Connecting to the Future of the Profession

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the future of the financial services profession, and The College’s unique and important position to shape it.

This month, I had the pleasure of taking part in The College’s Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP) in Chicago. Its theme, “Connections Across Generations,” seemed perfectly in touch with my recent reflections — and given this year’s event was a landmark 20th anniversary for CAAFP, it was even more special and timely. Many of the conversations I overheard had to do with the importance of recruiting and retaining more young Gen Z talent in the industry, and I agree wholeheartedly. But I also think what comes next requires bold, transformative ideas and actions to maintain the quality of financial advice and further our goal to benefit society.

If you’ve paid attention to some of my recent blog posts or heard me speak to the media or at events, I’ve tried to emphasize that our industry is facing a defining moment: one we need to be prepared to meet. According to a 2022 study by Cerulli Associates, 37% of today’s advisors are expected to retire by 2034; to compensate for this, we’ll need to attract over 740,000 new hires, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023.  

It’s a daunting challenge, but one I believe we can meet while also seizing an opportunity to inject new talent into our industry. The CFA Institute in 2025 tagged financial services as the #1 field of choice for rising Gen Z professionals across diverse demographics; however, getting and keeping that talent may require shifting the way we do business. Our 2025 study Onboarding Gen Z shows that while many in Gen Z are excited about working in financial services, a third feel their workplace onboarding is ineffective, and a quarter feel job expectations are often unclear. The message, however, is clear: we need to do a better job bringing young professionals into the fold and showing them there is a future for them in financial services.

So, how do we do this? As so many experts, speakers, and professionals spoke about at CAAFP, mentorship and knowledge-sharing are critical to developing future leaders. Stronger connections create stronger professionals, and a stronger overall industry. We should also embrace the new perspectives and fresh ideas rising Gen Z professionals bring: our future requires both.

That brings me to the big piece of news I’d like to share with you today. 2027 is our centennial year, and to capitalize on the momentum built by CAAFP, The College will use this landmark anniversary to launch a new slate of workforce development initiatives focused on developing a more prepared, more diverse pipeline of future professionals.  

The first is Pursue^SM, a free online education course designed for young professionals, career transitioners, or college students who are contemplating a career in financial services; you’ll see that program rolling out beginning next month.

Then, in 2027, comes Aspire: a brand-new enterprise event purpose-built to shape the future of financial services by investing in career transitioners, college students, Gen Z professionals, and underrepresented voices, while also engaging the mentors, leaders, and organizations committed to their success. Think about that: Gen Z, Black and African American professionals, female advisors, Hispanic advisors, military and other career transitioners, and other aspiring professionals of all backgrounds, plus firm leaders, together in one place and all focused on the future. We’re also focused on building a career accelerator certificate program, growing our mentorship programs based on a successful pilot with military transitioners, thinking about job shadowing and true industry apprenticeship.  

As we near our second century of innovation, the need for The College’s brand of expertise, education, and excellence has never been clearer. With this renewed focus on advancing the profession and building the financial services industry of tomorrow through the connections we cultivate today, I’m confident that tomorrow can be a brighter one for all of us. 

More From The College

• Get full results from the Onboarding Gen Z Study
• Learn about The College’s mission