Barron's Advisor

Chris Todd, CEO of Envestnet and wealth-tech leader, explains how data and AI are reshaping advisory work. He describes refocusing strategy, building infrastructure for planning and alternatives, and using predictive AI to recommend next-best actions like tax moves and rebalancing. He also covers agentic AI plans and how insights free advisors to deepen client relationships.

Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital and former White House communications director, reflects on rebuilding after public setbacks. He discusses widening economic inequality and the K-shaped recovery. He explores policy fixes like campaign reform, long-term fiscal plans, and ideas for AI disruption such as a robot tax. He also touches on Bitcoin, blockchain, and why advisors should embrace innovation.

Yie-Hsin Hung, President and CEO of State Street Investment Management, leads strategy for roughly $5 trillion in assets. She talks about partnering to create innovative products, expanding beyond flagship ETFs into customized indexing and multi-asset solutions, and why U.S. retirement and target-date innovations matter. She also covers recent big partnerships and efforts to reach younger investors.

Rob Nelson, founder and CEO of NorthRock Partners, leads a $12B wealth firm and built a personal office model. He connects nine converging forces reshaping advice. Topics include AI and agentic avatars, industry consolidation and scale, digital-first consumers and convenience, expanded in‑house services, private markets, and engaging younger generations.

Omani Carson, founder of Carson Group and Carson Wealth, entrepreneur and philanthropist focused on purpose-driven projects. He talks about using AI to boost advisor productivity, balancing work and personal transformation, building systems for scalable growth, and investing in regenerative climate solutions and conscious capitalism.

Alex Shahidi, co-chief investment officer at Evoke Advisors and host of Insightful Investor, explains portfolio construction and diversification. He challenges the 60/40 myth and outlines principles for true diversification. Topics include hedging growth and inflation, using TIPS and gold, balancing public/private/hedged strategies, and behavioral rules like rebalancing and long-term discipline.

Jason Early, founder of Riser, builds wealth-tech to help advisors analyze and plan around clients' private businesses. He discusses how advisors can clarify business assets, act as the deal-team quarterback well before exits, and use opinionated tools to spark better conversations. He also covers timing for advising owners, prospecting strategies, and where tech should stop and advisor work begins.

Michelle Magner, Partner at Socium Advisors known for creating a ‘defensive planning’ framework and scaling AUM massively. She discusses evolving from portfolio-only thinking to integrated defensive planning. Topics include mentoring next-gen advisors, scaling via pods and M&A, serving UHNW families, women in advising, and using AI as an efficiency tool while keeping human judgment.

Kelly Gaur, regional VP and shareholder at Mercer Advisors with roots in private banking, explains how business development roles open pathways into wealth management. She discusses moving from banks to an RIA, why BD-only teams boost advisor capacity, modern outreach through community and hobbies, and the technical skills that accelerate non-advisory careers.

Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab with decades of Wall Street experience. She discusses how AI could boost productivity while displacing jobs. She contrasts modern retail trading with long-term investing. She explains K-shaped, rolling recessions, market concentration risks, inflation as the key watchpoint, and fiscal and Fed policy challenges.