Five UBS Advisors in Arizona Earn Prestigious Forbes Honor

PHOENIX & SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – April 13, 2026 – UBS Wealth Management US announced today that five of its Arizona-based financial advisors have been named to the prestigious Forbes 2026 Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State list. The recognition highlights the accomplishments of leading women in the financial industry and underscores the firm's strong presence in the competitive Arizona market.

The honored advisors, part of the firm’s Pacific Desert Market, are Susan Bailey and Jennifer Loson Lucovich from the Scottsdale office, and Jessica Wert, Katrina Hanks, and Jennifer Pope from the Phoenix office.

“This recognition underscores these financial advisors’ longstanding commitment to providing thoughtful, forward-looking counsel to help guide clients toward their financial life goals,” said Ryan Lurie, Market Director at UBS. “We are delighted to congratulate them on this honor.”

A Mark of Distinction

Inclusion on the tenth annual Forbes | SHOOK Top Women Wealth Advisors list is a significant achievement in the wealth management industry. The ranking process, conducted by SHOOK Research, is designed to identify the nation’s top-performing female advisors through a rigorous and independent evaluation. The methodology is comprehensive, moving beyond simple quantitative metrics to include deep qualitative analysis.

Candidates, who must have a minimum of seven years of industry experience, are assessed on criteria such as their service models, client retention, and compliance records. The process involves in-person, virtual, and telephone interviews to vet candidates nominated by their firms. For the 2026 list, the selection was narrowed from over 51,000 nominations to just over 2,800 recognized advisors across the country. According to Forbes, these women collectively manage nearly $4 trillion in client assets.

Crucially, neither the advisory firms nor the advisors pay a fee to be considered or to win the award, a factor that reinforces the list's credibility. SHOOK Research states its objective is to identify advisors who are role models in the industry, demonstrating best practices and a commitment to their clients' best interests.

Profiles in Excellence: The Arizona Honorees

The five UBS advisors recognized in Arizona bring a wealth of experience and diverse specializations to their clients. Their individual achievements reflect a deep commitment to financial planning and client service.

Susan Bailey, a Senior Vice President of Wealth Management in Scottsdale, has a career spanning over four decades, having started with E.F. Hutton in 1983. Ranked #10 in the state, she leads Bailey Wealth Management, focusing on complex financial needs such as income planning, generational wealth transfer, and insurance strategies. Bailey is also a noted advocate for financial education for women, emphasizing its role in achieving financial independence.

Jessica Wert, a Financial Advisor and Portfolio Manager in Phoenix, brings a unique technical background to her practice. Ranked #24, Wert holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in accountancy and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Before joining UBS, she worked as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with Deloitte & Touche. Her practice focuses on detailed financial planning, including social security strategies, college savings, and long-term care.

Jennifer Pope, a Financial Advisor in Phoenix with 34 years of industry experience, was ranked #38 on the list. She provides clients with comprehensive financial planning, portfolio management, and pension consulting services, and is also known for offering educational seminars to the community.

Jennifer Loson Lucovich, a Senior Vice President of Wealth Management in Scottsdale, and Katrina Hanks, a Financial Advisor in Phoenix, were also recognized for their dedication and success in serving their clients' financial needs.

A Reflection of a Broader Industry Shift

The recognition of these five women is not an isolated event but rather a reflection of a significant and ongoing transformation within the financial services industry. For decades, wealth management has been a male-dominated field, but the landscape is evolving as more women enter the profession and ascend to leadership roles.

Industry data shows a steady increase in female representation. As of mid-2025, women comprised nearly 24% of all Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professionals, a figure that has more than doubled in the last decade. This growth is critical as women across the country gain more economic power. Projections indicate that women will control nearly $30 trillion in financial assets by 2030, and many are becoming the primary financial decision-makers in their households.

This demographic shift has also influenced client preferences. Surveys show that a vast majority of women would prefer to work with a female financial advisor, often citing a desire for more empathetic, collaborative, and communicative relationships. Advisors like those honored at UBS are well-positioned to meet this demand, building trust by focusing on clients' values and life goals, not just portfolio performance.

A Strategic Advantage in a Key Growth Market

For UBS, having five advisors on this prestigious list is a significant strategic victory, particularly within the thriving and competitive Arizona market. The Phoenix and Scottsdale metropolitan areas are hubs of economic growth, attracting high-net-worth individuals, families, and retirees who require sophisticated financial guidance.

In this environment, awards and recognition serve as powerful differentiators. They act as a trusted third-party endorsement of an advisor's skill and integrity, helping firms attract new clients and retain top talent. By cultivating and celebrating the success of advisors like Bailey, Wert, Pope, Lucovich, and Hanks, UBS reinforces its brand as a leader in wealth management in the region.

This honor validates the individual accomplishments of these five professionals while also highlighting the firm's success in fostering an environment where top female talent can thrive. As the financial industry continues to evolve, the ability to serve a diverse client base with an equally diverse team of advisors is becoming a critical component of long-term success.