Lisa Detanna: The Human Touch Behind a $4.4 Billion Financial Legacy

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – February 13, 2026 – For the tenth consecutive year, Lisa Detanna, a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor at Raymond James, has been named to the prestigious Forbes list of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors. This 2026 recognition places her within an elite circle of 100 women nationwide celebrated for their leadership, client impact, and professional excellence in a field often defined by numbers alone.

Operating from her Beverly Hills office, Detanna and her Global Wealth Solutions Group have become synonymous with a model of wealth management that prioritizes human connection as much as financial performance. The honor, developed in partnership with SHOOK® Research, underscores a career built not just on accumulating assets, but on cultivating trust across generations.

A Philosophy of Trust and Legacy

At the heart of Detanna’s practice is a philosophy that diverges from the transactional nature of old-guard finance. With over 30 years of experience, she and her team oversee the complex financial lives of approximately 800 families, managing a formidable $4.4 billion in custodied assets. Yet, the focus remains resolutely on the individuals and their long-term aspirations.

“My practice is built on trust, education, and fostering meaningful long‑term relationships across multiple generations of families,” Detanna stated, reflecting on the award. “This acknowledgment reflects the dedication of our entire Global Wealth Solutions Group and our commitment to serving clients with integrity, compassion, and excellence.”

This approach translates into a practice centered on long-term planning, intricate estate dynamics, legacy objectives, and, crucially, financial literacy for every generation within a client family. Detanna’s team doesn't just manage a portfolio; they guide family conversations, facilitate planning for the future, and empower younger members to become responsible stewards of their inheritance. It’s a holistic model that views wealth as a tool for familial growth and continuity.

“We view wealth management as a long-term partnership,” Detanna explained. “Guiding families across generations, helping them communicate, plan, and grow together, is the most meaningful part of what we do.” This belief is encapsulated in her best advice: “The client must believe that any question is a great question, because the advisor should be the trusted person who cuts through all the noise.”

The Rigor Behind the Ranking

The Forbes | SHOOK Research ranking is far more than a popularity contest. It is the result of a rigorous, multi-faceted evaluation designed to identify the industry's true role models. The 2026 list, representing the tenth annual edition, began with 51,403 nominations, from which only 100 women were ultimately selected. This extensive vetting process lends significant weight to the honor.

Advisors are assessed using an algorithm that balances quantitative data with deep qualitative insights. The quantitative metrics include assets under management, revenue trends, and client retention rates. However, what sets the SHOOK methodology apart is its emphasis on qualitative factors gathered through in-person, virtual, and telephone due-diligence interviews. Researchers delve into an advisor’s industry experience, compliance records, and the best practices that define their service model.

Notably, investment performance is not a criterion for the ranking. This deliberate omission acknowledges that every client has a different risk tolerance and unique financial objectives, making direct performance comparisons impractical and often misleading. Instead, the ranking prioritizes what SHOOK Research calls an advisor's "impact"—the tangible difference they make in their clients' financial lives.

To be considered, an advisor must have a minimum of seven years of experience. Detanna, who joined Raymond James in 2011, far exceeds this, bringing more than three decades of seasoned expertise to her clients.

Women Redefining Wealth Management

Detanna’s decade-long presence on this exclusive list is emblematic of a larger, transformative trend within the financial services industry: the rising influence and leadership of women. For years, wealth management has been a male-dominated field, but a new generation of female advisors is reshaping its culture and priorities. Lists like the Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors are crucial for providing visibility and celebrating the unique strengths women bring to the profession.

Industry analysis shows that while women remain underrepresented in senior financial roles, their numbers and impact are steadily growing. This shift is driven by both a concerted industry effort to foster diversity and a growing client demand for advisors who offer a more empathetic, communicative, and holistic approach—qualities often associated with the service models of many top female advisors.

While Raymond James celebrates Detanna's consistent recognition, other major firms like Merrill Lynch also feature a significant number of advisors on the list, indicating an industry-wide movement. However, Detanna’s ten-year streak provides a powerful testament to her sustained excellence and adaptability in a constantly evolving market. It signals a level of client trust and professional rigor that has stood the test of time.

A Culture of Cultivating Excellence

An advisor’s individual success is rarely achieved in a vacuum. It is often nurtured by a supportive firm culture that provides the resources, freedom, and strategic backing necessary to thrive. Raymond James, a financial services giant with approximately 8,600 advisors and total client assets of $1.13 trillion, appears to have created such an environment.

The firm’s leadership is quick to attribute Detanna’s success to her personal drive while also framing it as a reflection of the company’s core values. “We are incredibly proud to see Lisa recognized on the Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors list,” said Andy Waldbaum, Complex Manager for the Greater Los Angeles and Island Complex. “Her leadership, professional rigor, and unwavering commitment to client families are at the heart of our culture at Raymond James.”

This sentiment is echoed from within Detanna’s own team. “Being part of Lisa’s team is truly inspiring,” added Terri Steffner, Practice Business Manager of the Global Wealth Solutions Group. “Her example elevates all of us to deliver exceptional service and thoughtful guidance to the families we support and empower them through education.”

This symbiotic relationship—where a top-tier advisor elevates the firm’s reputation and the firm provides the platform for the advisor to excel—is a key driver of Raymond James’s strength in the competitive private wealth sector. By fostering talent like Detanna, the firm not only grows its assets but also solidifies its brand as a premier destination for high-net-worth families seeking a deeper, more meaningful advisory relationship.