The Investments & Wealth Institute Earns Prestigious 2024 “Wealthie” Award

On September 5, Ross Riskin, Chief Learning Officer for Investments & Wealth Institute — and the lead visionary behind the Investments & Wealth Academy accepted the 2024 award in the “Industry Association” category of the WealthManagement.com Industry Awards — aka the "Wealthies" — for the launch and rollout of the Academy in November 2023. The win represents the tireless work of Ross and his whole educational team, the full Institute staff and leadership, and the amazing work of the Institute’s global network of volunteers.

A Prestigious Award for A Premium Product

It is not easy to win a Wealthie — widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the financial services industry. Now in its 10th year, it is the only awards ceremony that celebrates companies, individuals, and organizations for outstanding achievements that directly support the success of financial advisors. The 2024 competition was particularly fierce, with over 1,000 entries submitted from more than 400 companies. But, as satisfying as the victory was, winning this award was about something deeper than one evening’s applause and accolades.

Investments & Wealth Institute is committed to advancing a growing, thriving and expanding wealth management industry in everything we do: from strengthening public trust and better understanding of the investment consulting and financial advice professions, to developing and encouraging the highest standards of ethical conduct in these industries. Coordinating with our powerful network of industry leaders, forward-thinking firms, and academic experts, we continually work to stay at the forefront of wealth management trends, creating a positive feedback loop that continually strengthens our educational offerings.

There were plenty of Institute supporters, volunteers, and corporate clients at the event.. Board Member Anuj Gupta received an award, on behalf of Envestnet, for Best All-in-One Technology Solution. Tony Davidow, former Institute board member and editor of the Investments & Wealth Monitor, accepted an award on behalf of Franklin Templeton for Best Thought Leadership by an asset manager. And finally, Julie Littlechild, an Institute Canadian Advisory Board member, won a Wealthie for her firm’s Client Benchmarking and Engagement Tool.

Sean Walters, CEO of the Institute who attended the awards ceremony with Ross, noted that “It was an incredible moment to hear such a loud response from the crowd when we won the award. Ross and I were honored to see so many supporters in the room. It helped us fully appreciate how many champions and supporters we enjoy in an industry that we have served for almost 40 years. This award truly belongs to everyone who believed in the vision of the Academy.”

A Celebration of Innovation and Excellence

Launched in November 2023, the Academy was designed to enhance the multi-modal educational programs offered by the Institute. With the goal of creating a learning platform that would provide both seasoned advisors and NextGen professionals with the resources they need to thrive in a rapidly changing industry, the Academy stands out for its versatility, depth, and commitment to universal design best practices.

Offering a comprehensive suite of educational tools and courses, ranging from certificate programs and short courses to on-demand webinars and microcourses, the platform allows professionals to learn at their own pace, tailoring their education to fit their unique needs and schedules. It was built to serve all levels of expertise — whether an advisor is just starting their career or is an established professional looking to stay on top of the latest industry trends and advancements. The versatility and user-centric design of the Academy is what makes it truly one-of-a-kind.

What This Award Really Means

While the immediate celebration is well-deserved, it is the validation of the Institute’s mission that really means the most to us. It is the recognition of the technical proficiency and utility of the Academy. But it is also about our vision to create Ivy League-quality educational experiences that are accessible, practical, and transformative for professionals at every stage of their careers.

The recognition of this work by the WealthManagement.com judges is a reminder of the impactful role education plays in the financial services industry. The Academy is not just about fulfilling continuing education requirements or earning CE credits—it is about shaping the future of financial advice by empowering the professionals who drive the industry forward.

This award is a humbling reminder to all of us here at the Institute: However much we wrestle with the day-to-day challenges of running a successful, mission-driven non-profit organization, the contributions we have made, and continue to make, are vital in advancing a growing, thriving and expanding wealth management industry. The impact made by our professional staff and global network of volunteers has resulted in better advisors, better firms, a better industry, and most importantly, better client outcomes for hundreds of thousands of households throughout North America.