About InvestmentNews 40 Under 40

Disclosure / Criteria:

The editorial staff at InvestmentNews began the 2016 calendar year’s 40 Under 40 project in February of that year by reviewing the traits we were seeking to recognize most strongly in this year’s class. At weekly meetings that continued into spring, as we combed through the profiles of this year’s 800 nominees, we searched for the key attributes that have always defined our winners: their accomplishments to date, contributions to the industry, leadership and promise. But paper resumes rarely paint the full picture. In presenting this year’s winners, we also wanted to focus on the intangibles: those special qualities that make an individual stand out and force the world to take notice. As a result, this year’s class of 2016 showcases the power of personality.

In collaboration with author Sally Hogshead, we created a quick and fun personality test that we gave to each of our winners. The purpose of the questionnaire was to reveal to candidates, in a light and entertaining way, how they are perceived by others and what are their strengths. At the end of the test, each candidate received a personality archetype. Among this year’s class are young talents deemed by our quiz results as “Victors,” seen by the world as respected and competitive; “Maestros,” who are ambitious and confident; and genuine and sure-footed “Guardians”— all traits worth highlighting for those who want to serve the community as top financial advisers. 

Honorees in the 40 Under 40 class of 2016 are just as impressive as our inaugural class from 2014 and last year’s class of 2015. As always, we had a tough time narrowing the pool down to a select group of 40. We confirmed our choices at our annual 40 Under 40 lunch in June 2016, which had a record turnout. We hope that InvestmentNews readers will feel they are well-served — and we hope inspired — as we share the stories of our latest generation of enterprising young talent.

Eligibility Requirements:

Nominations of professionals were received from all sides of the financial advisory industry, including registered investment advisers, registered representatives, financial planners, brokers, insurance agents, certified public accountants, bank trust officers, firm executives and those working for industry organizations. InvestmentNews determines nominees’ eligibility for the 40 Under 40 list based on the following criteria: accomplishment to date, contribution to the industry, leadership and promise.

InvestmentNews’ 40 Under 40 project aims to reveal the tremendous potential in the financial advice industry by finding young talent doing remarkable things. The class of 2016 winners were chosen from a pool of 800 nominees by a panel of reporters, editors and other representatives of InvestmentNews, to make a list of 40 talented individuals.

Fee:

None. Participation is absolutely free.
No payments were made to InvestmentNews. Award winners from each year’s classes are invited to attend an annual awards luncheon in New York. All award winners are responsible for their own transportation and accommodations.