In this episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse speaks with Lee Korn, co-founder of Opal Wealth Advisors, about how his firm is growing by focusing on people, purpose and process.

Lee explains how Opal begins every client relationship by uncovering meaningful life goals, not just financial ones, using a discovery process rooted in George Kinder’s life planning framework. While AI tools enhance advisors’ ability to deliver services like tax and estate planning more efficiently, Lee emphasizes that real client transformation comes from human insight, accountability and connection.

The conversation turns to talent development, where Lee shares how Opal’s training program focuses on technical expertise, communication skills and personal development. Weekly “Opal Insights” sessions, communication workshops and outside trainings help younger advisors grow into confident, effective professionals.

Key insights include:

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 About Our Guest:

Lee Korn is committed to seeing clients succeed. He loves to brainstorm ideas to arrive at the best solutions—and he stands side-by-side with clients to help make sure those solutions are effectively implemented. In particular, Lee enjoys assisting business owners in identifying opportunities and strategies to take their companies to the next level. With a forward-thinking outlook, he also helps Opal remain at the forefront of the financial planning industry.

Before forming Opal Wealth Advisors with partners Jesse Giordano and Joe Filosa, Lee co-founded the 360 Group at Morgan Stanley, where he was a financial advisor and family wealth director. In 2009, Barron’s named him as one of the top 1200 U.S. Financial Advisors. Previously, he worked at Edward Jones as a personal wealth manager. He began his career as a commercial banker, helping successful business owners raise capital for acquisition and expansion.

Lee graduated from Queens College in New York City with a degree in accounting. Active in his community, he has volunteered extensively with special needs organizations. Lee has a wife and three children. He upholds a strong commitment to helping young people develop good values as well as leadership and life skills. He is a Cub Scout Cubmaster and an active board member at his temple.

In the latest Focus on the Future podcast episode, industry veteran Suzanne Siracuse chats with Tom Orecchio, CEO of Modera Wealth Management, about the evolving dynamics and secrets to building a successful financial advisory firm. Tom brings in his wealth of experience, sharing stories from his inspiring journey into financial planning and revealing why he continues to foster long-term client relationships. They discuss the vital role that technology is playing in the advisor/client relationship, strategies for organic growth, and the magic behind nurturing client relationships beyond investments.

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About Our Tom Orecchio:

With over 25 years of experience in wealth management, Tom has always believed that the best way to serve clients and provide objective advice is through the independent, fee-only approach. During that time, he has had the privilege of serving individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, foundations, trusts, and others in all areas of their investment and wealth management needs.

In this all-new episode of Focused on the Future, Suzanne Siracuse speaks with Kevin Keller, CEO of the CFP Board, about the evolving landscape of financial advice and the growing importance of holistic financial planning. Kevin highlights the industry’s shift from a focus on investment management to comprehensive financial advice, a change embraced by firms large and small, benefiting both advisors and consumers navigating increasingly complex financial lives. 

Their conversation also delves into the persistent challenges of improving diversity and increasing female representation within the financial planning profession. Kevin highlights the CFP Board’s efforts to address these issues through initiatives like the Women’s Initiative, which aims to attract, develop, and retain more women in the field. He also points to the organization’s record-setting growth in the number of newly certified women CFP professionals, as well as strategic partnerships that are designed to engage and support a more diverse pipeline of future advisors. 

Valuable highlights include:

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About Our Guest:

Kevin R. Keller, CAE, is a leading voice in the financial advice ecosystem and CEO of CFP Board, the credentialing organization for more than 104,000 CFP® professionals in the United States. During his 18 years as CEO, the number of CFP® professionals in the U.S. has nearly doubled. And the 2024 class of certificants was the most diverse in CFP Board’s history, with all-time-high numbers of women and racially and ethnically diverse new CFP® professionals.

In this episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse kicks off Season 3 with a powerful conversation with Katrina Radenberg, chief investment officer of Mariner and president of the Mariner Foundation. Katrina shares her unique path from investment analyst to C-suite leader, the importance of mentorship and how intentional partnerships and niche marketing are fueling Mariner’s organic growth.

The discussion highlights how the Mariner Foundation—fueled by associate donations and company matches—has become a cultural cornerstone, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to community impact and attracting next-generation talent. Katrina also shares insights on emerging investment trends, the importance of customized client solutions at scale and why giving back and talent development are non-negotiables for building a sustainable, impactful wealth management firm.

This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors looking to blend business growth with a broader mission—and stay competitive in an evolving industry.

Key takeaways include:

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 About Our Guest:

As Chief Investment Officer, Katrina oversees all aspects of investments across the firm. Her responsibilities include leading our investment committee and private investment committee. She is also a member of our risk committee.

Since joining the firm in 2007, Katrina has had a wide range of responsibilities throughout the organization, including serving on the investment and asset allocation committees and managing fixed income portfolios for high-net-worth clients. Before moving into a leadership role, she co-managed a tactical ETF portfolio. Katrina has 21 years of experience in the investment industry.

Prior to joining Mariner, she was an analyst for a hedge fund in Manhattan, Kan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Kansas State University.

In this episode, veteran industry leader Suzanne Siracuse hosts the dynamic duo of Shannon Spotswood, CEO, and Abby Salameh, chief growth officer, from RFG Advisory. Listen as they wrap up Season 2 with an insightful discussion on what it takes to build the RIA of the future. From effective strategies for driving organic growth to fostering a thriving firm culture and community, this is a must-listen episode.

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About Our Guests:

Shannon Spotswood is a 25+ year industry veteran in financial services with an outstanding reputation built on leadership roles in professional management, investment banking, hedge fund management, and business development. 

Joining RFG Advisory in 2015, Shannon recognized the opportunity to combine her entrepreneurial experience with her passion to build an innovative, Advisor-focused RIA of the future. At RFG Advisory, Shannon of RFG 2.0, a fully integrated platform for independent Financial Advisors and the implementation of strategic initiatives contributing to advisor success

Abby Salameh serves as RFG Advisory’s Chief Growth Officer, where she heads the firm’s growth activities spanning marketing, recruiting, onboarding, and transitions. With over 25 years spearheading growth support and services for independent advisors, Ms. Salameh has demonstrated excellence across multiple disciplines. Most recently, she served in multiple C-suite roles at CAIS, including chief marketing officer, managing director of CAIS IQ, and head of strategic partnerships.

Prior to that, Ms. Salameh held a variety of leadership positions at multiple billion-dollar-plus RIA firms like Hightower Advisors, Private Advisor Network, and Fusion Advisor Network (now Kestra). She received the 2023 WealthManagement.com Industry Award for CMO of the year, and in 2022 won a Wealthie for Thought Leader of the Year.

Ms. Salameh serves on the Board of Invest in Others, a non-profit organization that celebrates the charitable work of financial advisors, has led the FSI Growth & Marketing Council, is a vetted industry speaker and a regular volunteer at her local animal shelter. She holds an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Hofstra University.

What does it take to build a future-proof financial advisory business? 

Veteran industry leader Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Jon Jones, CEO and co-founder of Brighton Jones, to explore his incredible journey from small-town beginnings to leading a $30 billion RIA. 

In this episode of the Focused on the Future podcast, Jon reveals how a client-centric, holistic approach has propelled his firm to the forefront of the wealth management industry.

Jon dives into:

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About Our Guest:

Jon Jones, co-founder of Brighton Jones, helped pioneer the Personal CFO approach to wealth management alongside Charles. While many firms focused solely on managing clients’ investment accounts, Brighton Jones took a holistic approach by overseeing clients’ entire balance sheets. Financial well-being and acting as a Personal CFO remain at the core of the firm’s services. However, Jon believes that truly helping clients live richer lives requires going beyond traditional financial management.

Standing at the intersection of life and wealth, Jon and his team recognize the importance of influencing clients’ emotional and social well-being. They celebrate life’s joys—marriages, new homes, births, and retirements—and provide guidance during challenges like job loss, divorce, illness, or loss. Jon values the opportunity to encourage clients to embrace the bigger picture, focus on their whole selves, and understand that true happiness extends far beyond financial success.

Join host Suzanne Siracuse as she sits down with Lisa Crafford, Managing Director at Constellation Wealth Capital, to explore key strategies for building successful, future-ready wealth management firms.

Drawing on her deep experience working with financial advisors, Lisa offers valuable insights into the power of mentorship, strategic growth approaches, and fostering a strong community. She also sheds light on the pivotal role of technology in positioning firms for sustained growth and resilience in an evolving industry.

Gain insight and practical tips to advance your firm as this episode highlights:

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 About Our Guest:

Lisa serves as the Head of Advisory at Constellation Wealth Capital. Her previous role as Director and Head of Business Consulting at BNY Mellon | Pershing was focused on working with wealth management and advisory firms to help them grow and strengthen their businesses. In addition to her consulting work, Lisa founded the INSITE University Student Experience, The Next Leadership Forum, and led the Pershing research efforts with industry media partners. Earlier in her career, Lisa was the Director of Business Management for an RIA in the DC Metro area.  

In the latest episode of Focused on the Future, Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Bryce Skaff of Dimensional Fund Advisors to explore his unique journey from aspiring marine biologist to a career in wealth management. Bryce offers an inside look at DFA’s investment philosophy, deeply rooted in academic research, and how the firm’s growth aligns with the rise of independent advisors. Drawing from DFA’s extensive investor studies and advisor benchmarking research, Bryce shares his perspective on the evolving needs of today’s clients and the strategies advisors must embrace to thrive in a changing landscape. He delves into what separates top-performing firms from the rest, emphasizing keys to growth, scaling effectively, and meeting the demands of the future. Bryce and Suzanne also debate the future of smaller advisory firms, discussing whether solo advisors can still compete with larger firms expanding through mergers and acquisitions—or if the solo model is truly becoming a thing of the past.

This is a can’t miss episode.

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 About Our Guest:

Bryce Skaff is Co-Head of the Global Client Group (GCG) and serves in a leadership role on several of the firm’s key strategic committees. He helps to shape the vision and oversee the management of the GCG, a global team of professionals committed to delivering an outstanding experience to advisors, intermediaries, and institutional investors around the world.

Suzanne Siracuse engages in a conversation with George Nichols, CEO of the American College of Financial Services, to uncover strategies for success in financial advising. Nichols shares insights into significant areas for financial advisors, such as specialization, the future of retirement planning, and the importance of representation. 

 Nichols explored how understanding the diverse needs of various communities is crucial for advisors to succeed in the future. He emphasized that financial advisors must adapt to the evolving landscape by focusing on expertise and representation.

Key focus points from their conversation include:

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 About Our Guest:

George Nichols III, CAP®, currently serves as the 10th president and CEO in the storied history of The American College of Financial Services. Nichols joined The College after a 17-year stint at New York Life, where he held principal roles in sales, P&L, strategic initiatives, and public policy. In 2007, Nichols was named to the company’s executive management committee. He also served as executive vice president in the Office of Governmental Affairs.

Suzanne Siracuse interviews Vanessa Martinez, CEO and managing partner of Expressive Wealth, to explore how holistic financial planning and inclusive communication can transform the client experience. Vanessa shares her journey, rooted in the values instilled by her parents, who overcame educational limitations in war-torn Central America. This background shaped her commitment to empowering clients through education and comprehensive wealth management.

Vanessa also discusses the need for financial advisors to shift their strategies in the face of longer lifespans, emphasizing longevity risk as a critical factor in planning. She highlights the importance of understanding diverse and blended family dynamics, going beyond assumptions, and focusing on meaningful communication with clients.

Highlights from this episode include:

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Connect With Vanessa Martinez:

About Our Guest:

With 15+ years of wealth management expertise, Vanessa is dedicated to aligning your financial goals with holistic well-being. Vanessa traveled abroad for her undergrad and earned her BBA in Guatemala, C.A. Returning to Chicago; she received her MBA in finance at North Park University while gaining insights from her time at JPMorgan Chase. Her commitment to comprehensive client wealth advisory led her to earn FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 certifications.