ThinkAdvisor launched its LUMINARIES program last year to showcase the powerful, innovative ways the financial services industry is making a difference. What the program has demonstrated to date is how many advisors and firms are expanding financial wellness in their communities and nationwide — and how creative and moving these efforts truly are.
We received a large number of nominations from those working on programs to improve the financial education of K-12 children and young adults, for instance. To ensure that the students have a safe place to learn, one advisor regularly brings large groups to study at his office.
Other advisors work to improve the lives of underserved communities, such as formerly incarcerated individuals who are starting businesses and first-generation Americans facing hurdles when opening financial accounts.
These initiatives exemplify that the industry can change how it views and improves the financial health of both clients and the wider community of prospective investors. As we proudly showcase the 2022 LUMINARIES winners, announced on Nov. 17, it's worthwhile to keep this in mind and to review several other key benefits of this exciting program.
Related: Meet the 2022 LUMINARIES Winners
First, regardless of the size of the advisor's business or a firm's asset level, all nominations are considered carefully and fairly. In other words, they have a similar chance of becoming a finalist and winner. This is because the criteria for judging LUMINARIES entries focus on replicable, scalable efforts and "must-know" success stories that can help other advisors and firms.
Does the nominee serve as a powerful example of industry excellence and offer best practices? Firms of all sizes and specialties should be able to learn — and find practical guidance — from what these standout individuals and firms are doing.
Overall, the size of an organization does not matter when it comes to what the judges are looking for: industry players who take creative and inspiring approaches. A compelling effort that supports a small (or large) business can be replicated elsewhere, regardless of its size, by adapting its exemplary approach to a different context.
