FSI announces 2026 board of directors and executive committee members

The Financial Services Institute, a leading advocacy organization for independent financial services firms and financial advisors, today announced five new members to its Board of Directors and its 2026 Executive Committee, reflecting a broad cross-section of leaders from across the independent financial services community.

FSI’s Board plays a critical role in guiding the organization’s strategic priorities, advocacy efforts and member engagement as the industry continues to navigate regulatory, technological and market-driven change, the organization said in a news release.

“As we look ahead to 2026, FSI remains focused on advocating for policies that protect advisor independence, support investor choice and promote thoughtful innovation,” said FSI President and CEO Dale Brown. “Our Board’s leadership and experience are essential as we continue this important work on behalf of our members and the clients they serve. I’m grateful for the support and partnership of our Directors, and I look forward to working with them to advance our advocacy mission in the year ahead.”

New board members

FSI welcomes the following new members to its Board of Directors:

• Brian Kovack, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kovack Financial
• Kathy Leckey, President and Chief Operating Officer, Lincoln Investment
• Frank Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Private Advisor Group
• Dale Brunk, Senior Financial Advisor, Landmark Financial
• Marc Squires, Head of Sales and Relationship Management, Fidelity Clearing, Fidelity Investments

These new directors bring "deep industry expertise and diverse perspectives that will strengthen FSI’s work on behalf of its nearly 30,000 financial advisor members and their clients," the release said.

2026 Executive Committee

FSI announced the following members of its 2026 Executive Committee:

• Chair of the Board: Christine Byrne, Partner and Wealth Advisor, Back Cove Financial
• Vice Chair (Chair in 2027): Adam Malamed, CEO, Sanctuary Wealth Group
• Immediate Past Chair: Tim Stinson, President, Cetera Advisor Networks
• FSI PAC Chair: Von Cook, Managing Partner, Client Centric Advisors
• Finance Committee Chair: Shannon Reid, President and Head of Advisor Growth and Engagement, Osaic

Byrne is the third financial advisor, and first female advisor, to serve as chair of FSI’s Board in the organization’s 22-year history.

“It is my honor to serve as the 2026 Chair of FSI’s Board of Directors,” said Byrne. “As a financial advisor, I am grateful for a community that brings our profession together around clear advocacy goals: protecting investor choice, strengthening independent advice and ensuring a practical, workable regulatory environment. I look forward to working with the Board, hearing from members and partnering with the FSI team to advance smart, balanced policy that protects investors while preserving access to personalized advice. Now more than ever, we need to work together to champion the business model that helps American families pursue their financial goals with confidence. I am grateful for this opportunity.”

Continuing on the Board

In addition to those elected to leadership positions, continuing on the Board are: Gary Baker, President and Managing Partner, Undivided Wealth Management; David Knoch, CEO, Docupace; Tom McCartney, Founding Principal, My Advisor & Planner (MAP); Rob Milmore, District Advisor, First Command Financial Services; Rob Molinari, Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer, Commonwealth Financial Network; Chris Perry, President, Broadridge Financial Solutions; Mary Steele, Managing Partner, Freehold Wealth Management; Mark Steffe, President and CEO, First Command Financial Services; and Ben Wuerffel, Financial Advisor, Capital Analysts of Jacksonville.

FSI extended its "sincere appreciation" to those directors who are concluding their service, recognizing their leadership and commitment to advancing the independent financial services industry. Rolling off the FSI Board of Directors are: Alex David, President and CEO of Equity Services, National Life; Amy Webber, CEO, Cambridge Investment Research; Ed Forst, President and CEO, Lincoln Investment; Emily Schlosser, Head of Custody Client Platform, BNY Asset Servicing, BNY Mellon; Libet Anderson, President, Cetera Wealth Partners; and Stephen Langlois, President Emeritus and Senior Advisor, Kestra Financial.