Month: September 2026
Creating Lasting Advisory Practices Through Client Experience And Continuity with Jim Mellin

Creating Lasting Advisory Practices Through Client Experience And Continuity with Jim Mellin

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How can financial advisors grow their practice while maintaining strong client relationships?

What does it take to develop future generations of advisors while keeping the human side of advice at the center?

In this episode of Focused On The Future, host Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Jim Mellin, president of advice and wealth management at Equitable Advisors, to talk about building sustainable advisory practices through client experience, advisor development, and thoughtful team structures. 

Jim shares how strong relationships, personalized coaching and continuity planning can help advisors grow their businesses while maintaining meaningful connections. He also explores the role of AI, technology and next-generation talent in shaping the future of financial advice.

Jim discusses:

  • How delivering strong client outcomes and experiences can create lasting relationships and referral opportunities
  • How advisors can use segmentation and teams to expand capacity while maintaining client connections
  • Why coaching, training and hands-on development are essential for new financial advisors
  • How continuity planning helps advisors build practices that support clients and future generations
  • How AI can support advisors while human connection, listening, and trust remain essential

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:

Connect With Jim Mellin: 

 About Our Guest:

James Mellin is the President of Advice and Wealth Management for Equitable Advisors and a member of Equitable’s Operating Committee.

In his current role, he leads the growth strategy for Equitable Advisors, the company’s network of 4,600 financial professionals nationwide, including advisor development, performance, and training.

A nearly four-decade veteran of the company, Mr. Mellin began his career as a financial professional and steadily advanced through various leadership roles at Equitable Advisors, including district manager, branch manager, and Chief Sales Officer.

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Why CFP Certification Is Becoming More Important in Financial Planning with Dane Snowden

Why CFP Certification Is Becoming More Important in Financial Planning with Dane Snowden

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What will financial advisors and wealth management firms need to prepare for as consumer expectations, technology and the financial planning profession continue to change?

From attracting the next generation of financial planners to using AI responsibly, the profession is facing decisions that could shape how advisors build trust, serve clients and grow in the years ahead.

In this episode of Focused On The Future, host Suzanne Siracuse speaks with Dane Snowden, chief executive officer of CFP Board, about his vision for making CFP certification essential to consumers, firms and financial professionals. Dane explores the profession’s talent pipeline, CFP Board’s workforce initiatives and its evaluation of the bachelor’s degree requirement for CFP certification.

He also shares his perspective on AI, professional judgment, ethical accountability, public trust and expanding access to financial planning earlier in people’s lives.

Dane discusses:

  • Moving CFP certification from consumer awareness toward an expectation when people seek financial planning
  • Building a stronger talent pipeline through career awareness, early opportunities, mentorship and training
  • Evaluating the bachelor’s degree requirement while protecting the rigor and relevance of CFP certification
  • Using AI to increase advisor capacity and client connection while keeping human judgment and accountability central
  • Expanding access to trusted financial planning so more people can receive guidance earlier in their lives

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse: 

Connect With Dane Snowden:

 About Our Guest:

Dane Snowden serves as Chief Executive Officer of CFP Board, the professional body for more than 110,000 CFP professionals in the United States. He joined CFP Board in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer after previously serving as a public member of its Board of Directors from 2017 to 2020. Throughout his career, Dane has held senior leadership roles across communications, technology, government, and public policy, including President and CEO of the Internet Association, Chief Operating Officer of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, Vice President of External and State Affairs for CTIA, and Chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission following his appointment by President George W. Bush. As CEO of CFP Board, he is focused on strengthening the organization’s role in advancing competent, ethical financial planning, expanding public awareness of CFP certification, supporting academic and professional pathways, addressing emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, and maintaining strong competency standards as the profession grows. Dane holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from William & Mary and has served on numerous nonprofit, education, and industry boards throughout his career.

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