Carson Group announced it is doubling down on talent development with the launch of its inaugural NextGen Advisor Council and a new firmwide career pathing program designed to improve retention, clarify advancement expectations, and ensure emerging advisors have a direct voice in shaping the firm’s advisor experience.
The Omaha, Nebraska-based wealth advisory firm said the initiatives represent the next phase of its long-term commitment to developing future leaders across its network. Carson Group reported more than $55 billion in assets under management and serves over 54,000 client families through 150-plus partner offices, including more than 50 Carson Wealth locations.
Carson noted that the NextGen Advisor Council is a formal mechanism to ensure the perspectives of rising advisors influence advisor development pathways, the overall advisor experience, and the firm’s client service model. Council members will act as strategic partners to leadership, providing ongoing feedback to help guide firmwide planning and initiatives.
The inaugural council includes advisors from multiple Carson Wealth offices across the U.S.: Haley Wainio (Marquette), Tricia Garner (Boston Retirement Group), Jake Stone (Cornerstone), Justin Schultes (Cedar Rapids), Shannon Herrell (Kansas City), Daniel Leal (Omaha), Hope Campbell (Columbia), Alexis Karn (Hartford), Chris Allen (Cincinnati), and Eleni Yeros (Littleton).
Alongside the council, Carson has rolled out a new Carson Wealth Career Path Exercise for Advisors, a framework intended to create a shared understanding of expectations, progression, and development goals across the organization. The firm said the program reflects consistent advisor feedback and is designed to be flexible enough for local offices to adapt to their specific structures.
Carson also pointed to broader industry pressure around advisor development and succession. The firm cited a recent DeVoe Talent and Growth Survey showing 68% of next-generation professionals at RIAs want a well-defined career path, while more than half say they receive only informal guidance on advancement.
Carson said both the NextGen Council and the career pathing initiative build on the firm’s recently launched advisor mentorship program, which pairs emerging advisors with experienced leaders across the Carson community. Together, the firm framed the programs as part of a broader strategy centered on intentional development, long-term succession planning, and improving the sustainability of advisor careers within the organization.
KEY QUOTES:
“Investing in the next generation of advisors is essential to the future of our firm and the clients we serve. Our responsibility is to create an environment where advisors can see a clear path forward, feel confident in their development and have a meaningful voice in shaping where the firm is headed. Through initiatives like the NextGen Advisor Council and our career path framework, we are intentionally building clarity, alignment and opportunity so the next generation of leaders can grow their impact and help define what the future looks like at Carson Group.”
Burt White, CEO, Carson Group
“Carson was built on advisor feedback, and we believe input from G2 and G3 advisors is essential to sustainable growth. These NextGen advisors bring valuable perspective from their day-to-day work with clients and teams. Our goal is to support meaningful conversations that help advisors feel confident about where they are today and where they can go next. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and excited to begin this journey together.”
Lisa VanArsdale, Vice President Of Advisor Development, Carson Group
“As a leader, I’m using our Framework and Career Path Exercise Tool to bring clarity, transparency and intentionality to how the next generation grows within our organization. It helps emerging professionals understand not just what success looks like, but how they progress—linking skill development, expectations and compensation to a clear, achievable path. Ultimately, it allows us to develop talent with purpose while aligning individual ambition with the long-term vision of the firm.”
Chris Graw, Managing Partner And Wealth Advisor, Carson Wealth (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
“Carson’s career path framework is a thoughtful and tangible tool that provides real clarity for rising advisors seeking clarity and a stronger sense of direction. It encourages meaningful reflection and creates a clear structure for identifying growth opportunities and aligning goals with next steps. We’ve used a similar framework in our Tennessee office, and it has played an important role in my own development by helping me stay focused, intentional and confident in where I am headed.”
Monique Cross, Associate Wealth Advisor, Carson Wealth (Johnson City, Tennessee)
