Celebrating the Next Generation of Industry Leaders
Nominations for the 2026 Advisor Today 4 Under 40 Award are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations recognizing the outstanding young professionals shaping the future of the insurance and financial services industry. Our selection committee is currently reviewing this year's impressive pool of candidates.
The 2026 recipients will be announced this fall and honored during Protectors Powered by NAIFA.
Each year, Advisor Today magazine recognizes four exceptional financial professionals who have demonstrated remarkable career achievement by age 40.
The Advisor Today 4 Under 40 Award celebrates rising leaders who have made a meaningful impact through professional excellence, leadership, and service. These advisors are committed not only to growing successful businesses but also to serving their clients, supporting their communities, investing in their families, and advancing the profession.
Many past recipients have gone on to become influential industry leaders, sought-after speakers, mentors, and innovators. Their accomplishments reflect the bright future of the financial services profession and inspire the next generation of advisors.
Anyone may nominate a qualified candidate or submit a self-nomination.
While NAIFA membership is not required to submit a nomination or application, recipients must be active NAIFA members by the application deadline and at the time the award is presented.
Nominations for the 2027 Advisor Today 4 Under 40 Award are expected to open in March 2027.
Now is the perfect time to begin thinking about the exceptional young professionals in your network who are making a difference. We encourage advisors, colleagues, and industry partners to identify and celebrate those whose leadership, dedication, and accomplishments deserve national recognition.
Christopher Roper – NAIFA-MO
Padric Scott – NAIFA-FL
Kevin Tostado – NAIFA-CA
Peter Winovich, III – NAIFA-OH
Matthew Cloutier – NAIFA-CO
Jennifer Lewis – NAIFA-MO
Mike Paffhausen – NAIFA-MT
Joseph Spinelli, III, CLU, FICF, LUTCF – NAIFA-FL
Scott Blake, MBA – NAIFA-OH
Eric Bottolfsen, MBA – NAIFA-AZ
Matthew Daley, MBA, FSCP, LACP, LUTCF – NAIFA-NY
Brett Moore, CFP – NAIFA-GA
Rebecca Schulter – NAIFA-TN
J. Cal Anderson, CFP, CLU – NAIFA-GA
Joanna Dellosa, LUTCF, FSS, RICP, LACP, CLU – NAIFA-CA
Steven R. Walker, LUTCF – NAIFA-ND
Joyce J. Yoo – NAIFA-CA
Samuel G. Sones, LUTCF – NAIFA-MS
Richard M. Demko, II, CLU, RICP, LUTCF, LACP – NAIFA-TX
Andy Bartling, FIC, LACP – NAIFA-SD
Daniel Thompson, LUTCF, FSCP – NAIFA-MS
Zachary B. Gray, CRPC, LACP – NAIFA-IL
Kate Kilgore Cihon, FSCP – NAIFA-CO
Consra R. Rosales Pacheco – NAIFA-TN
Benjamin Yin, MBA – NAIFA-GA
Carmelo Barbaro – NAIFA-IL
Charles Olson II, LUTCF – NAIFA-NE
Kathleen Owings, LACP – NAIFA-CO
Matthew Cuplin, CFP – NAIFA-WI
Brian Haney, CLTC, CFS, CFBS, LACP – NAIFA-MD
Chauvon McFadden – NAIFA-VA
Stephanie Rivas, MBA, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF – NAIFA-NY
Samantha Clark, CLF, CLTC – NAIFA-NY
Tyler Hirth – NAIFA-MN
Justin Curtis, LUTCF, ChFC, CLU – NAIFA-TN
Barjes Angulo, LUTCF, RFC – NAIFA-NY
Susan Combs, BPACC – NAIFA-NY
Jason Dorsey, LUTCF – NAIFA-LA
Ryan Pinney – NAIFA-CA
Eszylfie Taylor – NAIFA-CA
Jason J. Pepinski, MBA, FSS, LUTCF – NAIFA-NE
Taylor M. Sledge – NAIFA-MS
Danny O’Connell, LACP – NAIFA-TX
Deanna A. Cabaribbo-Brown, CFP – NAIFA-FL
Joseph Tavernite, CLF – NAIFA-NY
Mark Wilke, CLU, ChFC – NAIFA-IN
Elizabeth Dipp Metzger – NAIFA-TX
Robert Bowden, CLU – NAIFA-PA
Ronco Johnson – NAIFA-GA
Rob Hendrickson, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CFP – NAIFA-MO
Anna Marie Downs – NAIFA-MN
David Simkowitz – NAIFA-NY
Corey Metz, CLU – NAIFA-TX
Christine Pikutis-Musuneggi, CRPC, RFC – NAIFA-PA
Joe Templin, MBA, ME, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CAP – NAIFA-NY
Benson Terry III, CFP – NAIFA-LA
Meredith C. Moore, LUTCF, CLTC – NAIFA-GA
Craig Lytle, CFP, MBA – NAIFA-DE
Brad M. Maruschak, LUTCF – NAIFA-LA
Michael H. Oliva – NAIFA-NJ
Michael Scott Berry, ChFC – NAIFA-CT
Bryan M. Krupin – NAIFA-CA
Adam Sodano – NAIFA-IL
Clint Fish, RFC – NAIFA-IN
Brian Collins, CFP, CLU, ChFC – NAIFA-WI
Jay Grubbs – NAIFA-GA
C. Mali Phonpadith, CLTC – NAIFA-VA
Ed Deutschlander, CLU, CLF – NAIFA-MN
Paul Adams – NAIFA-NV
Steve Bohn, LUTCF – NAIFA-IA
Michael Lynch – NAIFA-CT
Bryan Nakamoto, CFP – NAIFA-HI
John Enright – NAIFA-NY
Jennifer Alford – NAIFA-OH
Tim Harrison, CFP, CLU, ChFC – NAIFA-NE
Brent Szymczyk, CFP – NAIFA-MO
Gregory Large, CLU, ChFC, CLTC – NAIFA-NY
Marcus T. Henderson, LUTCF – NAIFA-TN
Michael R. McNaughton, CFP, CLU, LUTCF – NAIFA-NY
Amy Scott, LTCP – NAIFA-OH
Cindy Vance – NAIFA-WI
Ryan Barradas – NAIFA-AZ
David Appel – NAIFA-MA
Lance Kolbet, RHU, LUTCF – NAIFA-ID
Thank you Sponsors!
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