Company: SignatureFD, Atlanta, GA
Company Description: SignatureFD is a financial advising firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with a branch office in Charlotte, North Carolina. We believe in helping our clients achieve wealth beyond money. We empower our clients to use all elements of their wealth for a financial design that helps them Grow, Protect, Give, and Live their wealth to the fullest. It’s what we call Net Worthwhile®.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Maverick of the Year
 Nomination Title: Heather Fortner
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2022 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 195 words used.
After joining SignatureFD as a client associate in 2003, Heather Fortner quickly ascended in the organization and was appointed CEO and Chair of the Board in October 2020. Throughout her executive journey, Heather has recognized the barriers women face in many corporate environments, and the pervasive inequities within the wealth management industry. During her tenure as CEO, she has actively advocated for DEI initiatives and gender diversity at SignatureFD and the financial services industry more broadly.
Heather’s dedication to championing other female professionals and her belief that wealth management should be tailored to the unique needs, values, and goals of different communities shine through in everything she does. Her commitment to inclusion has set a precedent amongst peer firms, and her approach to equity sharing has created opportunities to build generational wealth for women and people of color, two traditionally marginalized groups in the investment industry.
Under Heather’s leadership, SignatureFD achieved a $2.5 billion growth in assets under management (AUM) in 2023 and a 14% increase in revenue for the fiscal year. Her success in advocating for women has set a strong example of what leaders can accomplish when they prioritize inclusion and diversity.
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
As a female CEO in an overwhelmingly male-dominated industry, Heather has demonstrated profound committment to uplifting women and advocating for gender diversity across financial services and the corporate world more broadly. Over the past two years, she has helped SignatureFD achieve a majority female executive leadership team, creating an environment where diversity and inclusion are front and center and female leadership is celebrated.
Beyond representation at SignatureFD, Heather elevates women in business through community engagement, hosting periodic live webinar events featuring candid discussions with other female executives and entrepreneurs. Heather amplifies these efforts by spotlighting the remarkable women in her network on social media through her “Women in Leadership Spotlight” campaign, which celebrates women’s professional achievements and philanthropic contributions across various industries.
Heather is widely recognized across the industry for her outstanding leadership and advocacy for diversity and inclusion in financial services. She was awarded CEO of the Year by Wealth Management Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle Diversity Equity and Inclusion Corporate Diversity Champion, named to the Georgia Titan 100 List in 2023, and selected to the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2023.
Beyond her work at SignatureFD, Heather serves on numerous councils and boards, including the Fidelity RIA Leader’s Council, the Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions Panel, and the Advisory Board for Mammoth Investors. She is also a CEO Forum, Young President’s Organization, and Professional Women’s Alliance member. Additionally, Heather was recently appointed to the board of Morris Brown College, the only historically black college and university (HBCU) founded by African Americans.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 247 words used.
Heather’s dedication to advancing female representation across the corporate world sets a strong precedent for other CEOs in financial services. Under her guidance, SignatureFD has reached a 58% female leadership team, which stands in stark contrast to the overall percentage of women in financial services who hold C-Suite roles, which was just 19% in 2022 (Source: Deloitte). Heather’s accomplishments in actively advocating for gender diversity has greated a more empowering and inclusive culture at SignatureFD and has also set a strong example for other firms in financial services of what can be accomplished with female leadership and diversity of thought at the helm.
In addition to her advocacy for female representation, Heather’s work raising awareness about financial transparency sets her apart from other leaders in the space. She is widely sought-after for her expertise and thought leadership about the central role of financial education in the well-being of families and by extension, society. For example, Heather’s work with Morris Brown College led to a Tedx Talk hosted by the institution, during which she raised awareness about structural inequities and how financial education can help empower families to become financially healthy, build generational wealth, and overcome longstanding inequality.
Heather’s accomplishments offer a blueprint for other executives to lead by example and translate their values into tangible impact. The industry accolades and recognition she has received paint a comprehensive picture of Heather’s outstanding performance as CEO and her inspiring achievements advancing gender diversity and broader inclusion across financial services.
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