
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 Death. She 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.

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.

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.

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 Journal, The New York Magazine, The 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!

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 blog, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn.

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 Health, CNBC, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and more. Follow her on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

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.

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.

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 LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

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.

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).

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.