IFG Taps UHNW Expert for Council to Shape Advisor Strategy

SOUTHLAKE, Texas – January 08, 2026 – Independent Financial Group (IFG) is launching a new initiative to embed the voice of its independent advisors directly into its corporate strategy, appointing veteran fiduciary advisor Kirk Badii to its inaugural President's Advisory Council (PAC). The move signals a strategic effort by the San Diego-based firm to enhance collaboration and ensure its resources are precisely aligned with the needs of advisors and their clients in an increasingly complex market.

Badii, the Managing Partner of Badii Group Private Wealth Management, is recognized for his extensive experience serving ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals and families. His appointment is seen as a deliberate step by IFG to deepen its expertise and support for this sophisticated client segment.

A Bridge Between Leadership and the Front Lines

The newly established President's Advisory Council is designed to function as a crucial feedback loop between IFG's senior leadership and its nationwide network of affiliated financial professionals. Its core mission is to provide direct, real-time insights that will shape the firm’s strategic priorities, from technology development and investment platform enhancements to operational support and compliance resources.

In an industry where advisor-centric support is a key differentiator, the PAC represents a formal commitment to collaborative governance. By creating a dedicated forum for its top advisors, IFG aims to move beyond generic feedback mechanisms and foster a more dynamic partnership. This structure is intended to ensure that firm-level decisions are grounded in the day-to-day realities of managing client relationships and running an independent practice.

"As we launch IFG's inaugural President's Advisory Council, we are pleased to welcome Kirk Badii to this group," said Kevin Keefe, President and Chief Operating Officer of Independent Financial Group, in a statement. "Kirk brings a measured, client-first perspective that reflects the realities advisors face as they help families plan for the long term."

Scott Heising, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IFG, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of proven experience. "Kirk is widely respected for his professionalism and commitment to clients," Heising added. "We appreciate his willingness to contribute his time and experience to an initiative that will help strengthen the firm and the advisor community we support."

The Voice of the Ultra-High-Net-Worth Advisor

The selection of Kirk Badii for this inaugural council is particularly noteworthy. His practice, Badii Group Private Wealth Management, is built around a family-office style of service, specializing in guiding business owners and multi-generational families through significant and often complex financial junctures like business sales, managing concentrated wealth, and structuring sophisticated estate plans.

With a career that includes senior advisory roles at major institutions like Credit Suisse Private Bank and UBS Private Wealth Management before establishing his independent practice with IFG in 2011, Badii brings a deep understanding of the UHNW landscape. His perspective is rooted in a fiduciary, relationship-driven approach that prioritizes long-term stewardship over transactional advice. This background is precisely what IFG seeks to leverage as it refines its platform for advisors serving this demanding client segment.

"Serving on the President's Advisory Council is an opportunity to contribute to a firm that values independent advisors and long-term client relationships," Badii stated. "My focus is on helping ensure that advisors have the resources and flexibility needed to guide families through important financial decisions with clarity and care."

By bringing Badii's expertise into the strategic conversation, IFG is acknowledging that the needs of UHNW clients—who often require bespoke solutions for wealth transfer, philanthropy, and tax planning—are a critical driver of innovation for the entire platform.

Navigating a Competitive Independent Landscape

IFG's formation of the PAC is a strategic maneuver within the highly competitive independent wealth management sector. The industry is currently defined by several powerful trends: a "war for talent" among top advisors, a technological arms race to provide the most efficient and integrated platforms, and a growing focus on serving the lucrative UHNW market.

Many of the largest independent broker-dealers and RIA custodians have established similar advisory boards to engage their advisors, making such initiatives a key component of a competitive value proposition. These councils serve not only to gather valuable intelligence but also as a powerful recruitment and retention tool, demonstrating that the firm values its advisors as partners rather than just as producers.

In this context, IFG's PAC is more than just an internal committee; it's a public statement of its advisor-centric philosophy. By empowering experienced practitioners like Badii to influence corporate direction, the firm aims to enhance its agility and responsiveness. This collaborative approach is designed to ensure IFG's technology investments and service enhancements are not just innovative, but directly applicable and impactful for the advisors who use them every day. This alignment is crucial for independent firms looking to maintain their edge against larger, consolidated competitors and wirehouses.

Tangible Impacts for Advisors and Their Clients

The ultimate measure of the PAC's success will be its tangible impact on IFG's network and the end clients they serve. For the firm's affiliated advisors, the council promises a more direct line of influence on the tools and resources that shape their practices. This could translate into more sophisticated financial planning software, broader access to alternative investments suitable for accredited and qualified purchasers, and streamlined operational workflows that free up more time for client-facing activities.

For clients, particularly those in the UHNW category, the benefits could be even more significant. Badii's influence on the council is expected to champion the development of more robust capabilities for complex estate and legacy planning, philanthropic strategy, and intergenerational wealth transfer. By refining its platform to better support these specialized services, IFG empowers its advisors to deliver a more holistic and comprehensive client experience.

This initiative reinforces the fiduciary commitment at the heart of the independent model. By ensuring that the firm’s strategic direction is co-authored by advisors who are legally and ethically bound to act in their clients' best interests, the PAC strengthens the chain of trust that runs from the firm to the advisor and, ultimately, to the client. The council's work is poised to enhance the firm's ability to support its advisors in delivering the high-touch, personalized guidance that defines modern wealth management.