FinServ Foundation Taps Industry Heavyweights to Tackle Talent Crisis

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 16, 2026 – The FinServ Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating the next generation of financial professionals, has appointed two prominent industry leaders, Erin Wood and Brian Hamburger, to its Board of Directors. The move signals a significant escalation in the foundation's efforts to combat a deepening talent crisis threatening the future of the financial services sector.

Tackling an Industry-Wide Talent Crisis

The financial advisory profession is at a critical inflection point. Industry research paints a stark picture: with nearly one-third of all financial advisors expected to retire within the next decade, the sector must recruit an estimated 70,000 new professionals just to maintain its current footing. This challenge is compounded by significant retention issues, particularly among younger generations. Recent studies show that one in four Gen Z employees left the financial services industry in the past year, with leaders finding it increasingly difficult to retain this emerging cohort that prioritizes purpose and career development.

It is precisely this challenge that the FinServ Foundation was established in 2019 to address. The organization works directly with college students to build a sustainable and diverse talent pipeline through comprehensive support systems. Its core offering, the FinServ Fellows program, provides two years of group coaching and a six-month structured mentorship program to aspiring financial planners.

“Erin and Brian bring exceptional leadership and deep industry perspective to FinServ Foundation,” said Jamie Hopkins, President and Chairman of FinServ Foundation. “Both have dedicated their careers to strengthening the profession, supporting advisors, and investing in long-term impact. Their involvement meaningfully accelerates our mission.”

By collaborating with more than 52 colleges and universities, the foundation has already impacted over 700 fellows. A key component of its strategy involves immersing students in the profession early on, covering expenses for more than 200 students to attend major industry conferences in the last year alone. These initiatives provide invaluable exposure and help forge the professional networks essential for long-term career success.

A Strategic Infusion of Expertise

The addition of Wood and Hamburger to the board is a strategic move designed to infuse the foundation’s programs with cutting-edge, real-world expertise. Their distinct yet complementary backgrounds represent a powerful combination of practical financial planning and strategic business acumen.

Erin Wood, Senior Vice President of Advanced Planning at AssetMark, is a widely recognized thought leader known for her ability to “humanize” financial planning. With over 20 years of experience, including founding her own advisory firm and holding leadership roles at Carson Group, Wood specializes in the complex areas of wealth management that define modern advice: estate planning, tax efficiency, and multi-generational wealth transfer. Her work focuses on equipping advisors to meet the sophisticated needs of high-net-worth clients, a skill set crucial for the next generation to master. Her appointment promises to enrich the foundation's curriculum with a focus on holistic, client-centric strategies.

“If we want this profession to thrive, we have to care about the next generation like they’re our own,” Wood stated. “FinServ Foundation is making that investment in a real, measurable way — and that’s why I’m proud to be involved.”

Brian Hamburger brings a different but equally vital perspective. As the Founder and CEO of MarketCounsel, he is one of the most influential figures in the independent advisory space. For over two decades, Hamburger has guided thousands of firms through the complexities of regulatory compliance, business strategy, and M&A. He is a staunch advocate for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and his firm’s annual summit is a premier event for industry leaders. His deep understanding of the entrepreneurial and regulatory challenges of building a successful practice will provide FinServ Fellows with an unparalleled education on the business of financial advice.

“FinServ Foundation is directly addressing one of the most important challenges facing our industry — developing the next generation of leaders,” said Hamburger. “I’m honored to support an organization that is building the future of financial services with intention.”

Building the Future of Financial Advice

With these appointments, FinServ Foundation is fortifying its ability to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional reality. The synergy between Wood’s expertise in advanced planning and Hamburger’s mastery of firm strategy ensures that the foundation's fellows will receive a holistic education, preparing them not only to be skilled planners but also savvy business professionals.

This move aligns with the foundation's broader growth strategy, which includes expanding its university partnerships and developing new resources like podcasts and webinars to reach a wider audience of aspiring professionals. Wood and Hamburger join a distinguished board that already includes founder Jamie Hopkins, Bonnie Treichel, and Dr. David Rhoiney, alongside executive leaders such as Samantha Allen, Kate Healy, and Victoria O’Tool.

As the financial services industry grapples with technological disruption and a looming demographic cliff, initiatives that cultivate talent are no longer optional—they are essential for survival and growth. The strengthened leadership at FinServ Foundation underscores a collective commitment from industry veterans to invest directly in the people who will shape the future of financial advice, ensuring the profession remains vibrant, diverse, and prepared for the challenges ahead.