RIA Industry Spotlight: 3 Women-Owned Firms with $1B+ in AUM

Drawing on insights from FINTRX, the leader in AI-powered private wealth intelligence, our RIA Industry Spotlight series highlights the diverse firms shaping today’s independent advisory landscape. By leveraging FINTRX’s comprehensive Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and broker-dealer dataset, we uncover key trends, ownership dynamics, and growth stories defining the space. In this edition, we spotlight three women-owned registered investment advisory firms, each managing over $1 billion in assets, showcasing the leadership, innovation, and client focus driving their continued success.

1. Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc.

Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. is a prominent women-owned firm with over $1.8 billion in assets under management. Founded by Elaine Bedel in 1989, Bedel Financial Consulting has built a stellar reputation for providing an array of services, including retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning, risk management and charitable giving strategies. to high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses and charitable organizations. Throughout its history, Bedel has received numerous accolades for its excellence in wealth management and has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Woman-Owned RIAs in the country. The firm utilizes multiple custodians, including Charles Schwab and Fidelity.

- Estimated Assets Under Management: $2.5B
- Client Base: Individual & Family; Institutional
- Fee Structure: Percentage of AUM; Fixed Fees
- Specialties: Financial Planning Services; Portfolio Management for Individuals, Businesses or Institutions; Pension Consulting

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2. Elser Financial Planning, Inc.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, Elser Financial Planning, Inc. is a women-owned financial powerhouse, boasting an impressive $1.3 billion in AUM. Under the leadership of Susan Elser, CFP, the firm has earned a sterling reputation for providing comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and corporations. Elser Financial offers fee-only, client-centric wealth management, guiding clients through meticulous goal evaluation, tax-efficient investment strategies, portfolio rebalancing, and proactive scenario analysis. Their expertise extends to building tax-efficient, globally-diversified and cost-effective portfolios, all aligned with clients’ unique risk profiles. Beyond investment management, the firm excels in estate and legacy planning, charitable giving, and insurance consultations. Elser Financial Planning uses Charles Schwab as its sole custodian and houses all assets with the group.

- Estimated Assets Under Management: $2B
- Client Base: Individual & Family; Institutional
- Fee Structure: Percentage of AUM; Hourly Charges; Fixed Fees
- Specialties: Financial Planning Services; Portfolio Management for Individuals/Small Businesses

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3. Key Financial, Inc.

Based in West Chester, PA, Key Financial, Inc. is a distinguished woman-owned firm led by CEO, President, and principal owner Patricia Brennan. With over 25 years of visionary leadership, Patricia has overseen the firm’s growth to an estimated $1.75 billion in assets under management. Key Financial is renowned for its top-tier investment and portfolio management services, catering to high-net-worth individuals and families. Key Financial has earned recognition via industry accolades such as Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors and  Barron’s Top 100 Women Advisors, among others. The firm prioritizes client-centric service, partnering with Pershing LLC as its sole custodian to safeguard client assets.

- Estimated Assets Under Management: $2.5B
- Client Base: Individual & Family
- Fee Structure: Percentage of AUM; Fixed Fees; Commissions; Other
- Specialties: Financial Planning Services; Portfolio Management for Individuals/Small Businesses; Educational Seminars/Workshops

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