Top 35 Influencers for Financial Advisors in 2024

Top 35 Influencers for Financial Advisors in 2024

In case you haven’t noticed, the finance world is changing fast! To stay ahead of the game, financial advisors need to link up with the brightest and best in the industry. So, here are the top influencers to watch this year.

Michael Kitces

1. Michael Kitces

Reason to Follow: Unparalleled insights and thought leadership in financial planning and wealth management

Michael Kitces, a CFP® legend among financial advisors, is an industry name who needs no introduction. For 2024, he’s climbed our influencer chart and is now probably THE top influencer for financial advisors thanks to his blog, Nerd’s Eye View, and his X (Twitter)—both of which have cult-like followings. 

Ron Carson

2. Ron Carson

Reason to Follow: Wealth of experience and strategic vision as the founder of Carson Group

Ron Carson is another household name among financial advisors, and one of our personal heroes and mentors. He founded Carson Group in 1983, which now has over $33.5 billion in assets under advisement. He’s also the New York Times bestselling author of Avalanche and The Sustainable Edge. You can follow him on X (Twitter) here

Ron is regularly featured on broadcast media platforms such as Fox Business and Bloomberg as a prominent expert advisor and commentator. Ron was also a guest on our founder Claire Akin’s podcast, The Marketing Podcast for Financial Advisors. You can listen to our episode on Preparing to Sell Your Financial Advisory Firm here

Joshua Brown

3. Joshua Brown

Reason to Follow: Unique market insights, facts, and statistics discussed in an engaging manner

Joshua Brown is a financial advisor and the CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management. He recently wrapped up his wildly successful blog, The Reformed Broker, to bring loyal followers the new Downtown Josh Brown, where he uses facts, statistics, satire, and pop culture to discuss markets, finance, and economics. You can check out his podcast and books for more info.

Steve Sanduski

4. Steve Sanduski

Reason to Follow: Valuable advice and coaching for financial professionals, especially through his podcast

Steve Sanduski is a CFP® professional and personal coach to financial professionals. He hosts the ever-popular podcast Between Now and Success, where he brings in top achievers and visionaries in the financial services industry and invites them to share their journey to success. You can check out his X (Twitter) feed here.

Bob Veres

5. Bob Veres

Reason to Follow: Authoritative source of information through his monthly newsletter, Inside Information

Bob Veres is a well-known speaker and author of the bestselling book The New Profession. He is mostly known to financial advisors for his monthly newsletter, Inside Information, which labels itself as “the most important information resource in the financial planning space.”

Samantha Russell

6. Samantha Russell

Reason to Follow: A thought leader in financial marketing, empowers advisors to enhance client experiences and forge meaningful connections

Samantha Russell is the Chief Evangelist at FMG Suite and Twenty Over Ten. She’s a marketing queen who’s passionate about helping financial advisors switch their digital marketing mindset from an “outbound cold sales” to a “warm inbound” approach. She’s given over 600 presentations to more than 10,000 financial professionals since 2015. In this blog post, we share some of Samantha’s insights on authenticity being key when using webinars and courses to attract clients. You can connect with Samantha on LinkedIn here

Taylor Schulte

7. Taylor Schulte

Reason to Follow: Leader in advisor education through the AGC™ platform

Taylor Schulte is a CFP® professional, speaker, and founder and CEO of Define Financial. He recently launched the AGC™ – Advisors Growing as a Community, which helps advisors learn, collaborate, and grow. Taylor is another power icon in the financial world, hosting two top-ranking podcasts: Experiments in Advisor Marketing and Stay Wealthy Retirement Show. You can keep up with Taylor on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Peter Lazaroff

8. Peter Lazaroff

Reason to Follow: Wealth of knowledge in investing and financial planning, shared through his podcast and writings

Peter Lazaroff is a CFP® professional and the Chief Investment Officer at Plancorp, which currently manages over $5.5 billion in client assets. He is another Investopedia top 10 advisor on our list, having been selected four times. He is passionate about educating people about investing and financial planning, having been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNBC, and The New York Times. He is the host of the Long Term Investor Podcast and published his first book, Making Money Simple, in 2019. Peter also joins us to co-host our upcoming webinar on The Art of Client Communication. Connect with Peter on LinkedIn to learn more.

Matt Reiner

9. Matt Reiner

Reason to Follow: Expert in industry growth and evolution, shares through his podcast and media appearances

Matt Reiner is a CFA, CFP® professional, and partner at Capital Investment Advisors and Wela Strategies. He is on a mission to help the industry grow and evolve. He is the host of the Bridging the Gap podcast and is frequently quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Financial Advisor Magazine, Medium, ThinkAdvisor, and Advisor Perspectives. Recently Matt welcomed Indigo’s founder, Claire Akin, on his podcast (listen to the episode, “The Importance of Your Marketing Strategy,” here). Follow Matt on LinkedIn or X (Twitter) for more of his insights.

Aaron Klein

10. Aaron Klein

Reason to Follow: Innovator in financial risk management software and industry technology trends

Aaron Klein is the co-founder and former CEO of Nitrogen—the company that invented Risk Number®, a financial risk management software used by many financial advisors, broker-dealers, and RIAs across the country. As Nitrogen’s inaugural CEO, Aaron successfully guided the company through an impressive streak of 42 consecutive quarters of growth. Under his leadership, Nitrogen expanded its reach to cater to tens of thousands of financial advisors, earning recognition as one of the world’s 10 most innovative companies in finance by Fast Company Magazine on two occasions. He has shared insights at numerous conferences and events and maintains an active role on the firm’s Board of Directors. You can follow Aaron on LinkedIn for more information.

Dave Ramsey

11. Dave Ramsey

Reason to Follow: Proven strategies for personal finance and debt management

Dave Ramsey is known for helping thousands of families get out of debt and achieve financial freedom. The host of the popular podcast The Ramsey Show and author of seven national bestsellers, he does an excellent job of breaking complex topics down into plain language. Take a look at his platform, Ramsey Solutions, if you need some inspiration. You can follow Dave on X (Twitter).

Rachel Cruze

12. Rachel Cruze

Reason to Follow: Expert in financial education, particularly geared toward personal finance success

You may already recognize the face of Rachel Cruze, the daughter of Dave Ramsey. She’s a #1 New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and financial expert who hosts her own show, The Rachel Cruz Show. She’s passionate about helping others take control of their money and build a life they love.

Dasarte Yarnway

13. Dasarte Yarnway

Reason to Follow: Thought leader in financial planning, highlighted through his podcast and publications

Dasarte Yarnway is the founder of Yarnway Wealth Management and Head of Community at Altruist. He has also been honored as an Investopedia Top 10 Advisor three times. Dasarte is a financial thought leader with a weekly podcast, The Young Money Podcast, three books, and a weekly blog. In this blog post, we share some of Dasarte’s suggestions on becoming a subject matter expert early and often. Connect with him on LinkedIn here.

Brittney Castro

14. Brittney Castro

Reason to Follow: Prominent CFP® professional and brand ambassador, known for promoting financial literacy

Another financial authority to watch for is Brittney Castro. She is a CFP® professional, leading speaker, host, and brand ambassador who has become a go-to resource in the industry. Brittney is a well-known expert, most recognized for promoting financial literacy via media interviews, YouTube videos, and TV experiences. She also worked with top financial services companies like Chase, E-Trade, CNBC, and more. She was also named one of Investopedia’s Top 100 Financial Advisors in 2022. You can learn more about Brittney Castro on her website

Bill Cates

15. Bill Cates

Reason to Follow: Renowned referral coach and expert in helping advisors grow their client base

You may already recognize Bill Cates as the Referral Coach, the guy to turn to when you need help dialing in your niche. Not only is he a referral coach for top advisors, but he’s also a bestselling author, a hall-of-fame keynote speaker, and one of Indigo’s top mentors. He’s coached thousands of financial service professionals on how to identify and serve more ideal clients.

To hear some of his insights and recommendations, listen to the Top Advisor Podcast or sign up for Indigo’s free workshop webinar, How to Choose Your Niche & Create a Radically Relevant Marketing Message, co-hosted with Indigo founder Claire Akin. You’ll also want to check out the Your Riches Are in Niches webinar, in which Bill helps you turn your frustration over marketing into an action plan to attract more of the ideal clients you love working with. And his book Radical Relevance is a must-have for anyone in the industry!

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16. Matt Halloran

Reason to Follow: Expert insights on how to accelerate your influence; captivating and enjoyable content; a fresh perspective on all things finance and marketing

Matt Halloran is co-founder along with Kirk Lowe of ProudMouth, a podcast marketing agency for financial advisors. Matt believes that podcasts can be used to accelerate influence, allowing advisors to sell less and advise more by scaling their credibility and rising above the noise. Indigo’s Director of Marketing Elizabeth Reider joined Matt on his webinar Integrate Your Podcast and Win More Business, which discussed how to integrate a podcast across all of your marketing efforts to win more ideal clients and grow your business. Check out Matt’s podcast here, and keep up with him on X (Twitter) to learn more.

Maribeth Kuzmeski

17. Maribeth Kuzmeski

Reason to Follow: Marketing consulting powerhouse with a focus on niche-based strategies

Maribeth Kuzmeski is a powerhouse in the marketing consulting space. She is the founder of Red Zone Marketing and has worked with some of the top financial professionals in the nation, helping advisors grow their books through niche-based marketing strategies. Maribeth is a bestselling author, speaker, and professor with a Ph.D. in business administration. Check out our fun, interview-style webinar with Maribeth, Marketing From the Inside Out, in which she answers the most-asked questions financial advisors have about their marketing strategies. Connect with Maribeth on LinkedIn.

Rebecca Walser

18. Rebecca Walser

Reason to Follow: Recognized as a top financial advisor with insights on wealth growth

As the principal of Walser Wealth, Rebecca Walser aims to challenge conventional wisdom with a fresh approach to finance and taxes. She’s recognized as one of Investopedia’s 100 Top Financial Advisors, ranking within the top 10 for 2023. Rebecca is the author of the bestselling book Wealth Unbroken: Growing Wealth Uninterrupted by Market Crashes, Taxes, and Even DeathShe is also a frequent contributor to several financial media outlets, including Fox News, Fox Business, Yahoo Finance, and The Wall Street Journal, among many others. Her podcast, Crashes & Taxes, aims to boldly challenge societal norms by offering inclusive tax advice for all.

Stephanie McCullough

19. Stephanie McCullough

Reason to Follow: Expert in addressing unique financial challenges faced by women

A breakout influencer on our list is Stephanie McCullough, financial planner and founder of Sofia Financial. Stephanie brings over 30 years of experience in the financial industry, zeroing in specifically on women and their unique financial challenges. She also ranked within the top 10 of the Investopedia 100 Top Financial Advisors for 2023. Stephanie co-hosts the popular money show Take Back Retirement, where she provides advice geared toward women on the cusp of retirement. You can follow Stephanie through her blog and LinkedIn.

Elaine King

20. Elaine King

Reason to Follow: Renowned speaker and founder of the Family and Money Matters Institute™

Elaine King is a CFP® professional and founder of Family & Money Matters. Elaine is a world-renowned speaker, award-winning author and the driving force behind the Family and Money Matters Institute™. She is also on Investopedia’s list of Top 100 Financial Advisors, ranking among the top 10 for 2023. Elaine has been featured on CNN, Telemundo, and Forbes, to name a few. She has also taught over 18,000 students through her three online financial education courses, all in Spanish.

Dr. Preston Cherry

21. Dr. Preston Cherry

Reason to Follow: Advocate for Life Money Balance™ and host of the popular Life Money Balance® podcast

Dr. Preston Cherry is a CFP® professional and CFT-I™ helping clients achieve Life Money Balance™ with his firm, Concurrent Financial Planning. He has over 15 years of experience in the industry and also serves as a coach for Carson Group Coaching, a leading national financial advisor coaching and resource program. Dr. Cherry is a speaker and prominent author who has been published in The Wall Street JournalThe New York MagazineThe Cut, and more. He is also the host of the popular Life Money Balance® podcast. In this blog post, we share some of Dr. Cherry’s thoughts on the art of storytelling for financial advisors. Follow Dr. Cherry on LinkedIn and X (Twitter) to see what he’s up to!

Diana Cabrices

22. Diana Cabrices

Reason to Follow: Expert in enhancing brand visibility for wealthtech firms and igniting audience interest, infusing excitement into content delivery

Diana Cabrices is the founder of Diana Cabrices Consulting, where she specializes in assisting wealthtech firms in enhancing their brand visibility and outreach. Her services include providing Chief Evangelist solutions to amplify their promotional efforts. Follow Diana on her blogX (Twitter), or LinkedIn.

Mary Beth Storjohann

23. Mary Beth Storjohann

Reason to Follow: Recognized financial expert, empowering women through financial education

Mary Beth Storjohann is an author, speaker, CFP® professional, and co-CEO of Abacus Wealth Partners. She has been recognized on the Investopedia 100 three times. Mary Beth is also the founder of the financial education site Workable Wealth and The Work Your Wealth Podcast, which provides financial education and empowerment to those in their 20s through 40s.

Mary Beth makes frequent appearances on NBC as a financial expert and has been featured in major media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Women’s HealthCNBC, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and more. Follow her on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Kristen Luke

24. Kristen Luke

Reason to Follow: Specializes in helping financial advisors determine and hone in on a niche

Kristen Luke is the founder of Kaleido Creative Studio, which provides niche marketing strategies for financial advisors. She is the author of Uncomparable: The Financial Advisor’s Guide to Standing Out Through Niche Marketing and a weekly blog. Kristen is also a well-known thought leader and speaker in the industry, helping advisors become the go-to in their niche. Her OnNiche™ program helps advisors dig deep to uncover their niche. Catch up with Kristen on LinkedIn

Stacy Havener

25. Stacy Havener

Reason to Follow: An expert in helping boutique asset managers launch, build, and grow funds, her ability to help people understand the art of storytelling is unparalleled. 

Stacy Havener is the founder of Havener Capital, a firm dedicated to helping boutique asset managers launch, build, and grow funds. Throughout her career, she’s raised $8 billion, which has led to $30 billion in follow-on assets under management. Stacy is a public relations expert, keynote speaker, and host of the Billion Dollar Backstory podcast. To find Stacy, follow her on LinkedIn and through her blog

Laura Garfield

26. Laura Garfield

Reason to Follow: Focuses on using video to enhance digital presence for financial advisors

If you’re using video to build your digital presence, you should take note of Laura Garfield. She is the co-founder of Idea Decanter, which helps advisors record studio-quality videos using only their phones. She is on a mission to show advisors that when it comes to growing their presence, they can be the biggest broadcaster of their own brand. She is an author, speaker, and blog writer. You can also follow Laura on LinkedIn.

Tina Powell

27. Tina Powell

Reason to Follow: Dedicated to helping financial services companies thrive in the digital age

Tina Powell is on a mission to help financial services companies thrive in the digital age. She is the “Chief of Community” at Intention.ly and host of the industry-renowned In the Suite Podcast, where she shares inspiring stories of female leaders within the financial services industry to inspire the masses. Follow Tina on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.

Brian Thorp

28. Brian Thorp

Reason to Follow: Founder of Wealthtender, connects clients with trusted advisors

Brian Thorp is the founder and CEO of Wealthtender, a financial advisor review platform that helps connect clients with trusted advisors. With over 25 years in the financial services industry, Brian applies his passion and experience at Wealthtender to help more people enjoy life with less money stress. He is also the author of Growing Your Advisory Business With Online Reviews: Playbook for Financial Advisors & Wealth Management Firms. Check out the free webinar Director of Marketing Elizabeth Reider hosted with Brian explaining our partnership program with Wealthtender to bring more lead-gen tools to advisors. You can check out more about Brian on LinkedIn

Bola Sokunbi

29. Bola Sokunbi

Reason to Follow: Empowers women to achieve financial success through Clever Girl Finance

If you’re a financial advisor for women, you’re likely familiar with industry-favorite Bola Sokunbi. She’s a Certified Financial Education Instructor, money expert, bestselling author, and the CEO and founder of Clever Girl Finance. Bola’s mission is to empower women to achieve financial success, and it’s evident in every aspect of her online presence. She has a YouTube channel, books, free courses, and more to inspire you to make deeper connections with your female clientele. You can also connect with Bola on LinkedIn.

Kristin Shea

30. Kristin Shea

Reason to Follow: Expert in digital marketing for financial advisors delivered in a relatable and down-to-earth way

Kristin Shea is a RICP® professional and author of the bestselling book The Truth About Digital Marketing for Financial Advisors. She is passionate about helping advisors build a brand unique to them. She is a public speaker, podcast guest, and Creator of The CAVE Conversion Formula™ and The MAGNETIC Digital Advisor Method™. You can connect with Kristin on LinkedInX (Twitter), and Instagram.

Justin L. Mack

31. Justin L. Mack

Reason to Follow: Award-winning wealthtech journalist exploring technology’s role in the advisor’s daily life

Justin L. Mack is an award-winning wealthtech journalist who recently announced his move to Axios. An industry favorite, Justin explores the role technology plays in an advisor’s daily life and covers efforts to address the diversity and cultural issues that have plagued financial services for years. You can follow him on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn

Alanah Phillips

32. Alanah Phillips

Reason to Follow: Advocate for the next generation of advisors, offering support and mentorship

For almost a decade, Alanah has flourished in the financial advising industry as a recruiter, speaker, and advocate for the next generation of advisors. She offers two flagship programs Break Up With Your Broker Dealer and the Advisor Launch Lab to support advisors as they grow and scale. She is also the host of the NextGen in 10 podcast, where the industry’s best share their secrets to success. Connect with Alanah on LinkedIn and Instagram

Carl Richards

33. Carl Richards

Reason to Follow: Known as “The Sketch Guy,” simplifies tough money concepts through sketches

Also known as “The Sketch Guy,” Carl Richards is a household name among advisors and clients alike. His public career began with his weekly New York Times column where he shared sketches to simplify tough money concepts. His success skyrocketed with his bestselling book The Behavior Gap, and then his second, The One-Page Financial Plan: A Simple Way to Be Smart About Your Money, sparked a total mindset shift for many within the industry. Carl is a CFP® professional and creator of The Society of Advice. He is also the host of Behavior Gap Radio and co-host of the podcast Kitces & Carl. Connect with Carl on LinkedInX (Twitter), and Instagram

Stephanie Bogan

34. Stephanie Bogan

Reason to Follow: Leads financial services coach with a focus on scaling firms effectively

If you’re looking to scale your firm without sacrificing more time, you can turn to Stephanie Bogan’s Limitless Advisor program. Stephanie is a leading financial services coach with over three decades of deep experience building, growing, and selling advisory firms. She curates a weekly newsletter for financial advisors sharing success stories and tips to achieve better business—with less effort. Follow Stephanie on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.

Jonny Swift

35. Jonny Swift

Reason to Follow: Vice President of Impact Communications, offers PR support and industry credibility

Jonny Swift is the Vice President of Impact Communications, where advisors turn for PR support. Passionate about helping advisors expand their presence and build industry credibility, he is also a popular speaker, delivering his best practices at world-renowned conferences and summits. Check out this free webinar Jonny hosted with our Director of Marketing Elizabeth Reider on the power of SEO and online presence to win more business. You can find Jonny on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Elizabeth Reider

Bonus Must-Follow Resource: Elizabeth Reider

At Indigo, Elizabeth Reider is our secret weapon in the world of financial advisor marketing. Even though she playfully dodges the formal title of a “top 35 influencer,” Elizabeth is a must-follow for advisors hungry for the freshest marketing tips and strategic wisdom.

With a wealth of experience spanning over a decade, Elizabeth is a driving force at Indigo Marketing Agency. Catch her on LinkedIn for user-friendly, actionable marketing tips. Behind the scenes, she’s the genius behind our blog and webinar content, helping our advisors dazzle and outshine the competition.

While she may not boast an official top influencer badge, Elizabeth’s expertise is the real deal. For advisors navigating the vibrant world of financial marketing, she’s your go-to source. Stay in the loop with Elizabeth Reider for insights that’ll turbocharge your digital presence and amp up your client outreach.

That’s A Wrap On Our Top Influencers!

Marketing these days involves a lot—from websites and social media to crafting content and nailing your message. If you’re aiming to stand out like these top financial influencers but are short on time, consider outsourcing to a firm that specializes in financial advisor marketing, like us!

Book a free strategy call with Katie or Elizabeth on our team so we can take a look at your current strategy to uncover what’s effective and what could use a little tweaking. It’s completely free and a great next step to get a custom approach to your own marketing.

Who will you follow first among these top financial influencers? Know someone great we missed? Email to let us know!

Influencer Collaboration Opportunities

Interested in collaborating with Elizabeth Reider for content such as a webinar, article, or course for financial advisors? Get in touch with Elizabeth directly by emailing [email protected]. She would be happy to discuss referral partnership opportunities available as well.

Katie Cress Digital Marketing Consultant, Sales & Client Strategist
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Jordan Pinelli

Account Manager
Denver, Colorado

A born strategist, Jordan always starts with “why” when brainstorming marketing tactics with her financial advisor clients. With recommendations rooted in data and industry best practices, she loves growing advisors’ awareness of their strategies’ positive impact on their business.

Jordan obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration (with an emphasis in marketing and management) and her master’s in communication and media management from Colorado State University. Before joining Indigo, Jordan already had 6+ years of financial services experience and 8+ years of marketing/project and campaign management experience under her belt—making her a powerhouse addition to the team! Outside of strategizing for her advisors, Jordan’s hobbies include pottery, hiking (when she’s in shape), and ordering delivery or takeout. She is happily married to her husband, Max, and a dedicated dog mom to her oversized golden retriever, Kai.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Anne Wheeler

Anne Wheeler

Marketing Assistant
Cincinnati, Ohio

Anne Wheeler is responsible for a variety of administrative tasks as well as updating social media pages for clients. Anne enjoys the creative side of her position and the ability to collaborate with the team to help advisors get started with Indigo.

Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Tennessee. Outside of work, she enjoys walking, baking, spending time with her husband, Rick (a structural engineer), and two sons, Thomas and Turner. Anne loves being a full-time mom, and appreciates that Indigo gives her the opportunity to work part-time while still caring for her boys.

Hugo Fernandez CEO of Indigo Marketing

Hugo Fernandez

CEO
Whispering Pines, North Carolina

Leading the Indigo team with heart, Hugo Fernandez is passionate about helping our financial advisors attract a flood of their A+ clients with sustainable marketing campaigns. He enjoys running companies that are wildly successful and wearing a black t-shirt every day of his life. When his two favorite things come together, you have an average day at Indigo.

Hugo Fernandez is also CEO of Indigo’s partner company, Just Digital, and author of The Client Acquisition Blueprint. He has personally helped hundreds of entrepreneurs grow their business through his proven blueprint for creating an EPIC marketing strategy and online presence.

Kelli McLeod Director of Client Services

Kelli McLeod

Director of Client Services
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Kelli McLeod plays an integral role at Indigo while overseeing the Account Services Team, providing customer service, getting financial advisors onboarded and in serving as their primary point of contact during that process. Her team looks to her for her leadership and decision-making abilities For Kelli, the most rewarding part of this role is working with clients one-on-one to ensure they’re happy and that their needs are met.

Kelli has a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations from Pacific Lutheran University. More recently, she’s done extensive work in the corporate housing and property management industries.

Kelli currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband, Ian, who is an officer in the U.S. Army, and their two sons, Zachary and Cameron. When she’s not working, you can find her running or hiking, attending group fitness classes, and cooking. Kelli’s also an avid book club enthusiast, so be sure to reach out to her if you’re looking for a new read.

Sara Dressler

Director of Operations

DuPont, Washington

Sara Dressler manages all systems and operating processes while overseeing several departments. Sara is responsible for supervising many activities within Indigo and identifying areas of improvement to better meet company goals. She functions as the bridge connecting management to every department.

Sara has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in communications from Pacific Lutheran University. She leverages this degree, along with her years of experience as a virtual assistant, to keep our company running like a well-oiled machine. Sara is happiest when spending time with her family. Her three young boys and life as a military spouse keep her busy, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world. She lives an active lifestyle and loves working out, getting outside, and watching sports with her family (whether it’s on TV, at her kids’ games, or in the backyard).

Indigo Marketing Team Member Elizabeth Reider Director of Marketing

Elizabeth Reider

Director of Marketing
Clearwater, Florida

Elizabeth Reider is a woman of many talents. She spent 10 years as a Chief Marketing Officer for a top-level independent financial advisor, and since her entry into financial services, she has networked and become friends with many advisors. Elizabeth admires their empathy, knowledge, and passion for their work, and has seen how independent advisors are more than professionals providing investment and planning advice; they are trusted confidants, life coaches, and guides. Over time, they become a part of their clients’ extended family—and she loves coming alongside that. (Check out this video to hear directly from Elizabeth about why she loves working with financial advisors.)

As Director of Marketing, Elizabeth helps get the word out about how partnering with Indigo can take an advisor’s marketing to the next level and beyond to grow their business and increase their productivity.

Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. She also holds a life, health, and variable annuity license, which gives her a special understanding of the many products and services advisors offer. Originally from Clearwater, FL, Elizabeth loves to travel and has visited 12 countries, including extended visits to eSwatini, Africa, to visit family and assist with humanitarian relief programs. She has seen firsthand how independent financial advisors are providing advice to their clients that outpours into the lives of their own families, staff, community, and sometimes across the globe. When she’s not working, Elizabeth enjoys attending orchestral and theater productions with her husband, David, and taking their son, Julian, to art museums, as well as family evenings in the backyard playing baseball with her son and shih-tzu poodle, Wrigley. She is also an active participant in overseas humanitarian work—using her skills to make a difference in the lives of others.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Katie Cress

Katie Cress

Digital Marketing Consultant, Sales & Client Strategist
Cincinnati, Ohio

It’s Katie Cress’s mission to help financial advisors reach their ideal prospects through custom digital marketing. On any given day, you can find Katie meeting with new financial advisors to learn more about their marketing goals, who they love working with, and why they’re passionate about helping others. Her favorite part of her job is meeting new advisors every day and continuing to learn how each firm and individual advisor is different, and using her marketing and small business background to help them craft a game plan that empowers them to grow their business and enhance their services. Often described by loved ones as a “helper” and “caretaker,” Katie is passionate about advocating for her advisors’ needs and supporting her coworkers to help them succeed.

Katie holds an MBA from Xavier University and a BA in Economics from Ohio University. A Midwest girl for life, she lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband, Brandon (who’s also a marketing guru), and their three kids, Charli, Lucy, and Teddy. She and her husband also own Clean Eatz Cafe, where they use their collective marketing prowess and love of food to create a welcoming space for employees and hungry customers alike. Katie is passionate about and for small business owners, being raised by her father who was an entrepreneur, being one herself with her husband, and working with them every day at Indigo. She loves the spirit, creativity, and drive of entrepreneurs. When Katie’s not working or helping run the family business, she enjoys working out with her husband at Orange Theory, loving on her three kids, and cooking delicious food.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Lori Koepke

Lori Koepke

Account Manager
Boise, Idaho

Lori Koepke plays a major role as a liaison between Indigo Marketing Agency and its wonderful clients. She works directly with our advisor clients on their marketing strategies, marketing calendars, article creation, editing processes, compliance approvals, deployment of their content, and more. Lori enjoys helping strategize and be a support to her clients, and loves the camaraderie among the Indigo team members.

Before joining the Indigo team, Lori was a schoolteacher for 10 years. She has a Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Concordia University in Portland, OR. She was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C., and lived in Vancouver, WA, for 25 years before moving to Boise, Idaho, where she currently resides with her husband, Jeremy, and four wonderful kids, Sophie, Tanner, Jonas, and Violet. In her free time, you can find Lori reading, watching football, and driving her kids to all their activities.

Watch this video to hear why Lori loves working with Indigo.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Heidi Wilson

Heidi Wilson

Account Manager

Alexandria, Virginia

Heidi Wilson thrives on helping advisors create an online voice and streamline their marketing efforts. With her mother being a retired financial advisor and her brother-in-law currently a CFP® professional, she’s passionate about taking the marketing pressure off of advisors so they are able to focus on their clients. She loves when advisors tell her something we did for them helped; it can be as simple as taking something off their very busy plate or helping them land a new client with one of the articles we wrote. With broad-based consumer and B2B marketing experience, Heidi is constantly thinking outside the box and brings a fresh perspective to the Indigo team.

Heidi holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Florida State University and hails from Tampa, Florida. Her husband, Chris, is in the U.S. Army, and as they are constantly moving, they take every opportunity to explore the new areas where they’re living. Some of their favorite places they’ve called home include Hawaii and New Orleans. Heidi is thankful for the opportunity to work remotely with Indigo, which allows her to take her job with her, no matter where the Army moves her family next.

Watch this video to hear why Heidi loves working with Indigo.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Jillian Segrue

Jillian Segrue

Account Manager
Columbus, Georgia

Jillian Segrue acts as a liaison between clients and the Indigo team, using her 12 years of customer service experience in fields such as healthcare, financial services, and risk management to help hone their message and deploy it effectively and efficiently. Jillian enjoys building unique relationships with each of her clients as she uniquely helps them reach their ideal target audience.

Jillian has a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and a minor in business administration from SUNY Brockport. Originally from Rochester, NY, she currently lives in Columbus, GA, with her husband, Tim (an Army captain), daughter, Macie, son, Henry, and two cats. As a military spouse, Jillian appreciates the flexibility Indigo provides—allowing her to juggle motherhood and excelling in her career—and its unmatched positive, supportive, and uplifting company culture. In her free time, Jillian loves to read, shop, and go running outdoors (just not in the Georgia heat!).

Indigo Marketing Team Member Amanda Laskey

Amanda Laskey

Account Manager
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Amanda Laskey works with clients one-on-one to develop and implement marketing strategies that help spread the word about who they are and how they help. In her role, Amanda strives to deliver outstanding customer service to our clients. She is tech-savvy, an independent problem-solver, extremely organized, an excellent communicator, and thrives on helping others. She appreciates the ability to work remotely in a collaborative team environment while supporting her family.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Inclusive Education from Seton Hill University and has over 10 years of experience in secondary classroom teaching and over 3 years as an Executive Assistant. A proud Army spouse, Amanda resides in Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband, Brandon, their two sons, Jackson and Harrison, and their sheepadoodle, Waylon, and goldendoodle, Cash. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing at the beach, traveling to new places, dessert, and all things Disney.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Beverly Anderson

Beverly Anderson

Account Manager
Portland, Oregon

Beverly Anderson is the go-to contact point for advisors to create a targeted and cohesive marketing strategy that is unique to their specific goals. She loves seeing her clients experience positive results from their marketing efforts, and as a world traveler, she appreciates the ability to work remotely and connect with clients from any country.

Beverly holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University. In addition to traveling, she enjoys making music as a singer/songwriter and anything outdoors (she’s an avid snowboarder and rock climber). She and her partner have a rescue pup, Toro, a former street dog in Cabo, Mexico, before they adopted him. Beverly has three older sisters, with whom she is very close, and they all, along with her mother, live in the Portland area. Although she spent the first half of her childhood in Fountain Hills, Arizona, Beverly considers Portland to be home.

Watch this video to hear why Beverly loves working with Indigo.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Kasey Yhap

Kasey Yhap

Account Manager
Ellicott City, MD

Kasey Yhap’s commitment to her clients is the driving force behind her work. Her diverse educational background (a bachelor’s and master’s degree in vocal performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree in communications from Syracuse University) has equipped her with the unique skill set required for success. Kasey’s strong communication skills and creative mindset, combined with her passion for helping her clients, make her a valuable asset to the team.

In her free time, Kasey stays active and maintains a healthy lifestyle through yoga, CrossFit, and spending time outdoors. These hobbies complement her professional life by allowing her to recharge and bring new ideas to her work at Indigo.

Indgio Team Member Dan Corcoran

Dan Corcoran

Account Manager
Madison, Wisconsin

Dan Corcoran enjoys being on the front lines of financial advisor marketing, working directly with advisors to help them build a strong marketing plan to get their firm’s message out. Working remotely can be a challenge as talking to others, brainstorming, and sharing experiences recharges him; he maximizes touchpoints to connect with others to make every day at Indigo rewarding.

Dan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He enjoys drone photography and videography (he owns his own drone business, Forward Focus Photography), sports broadcasting (he was a hockey broadcaster for four years prior to COVID), spending time with family, camping/hiking, running, swimming, and road biking.

Originally from Sun Prairie, WI, Dan has three siblings, and prior to joining Indigo’s team, he worked for an RIA in Madison for two years.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Jennifer Farrior

Jennifer Farrior

Lead Writer & Proofreader
Louisville, Kentucky

Jennifer Farrior is Indigo’s go-to for all things proofreading and editing. Her attention to detail is unmatched, and she takes pride in making sure every article is clean and concise before it heads out to our financial advisors. She says, “Even a single typo can affect an advisor’s credibility, and we strive for perfection when it comes to how they’re presented online.” As Lead Writer, Jennifer trains and manages the team of writers, and also writes and collaborates with team members to create Indigo’s blog posts and promotional material.

Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UCLA. In addition to her role at Indigo, she runs her own copy editing and proofreading business, She Proofreads LLC. Jennifer hails from San Diego, California, but now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her three kids, Joshua, Julia, and Joel, and goldendoodle, Dexter. She loves working at Indigo because it provides her with the income, flexibility, and the community she needs as a stay-at-home mom. Outside of work, you can find her spending time with her kids, friends, boyfriend, or working on a puzzle while watching Netflix.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Lisa Gaines

Lisa Gaines

Content Deployment Manager
Fort Hood, Texas

Lisa Gaines spends her work days uploading blog posts to our clients’ websites and LinkedIn profiles, drafting emails, and making adjustments to content as advisors request. Lisa has learned a lot as a long-time member of the Indigo family and has enjoyed seeing the processes evolve to become more streamlined and efficient over time. And she loves working with the amazing Indigo team! 

Lisa is a proud alum of Texas A&M University, where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. As a military child, Lisa feels as though she grew up everywhere; however, she claims central Texas as home where most of her family is originally from. She currently lives in Fort Hood, Texas, with her husband, Korey (an active-duty Army officer), and two kids, Madelyne and Jameson. As a military family, Lisa moves quite a bit—often to areas where the job market is small. She loves that Indigo provides her with a steady job she can take with her wherever she goes. When she’s not working, Lisa enjoys dabbling in interior design, binging a good Netflix series, and spending time with friends and family.

Read more about why Lisa loves working with Indigo.

Andrea Chinapen

Marketing Consultant
Long Island, New York

Joining the Indigo team after more than eight years of experience working with advisory and fintech firms, Andrea is passionate about helping advisors across the country use digital marketing strategies to grow their business in innovative and effective ways. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Berkeley College in New York.

Originally from Guyana, South America, Andrea now lives in the Long Island, NY, area with her husband, beautiful daughter, Sophia, and their puggle, Rex. When she’s not tackling her marketing duties, Andrea enjoys practicing yoga, taking long walks, watching thriller movies, and spending time outdoors with her family. An animal lover (specifically dogs), she spends time raising funds or supplies for shelters when she can.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Sarah Robichaud

Sarah Robichaud

Social Media Manager
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Sarah Robichaud uses her love of spreadsheets to create engaging content calendars for our clients’ social media pages. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Salisbury University and a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling from Liberty University. In addition to her role at Indigo, Sarah volunteers as a virtual administrator for Army Wife Network, a nonprofit organization that aims to empower and educate military spouses through blogs, podcasts, and various other resources.

Born and raised in Maryland, Sarah currently lives in Rochester Hills, Michigan, with her husband, Andrew, two children, Emily and Logan, and two fur babies, Penny and Chewbacca. As a military spouse and mother, Sarah loves working for Indigo because of the flexibility it affords her, allowing her to continue to build her career while frequently relocating around the globe and working on her own schedule to accommodate a busy lifestyle. Sarah also loves Indigo’s supportive team atmosphere. Outside of work and volunteering, you can find Sarah enjoying time outdoors with her family, typically running, camping, or traveling. An avid traveler, she’s visited 16 countries and is always planning her family’s next great adventure.

Peter Wardenaar

Peter Wardenaar

SEO Specialist & IT Lead
Cali, Colombia

As a natural problem-solver, Peter Wardenaar uses his skills to help financial advisors find new ways to grow their site traffic and attract more clients they love. Peter enjoys the dynamic nature of his role; the challenges are never the same as every situation is unique and requires a different approach. But don’t let Peter’s technical prowess fool you—he also has quite the creative side! Before joining the Indigo team, he worked as a first-grade teacher and university English professor in Cali, Colombia.

Peter has bachelor’s degrees in education and in music from Portland Bible College and a master’s degree in music production and technology from Berklee College of Music. In his spare time, he loves writing and recording music, graphic design, engaging with people, and studying leadership and theology. Peter is also one of the most well-traveled people you’ll ever meet! He was born and raised in the Netherlands but lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 12 years. Today, he resides in Cali, Colombia, with his wife, Gloria Isabel, and their three kids, Emanuel, Paloma, and Violet.

Indigo Marketing Team Member Kourtney Kearney

Kourtney Kearney

Tech Support
Antelope, California

Kourtney Kearney is a data-driven woman with a knack for coding. On any typical day, you can find her building web pages, troubleshooting bugs in code, and setting up automations to make life easier for our clients. Thanks to her technical background, Kourtney has a vast understanding of the inner workings of websites and the data associated with them. She’s always on the lookout for new technology that will help us improve our workflows so we can focus on what we do best—helping financial advisors grow their business. Kourtney enjoys the variation of tasks and loves the challenge of taking an existing website and making it better without completely rebuilding it.

Kourtney is originally from Newark, CA (Bay Area), but currently resides in Antelope, a suburb of Sacramento, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Curatorial Studies. Outside of work, Kourtney spends her free time reading, playing volleyball, baking with her two sons, and hanging out with family.

Indigo Marketing Agency Adrian Bachini

Adrian Bachini

Web Developer & Tech Support
Manila, Philippines

Adrian Bachini works on tasks requiring technical knowledge and other various administrative tasks. A software developer by day, prior to joining Indigo, Adrian had very little knowledge on how nontechnical positions operate. His position at Indigo allows him to both learn and experience a variety of platforms and gain more knowledge about how to maximize marketing initiatives.

Adrian holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a specialization in software technology from De La Salle University Manila. Adrian considers himself somewhat of a workaholic, with a full-time day job in addition to working with Indigo. When he’s not working, he enjoys watching documentaries, action movies, and anime, and also loves cycling on muddy downhill trails or cross-country rides, playing video games, and simply resting when he can. He is also a licensed commercial pilot and flies in his free time; he obviously also enjoys traveling. Adrian lives with his family and more than a few pets (11 dogs, 6 cats, a few birds, and fish)—he has more pets than humans in his home!

Claire Akin

Claire Akin

Founder
San Diego, California
Claire Akin founded Indigo Marketing Agency with the mission to help financial advisors leverage marketing to grow their businesses. As a former Investment Advisor Representative and proud daughter of an independent advisor, she’s seen first-hand the value advisors bring to their clients and community. Claire transferred ownership of Indigo Marketing Agency to Hugo Fernandez in 2022 to spend more time with her family.
Indigo Marketing Team Member Adriana

Adriana Escalante

Website Project Manager
San Antonio, Texas

Adriana Escalante thrives on creating an online representation that looks and feels true to our financial advisor clients as she builds their websites to best represent them and their businesses. Her experience working on travel and tourism websites motivates her to make sure every site she works on is exciting and engaging to web visitors. A graduate of University of Texas in Austin, Adriana double-majored in International Relations and a Liberal Arts program called Plan II. She also received a certification for front-end development from a coding academy in Austin, which has equipped her to serve as a great liaison between developers and clients.

After living in Austin, TX, for most of her adult life, Adriana now resides in San Antonio, TX (a city with a ton of history and many things to do), with her partner, Russell, and their dog, Abbey. She also has a brother and sister with whom she’s very close and tries to see a few times a year. Most of Adriana’s hobbies revolve around nature. She grew up spending lots of time on a sailboat or at a beach, and her family has a small cabin in Creede, CO, where she spends half the year hiking, camping, skiing, or snowshoeing (depending on the season). When she’s in Texas, she tries to get out most weekends to kayak. A Texas Master Naturalist, Adriana loves learning about all the plants, birds, and animals in her home state. She also dabbles in making stained-glass suncatchers!

Profile picture of our marketing assistant - Kaitlin Thornal.

Kaitlin Thornal

Marketing Assistant
Fort Moore, Georgia

Kaitlin Thornal helps clients onboard as they begin their marketing journey with Indigo, and she loves meeting new people and learning new things. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication/Public Relations, International Studies, and a minor in French from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as a Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.

Kaitlin was born at Fort Lewis, Washington, but she moved around a lot growing up, spending the most time in North Carolina. She now resides in Fort Moore, Georgia, with her husband, Mason, and their four children, Caroline, Mason, Jack, and Bo. Kaitlin’s favorite place to live has been Europe (Italy, Ireland, and Belgium) and she would go back in a heartbeat! In her spare time, she enjoys long-distance running, reading, and spending time in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Profile picture of our marketing assistant - Samantha Triglia.

Samantha Triglia

Marketing Assistant
Queens, New York

In her integral role, Samantha Triglia schedules social media posts, deploys email campaigns, and updates Google Business Profile pages for clients’ new blog posts. She also assists with lead generation/tracking and other administrative tasks. Helping out wherever she’s needed, Samantha appreciates the opportunities she has to learn and grow in her position. She says, “I love being a part of the team, especially when content deployment involves many moving parts and collaboration to get done and ready to go.”

A former teacher for 14 years, Samantha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York. She also holds a Master of Arts in Middle School Earth Science Education from CUNY Brooklyn College and a Master of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Scranton. (Yes, TWO master’s degrees!) While in college, Samantha was the assistant to the Chief Compliance Officer of a brokerage firm on Madison Avenue in New York City for high-net-worth individuals and families, so she’s quite familiar with the types of clients Indigo serves.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Samantha currently lives in Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York (the place the Ramones song is about!), with her husband, Matt (a Navy veteran and currently a New York City Firefighter), and their three sons, Matthew, Thomas, and James. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family riding bikes on their neighborhood boardwalk and going to the beach. They love to travel, including yearly family trips to Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Universal Studios in Florida (they’re big Harry Potter fans!). Samantha also stays active exercising and playing on a women’s softball team and a co-ed beach volleyball team with her husband.

Profile picture of our marketing assistant - Amanda Bicknese.

Amanda Bicknese

Marketing Assistant
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Amanda wears a few hats at Indigo, bringing value to the team by creating custom social media posts for advisors, assisting with the onboarding process of new team members, and tackling behind-the-scenes team tasks. She loves to collaborate with our amazing clients and supportive team members.

Born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree in education from North Carolina State University. She worked as an educator for about a decade before pivoting to a career in writing and marketing. A Space Force military spouse (former army), Amanda and her husband, Michael, are currently located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with their two children, Mikayla and William, and two fur babies (a cat and a dog). When she’s not reading or writing fiction in her spare time, Amanda enjoys hanging out with family, hiking, trying new foods, and traveling.

Profile picture of our account manager Adam Spera.

Adam Spera

Account Manager
Astoria, New York

A marketer at heart, Adam finds satisfaction when consulting, strategizing, and implementing strategies to improve his clients’ business. He specializes in organic and paid social campaigns, as well as email and SEO optimization.

Adam holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Raised in Boca Raton, Florida, by his mom (an event planner) and dad (a private boat charter captain), Adam currently lives in Astoria, New York, with his wife, Olivia, who works in pet care. When he’s not cooking up killer marketing strategies, he enjoys role-playing games, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and reading non-fiction and philosophy books.

Profile picture of our account manager Melanie Valdez.

Melanie Valdez

Account Manager
Vancouver, Washington

With her marketing expertise, Melanie Valdez leaves no stone unturned when helping clients hone their marketing strategy. She loves interacting with clients and brainstorming new ideas to enhance their marketing results. No two days are ever the same, and that’s the way Melanie likes it!

Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Washington University as well as an MBA from Western Governors University. When she’s not rocking her role at Indigo, she enjoys cooking (trying out new recipes every week), painting, and discovering new restaurants with friends. She and her husband, Dat, love to travel and go on walks with their dog, Brutus, a pomeranian-chihuahua whose personality is definitely not proportionate to his small size!

Profile picture of our web developer - Joshua Yanson.

Joshua Yanson

Web Developer
Negros Occidental, Philippines

Joshua spends his days developing client websites, implementing automations, and troubleshooting website issues. He enjoys the challenge of working with websites while simultaneously learning new tips and tricks to optimize them for maximum efficiency.

Originally from Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Joshua holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and in his free time enjoys playing computer games and watching anime and movies.

Hugo Fernandez CEO of Indigo Marketing

Hugo Fernandez

CEO
Los Angeles, California

Hugo Fernandez acquired ownership of Indigo Marketing Agency from founder Claire Akin in 2022. Leading the Indigo team with heart, Hugo is passionate about helping our financial advisors attract a flood of their A+ clients with sustainable marketing campaigns. He enjoys running companies that are wildly successful and wearing a black t-shirt every day of his life. When his two favorite things come together, you have an average day at Indigo.

Hugo Fernandez is also CEO of Indigo’s partner company, Just Digital, and author of The Client Acquisition Blueprint. He has personally helped hundreds of entrepreneurs grow their businesses through his proven blueprint for creating an EPIC marketing strategy and online presence.

To get in touch with Hugo, email him or connect with him on LinkedIn.