2025 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. Nominations for Emerging Leaders open 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 2025 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.

2025 PLANADVISER Emerging Leaders

Leslie Ballantine
Retirement Plan Advisor, Shepherd Financial

John Bartlett
Director of Retirement Services, CFS Investment Advisory Services, LLC

Chris Becker
Relationship Manager and Investment Advisor, Everhart Advisors

Grace Bennett
Director of Operations and Relationship Manager, Employer Financial Services, Lebel & Harriman Retirement Advisors

Derrick Bordeleau
Consultant, Creative Planning

Eli Boussi
Retirement Solutions – Senior Vice President, Rockefeller Capital Management

Andrew Calder
Consultant, Creative Planning

Tom Carline
Senior Retirement Plan Consultant & Wealth Manager, Everhart Advisors

Cliff Cowles
Investment and Retirement Plan Specialist, Retirement Plan Services, Oswald Financial

Rebekah Curran
Partner | Senior Retirement Plan Consultant, Everhart Advisors

Brittany Del Favero
Account Specialist – Retirement Solutions, Creative Planning

Kristi Dolan
Consultant, Creative Planning

Patrick Donnelly
Investment Director, Defined Contribution & Wealth Management, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services, LLC

Gregory Fortier
Financial Advisor, Boston Bay Advisors Team, Centinel Financial Group, LLC

Marissa Freeman
Investment and Operations Analyst, Newfront

Curtis Fugate
Account Executive, Newfront

Megan Holland
Financial Consultant, intellicents

Alex Hsu
Client Relationship Manager, Retirement Plans, HUB International Mid-Atlantic, Inc.

Austin Krise
Plan Consultant, Henderson Brothers Financial Partners

Doug Kublin
Senior Consultant | Retirement Services, Marsh McLennan Agency

Joe Masciopinto
Consultant, Creative Planning

Brittany McChristian
Conversion Project Manager, Newfront

Houston McConnell
Director, Investment Analytics, OneDigital Financial Services

Shawn McGrane
Partner, Retirement Plan Consultant, Creative Planning

Matthias Menges
Business Process Leader, Creative Planning

Abby Morrow
Retirement Plan Consultant, Creative Planning

Tyler Saam
Senior Consultant, Creative Planning

Jennifer Sahady
Senior Financial Wellness Consultant, Marsh McLennan Agency

Kyle Schau
Financial Advisor, LPL Financial

Rainer Schertel
Retirement Plan Consultant, Investment Advisor, Everhart Advisors

Abby Sheehan
Director of Operations, The Strategic Retirement Benefits Group

Ashton Swartzfager
Senior Consultant, Creative Planning

Hannah Tuckness
Business Process Specialist, Sales Support, Creative Planning

No one pays or is paid a fee to participate in the Emerging Leaders program. In 2025, there were 60 nominations, and 33 made the final list.

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