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2026 Connect Money Next Generation Wealth Management Awards
Winners
- Cristina Wiebelt-Smith: Redefining Wealth Advice Through Education, Community Impact
- Jack Reifsnider: Linking Capital, Community, and Client Outcomes
- Ximena Silva-Avila: Pairing Values-Based Planning with Community Advocacy
- Scott Frazin: Blending Personal Engagement with Next Gen Advisory Approach
- Ken Vendley: Driving Growth Through Mentorship and Holistic Planning
- Michael Bueti: Scaling Growth, Innovation and Next Gen Client Engagement
- Abhishek Vakil: Aligning Personal Performance with Firmwide Growth
- John B. Petrick: Advancing Next Gen RIA Framework
- Alan Simeon: Transformation Through Growth, Innovation and Mentorship
- Julian Locke: Expanding Industry Access Through Mentorship
- Dana Hall: Redefining Wealth Creation Through Community Equity Innovation
- Alex Pape: Bringing AI, Unified Portfolios to the Advisor Desktop
- Nicholas Petrelli: Powering Growth Through Client Acquisition and Team Leadership
- Kelly Ann Winget: Challenges PE Norms With Access and Innovation
- Ashton Lawrence: Building $200M Practice Around Trust, Planning and Education
- Jacob Gurock: From Messaging to Mentorship
- Robert Howland: Modernizing a Legacy Firm While Deepening Client-Centered Advice
- Mamadou-Abou Sarr: Building $1.4B Quant Platform With High-Touch Innovation
- Collin Lyon: Rewiring Tech, Talent, and Team-Based Planning
- Lucas Mijares: Putting Values at the Center of Wealth Planning
- Danielle White: Building a One-Stop Operations Platform for Independent Advisors
- Susy Thomas: Bringing Athlete’s Discipline to Client-Centered Planning
- Rebecca Trethewey: Strengthening Platform With Retirement, Benefits Expertise
- Gautam Muthusamy: Accelerating Growth Through Personalized Advisory and Strategic Leadership
- Joseph Spina: Bridging Institutional Research and Private Wealth Advice
- Lowell Lyon: Prioritizing Simplicity in Wealth Management
- Greg Giardino: Turning Personal Experience Into Client-Focused Advisory Approach
- Hannah Forney: Guiding Families and Athletes Through Wealth Decisions
- Zach Schear: Fueling Record Growth and Transformation
- Megan Higgins: Driving Operational Innovation, Next Gen Talent Development
Ashton Lawrence: Building $200M Practice Around Trust, Planning and Education
Advisor integrates holistic planning with leadership development and outreach
Ashton Lawrence, Director, Senior Wealth Advisor, Mariner Wealth Advisors, is helping redefine modern advisory leadership by combining high-touch client service with scalable, planning-driven growth.
Managing approximately $202 million in client assets, Ashton has built a practice centered on comprehensive wealth planning—integrating investment management, tax strategy, estate coordination and behavioral coaching. The approach prioritizes long-term relationships over transactions, helping clients make more confident, values-aligned decisions while strengthening trust across multi-generational families.
An entrepreneurial background, including co-owning Goldfinch Wealth Management, informs a broader perspective on growth and operations. Within a larger RIA framework, that experience has translated into a focus on improving processes, scaling advice delivery and maintaining a boutique-level client experience. Internally, participation in Mariner’s Accelerated Leadership Program has further supported leadership development, with contributions extending into firmwide initiatives and mentorship of emerging advisors.
Beyond the firm, Ashton is deeply engaged in community leadership, serving on boards including Fall for Greenville, the Eastside YMCA and United Way of Greenville County, as well as contributing to African American Leadership initiatives. These roles support efforts across youth development, financial stability and health equity. Mentorship and pro bono advisory work further extend impact, helping broaden access to financial literacy and professional guidance.