Balefire Wealth Taps Top Expert for Corporate Retirement Solutions Push

DALLAS, TX – May 14, 2026 – In a move that signals a significant strategic deepening of its institutional services, Balefire Wealth has announced the appointment of Sarah Schmitz, a highly credentialed industry veteran, as its new Senior Corporate Solutions Advisor. The hire comes as the Dallas-based registered investment adviser (RIA) continues its ambitious national expansion, aiming to bolster its capabilities in a market grappling with new regulations and a heightened focus on employee financial well-being.

Schmitz joins the firm with a formidable resume spanning more than 25 years and a string of top-tier certifications, including C(k)P®, AIF®, CEBS®, RPA®, and CPFA®. Her appointment is being framed not merely as a new hire, but as a deliberate enhancement of Balefire’s expertise in serving employers, nonprofit organizations, and business owners nationwide.

A Strategic Play in a Shifting Market

Balefire Wealth, formed from the merger of VisionPoint Advisory Group and Navitas Wealth Advisors, manages approximately $3.7 billion in assets but has set its sights on a tenfold increase to $42 billion over the next decade. This aggressive growth trajectory is guided by a philosophy the firm calls “scaling with intention.” The recruitment of an advisor with Schmitz’s caliber and specialized focus appears to be a direct manifestation of this strategy.

“Sarah brings rare lived experience, a depth of technical knowledge, and genuine passion for service,” said Jason Hester, Managing Partner & Co-CEO of Balefire Wealth, in the original announcement. “She’s exactly the kind of advisor we built Balefire to support.”

The timing of this move is critical. The corporate retirement landscape is currently being reshaped by powerful forces. The SECURE 2.0 Act continues to roll out provisions that expand retirement plan access and features, such as enabling employer matches for student loan payments and creating new emergency savings options. Simultaneously, the market is seeing a surge in demand for personalized financial advice and in-plan retirement income solutions, pushing plan sponsors to seek more sophisticated guidance.

By bringing Schmitz aboard, Balefire is positioning itself to capitalize on these trends. The firm aims to provide deeper consultative services to corporate clients who are navigating an increasingly complex environment and seeking to offer more competitive and meaningful benefits to their employees.

Navigating the Fiduciary Maze

Perhaps the most pressing challenge for employers today is the evolving standard of fiduciary responsibility. The U.S. Department of Labor’s final Retirement Security Rule, which took effect in late 2024, significantly expanded the definition of an “investment advice fiduciary” under ERISA. The rule mandates that financial professionals providing advice for a fee on retirement assets—including crucial decisions like rolling over a 401(k) into an IRA—must act in the client's best interest, free from conflicts of interest.

This heightened regulatory scrutiny places immense pressure on plan sponsors to ensure their plans are compliant and that their employees are receiving prudent advice. It is in this high-stakes environment that Schmitz's unique background becomes particularly valuable. Her career has provided her with what the firm describes as a “360-degree perspective” on fiduciary duty.

Having held senior roles at major firms like Principal Financial Group and serving as a US Benefits Manager for a Fortune 500 company, Schmitz has sat on every side of the table. She has been the consultant advising on plan design, the employer implementing and managing the plan, and the trusted partner helping sponsors meet their obligations. This comprehensive experience allows her to understand the practical challenges and legal responsibilities from multiple angles, a rare and sought-after skill set in the advisory world.

The Power of a 360-Degree Perspective

Schmitz’s journey through the benefits and retirement industry has equipped her with a nuanced understanding of the needs of both large corporations and smaller businesses. Her work has involved translating the best practices and sophisticated strategies common in large-employer plans into practical, effective solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises. This ability to bridge the gap between different market segments aligns perfectly with Balefire’s mission to serve a diverse clientele ranging from ultra-high-net-worth families to institutions and business owners.

In her new role, Schmitz will focus on helping clients navigate plan design, manage fiduciary risk, and develop robust employee financial wellness programs. Her expertise is expected to be a cornerstone of the firm’s corporate solutions division, which offers a suite of services including defined contribution plan guidance, defined benefit planning, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) consulting, and one-on-one financial coaching for employees.

For Schmitz, the move to Balefire was driven by a shared philosophy. “The firm’s integration across disciplines and genuine focus on long-term impact rather than transactional relationships aligns perfectly with the way I want to work,” she stated. This sentiment echoes the firm's broader cultural emphasis on stewardship and authentic client relationships as it pursues national scale.

Bolstering Corporate Solutions for a New Era

The addition of Schmitz is a clear indicator that Balefire is doubling down on its corporate and institutional offerings. While financial stress among employees remains a persistent issue impacting workplace productivity, employers are increasingly looking beyond basic retirement plans. They are seeking holistic financial wellness programs that address everything from emergency savings and debt management to education funding and long-term investment planning.

Balefire’s existing framework for one-on-one financial coaching and fiduciary services provides a strong foundation. Schmitz's role will be to build upon and enhance these offerings, leveraging her deep technical knowledge to craft customized, compliant, and impactful solutions for the firm’s corporate clients.

As Balefire Wealth competes against large national wealth management firms, specialized retirement consultants, and regional RIAs, its strategy appears to be one of differentiation through expertise. By investing in top-tier talent like Sarah Schmitz, the firm is making a clear statement about its commitment to providing a higher level of service and navigating the most complex aspects of the retirement industry. This strategic hire not only enhances its service capabilities but also solidifies its credibility as a serious contender in the national institutional advisory space.