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Invent® Elite
Consultants & Contributors

Timothy Welsh

Founder/CEO of Nexus Strategy

Marketing strategy, content development and public relations advice, guidance and implementation from industry veteran, Timothy Welsh, CFP®. With over 25 years’ experience in the wealth management industry, Nexus Strategy is uniquely positioned to provide end-to-end advice, consulting and guidance through Invent® Elite.

Suzanne Siracuse

CEO, Suzanne Siracuse Consulting Services

Business strategy, advocacy initiatives and marketing and branding support are the areas of focus, the former Publisher and CEO of InvestmentNews, brings to Invent® Elite. With over 25 years’ experience in financial services, Suzanne helps firms and advisers serve even more clients by effectively leveraging the latest technology to provide the scale they need to grow and improve the client experience.

Gavin Spitzner 1965-2023

Invent Elite Consultant Emeritus

In January of 2023, we lost Gavin Spitzner, a legendary wealthtech consultant and a founding member of the Invent Elite Team. Gavin brought over 25 years of experience working at the intersection of wealth management business strategy and technology to help organizations design and deploy solutions that drive profitable revenue growth. His ideas, industry knowledge and work ethic were just a few of the traits that we will miss. We pay tribute to him by bestowing the Emeritus title to him as he will always remain a part of our team. RIP Gavin.

Mark Hollingsworth

CEO, AssetGro

Mark Hollingsworth, a passionate and innovative executive, brings over 30 years of experience in financial services to the Invent Elite team. Having worn many hats, Mark is focused on helping advisory firms adopt cutting edge technology and helping technology vendors go-to-market with rapid and large-scale adoption.

Thought Leadership & Industry Advocacy

Part 7 – Tech Integration: A Critical Part of Adoption

Suzanne Siracuse Gavin Spitzner Tim Welsh Industry trends Advisor Technology Digital Advice

The INVENT Elite team discusses the complex but solvable problem of balancing customization with integration, and the cloud native connective tissue that can make it…

Part 6 – Emerging Trends

Tim Welsh Industry trends Advisor Technology Digital Advice

Oleg and Joel discuss the bridging of the gap between financial services and software, the enhanced value proposition it enables and the need to get…

Part 5 – Is Remote Working Here to Stay?

Suzanne Siracuse Tim Welsh Gavin Spitzner Industry trends Advisor Technology Digital Advice

INVENT Elite thought leaders discuss what the workplace of the future might look like, the financial implications for firms and advisors and the changing dynamics…

Part 4 – Key Factors for Adoption Success

Suzanne Siracuse Gavin Spitzner Industry trends Advisor Technology Digital Advice

Gavin, Joel and Suzanne discuss how the widespread adoption of technology is dictating the long term success of advisory firms in completely unprecedented ways.

Part 3 – The Escalation of Tech Adoption in the Wealth Management Industry

Suzanne Siracuse Industry trends Advisor Technology Digital Advice

Joel Brukenstein offers his thoughts on factors, such as the pandemic, influencing the increasing rate of tech adoption in financial services and how this is…

Part 2 – INVENT: Combining Innovative Technology with Business Strategy

Suzanne Siracuse Oleg Tishkevich Industry trends Advisor Technology Digital Advice

Oleg Tishkevich elaborates on the origins and rationale of INVENT Elite as a way of combining vision, strategy and technology expertise into one entity.

The Big Reveal Podcast Series

Get a unique peek into the human side of some of the industry’s leaders, innovators, and influencers with The Big Reveal Podcast Series, from Suzanne Siracuse, in partnership with Invent®.

Now in its third season, Suzanne leads lively discussions, that not only focus on the guest’s personal and professional journeys, but also incorporates their perspectives on news items, hot topics, and industry trends. And, at the end of each episode, Suzanne dives deep to have her guests share something they’ve never revealed before, hence the title, The Big Reveal.

Season 1
Season 2
Season 3

Bill Crager: From a card table in SOHO to CEO

Suzanne Siracuse asks the questions nobody else asks, as influencers and interviewer collide in her new and truly unique podcast series The Big Reveal. Get an exclusive view into the human side of some of the financial services industry influencers and thought leaders and listen and learn as they discuss the latest news and industry trends and at the end, find out why the series is called, The Big Reveal.

George Nichols: a Man With a Plan to Address Inequality

President and CEO of The American College of Financial Services, George Nichols, reflects on a life and career full of firsts, looks forward to the future of women in the wealth management industry, and gets candid on what the industry can do to address racial inequality in America.

Clara Shih: The Social Media Guru Reflects on Her Career, the Hearsay-Salesforce Deal and Achieving Balance

In this episode, Clara tells us how she helped blaze the trail for social media’s marriage to financial services—and why she decided to take a break. Plus, advice for setting goals and defining success as a woman in the industry.

Michael Kitces: From Fees, Trust and the Nerd’s Eye View

“What have you done for me lately?” Michael Kitces explores how the question that drives financial advisorship also makes for better financial media. Plus, the crisis of confidence and the truth about defining success as a wealth management advisor.

Turning the Tables on the Industry’s Top Journalists

In this episode, Suzanne hosts a roundtable discussion with some of the industry’s top editors and reporters. Bruce, Evan, and Brooke chat about how they got to where they are today, what they’d be doing if they never found journalism, and more. Plus, not one but three Big Reveals.
The roundtable includes Bruce Kelly - Senior columnist with InvestmentNews, Evan Simonoff - Co-founder and editorial director of Financial Advisor magazine...

Neesha Hathi: From Acquisitions and Digital Advice to Risk Taking and Finding your Confidence

In this episode, Neesha Hathi, executive vice president and chief digital officer at Charles Schwab, discusses recent acquisitions and building the platform of the future. She also predicts future industry trends and gives advice for other professionals balancing work and motherhood. To cap it all off, she reveals a particularly “big” Big Reveal.

Taxes, China, a Biden Presidency: What it means to advisors and investors

BlacRock's Mark Wiedman caps off season one of The Big Reveal Podcast Series with truly interesting insight into taking advantage of market swings, how he's handled the new normal, and his current views on the market.

Kristi Rodriguez: Her Unorthodox Career Path From Def Jam Records to Leading Nationwide's Retirement Institute

In the Season 2 opener, in addition to sharing her amazing career journey, Kristi discusses the many tools and resources now available to assist advisors in their holistic approach to planning with their clients as well as how they can...

Jamie Price: How his experience at 1800 DOCTORS gave him his "Aha!" moment

In this episode, Jamie shares how he leverages his past experiences in leading Advisor Group today, the importance of embracing your inner creative and why he’s investing so much into top talent and technology to ensure his advisors are set up for success in the future. And you won’t want to miss his surprising Big Reveal!

Ron Carson: Why the RIA GIANT is placing his bets on Data, AI and AQ

In this episode, Ron provides his thoughts on what advisors absolutely need to be thinking about regarding the tech stack of the future, how specialized planning tools are allowing advisors to anticipate a client's needs even before they do, and why you need a high AQ (adaptability quotient) to be successful in the future. Ron also discusses his vision for his completed 200,000 sq ft headquarters...

Joel Bruckenstein and Bob Veres: From WealthTech’s effect on Advice to Survival of the “Most Authentic”

In this episode, The industry legends share top insights and learnings from their recently released Technology Survey and how they impact industry trends overall, provide guidance to advisors of all sizes on how to best evaluate tech tools and software, and discuss what important traits the Financial Advisor of the Future must have to survive. You’ll also hear not one… but TWO Big Reveals in this episode.

Drew Propson: Head of Technology and Innovation in Financial Services at the World Economic Forum

In this episode, Drew provides her global perspective on how technology is shaping the future of wealth management, which tech driven solutions have been overhyped, and which are underrated! She also demystifies all things AI, explains why she thinks it will have the biggest impact on the financial planning process...

Carl Richards: Defining Advice, Defending “the PLAN” , Imposter Syndrome and everything in between!

In this episode, the NYT’s “Sketch Guy “ shares his best advice for those providing advice, why our industry needs to stop selling certainty, how to reposition financial advice to your current and future clients and where creative thinking fits into an advisor’s workflow! Plus, which of his famous sketches was the most popular...

Stephanie Bogan: Lessons Learned from a Successful Deal, Her Obsession with Mindset and what drove her to “Unretire”!

In this episode, the “queen of practice management” shares why MINDSET is the biggest factor that contributes to success, how advisors can differentiate their offering and why when your vision is clear, your decisions are easy!...

Dani Fava: Her candid take on game-changing Trends, the Importance of Inclusion, and how her DAUGHTER influenced her career in fintech!

In this episode, Dani shares several ways firms can approach inclusion, where AI will provide the biggest assist for advisors, and why Embedded Finance is the next big thing! AND how a panel with ME lead her to Envestnet. Plus...

James Poer: The Importance of Firm Culture, Hiring and Retaining the Best People, also is Private Equity a Friend or Foe?

In this episode, the Kestra Holdings CEO shares his critical components essential to achieving a successful and positive firm culture, his advice to anyone looking to buy or sell their practice and his thoughts on whether private equity investment...

Carolyn McClanahan: What influenced this medical doctor to become a financial planner, how health and wealth are linked and tips for having tough conversations with your clients

In this episode, Carolyn shares how being a medical doctor influenced her decision to operate a holistic based and flat fee practice, and why healthcare costs...

Samantha Russel: Her Top Tips for Advisors on all things Digital Marketing

In this episode, the social media star shares why not having a well thought out website is like showing up in pajamas to a meeting, how being authentic and embracing the real you is critical for effective marketing, what her essential components are for an impactful social media strategy and whether you should or should not have a “face” of your brand. Plus, a Big Reveal that is sure to surprise…

Tyrone Ross Jr.: How He Is Using His Leadership Platform to Educate, Inspire and Provide a Voice for the Voiceless

In the Season Two Finale, the OnRamp Invest CEO discusses why advisors need to get educated on cryptoassets in order to truly act in their clients’ best interest, a fun and effective way on how to engage in the discussion with them...

Season 03 Episode 01: Oleg Tishkevich: His Visionary Take on the Future of Wealthtech

In Episode One of Season Three, the CEO of Invent discusses his vision for solving our industry’s technology integration problem, why data is the "heartbeat' of your business, what most firms get wrong when it comes to advisor tech adoption and how a scene from a 2002 movie may hold the secret to the future of wealthtech.

He also shares the advice Jud Bergman, the co founder of Envestnet, gave to him that he uses every day in business and how his experience in coming to America at age 18 shaped who he is as a business leader today.

Season 03 Episode 02: Marguerita Cheng: Her Advice on everything from building her practice from scratch and becoming referrable to the importance of empathy, ethics and risk.

In this episode, the CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth shares how she used her own life experience to jumpstart her career as a planner, the keys to making yourself referrable, and the undeniable power of empathy.

She also shares practice management tips, why she teaches ethics, and her methods for communicating with clients during uncertain times.

Plus: Her Big Reveal is certain to leave an impact

Season 03 Episode 03: Bob Oros: His Take on The Perfect Deal, Why Culture and Technology are Key and Making an Impact

In this episode, The Hightower CEO discusses the present state of M&A deal flow and his advice for sellers now, how culture is taking center stage at his firm, the important role technology plays in a firm’s growth strategy and why making an impact has become a priority.

He also shares what made him choose wealth management as a career, his role in advancing the InvestmentNews 40 under 40 initiative, and a Big Reveal that, up until a short time ago, he would not have revealed.

Season 03 Episode 04: Dr Preston Cherry: His View on the important role Financial Psychology plays in planning, questions every advisor needs to ask prospects and why he swears by his Costco niche practice philosophy

In this episode, Dr Cherry discusses the critical role psychology plays when talking to clients about money, the number one mistake that can derail any marketing plan, his must ask questions to prospects and why he’s betting on Gen X to fuel his practice.

He also shares what the financial planning students he teaches are the most curious about and what drew them to their major.

Plus: Vinyl Record collection musings and a Big Reveal that we all can “read” about next year!

Season 03 Episode 05: Amy Webber: Her Journey to CEO, the importance of Risk taking, and why Crisis Management is an underrated leadership trait.

In this episode, The Cambridge CEO and self-described adrenaline junkie, shares the important role an “internship” played in her journey into the financial services industry,
what she always asks herself before taking a risk, the topic that keeps many advisors up at night and why crisis management skills can make or break a great leader. Plus her views on the importance of creating inclusive cultures, and a BIG Reveal that may cause many to rethink their hiring criteria.

Season 03 Episode 06: Eric Clarke: How “Growing Up” in this Industry Impacted his Life, What Inspires Most Orion Offerings, and Where AI fits into Wealth Management

In this episode, The Orion CEO shares what inspires the creation of Orion’s many offerings, who has most impacted his leadership style, and how trust played a pivotal role in a critical acquisition.

He goes on to discuss his views on the importance of AI and Behavioral Finance in wealth management and why he’s so bullish on direct indexing.

Plus, his heartfelt Big Reveal that is a love letter to the industry.

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