RWA Wealth Partners, a fee-only RIA with $15 billion under management, has named current firm president Michelle Knight as its next CEO.
Knight, who has 15 years of industry experience, came to RWA Wealth Partners when it was formed last year through the merger of three other firms: Ropes Wealth Advisors, Adviser Investments and Polaris Wealth Advisory Group. Her appointment as CEO makes the Newton, Massachusetts-based RWA Wealth Partners one of the largest female-led registered investment advisors in the U.S.
Knight came to RWA Wealth Partners from one of its predecessor firms, Ropes Wealth Advisors, where she served as CEO and chief economist. She initially served RWA as president, working alongside then-CEO Mario Ramos, who led the firm through the merger of Adviser Investments with Ropes Wealth Advisors and has left to pursue outside opportunities.
Ramos
Knight's new role will have her working with the firm's 44 advisors, who provide services under a fee-only model to high net worth and ultrahigh net worth clients and families. RWA Wealth Partners is backed by the private equity firm Summit Partners.
"RWA Wealth exists to serve clients with the highest standard of fiduciary care, and during her distinguished career in wealth management, Michelle has done just that," Matt Hamilton, a managing director at Summit Partners and member of the RWA Wealth Partners board of directors, said in a statement.
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RWA Wealth Partners considers itself a "one-stop" shop for financial planning. Its services include not only wealth and investment management but also tax and estate planning for wealthy clients and families. It also offers advice and information on equity compensation, insurance management, small-business planning and family wealth.
"Our business serves individuals and multigenerational families with a single goal, to deliver comprehensive, unbiased fiduciary advice in a personalized fashion through a team of caring experts," Knight said in a statement.
Knight's new title comes amid other new changes to RWA Wealth Partners' top ranks as the consolidation of its three predecessor firms proceeds. Other promotions announced Monday included: Kristin Fazio to chief compliance officer; Joseph "JP" Powers to chief investment officer; Steve Reder to managing director of wealth management; Carlos Sotero to chief technology officer; and Venkat Patla to chief marketing officer.
"I look forward to working with all of our team members as we pursue our goal to be the nation's foremost boutique provider of wealth management solutions, tackling complex financial challenges for individuals and families," Knight said in a statement.
RWA Wealth Partners maintains offices in major metropolitan areas such as Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago and has clients throughout the country.
