Forbes Best in State Women Advisors 2025

The ninth annual ranking of Forbes | Shook Top Women Wealth Advisors has been released, and we are pleased to announce nine Focus Partners Wealth associates have been recognized on the list. This compilation ─ featuring women with “proven track records” ─ is based upon quantitative and qualitative data as well as advisor interviews.

Congratulations to the following team members!

• Debra Brede, Senior Wealth Advisor of D.K. Brede Investment Management Company, Focus Partners Wealth Company (also named on Forbes’ 2025 America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors List)
• Aimee Butler, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor
• Elisabeth Cullington, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor
• Dawn Doebler, MBA, CPA, CFP®, CDFA®, Senior Wealth Advisor
• Christina Garland, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor
• Dina Gordon Lee, CPA/PFS, CFP®, President, Managing Director
• Rachel Luken, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor
• Liz Talbot, CFA, CPA, Managing Director, Senior Wealth Advisor
• Cheryl Wilkinson, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor

Read the full Best-in-State Top Women Wealth Advisors list here.
Read the America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors list featuring Debra Brede here.

Disclosures:

The team members received the ranking in February 2025 based on data as of September 30, 2024. Prior to January 2025, Focus Partners was named The Colony Group, LLC. Hunt Valley Wealth (Christina Garland, CFP®) merged with Focus Partners in June of 2024. HoyleCohen (Elisabeth Cullington, CFP® and Rachel Luken, CFP®) merged with Focus Partners in September of 2024. Merriman Wealth Management (Aimee Butler, CFP®) merged with Focus Partners in February of 2025. Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors criteria: Based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data, including years of experience, revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, client retention, best practices, and approach to working with clients. Focus Partners Wealth paid no compensation to Forbes’ to participate or for inclusion in its list. The methodology can be found here.

Debra Brede also featured on the America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors list based on data submitted by D.K. Brede Investment Management Company, prior to its merger into The Colony Group on March 1, 2024. The firm paid a fee to Forbes for use and promotion of the rankings, but not to be considered for the awards. The methodology can be found here.