Susan McKenna, CEO of eMoney Advisor, joins us to discuss the company’s evolution as it marks its 25th anniversary. She shares her path from tech-focused marketing leader to CEO, and how eMoney has stayed true to its planning-first mission while adapting to changing market needs. Susan reflects on its unique culture, dedication to client service, and the importance of equipping advisors with the tools, training, and support to deliver exceptional experiences. Under Fidelity’s ownership, eMoney has had the flexibility to innovate while maintaining its focus on financial planning.
Susan also looks ahead to trends shaping the next decade, from purposeful AI integration to greater personalization, accessibility, and financial wellness for a broader audience. She highlights eMoney’s ability to support clients at every stage, from foundational planning to advanced estate strategies, and the need to balance technology with the human side of advice. With innovations like the premium client portal and a diverse client base driving development, eMoney is focused on delivering full-spectrum planning that reaches more people and deepens advisor-client relationships.
We sit down with James Sahagian, Managing Partner at Ramapo Wealth Advisors within Steward Partners, to explore his path from an early fascination with financial markets to leading a client-focused, team-based practice. He highlights Steward’s responsive culture and commitment to innovation, which have expanded his team’s capabilities through educational seminars, digital platforms, and a holistic service model.
James discusses the growing need for advisors to pair financial expertise with technology, interdisciplinary skills, and behavioral insight—especially as the massive baby boomer wealth transfer accelerates. Committed to financial literacy, he urges early planning, disciplined saving, and long-term thinking to help clients and their families achieve lasting success.
In this episode, we catch up with Anuj Gupta, Head of Sales Engineering, and Blake Wood, Head of Platform Strategy at Envestnet. They walk us through how Envestnet is helping advisors scale personalization and drive efficiency across their practices. From AI-powered insights and tax-aware investment tools to client review automation and UMA flexibility, Blake and Anuj highlight the innovations that are making it easier for advisors to deliver high-touch service—at scale.
They also dive into the operational realities of adopting new tech, the importance of integration and flexibility, and how Envestnet is balancing innovation with a strong compliance-first foundation. With demand for alternatives growing and advisor expectations evolving, the platform continues to expand its capabilities while staying focused on what really matters: creating more time for advisors to have deeper, more meaningful conversations with the clients they serve.
The information, analysis, and opinions expressed herein are for general information only. Nothing contained herein is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities, or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. Investing carries certain risks and there is no assurance that investing in accordance with the portfolios or strategies mentioned will provide positive performance over any period of time. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Potential transactions identified by Envestnet’s AI tools including but not limited to Insights Engine are based on concentrated positions, concentrated asset classes, and/or high cash allocations but do not include a fee analysis or other factors that should be taken into account when considering brokerage versus advisory accounts. Potential transactions identified by these tools are for informational purposes only and are not to be construed as an instruction to take any specific action. Envestnet, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates are not responsible for any decisions or recommendations you may provide to your clients.
Alternative Investments may have complex terms and features that are not easily understood and are not suitable for all investors. You should conduct your own due diligence to ensure you understand the features of the product before investing. Envestnet and its affiliates do not provide research or product oversight on alternative investments. As with all investments, there is no assurance that alternative investment strategies will achieve their objectives or protect against losses.
We catch up with Tim Burklow, Managing Director and Wealth Advisor at Mainstay Wealth Management within Steward Partners. Tim shares his journey from being inspired by his father’s advisor to building a successful career in financial services, including over three decades with a single firm. He explains what ultimately led him to make the leap to Steward Partners and the importance of preparing for succession with intentionality. While the transition was initially daunting, he describes the move as energizing—for both himself and his team—and credits Steward’s resources and support for helping them hit the ground running.
Tim reflects on how the shift has reinvigorated his passion for the work, especially in mentoring the next generation of advisors. He highlights Steward’s robust wealth management platform, customized investment models, and collaborative culture as game changers for client service and team development. With a renewed focus on leadership, legacy, and empowering his team, Tim sees this next chapter as his most meaningful yet—one defined by impact, growth, and passing the torch with purpose.
Thomas Moore, Head of Betterment Advisor Solutions, shares how Betterment is reimagining custody and advisor technology to help modern RIAs scale efficiently. Drawing on his background at legacy institutions, Moore explains how Betterment’s all-in-one, tech-forward platform integrates portfolio management, billing, and reporting—eliminating inefficiencies and streamlining advisor workflows. Innovations like fully digital onboarding, solo 401(k)s, and lending solutions reflect the firm’s close feedback loop with advisors and commitment to continuous improvement.
He also explores the evolving custodial landscape and the growing demand for solutions that meet the expectations of millennial investors. By white-labeling tools, automating client communications, and supporting advisor branding, Betterment helps firms deepen relationships while maintaining scalability. Looking ahead, Moore sees opportunity in blending high-touch service with smart automation to drive the next wave of advisor growth.
Today we catch up with Samantha Russell, Chief Evangelist at FMG, to talk about how AI is reshaping the way people search for financial advice—and what that means for advisors. With most Google searches now ending in AI summaries instead of clicks, and more people turning to tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, visibility strategies have to change. Samantha breaks it down: focus on real reviews, build credibility through third-party mentions, and format content in a natural, Q&A style that AI can easily surface.
Samantha also shares how advisors can use AI to save time without sounding generic—or getting flagged for compliance. Instead of relying on AI to write full posts, she suggests using it for outlines, headlines, and brainstorming. FMG’s new AI tools are built with compliance in mind and adapt to each advisor’s voice over time. Her advice? Don’t wait—lean in now, and let AI work for you.
In this episode we sit down with Matt Kaufman, Global Head of ETFs at Calamos, to explore how the firm is translating decades of institutional expertise into modern ETF solutions. Kaufman shares insights from his 23-year career—from helping pioneer smart beta ETFs to creating defined outcome strategies—and how those experiences now fuel Calamos’ approach to options-based income strategies.
Kaufman breaks down CAIE, the Calamos Autocallable Income ETF, and how it’s opening new doors for income-focused investors. Built to simplify access to a complex $100 billion structured note market, CAIE offers a 14.5% average annualized coupon through laddered exposure to weekly issued Autocallables. Wrapped in a tax-efficient ETF structure, it gives advisors a powerful new tool for generating yield without relying on traditional equity or bond risk.
We sit down with Mohan Gurupackiam, Chief Information Officer at Steward Partners, to explore how smart tech strategy can fuel advisor success. Mohan explains why Steward avoids one-size-fits-all solutions, instead building a flexible stack shaped by advisor feedback, evolving business models, and demographic trends. With a strong data foundation and a focus on usability and cost efficiency, the firm prioritizes tools that align with how advisors actually work.
Mohan also shares how Steward is streamlining operations through custodian-agnostic platforms, transparent workflows, and AI tools like StuBot that simplify support and training. Rather than replacing advisors, he sees AI as a way to eliminate friction and boost efficiency, especially in research and portfolio construction. His approach is grounded in listening, staying nimble, and keeping the advisor-client relationship at the center of every tech decision.
In today’s episode we speak with Rich Boghosian, co-founder and CIO of PeakAlts, about how RIAs and family offices can gain smarter access to private markets. Drawing on his background in private equity and investment banking, Rich explains PeakAlts’ investor-first approach, which emphasizes alignment, independence, and institutional-level diligence—without placement fees or manager conflicts.
Rich breaks down why alternative investments are becoming essential in today’s market, how proper manager selection drives results, and where he’s seeing opportunities across private equity, private credit, secondaries, and co-investments. He also discusses how PeakAlts simplifies the advisor experience through backend technology, education, and long-term partnership.
Today we sit down with Kirstie Eustace, Chief Administrative Officer at Steward Partners, to discuss how the firm preserves its culture while expanding nationwide. Kirstie shares how Steward’s values—like partnership, excellence, and respect—are intentionally reinforced through clear communication and shared responsibility. She highlights talent management as a key driver of cohesion across more than 30 states, along with efforts to maintain consistency in employee experience and advisor engagement.
Kirstie also talks about attracting and developing the next generation of advisors, from internal mentorship to multi-generational teams. Today’s advisors, she notes, prefer collaborative, multi-disciplinary environments over going it alone. With a focus on transparency, onboarding, and leadership by example, Kirstie emphasizes that culture isn’t just maintained from the top—it’s upheld by everyone at the firm.
