Cerity Partners Merges with Women-Focused Lumina Financial

Cerity Partners, an independent wealth management firm, is merging with Lumina Financial Consultants, a firm providing financial planning and wealth management services specifically focused on women and their familiesnhance.

The firms did not reveal financial terms of the deal, which closed on June 30.

The merger enhances Cerity Partners’ presence in the San Francisco Bay and establishes a footprint in the Richmond, VA metropolitan area.

As a woman-owned firm, Lumina focuses on a holistic view for women, their businesses, and families. They also specialize in life stage-based financial planning to help clients navigate transitions like divorce or the loss of a loved one.

Cerity Partners President and CEO Kurt Miscinski sees the merger as an important complement to the firm’s expertise and capabilities. “Lumina’s expertise and experience in serving women will enhance our firm’s capabilities. We look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues who share our vision for how to serve clients,” said Miscinski.

Jeanie Schwarz and Laurie Fried, co-principals of the $154 million Lumina Financial Consultants, will serve as a partner and advisor in the Richmond market and partner and advisor in the Mill Valley, CA office, respectively.

The Genstar Capital and Lightyear Capital-backed $65 billion Cerity Partners has had an active year so far in the RIA business. The Lumina deal is the second announced in just over a week, with the merger of $2.5 billion AJ Wealth.