Viking Cove Unveils Advisor Vantage, NFP Expands Leadership
Viking Cove Launches Advisor Vantage
Viking Cove has launched Advisor Vantage, a professional development platform aimed at redefining how financial advisors grow in professional, leadership, and personal goals.
Advisor Vantage connects advisors with a network of coaches, consultants, and experts spanning leadership, marketing, practice management, communication, and wellbeing.
“Recognizing that success requires more than technical expertise, we’ve created a space where advisors can engage with experts who speak their language—people who have been in their shoes and can help them navigate what’s next,” said Tammy Ouverson, program director for Advisor Vantage.
The program encourages advisors to design their own learning path through forums, partner webinars, and peer discussions. Members also gain access to a library of actionable ideas and perspectives from coaches and consultants.
Launched on October 30, 2025, Advisor Vantage debuts with founding coaches, live forums, and webinars across six focus areas: Intuitive Alignment & Purpose, Connection-Driven Business Growth, Leadership Impact, Practice Management, Spiritual Alignment, and Wellbeing & Embodiment.
Amy Glynn, president of Viking Cove Institute, said “Advisor Vantage anchors VCI’s Virtual Community launched this year, a dynamic, private space where independent advisors and partners can engage with intention—a new way to share ideas, build skills, and shape the future together.”
Next Page: NFP Adds Retirement Advisory, Wealth Management Appointments
NFP Adds Retirement Advisory, Wealth Management Appointments
NFP has appointed Jessica Espinoza and Stephen Jans as national practice leaders of Retirement Advisory and Wealth Management, respectively.
Espinoza, based in Bethesda, Maryland, and Jans, based in Minneapolis, will report to Ed O’Malley, executive vice president, head of Insurance Brokerage and Consulting. This appointment follows Aon’s sale of Wealthspire Advisors, Fiducient Advisors, Newport Private Wealth and related platforms to Madison Dearborn Partners, which closed on October 30.
“We’re thrilled to elevate Espinoza and Jans to lead our retirement and wealth business lines,” said O’Malley. “NFP remains deeply committed to these businesses and will continue to serve clients with the same level of expertise and care they’ve come to expect. While some components of our business are evolving, retirement and wealth remain integral to our strategy and service model.”
Espinoza, a retirement plan advisor with nearly two decades of experience in the middle market, began her career at NFP in 2006. She is a CFA charterholder and has served on the NFP’s national investment committee since 2016. As a managing director, NFP says this appointment broadens her oversight of its retirement business from the Atlantic region to a national focus.
“I’m honored to lead our retirement business and build on NFP’s legacy of delivering exceptional value to plan sponsors and participants,” said Espinoza. “Our clients rely on us for comprehensive, end-to-end retirement solutions that support participant financial wellness and long-term security. I’m excited to build on our strong foundation and continue delivering outstanding advice to plan sponsors and participants.”
Jans, a leader with over 30 years of experience in wealth management, began his career as a financial advisor and joined NFP in 2007.
“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter leading our Wealth Management practice,” said Jans. “Our commitment to wealth management remains unwavering, and we will continue to deliver personalized, high-impact wealth guidance to individuals, families and institutions across the country, ensuring our clients receive the same trusted expertise and tailored strategies they’ve come to expect from NFP.”
Next Page: Nationwide Pledges $1.5B to AI Initiatives
Nationwide Pledges $1.5B to AI Initiatives
Nationwide announced its investment of $1.5 billion through 2028 in technology innovation initiatives, with $100 million earmarked for advancing AI each year for the next three years.
“The world is in the next industrial revolution. It’s happening now, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence that is transforming how all of us work,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “Our modern mutual structure, which combines the long-term vision of a mutual and the agility of a public company, allows Nationwide to capitalize on this revolution.
We’re using new tools to drive deep partnerships, manage risk more proactively, innovate with agility and engage our communities – focusing on the benefits for our customers.”
Nationwide’s investment focuses on three priorities, including its goal to have 90% of employees using everyday AI platforms by 2026; enhancing the customer experience with the use of new tools; and establishing an operating model that “fuels agility in decisionmaking, improves productivity and speed and facilitates always on service to customers.”
Since 2015, Nationwide has invested $5B in technology modernization. The company has two purpose-driven teams exploring AI capabilities: a Blue Team and a Red Team. The Blue Team creates and tests the benefits of AI such as added efficiency, customer service opportunities and new use cases to help its businesses support customers. The Red Team considers compliance, risks and vulnerabilities.
“We have been advancing artificial intelligence capabilities for more than 15 years, and we believe that AI should be people-connected and machine-enabled,” said Nationwide Chief Technology Officer Jim Fowler. “This investment will help Nationwide deliver on its promise to harness AI thoughtfully and boldly, empowering employees to use AI productively and responsibly.”
Next Page: T. Rowe Price COO Departs as Firm Launches Tech Function
T. Rowe Price COO Departs as Firm Launches Tech Function
T. Rowe Price this week announced that Kimberly Johnson, who has served as chief operating officer since 2022, will leave the firm in December.
T. Rowe Price credits Johnson for spearheading the modernization of the firm’s technology and data infrastructure, as well as its operational processes to optimize workflow and automation for client experience.
“Kimberly has been a transformative leader, driving meaningful change and strengthening the foundation of our operations for long-term success,” said Rob Sharps, chair, CEO and president of T. Rowe Price. “We are deeply grateful for her contributions and wish her the very best in her next chapter.
The firm also unveiled the creation of a new Technology, Data, and Operations function, to be led by Ramon Richards, who joined the firm as chief technology officer (CTO) in 2023. As head of Technology, Data, and Operations, he will oversee enterprise operations, digital platforms, and data strategy. Richards will join the firm’s Management Committee and report to Sharps.
“By creating a function singly focused on technology, data, and operations, we are aligning our capabilities to adapt to changing industry dynamics,” said Sharps. “As CTO, Ramon quickly demonstrated visionary leadership and has made significant strides in aligning the firm’s technology road map with our business strategy. He is well positioned to lead this new organization and continue building the systems, tools, and teams that will enable deeper integration and accelerate execution.”
“This transition marks a strategic evolution in how we organize for scale, innovation, and performance, with a strong focus on delivering operational excellence powered by technology and data-driven decision-making,” said Richards. “I’m honored to step into this role and excited to continue building on the strong foundation that has been laid.”
Next Page: Wealth Enhancement Buys Wise Wealth
Wealth Enhancement Buys Wise Wealth
Wealth Enhancement has acquired Wise Wealth, an independent RIA with locations in Lee’s Summit, Rolla, and Liberty, Missouri. The team of 12 professionals, including six advisors and six support staff, oversees more than $464 million in client assets and is led by Stephen Stricklin, president and founder.
Jeff Dekko, chief executive officer of Wealth Enhancement, said, “Wise Wealth is a premier, planning-focused firm in the greater Kansas City market that we are grateful to welcome to Wealth Enhancement. We look forward to supporting the team so they can continue delivering outstanding service and advice – now with even greater depth and scale.”
Founded in 2007, Wise Wealth is known for its education-based approach to financial planning, operating under the guiding principle, ‘First Wisdom, Then Wealth.’ The firm specializes in comprehensive wealth management services, including financial planning, tax planning, legacy planning, investment management, and retirement planning, with a primary focus on serving retirees and pre-retirees.
Stephen Stricklin of Wise Wealth, said, “Our partnership with Wealth Enhancement represents an exciting milestone for our team and clients. Our mission to help clients ‘give, serve, and enjoy life’ will continue to guide our work, and we are excited to build upon that legacy as the GSEL Team at Wealth Enhancement.”
Jim Cahn, chief strategy officer of Wealth Enhancement, said, “Stephen Stricklin has built an exceptional practice that embodies the same client-first philosophy we value deeply. By joining forces, we’re able to offer the Wise Wealth team access to additional resources – all designed to help clients pursue their goals with confidence.”
The acquisition of Wise Wealth closed on October 31, 2025. Wise Wealth was advised by Hue Partners on the transaction.