2026 Vision Award

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No single firm or individual can take credit for the retirement plan industry’s progress, but it is clear that the work of key leaders and change-makers has played a major role in shaping the retirement plan industry of today. With the Vision Awards, we aim to celebrate those industry leaders who have propelled positive change and contributed to positive retirement outcomes for the U.S. workforce.

This year, we are pleased to recognize Anne Lester and, in honor of PLANADVISER’s 20th anniversary, a core group of retirement plan advisers who have long supported PLANADVISER and its partner brand, PLANSPONSOR.

VISION WINNER
Anne Lester

Anne Lester | Photo by Anthony Collins


Anne Lester is the author of “Your Best Financial Life: Save Smart Now for the Future You Want,” former head of Retirement Solutions for J.P. Morgan Asset Management, co-founder of the Aspen Leadership Forum on Retirement Savings and a widely respected retirement expert.

Before retiring in 2020, Lester spent 28 years at J.P. Morgan, including as leader of the firm’s Retirement Solutions group. She holds patents for innovations designed to simplify and automate the retirement planning process and led the development of investment products that integrate anonymized data with insights from behavioral economics.

Today, Lester is on a mission to help Americans—particularly those in their 20s and 30s—recognize that a secure and fulfilling retirement is within reach, on their own timeline.

VISION WINNER
Platinum Stars

In honor of our 20th anniversary, PLANADVISER is recognizing a core group of retirement plan advisers who have supported PLANADVISER and its partner brand, PLANSPONSOR; been at the forefront of trending industry conversations; and demonstrated decades of excellent service to plan sponsors and participants. They have been recipients of PLANADVISER recognitions and awards, and they have clients who have won PLANSPONSOR awards.

Their long-term contributions have proven their adaptability, expertise and unwavering commitment to shaping strong retirement programs and improving financial outcomes for generations of employees, helping clients build award-winning retirement programs.

Jason Chepenik, Senior Vice President, OneDigital
Jeffrey Cullen, CEO, Strategic Retirement Partners
Barbara Delaney, Founder, Stone Street Benefit Advisors
Kathleen Kelly, Managing Partner, Compass Financial Partners, a Marsh McLennan Agency LLC Company
Bruce Lanser, Senior Retirement Plan Consultant, TruSource Advisors, a UBS Financial Services firm
Rob Massa, Managing Director, Retirement Practice Leader, Prime Capital Financial
Kelli Send, Senior Vice President – Participant Services, Francis LLC

From left: Kelli Send, Barbara Delaney, Jeffrey Cullen | Photo by Anthony Collins



Vision Award

Recipients Announced: April, honored at the Industry Leader Awards following the Advisers in Conversation event in May.

To receive invitations and reminders for the Vision Awards, click here.

For PLANADVISER Industry Leader Awards general and sponsorship information, please contact Awards@ISSMediaSolutions.com.