Edelman Financial Engines Appoints Neil Gilfedder as Chief Investment Officer
BOSTON, March 22, 2022 - Edelman Financial Engines, America’s top independent wealth planning and investment advisory firm,1 today announced that Neil Gilfedder has been promoted to executive vice president and chief investment officer, effective March 1, succeeding Christopher Jones who has served as CIO since 2001. Based in Santa Clara, California, Gilfedder will report into President & CEO Larry Raffone and serve as the chairman of the firm’s Investment Committee.
This appointment is part of a thoughtful succession plan that builds upon the notable accomplishments and work of Christopher Jones whose team managed and helped grow our assets under management from $0 to over $242 billion3 over his 26-year tenure. Mr. Jones will transition to be a special advisor to the firm.
Gilfedder previously served as senior vice president, Portfolio Management, where he managed the team responsible for the operations and quality control of client portfolios across the company’s wealth planning and workplace businesses, representing more than 1.3 million clients and $242 billion in assets.3
“Neil’s experience, deep institutional knowledge and commitment to our clients positioned him as the natural successor to lead our investment management function,” said Larry Raffone, president and chief executive officer, Edelman Financial Engines. “Chris Jones and our co-founder and Nobel laureate William F. Sharpe created a strong foundation for our investment methodology that has helped countless families achieve their financial objectives for nearly three decades, and Neil will now take our investment management expertise into our next phase of growth.”
In his prior role, Gilfedder was closely engaged with both of the firm’s wealth planning and workplace businesses, and he has been instrumental in the development of programs that reach both audiences.
“I have been very fortunate to work alongside great innovators during my career, and I am excited for this opportunity to build upon such a special legacy,” said Gilfedder. “I was drawn to Edelman Financial Engines because of its investment philosophy, innovative vision, and mission to help millions of investors reach their financial potential. Those values still hold today, and I am honored to be charged with this responsibility.”
Before joining Edelman Financial Engines in 2014, Gilfedder was Managing Director at MSCI, where he was Head of Applied Research and Business Manager of Research. Gilfedder holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Economics from the University of York and an M.A. in Economics from Stanford University. He is also a CFA charter holder.
Media Contact
About Edelman Financial Engines
Since 1986, Edelman Financial Engines has been committed to always acting in the best interests of our clients. We were founded on the belief that all investors – not just the wealthy – deserve access to personal, comprehensive financial planning and investment advice. Today, we are America’s top independent financial planning and investment advisory firm, recognized by Barron's1 with 145+ offices2 across the country and entrusted by 1.3 million clients to manage more than $245 billion in assets.3 Our unique approach to serving clients combines our advanced methodology and proprietary technology with the attention of a dedicated personal financial planner. Every client’s situation and goals are unique, and the powerful fusion of high-tech and high touch allows Edelman Financial Engines to deliver the personal plan and financial confidence that everyone deserves. For more information, please visit EdelmanFinancialEngines.com.
1. The Barron’s 2023 Top 100 RIA Firms list, a ranking of independent advisory firms in its eighth year, is qualitative and quantitative, including assets managed by the firms, technology spending, staff diversity, succession planning and other metrics. Firms elect to participate but do not pay to be included in the ranking. Ranking awarded each September based on data within a 12-month period. Investor experience and returns are not considered.
2. Edelman Financial Engines data, as of Dec. 31, 2022.
3. Edelman Financial Engines data, as of September 30, 2023.
