Power Your Advice

Ryan VanGorder, CEO of Opto Investments, believes the private markets conversation is changing for advisors. Access may be broader than it once was, but his focus is on what comes next: helping fiduciaries determine where privates fit, evaluate them with more confidence, and bring greater transparency and alignment to the process. In his view, the real opportunity is not access alone, but making the space more workable and more understandable for the right clients. He also points to AI and better data as key parts of that shift. Used thoughtfully, they can help advisors organize unstructured information, strengthen diligence, and build more confidence around private market decisions without replacing human judgment. The broader takeaway is a practical one: ask good questions, understand incentives, and take a disciplined approach to a market that is becoming more relevant across the industry. Resources: Opto Source

Ryan Eisenman, co-founder and CEO of Arch, is focused on a problem advisors know well: private markets may be more accessible than ever, but managing them is still highly manual and operationally complex. As RIAs bring more private equity, private credit, venture, real estate, and hedge funds into client portfolios, they are still dealing with subscription documents, capital calls, K-1s, investor portals, and reporting that rarely lives in one clean system. Arch is built to reduce that friction and give advisors a more unified way to manage alternative investments. Eisenman’s view is that solving that complexity is about more than efficiency. By using AI to structure unorganized documents, summarize manager updates, surface look-through exposure, and support diligence and compliance workflows, Arch is aiming to give advisors a clearer picture of what clients own and what needs attention next. The result is a cleaner operational foundation for handling private markets and better context for the client conversations that come with them. Resources: Arch Source

John Roberts, Chief Field Officer at Northwestern Mutual, shares insights from the firm’s 2026 Planning & Progress Study, pointing to a growing gap in financial confidence—particularly among younger investors. Gen Z and millennials are increasingly turning to speculative behaviors like crypto, sports betting, and prediction markets as a way to “catch up,” often driven by a sense of falling behind. In contrast, those working with advisors report significantly higher levels of confidence, reinforcing the role of advice in shifting clients toward long-term planning, compounding, and protection. Roberts also highlights how financial planning is becoming more multi-generational, with a rising number of parents actively saving to help their children purchase a home. That shift, alongside the need for earlier and more deliberate succession planning, underscores a broader theme across the industry. Among top-performing firms, the differentiators are consistent: strong leadership development, intentional talent building, and a focus on engaging the next generation—both as clients and future advisors. Resources: Northwestern Mutual Source

Mario Valente, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Stansberry Asset Management, describes how a boutique, actively managed firm earns the trust of formerly self-directed investors by focusing on low-correlated, idiosyncratic returns. By emphasizing investments that behave independently of broader markets and making tactical shifts across asset classes, the firm has been able to limit drawdowns and maintain stability during periods of volatility. Valente points to a repeatable process and an experienced team as the foundation for consistent results. Strategies like Tactical Select combine fundamental research with disciplined risk controls to pursue excess returns with lower volatility. In today’s uncertain environment, the focus remains on active due diligence, selective positioning, and the flexibility to raise cash when needed—reinforcing that resilient portfolios require both adaptability and strong risk management. Resources: Stansberry Asset Management Source

Alex Laipple, the Chief Growth Officer at Ethic, frames personalization as more than a product feature—it’s a way for advisors to make portfolios actually reflect what clients are trying to achieve. That starts with defining preferences, offering flexible investment structures, and then delivering that final layer of customization around taxes, risk, and individual holdings. When done well—and backed by clear reporting—it turns investing into something clients can see, understand, and connect with. What makes that scalable is the infrastructure behind it. By integrating with custodians, automating tax management, and streamlining workflows, technology removes much of the manual friction that keeps advisors stuck in low-value tasks. Laipple’s point is that the tradeoff isn’t personalization vs. efficiency—it’s short-term effort vs. long-term leverage. Advisors who commit to the tools can spend less time managing portfolios and more time building relationships, strengthening household connections, and positioning their business for the next generation. Resources: Ethic Source

Josh Rogers, Senior Client Portfolio Manager at Invesco, explains how separately managed accounts (SMAs) have evolved from clunky stock lists into technology-driven portfolio solutions that allow advisors to scale while still delivering meaningful customization. By combining manager-traded portfolios, integrated data systems, and advanced tax management tools, modern SMAs help advisors offer personalized portfolios without adding operational complexity. Rogers highlights how innovations like direct indexing and tax-optimized long/short SMAs give advisors new ways to manage concentrated positions, harvest tax losses, and improve after-tax outcomes for clients. As technology continues to expand customization and automation, SMAs are becoming not just an investment vehicle—but a strategic platform for advisors looking to grow their practices while maintaining a highly tailored client experience. Resources: Invesco Source

Chris Gannatti, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree, puts gold’s early-2026 volatility in perspective after one of its strongest years in decades. With roughly a 70% gain in 2025, it’s no surprise the asset class is drawing fresh attention. But the bigger conversation, he suggests, isn’t about last year’s move—it’s about how inflation pressures, rising debt levels, and a shifting geopolitical backdrop are prompting advisors to revisit gold’s place in modern portfolios. Rather than viewing gold strictly as an “alternative,” Gannatti frames it as a meaningful part of the broader investable universe—one that historically behaves differently than stocks and bonds. In environments where traditional 60/40 allocations face stress, that differentiation can matter. The result isn’t a tactical call based on recent performance, but a strategic discussion about diversification, portfolio balance, and how to account for risks that extend beyond inflation alone. Resources: WisdomTree Related: Gold Is No Longer an “Alternative”—It’s a Missing Strategic Allocation Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. For a prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus containing this and other important information about the fund, call 866.909.9473 or visit WisdomTree.com/investments. Read the prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus carefully before investing. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal. Chris Gannatti is a registered representative of Foreside Fund Services, LLC. WisdomTree Funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Source

Fred Kaynor, Managing Director at DAFgiving360, outlines how donor-advised funds continue to play a central role in charitable planning as new tax rules take effect in 2026. He explains how DAFs allow donors to contribute cash or appreciated assets, receive an immediate deduction, and invest funds for potential tax-free growth before granting over time. Strategies like bunching and donating non-cash assets remain key tools for maximizing impact while managing tax exposure. He also breaks down major provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including the new 0.5% AGI floor for itemizers, limits on deduction value for top-bracket taxpayers, a universal deduction for non-itemizers that excludes DAF contributions, and the now-permanent 60% AGI limit for cash gifts to public charities. After a record year in 2025 with nearly $10 billion in grants, Kaynor shares why advisors remain critical in helping clients navigate these changes and give more strategically. If you’d like to learn more about working with DAFgiving360 and the benefits to both you and your clients, review their online resources or request more information. DAFgiving360 is the name used for the combined programs and services of Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc., an independent nonprofit organization which has entered into service agreements with certain subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. DAFgiving360 is a tax-exempt public charity as described in Sections 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1), and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions made to DAFgiving360 are considered an irrevocable gift and are not refundable. Once contributed, DAFgiving360 has exclusive legal control over the contributed assets. A donor’s ability to claim itemized deductions is subject to a variety of limitations depending on the donor’s specific tax situation. Contributions of certain real estate, private equity, or other illiquid assets may be accepted via a charitable intermediary, with proceeds transferred to a donor-advised fund (DAF) account upon liquidation. Call DAFgiving360 for more information at 800-746-6216. Market fluctuations may cause the value of investment fund shares held in a donor-advised fund (DAF) account to be worth more or less than the value of the original contribution to the funds. DAFgiving360 does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult a qualified legal or tax advisor where such advice is necessary or appropriate. (0226-2YLK) Source

Tim Seifert, Senior Vice President and Head of Retirement Solutions Distribution at Lincoln Financial, reflects on the lessons of 2025 and what they reveal about the retirement landscape heading into 2026. Seifert points to sustained market demand driven by Peak 65 demographics and heightened uncertainty as key forces reshaping advisor conversations. He explains why protection has moved from a defensive consideration to a central growth strategy, helping clients plan more confidently for income, longevity, and legacy. Looking ahead, Seifert outlines the structural opportunities facing financial professionals, including record levels of cash on the sidelines, rising retirement account balances, and historically high levels of unprotected equity. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication, consistent education, and decisive action to deliver certainty during volatile periods. As industry consolidation accelerates, Seifert argues that advisors who lead with protection and purpose are best positioned to deepen client relationships, drive sustainable growth, and become indispensable to the clients they serve. For more insights like this, please visit Blogs | Lincoln Financial. Click here for more information about the Capital Group Dividend Value (CGDV) ETF Disclosures: All mentions of professional athletes are made in relation to the Becoming Necessary Series with Dr. Kevin Elko and refers solely to his work with the named professional football players. Lincoln Financial and Dr. Kevin Elko are not affiliated. A fixed indexed annuity is intended for retirement or other long-term needs. It is intended for a person who has sufficient cash or other liquid assets for living expenses and other unexpected emergencies, such as medical expenses. A fixed indexed annuity is not a registered security or stock market investment and does not directly participate in any stock or equity investments, or index. Lincoln fixed indexed annuities are issued by the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so. Contractual obligations are subject to the claims-paying ability of The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates. Affiliates are separately responsible for their own financial and contractual obligations. LCN-8717380-011626 Source

John Connell, Co-Founder and CEO of Focal, outlines how AI can do more than capture notes—it can raise advisor performance. By pairing meeting intelligence with behavioral finance and science-backed coaching, Focal turns compliant client conversations into sharper questions, higher conversion rates, and measurable growth. With more than 130 integrations, the goal isn’t just efficiency—it’s real revenue impact. Connell also makes clear that in a regulated industry, AI has to be secure and purpose-built. The firms that win won’t just save 10 to 15 hours per week—they’ll see tighter team consistency, stronger AUM growth, and better outcomes across the board. In this model, AI doesn’t replace the advisor. It clears the clutter so advisors can show up more prepared, more focused, and more effective in every client conversation. Resources: Focal Power Your Advice podcasts are produced with support from Fidelity Investments. If you would like to learn more about Fidelity’s top performing mutual funds and ETFs for financial advisors visit i.fidelity.com/topfunds. The information and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the speakers and do not reflect or represent Fidelity’s views, perspectives, or intellectual property. Source

Ritik Malhotra, founder and CEO of Savvy Wealth, explains how automation and AI can strip away the 70% of administrative work that clogs an advisor’s day—compliance, paperwork, data entry, and reporting—so they can focus on what actually matters: clients. By modernizing the middle and back office, Savvy aims to give advisors back time, clarity, and energy—making advice feel more personal, not more robotic. Malhotra dives into the psychology of money and why AI is far more likely to empower advisors than replace them. As investing grows more complex—from crypto to alternative assets—technology can synthesize information instantly, but clients still want a steady human hand. Malhotra outlines a future where advisors act as conductors of specialized AI agents—scaling their impact, deepening relationships, and delivering truly holistic wealth management without sacrificing personalization. Resources: Savvy Power Your Advice podcasts are produced with support from Fidelity Investments. If you would like to learn more about Fidelity’s top performing mutual funds and ETFs for financial advisors visit i.fidelity.com/topfunds. The information and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the speakers and do not reflect or represent Fidelity’s views, perspectives, or intellectual property. Source

Liam Hanlon, Head of Insights at Jump, shares findings from Jump’s first-ever Financial Advisor Insights Report—an analysis of more than 12,000 real advisor-client meetings. Drawing on what Hanlon calls “ground truth data,” the study challenges long-held industry assumptions shaped by traditional surveys, revealing what actually happens inside client conversations. From how much advisors really talk to which topics drive the most engagement, the data offers a clearer view into how advice is delivered—and where perception often diverges from reality. Hanlon also explains how Jump’s AI-powered platform helps advisors act on those insights by reducing meeting prep, documentation, and follow-up work while surfacing meaningful conversational intelligence. By tracking client sentiment, identifying effective communication patterns, and translating data into actionable guidance, Jump enables advisors to structure better meetings, focus on goals and planning, and improve client follow-through—turning better conversations into stronger outcomes and sustainable growth. Resources: Jump Power Your Advice podcasts are produced with support from Fidelity Investments. If you would like to learn more about Fidelity’s top performing mutual funds and ETFs for financial advisors visit i.fidelity.com/topfunds. The information and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the speakers and do not reflect or represent Fidelity’s views, perspectives, or intellectual property. Source

Erin Colledge, Executive Vice President of Platform Unification and AI Strategy at Orion, brings us a grounded view of how AI is being adopted inside advisory firms. As the industry moves past experimentation, Colledge describes a shift toward practical use cases that help advisors prepare for client conversations, understand exposure, and respond more quickly to market changes. The focus is no longer whether AI belongs in the workflow, but how it can be applied in ways that feel useful, controlled, and aligned with how advisors actually work. She explains how Orion’s Denali AI is built around connected intelligence—bringing CRM, portfolio management, planning, risk, and compliance data together in context rather than across disconnected systems. With natural-language queries, firm-controlled data access, and explainable, auditable outputs, Denali AI is designed to turn unified data into action while maintaining privacy and oversight. As AI-native platforms evolve, Colledge highlights their potential to reduce operational friction and give advisors more time for client relationships and strategic work. Resources: Orion Outputs generated by Orion Denali AI should be reviewed for accuracy and appropriateness by financial professionals in all cases. Orion Denali AI (Beta) is an early-access version available to selected users for testing and feedback. Final features and availability may differ at launch. Source

Hans Williams, Head of ETF Strategy at Calamos Investments, joins us to explore how advisors are approaching Bitcoin exposure in a market where volatility remains a central concern. With drawdowns of 30% or more still defining the asset’s price behavior, Williams explains why the conversation has shifted toward managing downside risk even as interest in digital assets grows. For advisors, this means balancing client curiosity with disciplined portfolio construction rather than simply reacting to headline price moves or sidelining Bitcoin altogether. Williams highlights how Calamos’ suite of protected Bitcoin ETFs aim to offer defined buffers and known outcome periods that align exposure to client risk tolerance. He discusses how these outcome-oriented structures, along with laddered versions that smooth timing risk, can help advisors thoughtfully integrate Bitcoin into portfolios with clearer expectations around upside caps and downside limits. As advisor sophistication around digital assets deepens, Williams sees these products as tools to help advisors participate in Bitcoin’s potential while maintaining consistency with clients’ long-term plans. Click here for more information about Calamos Protected Bitcoin ETFs Source

Jason Quinn, CFO and COO of Advisor360º, joins us to discuss how wealth management is moving beyond traditional software toward AI-native platforms. Drawing on his experience scaling technology-driven businesses, Quinn explains how the platform is powered by Advisor360º Wealth OS, which connects data, workflows, and applications to support the full advisor experience across firms at different stages of growth. Rather than forcing firms to stitch together disconnected tools, the platform is designed to deliver a cohesive experience while still allowing advisors to integrate best-of-breed solutions. Quinn also explores how AI can enhance advisor efficiency without replacing the human relationship at the center of advice. Through Parrot AI®, Advisor360º delivers capabilities such as meeting preparation that draws from planning, performance, tax, and CRM data, along with real-time plan updates informed by advisor-client conversations. As RIAs seek to grow and modernize without disrupting their businesses, Quinn shares how AI-native platforms and connected data will shape the future of wealth management. Resources: Advisor360º Power Your Advice podcasts are produced with support from Fidelity Investments. If you would like to learn more about Fidelity’s top performing mutual funds and ETFs for financial advisors visit i.fidelity.com/topfunds. The information and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the speakers and do not reflect or represent Fidelity’s views, perspectives, or intellectual property. Source

Bryan Sajjadi, a Capital Market Strategist at Fidelity Investments, shares how Fidelity’s privately owned structure and long-term orientation influence the way investment decisions are made. He outlines how the firm’s global research platform—spanning equities, fixed income, sectors, and quantitative analysis—is designed to challenge assumptions, share perspectives, and provide a fuller picture of risk and opportunity across market cycles. Rather than relying on a single style or viewpoint, Sajjadi emphasizes the value of combining multiple disciplines to navigate changing market environments. Sajjadi also discusses how Fidelity blends fundamental research with quantitative tools and emerging technologies to support portfolio decisions and risk awareness. He points to collaboration across asset classes, access to private markets, and long-standing company relationships as inputs that inform—not dictate—investment outcomes. Looking ahead, he frames the market outlook in practical terms, highlighting the need for selectivity, diversification, and flexibility as economic conditions evolve and dispersion across assets increases. Resources: Portfolio Construction | Fidelity Institutional Disclosures: Not FDIC Insured. May Lose Value. No Bank Guarantee. Not NCUA or NCUSIF insured. May lose value. No credit union guarantee. Unless otherwise expressly disclosed to you in writing, the information provided in this material is for educational purposes only. Any viewpoints expressed by Fidelity are not intended to be used as a primary basis for your investment decisions and are based on facts and circumstances at the point in time they are made and are not particular to you. Accordingly, nothing in this material constitutes impartial investment advice or advice in a fiduciary capacity, as defined or under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, both as amended. Fidelity and its representatives may have a conflict of interest in the products or services mentioned in this material because they have a financial interest in the products or services and may receive compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with the management, distribution, and/or servicing of these products or services, including Fidelity funds, certain third-party funds and products, and certain investment services. Before making any investment decisions, you should take into account all of the particular facts and circumstances of your or your client’s individual situation and reach out to an investment professional, if applicable Information provided is general in nature. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or tax advice. Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. Views expressed are as of the date indicated, based on the information available at that time, and may change based on market and other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments or its affiliates. Fidelity does not assume any duty to update any of the information. Fidelity Investments is an independent company, unaffiliated with IRIS Media Works, LLC. There is no form of legal partnership, agency affiliation, or similar relationship between IRIS Media Works, LLC. and Fidelity Investments, nor is such a relationship created or implied by the information herein. Fidelity Investments has not been involved with the preparation of the content supplied by IRIS Media Works, LLC. and does not guarantee, or assume any responsibility for, its content. Stock markets, especially foreign markets, are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. Although the funds seek to beat the index, this is not guaranteed, and these funds may trail the index. Foreign securities are subject to interest rate, currency exchange rate, economic, and political risks. In general, the bond market, especially foreign markets, are volatile, and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments. Fixed income securities carry interest rate risk [As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.]. Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible. Foreign securities are subject to interest rate, currency exchange rate, economic, and political risks, all of which may be magnified in emerging markets. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile, and their market movements are very difficult to predict. Investors also face other risks, including significant and negative pri