RIA Industry Spotlight: 3 Women-Owned Firms with 400M+ in AUM

Leveraging FINTRX, the leader in AI-powered private wealth intelligence, we showcase distinct segments within the registered investment advisor (RIA) space. In this edition, we turn the focus to one of the fastest-growing groups in wealth management, women-owned RIAs with more than $400 million in assets under management (AUM). Though women-owned firms account for only about 5% of the RIA landscape, their impact continues to expand. By embracing strategic M&A, client-centric planning, and sustainable growth models, these firms are reshaping industry benchmarks in both scale and service. Below, we spotlight three women-owned RIAs managing $400M+ in assets, each dedicated to delivering holistic financial planning solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families.

1. Baron Wealth Management, LLC

Founded in 2010, Baron Wealth Management, LLC is a Troy, MI-based Registered Investment Advisor offering advisory services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations or other business entities. The firm conducts educational workshops and seminars with information relating to wealth management, financial planning, retirement plans, insurance strategies, college funding, as well as estate and retirement preparation.

Beth Zilka, a Principal at Baron Wealth Management, has served as an owner of the firm since 2010 and holds 75% or more of the entity. Zilka works at their Troy, MI, branch and is an RIA licensed in two states. She is an alumnus of Hillsdale and Walsh College and enjoys playing tennis in her free time. Baron Wealth Management invests clients’ assets in stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, and other assets. There is a required $500,000 minimum account size. The firm relies on information from internal research, screening software, and publicly available materials.

As of August, Baron Wealth Management employs a team of five employees, three of whom regularly perform advisory functions. Its assets are currently held with custodians, including Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and Fidelity Distributors Company LLC.

- Estimated AUM: $702.1M
- Client Base: Individual & Family; Institutional
- Fee Structure: Percentage of AUM; Hourly Charges; Fixed Fees
- Specialties: Financial Planning Services; Portfolio Management for Individuals/Small Businesses/Businesses/Institutions; Selection of other Advisors; Educational Seminars/Workshops

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2. Chequers Financial Management, LLC (CFM)

Established in 2016, Chequers Financial Management, LLC (CFM) is a San Francisco, CA-based Registered Investment Advisor offering advisory services to high-net-worth individuals and multi-generational families, as well as to their trusts, estates, charitable foundations, and business entities. The firm relies on both research conducted internally and research conducted by several leading financial industry analysts and leading academic economists. In addition to its headquarters, Chequers Financial Management operates out of an additional office location in Meridian, ID. 

- Estimated AUM: $1.1B
- Client Base: Individual & Family
- Fee Structure: Percentage of AUM; Hourly Charges; Fixed Fees
- Specialties: Financial Planning Services; Portfolio Management for Individuals/Small Businesses/Businesses/Institutions; Selection of other Advisors

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3. Francis Financial

Founded in 2003, Francis Financial is a New York, NY-based Registered Investment Advisor offering advisory services to individuals and high-net-worth individuals. The firm’s investment recommendations include advice regarding exchange-listed securities, securities traded over-the-counter, foreign issuers, corporate debt securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal securities, mutual fund shares, US governmental securities, options contracts on securities, and international debt securities.

Stacy Francis has served as the owner of the firm since 2003, currently holding 75% or more of the entity. She currently works out of the NY branch and is licensed in one state. Francis Financial uses asset allocation, mutual fund/ETF, and risk for all forms of analysis in formulating investment advice and managing client assets. The firm also uses long-term & short-term purchases in managing client accounts with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizons. Francis Financial has established certain initial minimum account requirements.

As of August, Francis Financial employs a team of 11 employees, eight of whom regularly perform advisory functions. Its assets are currently held with multiple custodians, including Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Pershing LLC, and Shareholders Service Group, Inc. In addition to the group’s domestic client base, Francis Financial also manages foreign assets.

- Estimated AUM: $680.3M
- Client Base: Individual & Family
- Fee Structure: Percentage of AUM; Hourly Charges
- Specialties: Financial Planning Services; Portfolio Management for Individuals/Small Businesses; Selection of other Advisors; Publication of Periodicals or Newsletters

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