corporations on how to optimize their transactions and business practices consistent with global trade rules and national regulations.

From 1998 to 2001, Lincicome was a trade policy research assistant at Cato; he became an adjunct scholar in 2013. During that time, Lincicome authored or coauthored several policy papers, as well as numerous op-eds on trade and economic issues. He is routinely featured in TV, radio, and print media. Lincicome has a BA in political science from the University of Virginia and a JD from the university’s School of Law.

Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are the hosts’ and guests' own and do not necessarily represent those of The American College of Financial Services.

More From The College

• Get tax-savvy advising skills with the Tax Planning Certified Professional® (TPCP®) Program.
• Secure specialized expertise in retirement income planning with the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) Program.
   

It’s no secret that the pinnacle of Peak 65 is here. If you pay any attention to the news, you’ve likely seen stories about the baby boomer wave cresting over the next several years — and along with it, an influx of potential clients with substantial assets and a need for specialized retirement planning advice. But to attract those clients and deliver the expertise they need, you need to look beyond standard, one-size-fits-all strategies.

According to the CFP Board, less than one-fifth of the CFP® exam covers retirement income planning — and many other foundational designations offer only high-level overviews of retirement planning. To offer potential clients something different, you need to seek deeper knowledge, like that from the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) Program.

Here’s one way you could explain this to clients: if you suspected there was something wrong with your heart, would you be satisfied with the report of a general practitioner? Or would you seek out a cardiologist, someone who specializes in exactly the kind of medicine you might need? It’s the same with retirement income planning — and with RICP®, you and they benefit from a recognized mark of excellence backed by a nearly 100-year-old accredited academic institution and powered by the insights of 45+ top academics and thought leaders.

Your peers’ performance speaks for itself…and you can reach the same heights in less than four months.

What is the RICP^®?

The RICP® is a specialized financial planning designation for professionals who want greater knowledge of retirement income strategies and solutions. It is usually not the first designation professionals earn, but is a strong follow-up and complement to a foundational certification such as the CFP® mark or the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®). The RICP® focuses on advanced areas of retirement income planning that go beyond the basics and into subjects of growing importance in today’s uncertain markets, including:

• Social Security claiming
• Healthcare and long-term care
• Estate and legacy planning
• Tax-informed retirement planning
• Employee retirement savings plans

Perhaps most importantly, the RICP® Program’s enhanced and accelerated curriculum means you’ll be able to start putting what you learn into practice for your clients on day one — and complete the entire program in under four months. If you don’t want to miss the baby boomer wave, the RICP® is your must-have designation.

How Can RICP^® Help My Career?

Surveys of your potential clients and peers over the last few years consistently show the need for specialized retirement planning knowledge: according to our Center for Financial Security, 71% of financial professionals surveyed recognized their clients’ need for in-depth retirement planning services¹, and research including our 2024 Advisory Services Survey consistently ranks retirement planning as one of the top concerns for financial professionals and clients alike.²

Even putting this aside, the benefits of getting your RICP® designation are clear from the increased growth and success your peers are enjoying. Our 2024 Designation Outcomes Study in conjunction with FUSE Research Network examined self-reported growth over the past three years from RICP® designees compared to professionals with no designations, and the results speak for themselves.³

• 71% higher growth in client retention
• 45% higher growth in number of clients
• 26% higher growth in earnings

In addition, those who secured the RICP® designation saw significant improvement in their knowledgeability to talk retirement planning and strategy with their clients.

• Over 80% reported ability to help clients with a greater number of goals and improvement in quality of client conversations
• Over 80% also reported improved ability to help clients with areas including Social Security planning and retirement income and withdrawal strategies
• Over 90% reported improvements in their general retirement planning capability

Meet This Wave…and Prepare for the Next One

If you still need some convincing about the value of specialized retirement planning knowledge like the RICP® Program, here’s something else to think about. While the current wave of baby boomer retirees and their over $80 trillion in wealth may be rolling on at some point in the next few years, another wave is on the way.

Starting around 2030, members of Gen X will be reaching age 65 as well, and they stand to gain the most from that wealth transfer; many are set to inherit assets worth $5 million or more. Combined with an average net worth of over $1 million per household, Gen X is the next frontier of retirement planning.⁴

So why wait? Get started on earning your RICP® now and ensure you’re equipped for the current retirement opportunity — and ahead of the curve for the next one — in four months or less.

More From The College

• Explore the RICP®
• Read the 2024 Designation Outcomes Study
• Browse Designations

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – April 9, 2025 – The American College of Financial Services is proud to announce the addition of Russell N. James III, JD, PhD, CFP®, Paul LaPiana, CFP®, and John C. Roberts, CFA, to its board of trustees. Their combined expertise in financial services and higher education will enhance The College’s mission to advance the profession and benefit society.

Russell N. James III, JD, PhD, CFP®, is a professor at Texas Tech University. A renowned expert in charitable financial planning, James specializes in donor psychology and philanthropic strategies. His research and teachings have significantly contributed to the understanding of charitable giving behaviors, aiding nonprofits and financial advisors in developing effective fundraising strategies. James holds both a law degree and doctorate, in addition to the CFP® certification, bringing a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the field of philanthropic planning.

Paul LaPiana, CFP®, is the head of brand, product, and affiliated distribution at MassMutual. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, LaPiana leads the company’s brand strategy, product development, and distribution channels. He joined MassMutual in 2016 following the acquisition of the MetLife Premier Client Group and has since held pivotal roles, including head of product. LaPiana is a CFP® professional and holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, and 63 registrations. His leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation and aligning MassMutual’s offerings with the evolving needs of clients.  

John C. Roberts, CFA, serves as executive vice president and chief field officer at Northwestern Mutual. Since joining the company in 2006, Roberts has held various leadership roles, including interim chief financial officer and vice president of distribution performance. In his current position, he oversees the growth and success of Northwestern Mutual’s field force, comprising over 20,000 advisors and team members, and leads the company’s wealth and investment management division. Roberts holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Indiana University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and serves on the community board for the Milwaukee Public Museum.  

“We are honored to welcome Russell, Paul, and John to our board of trustees,” said George Nichols III, CAP®, president and CEO of The College. “Their exceptional leadership and industry expertise will help guide us as we expand access to applied financial knowledge, support the next generation of financial professionals, and empower individuals and communities to achieve greater financial security.”

The College’s board of trustees plays an essential role in shaping the institution’s strategic vision and fostering innovation in financial services education. The addition of these accomplished leaders underscores The College’s ongoing commitment to providing rigorous, high-impact financial education programs.

For more information about The College’s leadership, including the full roster of trustees, visit https://www.theamericancollege.edu/about-the-college/our-people/leadership. 

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has educated over 200,000 professionals across the United States through certificate, designation, and graduate degree programs. Its portfolio of applied knowledge also includes just-in-time learning and consumer financial education programs. The College’s faculty represents some of the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

Contact

Sarah Tremallo
908-967-0381 / stremallo@jconnelly.com

Jared Trexler
610-526-1268 / jared.trexler@theamericancollege.edu