2026 PLANADVISER Emerging Leaders

The PLANADVISER Emerging Leaders recognition is given to those who have worked in the retirement plan advisory industry for at least three years, but no more than 15—whether the person focuses on advising, operations, client relations, data, participant education or some other piece of the business. The nomination period for Emerging Leaders opens in May. PLANADVISER vets the nominees in July, and the list makers are announced in August.

Anyone working with a person who has Emerging Leader qualities may nominate that person, and self-nomination is allowed. If a nomination comes from a colleague besides the firm’s senior adviser, we reach out to get the senior adviser’s endorsement.

The 2026 PLANADVISER Emerging Leaders get extra recognition at the PLANADVISER 360 event in November. Additionally, a half-day of networking and educational opportunities is dedicated to this up-and-coming group along with others early in their retirement plan advisory industry careers.

Click on an image above to see an Emerging Leader’s profile.

2026 PLANADVISER Emerging Leaders

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Micah Alsobrook
Retirement Plan Consultant, Gatewood Wealth Solutions

Kati Barnes
Consultant, Creative Planning

Grant Buntin
Director of Education & Wealth Management, HUB Retirement & Wealth Management

Daniel Clements
Consultant, Creative Planning

Sean Duffy
Partner, Investment and Fiduciary Consultant, Conrad Siegel

Macy Fallico
Senior Research Analyst, Francis LLC

Sean Forbes
Director of Advisor Partnerships and Operations, Navigate 401K

Heather Glydewell
Retirement Plan Support Specialist, Shepherd Financial

Ryan Hamilton
Senior Investment Advisor, Wealthspire

Ryan Hastie
Partner, Hastie Financial Group, LLC

Patrick Ilcin
Client Executive, Oswald Financial

Allison Kapelski
Business Process Leader - Onboarding, Creative Planning, LLC

Dimetrois Kostarelos
Account Specialist II, Creative Planning

Kristen Low
Client Executive, Oswald Financial

Mary Lyons
Retirement Plan Support Specialist, Shepherd Financial

Carol McShera
Senior Consultant, Fiducient Advisors, a Wealthspire company

Laura Mongon
Retirement Plan Specialist, Summit Financial Group

Aksana Muñoz
Senior Client Service Manager / Plan Compliance Specialist, Benefit Financial Services Group (BFSG)

Brett Nilsson
Consultant, Creative Planning

Cade Phillips
Client Services Director, HUB International

Patrick Raynor
Senior Investment Consultant, Creative Planning

Chris Sneed
Client Executive, Oswald Financial

Matthew Taylor
Senior Client Service Consultant, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services, LLC

Taylor Wedmore
Retirement Plan Support Specialist, Shepherd Financial, LLC

Courtney Wood
Director, MAG CAP Advisors

Savanna Yancey
Associate Manager, Willis Towers Watson

No one pays or is paid a fee to participate in the Emerging Leaders program. In 2026, there were 38 nominations, and 26 made the final list.

If you have any questions, please email awards@issmediasolutions.com.

PLANADVISER Emerging Leaders Nominations Open: May List Makers Announced: August List makers are recognized at PLANADVISER 360 in November. To receive invitations and reminders for the PLANADVISER Emerging Leaders Listing, click here.