The American College of Financial Services is a 2025 Luminaries Finalist

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — October 28, 2025 - The American College of Financial Services is a finalist in five categories for the 2025 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards, the most received by any honoree this year. The finalist nominees include individual leadership categories as well as firm-level recognition for thought leadership and industry disruption.

Guided by its mission to uplift the profession and benefit society, The College equips financial professionals with the expertise and resources needed to navigate change and deliver lasting value to those they serve.

“It’s an honor to lead a well-respected institution that continues to provide insight and innovation — and it’s also an honor to be recognized alongside my colleagues as a leader in the financial space,” said George Nichols III, CAP®, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services and finalist in the CEO category. “This recognition is about more than just the awards. It’s about pursuing excellence in service to the thousands of advisors we educate each year who go on to strengthen families, businesses, and communities.”

The ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards celebrate outstanding achievements by firms and individuals who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and a commitment to excellence in financial services. The College and its leaders have been recognized as finalists in the following categories:

• Firm Award: Industry Disruption
• Firm Award: Product or Service Innovation
• Firm Award: Thought Leadership and Education
• Individual Award: CEO of the Year (George Nichols III, CAP®)
• Individual Award: CMO of the Year (Jared Trexler)

“These nominations reflect the incredible breadth of work happening at The College,” said Jared Trexler, senior vice president and chief marketing and strategy officer. “This recognition speaks to the collaborative work of our faculty, staff, and leadership, all united by the belief that applied financial knowledge can transform both careers and communities.”

Founded in 1927, The American College of Financial Services is about to head into its second century of being at the forefront of financial education and advancement for professionals. The College provides designations, certifications, and graduate degrees that serve professionals across every stage of their careers. Its faculty and research centers are leading experts in areas such as retirement income planning, wealth management, insurance, and philanthropy.

The 2025 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries winners will be announced at the 5th Annual Luminaries Awards Gala in New York City on Dec. 4.

For more details and the full list of finalists, visit ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards.

About The American College of Financial Services

The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit and accredited educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Nearly one in five advisors or agents is an alum of The College. The College offers a learning platform that includes professional designation, certification, and degree programs and encompasses early-career foundational knowledge as well as deep, specialized education in tax, retirement income, philanthropy, risk management, and more with the highest-quality combination of rigor and relevance. The College’s faculty represents the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Its educational programs, research, and events offer professionals the opportunity to accelerate through knowledge, grow through connections, and uplift through community.

Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu to discover how you can gain expertise for every stage.

Methodology

The ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards are judged by a distinguished panel and the publication’s editorial team, who evaluate nominations from across the financial services industry. Finalists are selected based on demonstrated leadership, innovation, and community impact. Key criteria include both quantitative and qualitative results, such as the number of advisors and clients affected, the creativity of the solutions introduced, and the measurable influence on firms, professionals, and the industry at large. Judges also assess nominees’ ability to achieve goals, display ingenuity, and uphold the highest ethical standards while serving the best interests of clients. Each nomination highlights 3–5 examples of achievements from the past 12–18 months, supported by materials that reflect the nominee’s commitment to excellence, advisor development, and industry advancement.