Inspiration and Impact at the 2023 Leadership Symposium
The Leadership Symposium and its panel of keynote speakers was made up of knowledgeable leaders from various backgrounds in academics, finance, and the military. The panel included Glenn Gonzales, USAF (Vet.) CEO and Founder of Jet It, Chia-Li Chien, PhD, CFP®, PMP®, CPBC Associate Provost, Graduate Programs at The American College of Financial Services, and Major General Everett Thomas, USAF (Ret.) PhD, Vice President of Mission Solutions Defense & Space Security at Lockheed Martin. It was moderated by Kevin Crawford, USA (Vet.) Vice President of Field Learning & Development at Northwestern Mutual and Center for Military and Veterans Affairs advisory council member.
Crawford directed the panel of speakers in a thoughtful discussion on adaptation of leadership styles to workforce changes pre- and post-COVID-19. Each panel member discussed their various leadership styles, as well as how they changed their styles from in-person to online management and training. All panel members gave keen insights into how to adapt and change during times of stress and difficult economic conditions through both failures and success.
After the Leadership Symposium panel discussion, attendees were treated to a vibrant presentation from Colonel Nicole M. E. Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) as she discussed her theme of “Harnessing Headwinds: Successfully Navigating Change & Adversity."
A 2019 National Women's Hall of Fame inductee and recent Presidential appointee, Colonel Malachowski has over 21 years of experience as an officer, leader, and fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Upon her commission into the military, she was competitively selected to fly combat aircraft and embarked on an adventure among the first group of women to fly modern fighter aircraft. She has had the honor of commanding a fighter squadron, flying as a USAF Thunderbird pilot, serving as a White House Fellow and as an advisor to the First Lady of the United States.
Malachowski kept the audience captivated through highly entertaining anecdotes of her time in the military as a female and her challenging journey to become one of the first female fighter pilots, as well as the first USAF Thunderbird pilot. She imparted impactful pearls of wisdom on overcoming adversity and self-doubt while following your dreams.
2023 Clambake and Soldier-Citizen Award Honors Service Members and Veterans
The Clambake is the signature event of the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs. Along with its Founding Partner and Sponsor, Penn Mutual, the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs aims to support service members, veterans, and spouses in transition to civilian employment. The annual Clambake is the centerpiece of this effort, and as always, it proved to be an evening to remember.
Honoring Our Heroes
The 2023 Clambake was held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: a stone’s throw from The College’s headquarters and a perfect venue for a celebration of service and sacrifice in our nation’s proudest tradition. With flags hanging overhead in the grand upstairs gallery, surrounded by full-length windows looking out on Independence Mall and by the words of the Constitution of the United States emblazoned on the walls, the location lent even more gravitas to an event already overflowing with it.
After a cocktail hour in which leaders from The College, the financial services industry, and the military mixed and mingled, the evening’s program began with Jim Roy, PMP®, CMSAF (Ret.) Executive Director of the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs, welcoming the crowd and opening the Clambake with the National Anthem. John Bernesky, an officer of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, sang the anthem, accompanied on the stage by a color guard of Reserve Officer Training Corps team members from local colleges, and received a rousing ovation.
Following the anthem, Center Director Phil Easton, CMSGT, USAF (Ret.) presided over another Clambake tradition: the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action tribute. ROTC team members assisted with the ceremony of setting an empty dinner table, featuring many symbolic objects, as a representation of prisoners of war and missing-in-action service members and honoring the memory of those who never came home–a number, as Easton pointed out, that includes 82,000 American soldiers in the last century.
Furthering the Mission
After the tribute, Roy returned to the stage to thank the event’s sponsors and supporters, as well as deliver an update on the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs’ many initiatives to assist service members, veterans, and spouses through financial knowledge and education. The list of accomplishments included a major realignment of the Center’s scholarship program for those in transition to civilian employment and a partnership with The College’s Career Services team to focus on resources for service members, veterans, and spouses–including a Career Pathways Guide outlining how the financial services industry can be an ideal environment for such individuals to grow professionally and carry on their commitment to serving others.
One of the biggest announcements of the evening was Roy’s introduction of the Center’s partnering with First Command Educational Foundation and their Take Command e-learning program. Similar to The College’s consumer financial education program Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth, Take Command is focused on providing former military service members essential financial financial readiness tools to improve their post-service lives.
Dr. Tracey Jones, head of the Center’s advisory board, then took the stage as the Clambake’s official emcee. With her signature style, Dr. Jones introduced several guests of honor for the evening: military scholars who have benefitted from the Center and The College’s efforts to provide education to transitioning service members, veterans, and spouses. Several of the military scholars spoke to their experiences via video or at the mic, thanking both entities and everyone present for their generosity and support.
Recognizing a Living Legend
Of course, the Clambake wouldn’t be complete without the yearly presentation of The College’s Soldier-Citizen Award. Given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions both to the defense of our nation and to the financial services industry, the Soldier-Citizen Award is the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs’ highest honor. Past recipients have included such pivotal figures in our country’s military as General Lester Lyles, USAF (Ret.), Admiral Thomas Fargo, USN (Ret.), and General David Petraeus, USA (Ret.).
Inducted into the pantheon of Soldier-Citizen Award recipients this year was another legendary figure: Admiral Michael Mullen, USN (Ret.). Most notably, Admiral Mullen served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest position in the US military, from 2007 to 2011 under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. While in this position, Admiral Mullen spearheaded the elimination of the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy instituted in 1994 to curtail debate about LGBTQIA+ individuals serving in the military. Under Admiral Mullen’s leadership, the US military threw its doors wide and committed to openly accepting the service of those from all backgrounds and orientations. He also presided over the military during a tremendous time of change both domestically and globally.
True to form, many of Admiral Mullen’s contemporaries and fellow military members spoke of him as a man of character and integrity above all else. From guest speaker CAPT Karin Vernazza, USN, to the numerous military members who offered congratualtions to Admiral Mullen via video, all identified him as a principled leader who put others before himself and who is unflinchingly committed to doing the right thing. Admiral Mullen accepted the award, a bust of warrior-philosopher Pericles, along with Roy and George Nichols III, CAP®, President and CEO of The College, and humbly thanked everyone present for the honor.
As is tradition, President Nichols closed the Clambake evening by recognizing the team from The College’s Center for Military and Veterans Affairs for all the work they do in serving those who have served us. He also identified the military, service members, and veterans as a key demographic for the financial services industry to mine for the future leaders and advisors of tomorrow.
The College Wins Wealthies Award for RIA Survey
The College was nominated for multiple awards, including their survey analyzing how Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firms and their independent advisors think about growth, prioritization to scale, and specialized knowledge. In this survey, The College found that over 75% of RIAs valued education beyond the CFP®. To find out more about what type of education they’re seeking, read the results of the survey here! A study conducted by the Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services that gathered insights from nearly 2,000 consumers about their beliefs and behaviors regarding the financial services industry, was also nominated. And for the second straight year, WealthManagement.com named The College as the recipient of their Wealthie award for industry research, recognizing The College’s survey on RIA growth and specialized knowledge as the top submission in this category.
The College’s president, George Nichols III, CAP®, described this as an “opportunity to amplify our value, expertise, and initiatives focused on shaping the future of financial services.” Nichols’ message embodies the goal of The College’s RIA Resource Center and the survey piece looking at RIA growth and the value of specialized knowledge. This study seeks to grant independent advisors the specialized knowledge they need to grow and scale their business in order to compete with larger firms.
About the RIA Resource Center
The RIA Resource Center’s main function is to help emerging RIAs grow their practice. This is accomplished through three different parts that make up the entirety of the RIA Research Center: the profitability plan, the research survey, and the RIA Stories webinar and video series. RIAs can utilize these resources to gain insights on practice building, service specialization, and potential growth areas from the latest research and field leaders.
The profitability plan is a guideline that allows RIAs to maximize their profit and growth. From providing insights on market trends to assisting in the identification of specialty programs, the RIA profitability plan serves as an opportunity for RIA firms to focus on developing an integrated planning approach through specialized, applied knowledge.
The goal of the research survey is to provide RIAs with information on specialized education and explain the benefits of this type of education using the testimonies of other growing RIAs as examples to validate these points. For this survey, The College surveyed nearly 400 independent advisors who weighed in on their path to growth. Their responses provided critical insights into the state of the industry, the pressures they face from changing client demands, and the solutions they’ve identified to increase earnings and grow their teams.
The RIA stories webinar and video series allows visitors to the RIA Resource Center to view how The College and its designations benefit members of the financial industry, providing them with specialized knowledge that allows them to better serve the needs of clients and deliver the type of financial advice that best suits their specific needs. Through these video testimonials, The College hopes to assist more RIAs in discovering how the right education can offer a path to real differentiation and sustained success.
The common theme across all of these areas is assisting RIAs in growing their practice, scaling that growth, and competing with larger firms. Specialization in an emerging RIA firm can allow for a diverse, expert team of financial advisors that can serve a wide array of clients and provide them with the financial advice that best suits their unique financial situations.
How the Survey Assists RIAs
In the survey, The College asked nearly 400 independent advisors a variety of questions pertaining to growth and their opinions on specialized knowledge as an emerging RIA. When analyzing the results of this survey, The College found that growth was a top priority for many RIAs as they sought to obtain a larger market share through recruitment and business planning. They also valued professional designation programs as effective methods of improving their skills as financial planners and felt these programs were critical to the development of those skills and the skills of their team members.
Ultimately, the survey concluded that RIAs believe that “specialization will help them become more efficient, more client-centric, and more profitable.” The College and the RIA Resource Center aim to provide RIAs seeking to grow with solutions that will allow them to take advantage of these opportunities and grow into industry leaders with the goal of benefiting more Americans and changing more lives.
The College Secures Another Prestigious Award for RIA Firm Outreach
While The College is no stranger to recognition in the financial services industry, the Gramercy Institute 2023 Financial Content Marketing Awards marked the first time a piece of its marketing content was singled out and recognized for a content award. The announcement came shortly before The College also took home an award for Industry Research Provider from the 2023 WealthManagement.com Wealthies Awards–the second in two years–for the very content piece honored by the Gramercy Institute.
Specifically, the Institute recognized The College’s efforts to reach out to independent financial advisors through its 2022 RIA Growth and Specialized Knowledge Survey, a part of The College’s RIA Resource Center. Through the survey, The College reached out to nearly 400 financial advisors who weighed in on their paths toward growth and provided invaluable insights into the state of the financial services industry, the pressures they face from changing client demands, and the solutions they’ve leveraged to increase earnings and grow their teams.
A Helping Hand to Independent Financial Advisors
In 2021, as part of a broad refocusing on education for specific segments of the financial services industry, The College undertook an effort to reach out to independent advisors and RIAs to understand the challenges they faced in competing with larger industry firms and the secrets to success that allowed them to grow and scale in a difficult environment. Initial conversations suggested a key component to success for independent financial advisors and their firms: in-depth, specialized knowledge of niche but critical components of financial planning.
These findings led to the launch of The College’s RIA Profitability Plan: a document pointing out the benefits of a specialized team of independent advisors, all working in concert, to keep financial advisors’ clients in-house and minimize the need for outside referrals. As financial industry research often shows clients prefer working with smaller advisory firms to large conglomerates, RIAs are in a unique position to customize their teams with financial advisors well-versed in specific areas of planning, from retirement and wealth management to insurance, taxation, special needs planning, and more. Additionally, as an institution with nearly 100 years of leading the financial services industry, The College is well-positioned to offer education in such areas with its acclaimed designation and degree programs, such as the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®), Wealth Management Certified Professional® (WMCP®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®), and others.
Taking the Pulse of the RIA Community
To further the impact of the RIA Profitability Plan, however, The College also needed real-time data from independent financial advisors on what the biggest challenges, obstacles, and questions were that they faced every day. In early 2022, The College began the RIA Growth and Specialized Knowledge Survey to get just those answers.
Over the course of several months, responses flooded in–and what was revealed was illuminating. Independent advisors reported that business growth was foremost on their minds, with 35% of respondents saying organic growth was their firm’s top priority and 64% saying they planned to add up to five new financial advisors to their team in the next three years. Independent financial advisors also largely recognized the importance of advanced financial services education, with over 75% saying the well-known CFP® certification was not enough to guarantee professional success alone.
Furthermore, independent financial advisors confirmed The College’s offerings as a financial educator were well in line with the areas they sought further instruction in: 71% desired more education in retirement planning; 64% in investment management; and 60% in estate planning. These focus areas align with multiple College designation and degree programs, including the aforementioned RICP® and the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®).
Perhaps most importantly, RIAs confirmed The College’s approach to specialized knowledge as the key to business growth and scaling, with nearly 80% of respondents reporting knowledge from designation programs supported service integration, improving their ability to hold onto clients with diverse needs. They also cited advanced financial education as a critical factor in their success, ranking it above even new technology as a top priority for independent financial advisors.
Iterating on RIA Success
Throughout 2022 and into 2023, The College has continued to build on the knowledge gathered from the response to the RIA Growth and Specialized Knowledge Survey with additional campaigns and content pieces. These include an “RIA Stories” video series in which independent financial advisors share how The College’s designation and degree programs have directly impacted their ability to serve clients better. Many RIAs shared similar experiences of how satisfying it was, when confronted by a client whose questions they didn’t feel qualified to answer, to simply send them down the hall to a colleague who specialized in their area of need rather than calling for an outside referral and potentially losing business.
The College also held an RIA-focused webinar in which WMCP® Program Director Michael Finke, PhD, CFP® spoke with a group of independent financial advisors about how they equipped their practices to adequately respond to clients’ needs in any market environment.
With one of its cornerstone initiatives now recognized by not one, but two prestigious marketing awards in a single year, The College plans to continue its drive to educate and empower RIAs and independent financial advisors in the years to come. The College also extends its thanks to the Gramercy Institute for their consideration!
The American College of Financial Services Launches the FinServe Network with an Inaugural Class of Ambassadors from Across the Industry
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – September 12, 2023 – The American College of Financial Services is proud to announce the launch of the FinServe Network, a remarkable cross-section of leaders and rising stars in financial services, including College alumni and dedicated volunteers who represent the uniqueness and diverse landscape of the profession.
“We are honored to have these ambassadors join the inaugural FinServe Network class and partner with The College to reach our bold strategic vision to better serve financial professionals and society for the next 100 years,” said George Nichols III, CAP®, President and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. “Through valuable connections and the networks derived from those relationships, we are advancing the conversation around what the financial services profession should truly be. We couldn't be prouder to collaborate with these leaders and look forward to working together to help redefine the future of financial services.”
The FinServe Network serves as a valuable resource for The College, advocating on behalf of its vast alumni network, providing unique perspectives and expertise on industry trends, and sharing a collective passion for lifelong learning. FinServe ambassadors will provide a behind-the-scenes preview into the innovative ways The College is growing with the intent of sparking ideas to put forward in their own careers. Issues such as training, retention, career development, access to financial services and practice management are all topics that were workshopped during the FinServe Network’s first in-person gathering in Spring 2023, and these conversations will continue as The College identifies additional areas to best serve its alumni in their career paths.
“The opportunity to be involved in shaping the programs and offerings of The College to truly impact our colleagues and future professionals is extremely inspiring,” said FinServe ambassador Heather Welsh, CFP®, AEP®, MSFS, Vice President, Wealth Planning Department Leader, Sequoia Financial Group. “The exchange of ideas with other College alumni has always been so valuable to me and formalizing this forum opens so many opportunities to meaningfully impact the industry. Financial services and financial education is for everyone.”
The ambassadors are also highly committed to working with The College to create content to inspire and engage in guided conversation on The College’s new website, across social media, and at industry events.
“I’m honored to go beyond broker/dealer affiliations and join a group of financial planning and wealth management leaders chosen by The American College of Financial Services,” said FinServe ambassador Padric Scott, WMCP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, AEP®, CFP®, CCFC, President and CEO, Crossroad Capital Partners. “This noble profession is constantly evolving, and it is exciting to be at the forefront of that conversation. Our goal as FinServe ambassadors is to continue to expand the opportunities offered through our connection with The College and foster sustained growth through those connections that will hopefully open new avenues for access.”
Meet the FinServe Network ambassadors partnering with The College to benefit society at TheAmericanCollege.edu/FinServeNetwork.
Inaugural FinServe Network Ambassadors:
- Jason Austell, CFP®, MSFS, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, AEP®, CAP®, CASL®, MassMutual
- Nancy Du, MBA, RICP®, CFP®, Ashford Advisors
- Mary Fischer-Nassib, CAP®, Sow Good Now
- Drew Gerling, MSFS, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, RICP®, CFP®, Thrivent
- Centario J. Grier, J&G Legacy Financial Group
- Terry Parham, Jr., CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, WMCP®, Innovative Wealth Building
- Richard Peck, CFP®, ChFC®, CAP®, Richard C. Peck Consulting, LLC
- Alanah Phillips, Break Up With Your Broker-Dealer, Advisor Launch Pad
- Angela Ribuffo, CFP®, RICP®, ChFC®, WMCP®, CDFA®, CLTC®, Raion Financial Strategies, LLC
- Irv Rosenzweig, ChFC®, CLU®, AEP®, CFP®, Diversified, LLC
- Padric Scott, WMCP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®, AEP®, CFP®, CCFC, Crossroad Capital Partners
- Andrew Tudor, CFP®, CAP®, RICP®, Alchemist Wealth
- Heather Welsh, CFP®, AEP®, MSFS, Sequoia Financial Group
- Fatima T. Williams, FSCP®, New York Life Insurance Company, LLC
- Marco Williams, CFP®, J.P. Morgan
- Scott A. Winslow, MSFS, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, AEP®, CCFC, Nabell Winslow Investments & Wealth Management
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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.
Contacts:
Sarah Tremallo
908-967-0381 / stremallo@jconnelly.com
Lindsey Allumbaugh
678-643-1310 / lindsey.allumbaugh@theamericancollege.edu
The American College of Financial Services to Host 9th Annual Clambake & Soldier-Citizen Award Ceremony Empowering Those Who Serve
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – September 7, 2023 – The Annual Clambake & Soldier-Citizen Award Ceremony, hosted by The American College of Financial Services and the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs, and supported by the Center’s founding sponsor and partner, Penn Mutual, will take place September 21, 2023, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event, which is celebrating its ninth year, transforms the lives of active-duty, guard, reserve members, veterans, and their spouses by raising money for full scholarships for professional designations and degree programs offered by The College.
“We’ve been here for military families for over 10 years, with roots that go much deeper, offering life-changing career transition support and opportunities for those who have honorably served in the Armed Forces," said Jim Roy, #16 CMSAF, USAF (Ret.), Executive Director of the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs. "We couldn’t do the work we do without the impactful donations of partners, organizations and individuals. This event is a celebration of that support and an opportunity to honor those who serve.”
The event features a patriotic, informative, and moving program, highlighting the work of the Center and the promise of the veterans and service members it serves. The cornerstone of the Clambake is The American College Soldier-Citizen Award, established in 2014 to recognize individuals in the financial services industry who have made significant contributions to the United States military, their community, and our society. The award aims to celebrate sacrifice, success, and service. The 2023 Soldier Citizen Award Recipient is Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN (Ret.)
“Admiral Mike Mullen truly exemplifies the values of a soldier and a citizen. As a soldier, he has given over 40 years of military service to our nation at the highest levels of leadership,” said John M. Howard, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of The American College of Financial Services. “As a citizen, he has done significant work in the financial services industry, held numerous board positions with for-profit and nonprofit organizations, taught national security decision-making policy, ethics, and leadership, and has received many distinguished awards. Much of his work with non-profit organizations is related to assisting military veterans and their families. It was an honor to nominate Admiral Mullen for this award in recognition of his sacrifice, success, and service.”
Admiral Mullen is President of MGM Consulting, which counsels global clients on related issues to geo-political developments, national security interests, and strategic leadership. He served as the 28th Chief of Naval Operations from 2005–2007 and the 17th Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff for Presidents Bush and Obama from 2007 to 2011. He led the military during a critical time of change and transition. Admiral Mullen advanced the rapid fielding of innovative technologies, championed emerging and enduring global partnerships, and promoted new methods for countering terrorism. After his retirement from the United States Navy in November 2011 after 43 years of honorable service, Admiral Mullen joined the corporate boards of General Motors from 2013–2018 and Sprint from 2013–2019. He serves on numerous boards, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, Naval Academy Foundation, Naval Postgraduate School Foundation, and a wide array of nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the growth, development, recovery, and transition of military veterans and their families.
This year’s Clambake will be emceed by Tracey C. Jones, MBA, PhD, Center Advisory Council Chair, author, speaker, veteran, publisher, podcaster, and international leadership expert, who currently serves as president of Tremendous Leadership and T3 Solutions. The Center for Military and Veterans Affairs has experienced robust growth since its launch in 2012 thanks to generous support from corporate and private donors, and many members of the military community. The annual Clambake & Soldier-Citizen Award Ceremony continues to generate professional interest and garner financial support for the important mission of the Center.
The following morning, on September 22, 2023, the Military Center will host a Leadership Symposium, "Bridging the Gap in an Ever-Changing World", that includes a panel of distinguished leaders from academics, business, and the military. The panel will be followed by the annual Maury Stewart Lecture, supported by Center Founding Partner and Sponsor Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. The lecture, which engages the most notable individuals from diverse disciplines to address themes and issues critical to leadership development in the financial services profession, will be delivered by marquee speaker Colonel Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) on the subject Harnessing Headwinds: Successfully Navigating Change & Adversity. She is a combat veteran and the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron.
Join the Center’s work to empower those who serve with the gift of knowledge, education, and career transition opportunities. Make your gift today at TheAmericanCollege.edu/Veterans.
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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.
Contacts:
Sarah Tremallo
908-967-0381 / stremallo@jconnelly.com
Lindsey Allumbaugh
678-643-1310 / lindsey.allumbaugh@theamericancollege.edu
The American College of Financial Services Appoints Joe Bergan and Ellen Rinaldi to Board of Trustees
Joe Bergan, the Principal responsible for Professional Development Elective Training at Edward Jones, and Ellen Rinaldi — who served as the Chief Security Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Vanguard — will bring their array of insights to the Board. Bergan and Rinaldi possess decades of financial services leadership experience that aligns with The College’s mission to benefit society and vision to accelerate impact leading into its centennial celebration in 2027.
“Joe and Ellen have been standout leaders within their respective financial fields, and we are pleased to welcome them to The American College of Financial Services Board of Trustees,” says George Nichols III, President, and CEO at The American College of Financial Services. “They bring decades of senior leadership and unique skills in client-facing, home office, and information technology roles to their governance responsibilities. Their guidance will be invaluable.”
Bergan spearheads the Professional Development Elective Training initiative for Edward Jones’ Branch Development division. He began his tenure at Edward Jones in 1998 as a Financial Advisor in Sunset Hills, Missouri, and built his career on fostering meaningful personal and financial relationships with clients through advanced development and designations. These efforts led to him being recognized as a top financial advisor within his region, and he would later share his success with others by serving in several leadership roles. This included a stint as a regional leader, which he held from 2008 until November 2013. Bergan has since relocated to the firm’s St. Louis headquarters, where he has held his current responsibilities since October 2021. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School’s Securities Industry Institute and earned a degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame.
“As I’ve grown with Edward Jones, I’ve made a commitment to uplifting others within the financial services industry, which is why I am honored to support other financial professionals through my work with The American College of Financial Services Board of Trustees,” Bergan says. “I am excited to share the skills I’ve developed over the course of my career within the profession’s leading academic institution.”
Rinaldi served as an expert in cyber risk management for Vanguard, a $6 trillion-plus financial services organization. She created a comprehensive, integrated global security function that successfully protected more than 22 million institutional and retail shareholders’ assets as well as sensitive corporate data and business and technical infrastructure. Rinaldi has more than twenty years of leadership experience and served as the first Chair of the Chief Information Security Officer Advisory Committee of the Investment Company Institute (ICI) for four years until her retirement in January 2019.
“In an age where technology is at the forefront of business, it is paramount that the appropriate security measures are taken to mitigate cyber risks and ensure trusted, secure financial exchanges,” Rinaldi says. “I am honored to share my experience with the Board of The American College of Financial Services. This institution delivers the high-quality education necessary for future financial leaders to innovate and thrive, and I am excited to be aiding them on their path toward success.”
Rinaldi received her B.A. from the University of Connecticut, her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, and her L.L.M. in Taxation from Boston University Law School. She serves as a member of the Board of Penn National Insurance, a mutual regional casualty property company and sits on both the Finance and Audit Committees. She is also on the Board of Governors for Main Line Health, a not-for-profit health system with four of Philadelphia’s most respected acute care hospitals.
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 American College of Financial Services Partners with Guild to Support Working Adult Learners
Guild partners with forward-thinking companies to invest in their employees, unlocking opportunities for personal and professional growth through education and learning programs, career development, and one-on-one coaching.
“The College’s applied financial knowledge and education has supported professional growth and success for nearly a century. We’re excited to work alongside Guild and innovative financial services organizations in service of those who fortify the financial security of all Americans,” said George Nichols III, The College’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to educating these professionals and becoming their lifelong learning partner.”
Through this new partnership, employees at innovative employers including Regions Bank will now have employer-funded access to The College’s applied financial knowledge and education through some of the most recognized and reputable programs in the profession, allowing financial services professionals across the country to attend without the burden of student debt. As it grows in impact ahead of its centennial celebration in 2027, The College helps professionals accelerate through knowledge, grow through connections, and uplift through community.
“We are proud to announce the addition of The American College of Financial Services to Guild’s Learning Marketplace,” said Marty Martinez, Chief Partnerships Officer at Guild. “The College has a history of supporting financial services professionals, helping them realize their career goals through rigorous, practical education in their field. They are positioned to support employers across the sector as they invest in the career development of their employees and unlock in-demand career pathways across financial services.”
Current employees at U.S. based companies whose employer offers education programs are encouraged to contact their HR representatives to see if Guild and The College are an option for them.
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 GUILD
Guild’s Career Opportunity Platform™ enables forward-thinking employers to invest in their employees, unlocking life-changing opportunities for personal and professional growth through education and learning programs, career development, and one-on-one coaching. Guild partners with the nation’s largest employers — including Walmart, Chipotle, Discover, Hilton, Target, The Walt Disney Company, and healthcare systems like Providence Health and UCHealth — to create cultures of opportunity that will help them attract and retain top talent, and build the workforce of the future. Guild offers a marketplace of curated education and learning programs designed for the success of working adults. Layered onto that is support, guidance, and resources at every step to help ensure the new skills employees are building translate into career pathways that are in demand at their companies — all without paying for tuition or career services on their own. For more information, visit guild.com.