In attendance will also be notable guests Sallie Krawcheck, CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, as the keynote speaker and Lazetta Rainey Braxton, MBA, CFP®, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners as the closing speaker. Attendees will honor the recipients of the inaugural Women Working in Wealth Awards, created to recognize inspirational women who strive to advance other women in financial services. Prior to the conference opening, guests will take part in a walk on Wall Street and the agenda includes two workshops focused on advancing the cause and careers of women in financial services. 

The Center for Women in Financial Services is committed to advancing women in financial services through research, education, and awareness. Part of their work to #BreaktheBias includes dismantling myths about women and providing tools and resources to women and their allies to create a more inclusive industry. 

“We’re excited to provide engaging content, thought leadership, and connection at our inaugural Women Working in Wealth Summit on International Women's Day,” says Hilary Fiorella, Executive Director of The American College Center for Women in Financial Services. “Women working in financial services face unique challenges that are easier to overcome with support from other women. The Center for Women in Financial Services is honored to continue its mission of supporting female financial professionals with access to a supportive community and educational opportunities through The American College of Financial Services.” 

The one-day, in-person event includes networking, shared professional wisdom, and a celebration to honor the recipients of the first annual Women Working in Wealth Awards. Guests will hear from female financial industry thought leaders including: 

Keynote Address – "Women Working in Wealth: How to Break the Bias" 

• Sallie Krawcheck, CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, a tech-first financial company, built by women for women and one of the fastest growing digital investment platforms. Before launching Ellevest, Krawcheck built a successful career on Wall Street, including roles as CEO of Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, US Trust, Citi Private Bank, Sanford C. Bernstein and CFO for Citigroup 

Closing Speaker – "Charging Ahead with Care and Courage" 

• Lazetta Rainey Braxton, MBA, CFP®, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners, social entrepreneur, and nationally recognized financial expert. Rainey Braxton is passionate about amplifying diversity, inclusion, equality and belonging in FinServ 

Workshop Speaker 

• Stacy Francis, CFP®, CDFA®, CES™, President and CEO of Francis Financial, a fee-only boutique wealth management, financial planning and divorce financial planning firm dedicated to providing ongoing comprehensive advice for successful individuals, couples, and women in transition such as divorce or widowhood 

Event registration closes on March 1, 2022, or until our limited quantity runs out.

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

This significant gift will serve as the foundation for the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality’s new programs to recruit and train Black advisors. For its leadership, Securian Financial will be recognized as a Lead Funding Sponsor of the Center. 

“The American College of Financial Services is grateful for the financial commitment from Securian Financial, which will allow the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality to build upon existing programs and create new resources to recruit and retain more Black financial professionals,” said George Nichols III, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. “The critical support of Securian Financial and other industry leaders, with a strong commitment to close the racial wealth gap with lasting, collective community-focused solutions, allows us to collaborate with those seeking to change our history’s narrative around economic equity.”

Securian Financial’s important commitment will help with the expansion of the Center’s Four Steps Forward initiative, including expanding a scholarship program to prepare more Black Americans for careers in financial services and the implementation of a new approach to study group and mentorship programs to recruit, train, and retain more Black financial professionals. 

“Securian Financial is committed to diversifying our company and the industries in which we do business, and this initiative will further our efforts,” said Dexter Davis, Securian Financial chief diversity officer and second vice president for talent development. “The financial advisor profession is not currently reflective of America, especially with Black Americans. Recruiting and developing more Black financial advisors will better the industry and society as a whole—bringing more people currently underrepresented and underserved into this important market.” 

Securian Financial has been a long-time sponsor of the Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP), and through their commitment they have renewed their sponsorship through 2026 and will support the build out of the CAAFP Community Network. The CAAFP is the largest conference of African American financial professionals, and will hold its 16th annual conference in Washington, D.C. from August 8-10, 2022. 

“The investments made by Securian go beyond financial. The company’s commitment includes important thought leadership that will amplify the impact of the Center’s recruiting and training programs,” says Steve Grourke, CAP®, CFRE, Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations at The American College of Financial Services. “The College and Securian Financial worked collaboratively to construct our relationship to ensure our efforts will have a tangible and lasting impact on Black financial professionals and Black communities across the country.” 

Since launching the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality in August 2020, over $10.5 million in corporate, foundation, and individual commitments have been made to support Four Steps Forward—the Center’s signature initiative to promote upward mobility and wealth building in Black communities. This funding has helped build the Center’s capacity and launch important programs, including: 

• Black Women, Trust, and the Financial Services Industry Study – The Center’s first research project focused on a critical community—Black women. The study paints a holistic picture of Black women’s perception of financial services and money, their wants, needs, and their role in the household and the community. 
• Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth – A first-of-its-kind financial education program from The College delivered to the HBCU community. 
• Black Executive Leadership Program – An executive-level cohort program designed for the financial services industry, to cultivate and empower Black leaders and executive sponsors in financial services.

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

ABOUT SECURIAN FINANCIAL 

At Securian Financial, we’re here for family. And we’re here because of it. We’re guided by our purpose: helping customers build secure tomorrows. Since 1880, we’ve been building a uniquely diversified company that has outlasted economic ups and downs while staying true to our customers. We’re committed to the markets we serve, providing insurance, investment and retirement solutions that give families the confidence to focus on what’s truly valuable: banking memories with those who matter most. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., Securian Financial is a Fortune 500 company¹ and one of the nation’s largest life insurers. Securian Financial Services, a subsidiary of Securian Financial, is a broker-dealer and registered investment advisory firm offering a full range of financial services through a network of independent, locally owned firms and 1,100 affiliated financial professionals. 

¹2021 Fortune 500 Companies List, June 2021. Based on 2020 total reported GAAP revenue. The rankings are limited to publicly traded companies, farmer-owned cooperatives and mutual insurers headquartered in the United States. 

Securian Financial is the marketing name for Securian Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries. Insurance products are issued by its subsidiary insurance companies, including Minnesota Life Insurance Company and Securian Life Insurance Company, a New York authorized insurer. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC

According to consumers, it is the most popular service they seek from a financial advisor, and seven in 10 (71.2%) independent advisors desire to advance their specialized knowledge in the many complexities facing the growing retiree market. This alignment speaks to a need not yet met, which is not altogether surprising given the limited coverage of retirement income planning in comprehensive financial planning education. 

The demand among independent advisors for advanced education through a professional designation aligns with the strong consumer preference for “evidence of knowledge or certifications” when seeking the services of a professional advisor. The research substantiates consumers are overwhelmingly seeking guidance with retirement planning more than any other area. These findings come from two studies – The College’s 2022 RIA Growth and Specialized Knowledge Survey comprised of nearly 400 independent or hybrid advisors at Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firms and the Granum Center for Financial Security’s 2022 Consumer Survey made up of over 1,150 consumers. 

“Continuous learning is critical to the growth and success of investment advisors whose value is more linked to integrated planning services than active security selection.” said Michael Finke, PhD, CFP®, professor of Wealth Management and director for the O. Alfred Granum Center for Financial Security at The American College of Financial Services. “Looking at the data, we see a clear need for further education and specialized knowledge in retirement income planning – it is what consumers want, and it is what advisors in the RIA community think is valuable.” 

A significant advantage of specialized planning education is that it helps independent advisors position themselves to cater to the unique needs of their clients and deal with more complex cases one is likely to encounter with high-net-worth clients. Designations such as the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) from The College help foster the unique skillsets needed to guide clients through the financial challenges of preparing for and living in retirement. 

Key takeaways from the 2022 RIA Growth and Specialized Knowledge Survey show: 

• Nearly three in five (58.5%) independent advisors at RIAs strongly agree that increased knowledge obtained by pursuing a financial services designation has helped advance their career 
• Professional designations programs (66.6%) are among the most-preferred education formats for applied specialized knowledge 
• Retirement income planning is the area independent advisors most want to grow in advanced expertise, followed closely by issues facing a similar clientele like estate planning and advanced tax planning, and topics such as investment and wealth management 
• Nearly eight in 10 (79.4%) independent advisors surveyed agree they would not have been prepared to provide integrated services without the increased knowledge obtained through pursuing a financial services designation 

Among the findings from the Granum Center for Financial Security’s 2022 Consumer Survey: 

• 27.1% of consumers listed knowledge as the most important attribute when looking for a financial advisor, and half (49.2%) cited knowledge as a top-three desired characteristics in an advisor 
• Three out of 10 consumers (31.3%) chose “understanding how much I can safely spend in retirement” as the number one service they seek from a financial advisor 
• Retirement income planning was the most popular desired service among older and younger consumers alike, and was equally popular among men and women 

“Compared to short-form training such as micro-credentialling and premium continuing education modules, more than twice as many independent advisors listed professional designations as a preferred education format,” Finke added. “The demand for advanced education through a professional designation among advisors aligns with the strong consumer preference for ‘evidence of knowledge or certifications’ when seeking the services of a professional advisor.” 

Specialized planning creates better results for clients by helping to ensure all components of their financial lives work together. Additional comprehensive benefits of specialized knowledge for emerging RIAs include easier recruiting, faster growth, greater sustainability, diverse fee structure options, and the ability to take on more lucrative clients. It also allows for businesses to be less susceptible to challenging market conditions because clients will always need specialized fee-for-service guidance. 

The American College of Financial Services is committed to offering quality applied knowledge and education in all planning areas across the industry through our education programs and Centers of Excellence to better serve consumers and the advisors who guide them towards financial success.

2022 RIA Growth and Specialized Knowledge Survey Methodology 

The American College of Financial Services conducted a national online flash survey of nearly 400 independent advisors conducted between May 11 – May 18, 2022. Results from the survey provide insight into what growing RIAs need to build momentum and grow their assets under management (AUM), maximize profitability in an environment dominated by large firms and accelerate their long-term profitability and sustainability. 

Granum Center for Financial Security’s 2022 Consumer Survey Methodology

The American College O. Alfred Granum Center for Financial Security in collaboration with faculty from the American College Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services and the American College Center for Women in Financial Services conducted a national online survey of 1,157 individuals with investible financial assets of at least $25,000. Results from the survey provide insight into the changing landscape of consumer demand for financial advice. 

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

The research reveals opportunities for financial companies to better connect with and grow trust with consumers by understanding their beliefs and behaviors as these insights can help companies to close gaps in trust and better position themselves for long-term relationships. 

These findings are part of the inaugural Trust in Financial Services Study conducted by the American College Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services, the only ethics center within an academic institution focusing exclusively on the financial services industry. The study surveyed more than 1,500 U.S. consumers ages 18 and older, with a nationally representative sample based on age, gender, census region, highest level of education achieved, and race/ethnicity. 

“Our Center promotes ethical behavior by offering research and programs that go beyond the rules of market conduct to help individuals and companies be more sensitive to ethical issues and think more critically about solutions for the benefit of society,” said Azish Filabi, executive director of the Center for Ethics in Financial Services and associate professor of ethics at The American College of Financial Services. “We want to be known as the go-to resource on trust, and this research supports our mission to raise the level of ethical behavior in the financial services industry.” 

Simplicity and Ease of Use – Not Knowledge – Wins the Day for Consumers 

The study found three in five (60%) consumers prefer products and services that are easy to understand and use. In fact, consumers’ preference for simplicity outweighed other factors when deciding to use a financial company, including fees associated with the product/services (58%), the level of risk (57%) or guarantees offered by the company (50%). 

Consumers want financial professionals who are upfront, one of the top ten reasons to trust a financial company. A somewhat counterintuitive insight: while the general belief is that consumers are seeking knowledge and skills in a financial professional, they seek simplicity first and foremost. It takes knowledge and skill to simplify complex ideas, yet, from the consumer’s perspective, it’s possible that complexity signals distrust while simplicity – if it’s transparent and truthful – can be an attractive proposition. 

More Trusting of Companies Whose Values Align with Their Own, but Consumers are Willing to Make Tradeoffs 

Nearly seven in 10 (67%) consumers cited “a company’s values are aligned with mine” as a reason for trusting. Understanding consumers’ values can help financial companies connect with and build trust with consumers. 

There is a spectrum of values that influence consumers using a given company (honesty/transparency, customer service, community involvement, treatment of employees, contributions to social justice and diversity as well as practical considerations and fair treatment for all people). Yet consumers must often balance practical considerations with their values when choosing which companies to use, and are willing to make tradeoffs due to: 

• Price 
• Convenience 
• Lack of choice 

“Consumers are cognizant of tradeoffs they must make between ‘practical considerations’ and a company’s alignment with their values,” said Domarina Oshana, PhD, Director of Research and Operations at The American College Center for Ethics in Financial Services. “Sometimes short-term budgetary constraints or maintaining longer-term financial goals take precedence. Much like the scenario that plays out with utility companies, it can be difficult for some consumers to completely steer clear of companies that don’t align with their values, as they may not be able to find the product or service otherwise. Yet, one deal breaker for consumers seems to be instances where they see a company treating people unfairly.” 

Demographics of Trust Index™ Reveals Opportunities for Trust Building 

The financial industry continues to think about how to manage the changing landscape of U.S. demographics. Companies can stand out as trustworthy by better understanding the unique groups they serve. According to the Demographics of Trust Index™: 

• As household income increases, so does trust in all service industries 
• Millennials have the highest levels of trust in all types of financial companies (and higher levels of trust across all service industries compared to other generations) 
• Gen-Z and Boomers+ consumers have lower trust than others in many types of financial companies 
• Consumers of color have higher levels of trust in national banks, online-only banks, and investment app companies compared to White consumers, but similar levels of trust in financial services overall 
• Female consumers have similar levels of trust as male consumers 
• Overall, consumers with low trust in financial services tend to be both older and younger (Gen-Z and Boomers+), female, and less educated and have lower household incomes 
• Low trust consumers tend to trust local institutions 

STUDY METHODOLOGY 

The research methodology for the study included a consumer survey as well as focus groups and in-depth interviews to assess consumer perceptions of trust. Respondents for the consumer survey were asked a number of questions about their beliefs and behaviors to measure trust in financial services. Information for the consumer survey was gathered through an online panel, designed and deployed by an external research partner to The College, with over 1,500 Americans conducted between May 12-June 2, 2021. To qualify for participation in the study, respondents had to be aged 18 and older and live in the US. Two focus groups and five in-depth interviews of consumers aged 18 and older in the U.S. were also conducted to dive deeper into the themes uncovered in the survey and provide context for the quantitative data from the survey. 

The Demographics of Trust Index™ was derived from the consumer survey to track and trend demographics of trust in financial services over time. It is a reliable and valid composite measure summarizing multiple statements in the survey that represent beliefs about trust on privacy and data security, financial integrity, guidance/decision-making, community support, and innovation. Consumers were asked to rate how much they agree with each statement on a 7-point scale (where a 1 means “Strongly Disagree” and a 7 means “Strongly Agree”). Consumers were only asked to rate the types of financial companies they use or are familiar with. The agreement ratings were then converted to a 0-100 scale and averaged to form the index value. 

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

The findings are part of the Advisors’ Perceptions of Success Survey conducted by the American College Center for Women in Financial Services, exploring the traits and characteristics of successful financial advisors – including the challenges they face, and strengths that led to success – to better understand the current state of advisor performance. 

The study invited participating advisors to evaluate their success on a seven-point self-scoring scale – defining a continuum from low to highly successful – and asked whether advisors were meeting their business objectives to establish a means to adequately gauge levels of achievement. 

Link between meeting business objectives and more success 

One of the most striking findings from the research report is that meeting business and growth objectives closely correlates with being successful. In fact, only 28.4% of respondents who were not meeting objectives defined themselves as successful, while 90% of those meeting objectives were defined as successful. According to one successful female advisor, in an open-ended response: “You get out of this career what you put into this career. It’s your business. Own the success or failure.” 

“Showcasing success attributes of current female practitioners can help attract more women to the business and aid them in achieving their short- and long-term career goals,” said Hilary Fiorella, executive director of the Center for Women in Financial Services. “Through this research, we sought to understand what drives advisors’ success, as it can provide valuable guidance to women (and men) considering this profession. The findings can arm firms with the insights and tools to better support the underrepresented female advisor group by understanding what success looks like as well as the unique challenges they face.” 

Nearly eight in 10 of respondents who indicated they were not meeting their objectives elaborated on why in a follow-up question. Responses revealed business development (31%), the Covid-19 pandemic (17%) and systemization (16%) as the top themes for not meeting business objectives. 

Nuances of success factors across genders 

Interestingly, while there is a consensus among advisors at all levels on the prerequisites of success as earning trust and working hard, female respondents were more apt to credit some portion of their success to others (e.g., ability to communicate and external support received) than were men. Conversely, men emphasized individual effort more than women. Among the other findings: 

• Women were more likely than men to identify interpersonal professional relationships and experiences as foundational to their career success and credited tools such as mentoring, team structure, work/life balance, and home office resources as important contributors to their success 
• Men, on the other hand, more frequently referenced relationships as a reinforcement to their already-established sense of success rather than as a contributing factor to it 

Challenges to success 

When asked to identify the greatest challenges that could limit their ability to succeed as an advisor, respondents most frequently cited “finding new clients” (46.3%) and “hiring qualified staff” (42.6%). Male advisors slightly outpaced their female counterparts (52.8% vs. 41.8%) in terms of desire/need to find new clients, but beyond client acquisition, challenges to success tracked relatively closely by gender: 

• Increasing productivity (females: 38%; males: 34%) 
• Keeping next-gen clients (females: 31%; males: 30%) 
• Doing more with current clients (females: 23%; males: 27%) 

For more successful respondents, the most frequently cited difficulties did not vary by gender, led by hiring qualified staff (females: 53%; males: 48%), acquiring new clients (females: 38%; males: 47%) and increasing productivity (females: 37%; males: 35%). 

Meanwhile, for less successful advisors, finding new clients was the most frequently cited challenge for both genders, though males reported this at a greater rate (females: 51.2%; males: 65.9%). 

Support and resources desired 

The survey also asked what support/resources would be most useful to advisors at this stage in their careers. Just as client acquisition was one of the top challenges identified by survey respondents, a majority said finding new clients was also first on the list of areas in which advisors want more help. Nearly six in 10 (58%) advisors cited access to high-net-worth clients as the most useful support they could receive. 

Breaking this down further among female advisors: 

• Half (50%) of female respondents reported access to high-net-worth clients as an area of needed support, chosen more than any other response 
• Additional formal education or credentialing (43%) and technology (40%) rounded out the top three areas where support is desired among female advisors 
• Study groups (37%) and mentoring (37%) rounded out the top sought after resources 

Among women identifying as less successful advisors, more than half (52%) cited mentoring and study group opportunities when asked what support/resources they desired, showcasing the importance of knowledge sharing and support to enable growth and success. 

“These insights highlight an opportunity for the industry to deliver the necessary resources, guidance and support advisors need to succeed,” said Kaylee Ranck, research director of the Center for Women in Financial Services. “The financial services industry has room for continued growth and expansion of professional development programs such as specialized knowledge, mentorship and study groups – primarily for female advisors – to support their individual needs on the path to success.” 

STUDY METHODOLOGY 

The research methodology for the Advisors’ Perceptions of Success study included a survey to assess financial advisors’ self-identified success, contributing factors to their success, and challenges faced. Respondents were asked several questions about their business models, education attainment, specializations, and personal attributes as financial advisors. Respondents answered opened ended questions adding qualitative responses supplementing the quantitative data. Information for the financial advisor success survey was gathered through an online survey tool, designed with an external research partner, with over 800 financial advisors between October and November 2021. Participants in survey were currently employed financial advisors or agents within the U.S. 

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

The grand homecoming of the Annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP), hosted by The American College of Financial Services—the nation’s largest accredited, non-profit educational institution devoted to financial services, will be held in Washington, D.C. August 8—10, 2022. 

This marks the 16th year of The College hosting the CAAFP, featuring inspiring and thought-provoking sessions led by change agents and industry experts delivering timely and engaging information, continuing education credit, entertainment, and more. 

The three-day event makes a celebratory return to an in-person gathering following 2020 and 2021’s highly successful all-virtual conferences. The year’s conference will focus on our dynamic and powerful community; advancing strategies for economic empowerment across generations; and strengthening impact and transformational change with the theme of “Homecoming: Empowering Our Legacy.” 

There will be a wide range of sessions covering a variety of personal and professional development topics with a focus on narrowing the wealth gap in African American communities. Guests will hear from thought leaders from a variety of backgrounds, including Morgan Stanley Senior Client Advisor Carla Harris; Fidelity Charitable President Jacob Pruitt; and NBA-superstar Dwight Howard. Sessions will tie back to four main themes: Connecting with colleagues and friends in the tradition of homecoming; Building industry knowledge and career insights; Strengthening and engaging intergenerational networks; and Advancing the groundbreaking initiatives of the American College’s Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality. 

"The Conference of African American Financial Professionals started as an educational experiment over fifteen years ago and is now the largest gathering of its kind, within financial services, with a mission to advance, connect and empower African Americans working in the profession," says George Nichols III, President, and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. "As the nation's leading financial services educator, we look forward to gathering with this outstanding community and introducing innovative programs to empower future generations of Black financial professionals." 

The CAAFP helps uplift Black professionals and promote the advancement of all underserved and underrepresented communities through education and empowerment as we seek to narrow the wealth gap and create sustainable, generational change.

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

Based solely on the feedback provided through an employee survey, The College has been named a Top Workplace in Philadelphia for midsized companies. 

“Our people are what make us great, and we strive to ensure The American College of Financial Services provides a positive work environment and supportive culture for our workforce of exceptionally talented individuals,” said George Nichols III, President and CEO of The College. “We are honored to be recognized as a Top Workplace for a second year because this shows that our employees feel heard, challenged by a high-performance culture, valued and are connecting with our vision.” 

Under the leadership of President Nichols, The College’s commitment to building a collaborative and inclusive work culture remains a priority. With faculty and staff across the country, keeping the workforce connected and engaged is integral to its continued success as a growing and dynamic company. The College can affect this kind of culture change through the advocacy and ideas of The College’s culture committee, leadership training, frequent employee surveys, virtual and in-person events, and a clear mission and vision to rally around. 

The Top Workplaces list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, to name a few. The College also received specific badges for certain culture drivers ranked in the top 25% of organizations in our mid-sized company benchmark surveyed in the last 12 months, including: 

• Clued-in Employees – Employees feel well-informed about the important decisions at The College 
• Trusted Leader – Employees have confidence in the leader of The College 
• Company Direction – Employees believe The College is going in the right direction 

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.” 

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

ABOUT ENERGAGE

Making the world a better place to work together.^TM 

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 14 years of culture research and the results from 23 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

On September 15, 2022, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the premier scholarship fundraising and networking event will feature thought-provoking content and a moving, patriotic award ceremony. The Clambake's generous supporters, including the event’s Diamond sponsor and the Center’s Founding Partner and Sponsor, Penn Mutual, have provided educational support and career opportunities to more than 1,200 men, women, and their spouses. In 2022, the Center aims to award 400 full scholarships. 

“Making a positive impact in the lives of those who have honorably served our country and assisting them with a viable second career is at the heart of the mission of the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs," said Jim Roy, PMP, USAF (Ret.), Executive Director of the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs. "We are tremendously grateful for the continued support and the opportunity to collaborate with others seeking to uplift our nations’ heroes.” 

A key component of the Clambake is The American College Soldier-Citizen Award, established in 2014 to recognize extraordinary individuals who have served honorably in the United States military, have achieved success in the financial services profession, and have selflessly given back to society and their community. The 2022 Solder Citizen Award Recipient is General Lester L. Lyles, USAF (Ret.). 

In his last assignment before retiring from the Air Force, General Lyles served as the Commander of the Air Force Materiel Command of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The command conducts research, development, test and evaluation, and provides acquisition management services and logistics support necessary to keep Air Force weapons systems ready for war. General Lyles, a distinguished graduate of the Howard University ROTC program, served in various Air Force assignments including Vice Chief of Staff at Headquarters U.S. Air Force and Director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. 

"I am both humbled to accept The American College of Financial Services’ 8th Soldier Citizen Award, and proud to join the ranks of impressive leaders previously selected,” said General Lyles. “The same passion to help service members and their families in improving their own quality of life guided me during my 15 years on the Board of USAA - the last eight years of which I served as the Chairman of the Board. Servant leadership is much like being a Soldier Citizen; it requires selfless sacrifice and commitment to helping others.” 

The Center for Military and Veterans Affairs has experienced explosive growth since its launch in 2012 thanks to impressive support from corporate and private donors, as well as word-of-mouth advocacy from scholars. September 11, 2022, marks the 10-year anniversary of Penn Mutual as the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs’ Founding Partner and Sponsor. The annual Clambake continues to generate professional interest and garner financial support for the important mission of the Center. 

“We’re proud to be an active, longtime sponsor of The American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs,” said Thomas H. Harris, CLU®, ChFC®, President, Life Insurance and Annuities, The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. “We salute General Lyles for his inspired leadership and celebrate his lasting impact on the Center’s meaningful outreach programs, which elevate financial professionals to better serve their clients.” 

“The Clambake is a time to come together to celebrate sacrifice, success and service,” said George Nichols III, President and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. “We thank our generous supporters who have helped us to make a measurable impact in our collective mission to transform the lives of our active-duty, guard, and reserve service members, veterans, and their families.” 

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

Carter brings decades of financial services and leadership experience, and his expertise will support The College as a trusted source of applied financial knowledge and education. 

“Brandon is a standout leader, and we are pleased to welcome him to The American College of Financial Services Board of Trustees,” says George Nichols III, President and CEO at The American College of Financial Services. “As The College grows and we implement our strategic plan, it is especially important that our Board includes consummate professionals, like him, to help us in our goal to bring students and alumni on a lifelong journey of learning and provide applied financial knowledge and education to everyone who needs it. His deep passion and professional success in supporting our military, veterans, reservists, and their spouses also aligns with the work and our desired expansion of the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs.” 

As Chairman and President, Carter oversees the USAA Life Insurance Company and multiple subsidiaries and is responsible for the strategy and operations for product management and distribution, actuary, underwriting, servicing, and claims across the life, health and annuity portfolio. He is leading the digital transformation of the business while preserving USAA’s legendary service. Carter is a member of USAA’s Executive Council, which oversees the strategy and day-to-day operations of USAA’s companies and staff agencies. The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking and investment and retirement solutions to more than 13 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. 

“It’s an honor to serve on the Board of The American College of Financial Services, an institution that shares USAA’s and my commitment to help the people of our nation lead lives of financial wellness, supported by financial professionals with the expertise to lead them.” Carter says. “The College has a robust reserve of talent and knowledge and I look forward to being a part of an organization that delivers the highest quality education to the professionals entrusted with the public’s financial well-being.” 

Prior to his current role, Carter served as General Manager of USAA’s Phoenix Campus, with site management of the expanding facility and its more than 3,000 employees, external community relations, and support for USAA's military affairs and government relations for the State of Arizona. His additional responsibilities included serving as Vice President of Experience Management, leading the transformational journey to a relationship sales culture, marketing campaigns and design capabilities that deliver world-class member experiences. 

Carter joined USAA in 1997, and over his 25-year USAA career has excelled in multiple executive leadership positions focused on sales, marketing, service, operational efficiency, and transformation. He currently holds the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®). Carter sits on the Board of Directors for the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and is past Chair of LL Global, the parent company of LIMRA and LOMA. He is also an active board member for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a non-profit organization providing comfort, care and resources to families grieving the death of a military loved one. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. Carter and his wife, Sherri, and their three children reside in San Antonio, Texas. 

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.

The College is proud to honor several individuals at the year-end gala who have made significant and meaningful contributions to its programs and initiatives, the financial services industry, and the benefit of society. These honors include the Solomon S. Huebner Gold Medal, the President’s Award, the NextGen Financial Services Professional Awards, and the 2022 Alumni Hall of Fame induction. 

“This year's distinguished award honorees have achieved the kind of success in their fields that inspire us all. Still, it's their character, commitment to their communities, and passion for helping The College succeed in our vision that truly sets them apart," said George Nichols III, President and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. "It gives me great pleasure to honor them with distinction at this year's President's Dinner and 95th Anniversary celebration." 

Presented annually since 1975, The College’s Huebner Gold Medal is named for Solomon S. Huebner—financial services, education, and insurance pioneer who founded The College in 1927. Individuals receiving the Huebner Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed by The College, are those whose leadership and support have advanced the mission of The College in significant ways. The College honors J. Scott Davison, CLU®, ChFC®, Chairman, President, and CEO of OneAmerica, with the 2022 Solomon S. Huebner Gold Medal. As a College Board of Trustees member since 2011 and chairperson from 2020-2022, Davison helped lead the institution into an exciting new era. 

Established in 2005, the Alumni Hall of Fame award recognizes a graduate who has made extraordinary contributions in time, talent, and treasure to the institution, their community, and the financial services profession. This year’s Alumni Hall of Fame inductee is Mark Weber, JD, MSFS, CLU®, ChFC®, CAP®, Philanthropic Consultant at Legacy Spectrum Advisor and creator of The College’s A Spectrum of Legacies educational program. Weber embodies a passion for philanthropy which he has infused into The College’s Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) Program, the Omaha CAP® Study Group Program, and over 130 difference-makers serving to advance philanthropy. 

Conferred by the President and CEO of The American College of Financial Services, the President’s Award recognizes the extraordinary leadership and generosity of benefactors and volunteers for The College. Leyla A. Lesina, ChFC®, CLU®, Senior Vice President and Head of Individual Markets Distribution at Guardian Life is the recipient of this year's President's Award for her personal philanthropy and commitment of time to championing a critical partnership that propelled The College's initiatives to support of underserved communities. 

The NextGen Financial Services Professional Award is given each year to a group of talented and deserving young professionals under forty whose contributions are making a significant impact on the industry. The 2022 group of award recipients include: 

• Matt Riley, ChFC®, CLU®, ChSNC®, Fiduciary Officer and Vice President at TS Prosperity Group 
• Kyle Kuyat, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, Partner at Sugar Magnolia Wealth Advisors and Managing Director at Silver Oak Securities 
• Ashton Lawrence, CFP®, ChFC®, AIF®, Partner at Goldfinch Wealth 
• Joshua Rosenberg, ChFC®, CLU®, CCFC®, Partner at Nabell Winslow Investments and Wealth Management 
• Stephanie Hohenshell, RICP®, LACP®, LUTCF®, Founder of the Hohenshell Agency 

For those who want to offer congratulations to the 2022 honorees, The College is accepting President's Dinner tributes in the form of donations that will allow the institution to continue to serve the industry and benefit society. 

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, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Discover all the ways you can expand your opportunities with us.