The finalists include CEO Jim Gold, recognized in the CEO of the Year category for firms with over $25 billion in assets, Chief Compliance Officer Rob Guldner, and M&A leader Scott Danner. These selections represent a fraction of the 1,392 nominations submitted by more than 500 companies this year, with independent judges selecting only one-third of candidates to advance to the final round.

Gold noted that the recognition validates the firm’s internal structure and the caliber of its leadership team. Steward Partners, which oversees more than $57 billion in client assets as of September 2026, has expanded its influence significantly since its 2013 inception. The firm recently earned a top-10 spot on the Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms list, further cementing its position as an independent, employee-owned entity in a highly competitive market.