2024 Emerging Leaders — Jess Hurley

PLANADVISER: What have you done that you are most proud of?

Hurley: Being a mentor for my team, college students and even high school students is something I am incredibly proud of. This role has allowed me to guide and support individuals at different stages of their academic and personal development journeys. For my team, mentoring involves fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment in which each member can thrive professionally and personally. With college students, it means providing guidance on academic pursuits, career choices and life skills, helping them navigate the complexities of higher education and transition into the workforce. Similarly, mentoring high school students involves preparing them for the challenges and opportunities ahead, instilling confidence and a sense of direction as they prepare for their futures. Each mentoring relationship is unique and rewarding, offering the chance to make a positive impact on someone’s life and contribute to their success and well-being.

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PLANADVISER: Where do you hope to take your career in the retirement industry in coming years?

Hurley: In the coming years, I aim to advance my career in the retirement plan industry by concentrating on strategic innovation and operational excellence. My primary goals include optimizing our operations to enhance efficiency and reduce costs through the refinement of processes, the adoption of best practices and the promotion of a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. Additionally, I plan to stay ahead of evolving regulations by ensuring our operations remain fully compliant, collaborating closely with legal and compliance teams to implement necessary adjustments proactively. I also intend to enhance the client experience by implementing advanced technology solutions that streamline processes and leverage data analytics and automation to offer more personalized and efficient services. Furthermore, I recognize the importance of building a strong, cohesive team and plan to invest in talent development, providing training and growth opportunities to equip our team to meet future challenges. By focusing on these areas, I hope to contribute significantly to the growth and success of our organization, positioning us as a leader in the retirement plan industry.


PLANADVISER: What steps do you think will help improve the retirement industry and participant outcomes in the future (particularly ways in which your firm can help with that progress)?

Hurley: Improving the retirement industry and participant outcomes requires a diverse approach. One essential step is enhancing financial education and literacy, which can be achieved by integrating financial literacy into school curriculums to build a strong foundation from a young age and by encouraging employers to offer workshops and resources to help employees understand retirement planning. Another critical area is plan design, where implementing automatic enrollment in retirement plans with automatic escalation of contributions can increase participation and savings rates, while offering simplified investment options such as target-date funds can help participants make more informed decisions. Leveraging technology is also crucial; using data analytics and artificial intelligence to provide personalized retirement advice can significantly improve planning outcomes. Furthermore, adopting a holistic approach to retirement by recognizing the connection between health and financial well-being is important. This can be accomplished by integrating health savings accounts and other health-related planning into retirement strategies and by encouraging participants to plan for long-term care needs as part of their overall retirement strategy. By addressing these areas, the retirement industry can create a more robust and equitable system that better supports participants in achieving their retirement goals.



Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Global Retirement Partners, DBA Oswald Financial, an SEC registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

2024 Emerging Leaders — Jess DeGabriele

PLANADVISER: Tell us about your role at your firm and how you contribute to its growth and progress.

DeGabriele: At LHD Retirement, I wear several hats. As a partner and financial adviser, I either lead or support about half of our clients. Additionally, I serve as the chief investment officer, chair the investment committee and manage compliance and operational tasks.

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I’m also responsible for both business development and the growth of our team. We believe that our success depends on our team’s development, so we emphasize continuous learning from both successes and challenges. This mindset is integral to our leadership approach.

For our clients, this means constantly enhancing our services, staying ahead of industry trends and ensuring compliance. It also involves actively engaging with their teams through compelling financial wellness initiatives and being directly accessible. My approach ensures that employees know who I am, recognize my commitment and trust me to address their questions. Retirement planning is a complex, nonlinear journey, and having a trusted expert is crucial for employees.


PLANADVISER: Where do you hope to take your career in the retirement industry in coming years?

DeGabriele: In the coming years, I aim to advance my career in the retirement industry by focusing on three key areas. First, I plan to deepen my expertise in retirement planning, staying ahead of industry trends and regulations to offer the most effective strategies and solutions. Second, I am committed to enhancing financial literacy and wellness programs, making them more accessible and impactful for participants. By integrating innovative tools and personalized approaches, I hope to drive better retirement outcomes.

Additionally, I want to give back to the industry by actively participating in initiatives that promote industry-wide improvements and best practices. This includes mentoring emerging professionals, sharing knowledge through industry forums and events, and supporting efforts to address systemic challenges within retirement planning. My goal is to foster a more informed and secure retirement experience for individuals while contributing to the industry’s overall advancement. Ultimately, I strive to be a trusted adviser who not only leads by example, but also works toward elevating the standards and impact of the retirement industry.


PLANADVISER: What steps do you think will help improve the retirement industry and participant outcomes in the future (particularly ways in which your firm can help with that progress)?

DeGabriele: To enhance the retirement industry, we must focus on improving participant outcomes. Effective retirement planning and better plan sponsor ROI will build trust in the industry.

Improving financial literacy is crucial. Many participants lack the knowledge to plan effectively for retirement throughout their careers. To improve outcomes, we need to engage participants on their terms, addressing their concerns in real time through various mediums such as in-person meetings, newsletters and videos.

Plan design also plays a vital role. Auto features, re-enrollment and similar strategies are essential for boosting participant utilization and retirement outcomes. Advisers should advocate for these features, even if plan sponsors are hesitant.

Our firm supports this by being innovative with plan design and engaging directly with participants. I believe that participants who know and trust me are more likely to engage with their plans, and that trust is built through consistent, independent advice.

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