ENRICH 2025 Recap

May 7, 2025

A Celebration of Connection, Culture, and Continued Growth

From April 15–17, the Merit Financial Advisors team came together with valued partners, advisors, and industry leaders at the Omni Hotel at The Battery for our annual ENRICH Conference—three powerful days filled with inspiration, alignment, and shared vision. More than just an event, ENRICH 2025 was a reflection of what makes Merit so unique: our unwavering focus on people, purpose, and progress.

Laying the Foundation for the Future

The conference opened with heartfelt welcome messages from Rick Kent, Founder and CEO, and Kay Lynn Mayhue, President, who set the tone for a gathering rooted in intentionality. Their remarks celebrated our journey so far and challenged us to continue building a future where growth and impact go hand in hand.

With strategic insights from John Cote, Chief Growth Officer, and Samantha Allen, EVP of Marketing, “The Growth Playbook” session gave attendees tangible tools to drive innovation while staying grounded in what matters most: serving clients with excellence.

Elevating Ideas, Together

Throughout the week, breakout sessions and keynote presentations gave voice to fresh thinking and best-in-class practices from across the industry. From activating the three pillars of growth with Fidelity’s Travis Brewer to hearing Dr. Daniel Crosby reframe wealth through a psychological lens, every session reflected our commitment to learning and leading together.

Highlights included:

“Loyal Client Advocates” with Kay Lynn Mayhue, exploring how trust and transparency fuel advocacy.

“Unlocking Opportunities in Concentrated Stock” with Andy Hicks of BlackRock.

“Differentiating Your Value Proposition” led by Wealth.com’s Cyndie Smith and Andy Miller.

“Leading Through Influence” by Carl Petty of WisdomTree.

A standout Client Experience Fireside Chat moderated by Kate Redden, featuring real-world insights from Tim White, Co-Founder and CGO, Wealth.com, Christine Simone, CEO and Founder, Move Health and Roxane Harris, Vice President, Block Advisors.

Reinforcing Our Core: Culture, Compliance and Collaboration

Our culture is the heartbeat of our firm. On day three, Kelly Gallimore, Wealth Advisor and Chief Culture Officer, guided a team workshop designed to strengthen our shared values and deepen internal connection. Later, Doug Baxley, Chief Compliance Officer, provided timely guidance on regulatory integrity and how transparency builds long-term trust.

In the panel discussion “Blurring Lines: Investments + Financial Planning,” CIO Brian Andrew and VP of Financial Planning Joe Cilley discussed the convergence of strategies—and why a holistic approach is essential to delivering lasting value.

Meaningful Partnerships, Memorable Moments

In the Partner Experience Village, attendees engaged directly with our incredible sponsors—BlackRock, Wealth.com, Orion, WisdomTree, First Trust, Salesforce and more—whose tools and technologies continue to empower our advisors to serve with excellence.

And while the conference was rich with ideas and insights, it was the connections that made it unforgettable. From collaborative sessions to laughter shared over dinner and bowling at Punch Bowl Social, ENRICH 2025 reinforced something we know well: when we come together, great things happen.

Looking Ahead with Purpose

The conference closed on a high note with a dynamic Leadership Lightning Round featuring executive perspectives from Brian Green, Chrissy Lee, Alex Barthold, and David Wahlen. Their reflections captured what many were feeling—gratitude, momentum, and excitement for what lies ahead.

In their closing remarks, Rick Kent and Kay Lynn Mayhue expressed heartfelt thanks to the advisors, sponsors, and team members who made ENRICH 2025 such a resounding success. Their words served as both recognition and rallying cry, reminding us that our strength lies in our shared mission and collective energy.

At Merit, we’re building more than an RIA—we’re shaping a culture of growth, service, and innovation. And ENRICH 2025 was a powerful testament to the possibilities ahead.