The financial advisor landscape is massive and constantly evolving. For small to mid-sized asset managers, wholesalers, and boutique firms, the challenge isn’t knowing that financial advisors represent a huge opportunity. It’s knowing who they are and how to reach them efficiently.
If you’re spending hours researching lists, outdated spreadsheets, or third-party directories, you’re not alone. Accessing accurate, up-to-date advisor information can feel nearly impossible without the right tools. Traditional databases can be expensive, outdated, or locked behind contracts, making it difficult for smaller sales teams or wholesalers focused on FA-only coverage to compete on equal footing.
That’s exactly why we built Dakota FAs, to make it simple and affordable to find and connect with the right advisors, faster than ever. With Dakota FAs, you can search thousands of verified advisors by metro area, firm type, AUM range, or client focus.Whether you’re building your first outreach list or expanding your territory, it’s the fastest, most efficient way to identify the advisors who matter most to your business.
To demonstrate the kind of visibility Dakota FA provides, we analyzed data on leading advisors across the U.S. to highlight ten standout female financial advisors shaping the industry today. These women exemplify the leadership, innovation, and client trust that define the best of the advisory profession in 2025.
1. Lori Van Dusen – LVW Advisors
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Focus: Institutional and family office clients
Founder and CEO of LVW Advisors, Lori oversees more than $2 billion in client assets and is recognized for her disciplined approach to multi-asset portfolio management.
2. Mary Ellen Garrett – Merrill Private Wealth Management
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Focus: Multi-generational wealth and philanthropy
A 30-year industry veteran, Mary Ellen leads one of Merrill’s top-producing advisory teams, serving ultra-high-net-worth families and charitable organizations.
3. Nancy Tengler – Laffer Tengler Investments
- Location: Scottsdale, AZ
- Focus: Dividend growth and income strategies
Nancy brings deep investment expertise and thought leadership, managing portfolios for retirees and income-focused investors nationwide.
4. Kelly Milligan – Aspiriant
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Focus: Founders, executives, and liquidity planning
Kelly co-leads Aspiriant’s Silicon Valley office, advising technology leaders on diversification, estate planning, and wealth preservation.
5. Renee Morin – Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
- Location: Boston, MA
- Focus: UHNW families and family governance
Renee leads a high-performing private wealth team managing more than $3 billion, emphasizing education and legacy planning.
6. Lori Sackler – The Sackler Group at Morgan Stanley
- Location: New York, NY
- Focus: Life transitions and intergenerational planning
Lori’s practice centers on guiding families through key life stages, combining behavioral finance with wealth management strategy.
7. Michelle Perry Higgins – California Financial Advisors
- Location: San Ramon, CA
- Focus: Retirement planning and financial literacy
Michelle is known for her accessible approach to planning and her focus on educating women and families about long-term investing.
8. Sheryl Rowling – Rowling & Associates
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Focus: Tax-efficient investing and holistic planning
Sheryl pioneered tax-smart investment management and continues to lead one of California’s most respected boutique firms.
9. Cate Luzio – Luminary Wealth Partners
- Location: New York, NY
- Focus: Women executives and business owners
Cate blends financial strategy with empowerment, helping female professionals align their wealth with personal and professional goals.
10. Alexandra Lebenthal – Lebenthal Global Advisors
- Location: New York, NY
- Focus: Income and fixed income strategies
A long-time expert in municipal markets, Alexandra brings decades of experience to high-net-worth clients seeking stable income and portfolio diversification.
Where Dakota Marketplace Comes In
The women featured here reflect the depth, diversity, and influence of today’s financial advisor community. For asset managers, wholesalers, and boutique sales teams, these are the types of professionals who drive meaningful relationships and long-term growth.
But finding advisors like these, and the thousands of others shaping the industry, shouldn’t rely on guesswork, outdated lists, or manual research.
That’s where Dakota Marketplace comes in.
With Dakota, you can instantly search thousands of verified advisors across metro areas, filter by firm type, AUM, client segment, or channel, and export clean, actionable contact lists for outreach.
Selling to financial advisors doesn’t have to be slow or complicated. With Dakota Marketplace, you can identify top producers, uncover new relationships, and grow your coverage faster. All from one easy-to-use platform.
Book a demo of Dakota Marketplace for full access to financial advisor data!
