Steward Partners Taps COO to Scale Infrastructure Amid $53B AUM Growth
Event summary
- Steward Partners appoints Joseph Glick as Chief Operating Officer effective July 6, 2026.
- Glick previously served as COO and CFO at Sequoia Financial Group, with prior roles at Deutsche Bank.
- Firm surpasses $53B in client assets, up from $45B a year ago (implied growth).
- Barron's ranks Steward Partners #9 in 2025 Top 100 RIAs, up from #18 in 2024.
- Glick's priorities include technology/AI strategy, financial planning frameworks, and margin expansion.
The big picture
Steward Partners' COO hire reflects the inflection point where organic growth requires institutional-grade infrastructure. The appointment comes as independent RIAs face pressure to balance advisor autonomy with scalable back-office systems—a dynamic reshaping mid-tier wealth management platforms. With $53B AUM and rising Barron's rankings, Steward is positioning for the next phase of consolidation or organic expansion.
What we're watching
- Scalability Challenge
- Whether Glick can standardize operations to support Steward's rapid advisor recruitment and AUM growth.
- Tech Investment Impact
- How AI and automation initiatives will affect operational efficiency and client service differentiation.
- Margin Expansion Strategy
- The pace at which cost optimizations and revenue enhancements materialize under Glick's leadership.