Destiny Wealth Partners Named a 5-Star RIA Firm

InvestmentNews list recognizes the nation’s top-performing wealth management firms setting a benchmark for excellence in the industry

We’re excited to announce that Destiny Wealth Partners, our independent registered investment advisory (RIA) firm conducting business as Destiny Wealth, Destiny Family Office, Ruggie Wealth Management and Nichols Wealth Partners, has been recognized by InvestmentNews’ on its inaugural list of 5-Star RIA Firms for 2025. The distinction honors the nation’s top-performing wealth management firms, selected through a comprehensive months-long evaluation process based on assets under management (AUM), AUM growth, and client engagement.

To qualify, firms needed at least $1 billion in AUM during 2024 and demonstrated consistent growth and strong client relationships. The inaugural cohort of 28 firms averaged 23% client growth last year, reflecting the impact of high-touch service and results-driven strategies.

Our Founder and CEO Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP® said, “Being named a 5-Star RIA highlights our focus on objective financial planning and investment strategies designed to help clients reach their long-term goals. InvestmentNews noted that ‘the real incentive of deciding to go with an RIA firm is the attractiveness of having a team composed of captains of their own destiny.’ We couldn’t agree more. Our independence allows us to put clients first, and this recognition validates that approach.”

The award underscores trends among the highest-performing firms, including accountability, differentiated offerings, and integrated planning. Destiny Wealth Partners’ success reflects a client-first philosophy, disciplined growth, and early adoption of leading-edge technology.

Ruggie added, “This honor reflects the trust our clients place in us and our commitment to delivering measurable results and thoughtful guidance at every stage of their financial journey.”

InvestmentNews’ 5-Star RIA list sets a benchmark for excellence, recognizing firms that deliver outstanding client outcomes while maintaining strong growth and operational strength.

Investment advisory services offered through Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Destiny Wealth Partners also conducts business under the names Destiny Family Office, Ruggie Wealth Management, Nichols Wealth Partners, and Destiny Wealth. Rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Destiny Wealth Partners or its firms are engaged, or continue to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of Destiny Wealth Partners by any of its clients.

InvestmentNews requested initial submissions for entries based on category criteria. Applications could be submitted by an individual or team depending on the category or anyone could apply on their behalf. Finalists (awardees) were selected based on submissions and research performed by InvestmentNews. Awardees then submitted more detailed entries, which were judged by an independent panel of industry leaders, and winners were selected based on a simple points system. No fee was submitted for consideration. Additional disclosures and other important information at www.nicholswealth.com/disclosures.

Tom Ruggie Named National Advisor of the Year for Alternative Investments

InvestmentNews Award Recognizes Exceptionalism in Wealth and Investment Management

Thomas Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, Founder and CEO of Destiny Family Office and Destiny Wealth Partners, which also conducts business as Ruggie Wealth Management, Destiny Wealth and Nichols Wealth Partners, has been named the winner of the prestigious InvestmentNews 2025 Advisor of the Year for Alternative Investments, a recognition that celebrates the highest level of achievement in investment management. This distinguished honor was presented during a gala in New York City.

These awards spotlight trailblazers, game-changers, and leaders who are reshaping the wealth management profession in North America, and this year’s event brought together a powerful cross-section of top advisors, forward-thinking firms, and cutting-edge technology innovators.

“Winning an InvestmentNews Award is more than a moment in the spotlight – it’s a career-defining milestone,” said an InvestmentNews spokesperson. “It signals to clients, peers, and partners that your work stands at the pinnacle of excellence in the industry.”

Tom has become an advocate for the investor who, despite significant resources, has not had privileged access to alternative, direct or co-investment opportunities. Destiny Family Office is helping democratize private investments, offering unique and privileged institutional-caliber alternative, direct and co-investment platforms with broad manager access to qualified investors.

In addition, he has established various investment funds, a co-investment fund and other privileged investment initiatives to enhance offerings for his high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. His deep understanding of private equity, hedge funds, private credit, and other non-correlated assets allows him to construct sophisticated portfolios that help those families protect and grow their wealth across market cycles. Complementing this expertise, his personal passion for collecting has led him to speak and author articles on a national stage about the strategic role of “passion assets” such as artwork, exotic cars, sports memorabilia, and other collectibles within broader investment and legacy planning conversations — offering a unique blend of professional insight and personal perspective.

“I continue to be so grateful for the clients who put their trust and confidence in us. The independent judges of the InvestmentNews Awards indicated they were looking for leaders who push the envelope, embrace change, and deliver real results for their clients. I believe that putting our clients first in everything we do is the kind of victory that really matters.”

This latest recognition continues to affirm Destiny Family Office’s reputation for leadership, integrity, and client-centric excellence in a fast-evolving financial and investment landscape. Ruggie was selected through a rigorous judging process led by a panel of respected industry experts and senior representatives who evaluated individuals and firms based on innovation, impact, and the ability to deliver measurable outcomes for clients.

Tom Ruggie Named InvestmentNews Advisor of the Year: Alternative Investments Awardee

Destiny Family Office Founder and CEO Thomas Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP® has been named an Excellence Awardee by InvestmentNews in the category Advisor of the Year – Alternative Investments. the InvestmentNews Awards of Excellence recognize the individuals and organizations leading the future of the US wealth management industry.

This specific award celebrates the advisor who has displayed excellence in alternative solutions (investments in asset classes other than stocks, bonds and cash, featuring low correlations to traditional asset classes) and helped shape and innovate the industry.

Following a months-long process – including open nominations, independent research, and excellence awardee submissions – the 2025 Excellence Awardees were named. These finalists represent the highest standards of leadership, innovation, and impact across the wealth management space.

Judges considered criteria including knowledge, understanding and communication of alternative investment opportunities and strategies for client portfolios, strategies for educating the industry/clients on alternative investments, and approach to regulatory compliance.

Final awards will be presented at a Gala in June in New York City.

Investment advisory services offered through Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Destiny Wealth Partners also conducts business as Destiny Family Office, Ruggie Wealth Management and Nichols Wealth Partners. Rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Destiny Wealth Partners is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of Destiny Wealth Partners by any of its clients. Rankings published by magazines, and others, may base their selections on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Additional disclosures and other important information at www.nicholswealth.com/disclosures.

Tom Ruggie Ranked Among Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors

Tom Ruggie Ranked No. 2 in North Florida by Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2025

8th time for independent RIA and Family Office Founder – and every year since recognition’s inception

We’re excited to announce that Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, founder and CEO of Ruggie Wealth Management and Destiny Family Office, both Destiny Wealth Partners firms, has earned the No. 2 spot in North Florida in the Forbes/SHOOK 2025 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking. Ruggie has been included in this prestigious list of the nation’s top advisors for seven consecutive years—every year since the ranking’s inception. In 2024, he was named No. 1 in North Florida.

“We are honored to be recognized by industry leaders such as Forbes and SHOOK Research alongside an exceptional group of industry peers and professional colleagues,” said Tom. “Our rise to the top of the list of North Florida’ leading firms, is both humbling and a result of the dedication and commitment of our entire team. I couldn’t be prouder of them. I believe our ongoing presence in this annual ranking speaks to the depth and breadth of our capabilities, to our refusal to be complacent and to strive for the continuous self-improvement of our team, our services, our infrastructure and technology, and to our unwavering focus on putting our clients first in everything we do.”

Ruggie is an entrepreneur who enjoys spending his time helping clients solve problems inherent in their financial and business situations and giving them back the time and peace of mind they need to pursue the things they are most passionate about.

He began his career in 1991 and subsequently founded Ruggie Wealth Management. In 2017, he founded Destiny Family Office to bring high-impact “single-family” office capabilities and services to his ultra-high-net-worth client families, helping these wealth creators, wealth inheritors and their families overcome the challenges that come from managing significant resources.

Destiny Family Office provides access to sophisticated traditional, alternative, direct, and co-investment management solutions. An avid collector, Ruggie has earned deepening prominence in the collectibles space, helping other top-tier collectors incorporate their collections in every part of their financial, tax and wealth transfer planning.

In 2023, Boca Raton-based Nichols Wealth Partners joined Destiny Wealth Partners, and in 2025, Jacksonville-based Sterling Newton joined Destiny Wealth Partners and is now known as Destiny Wealth.

About Forbes and SHOOK Research: Forbes/SHOOK Research Best-in-State Wealth Advisors are selected based on quantitative and qualitative data, and are assessed on a variety of criteria, including interviews, years of experience, client retention, compliance records and assets under management. SHOOK “scours the financial services industry—advisory firms, banks, brokerages, custodians, insurance companies, and clearing houses, among others—for nominations”. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

Recognitions are specific to Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®. Listing in any publication is not a guarantee of future investment success. These recognitions should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client. The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years’ experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes or SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. Barron’s rankings are based on factors including assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work.

Thomas Ruggie, CHFC®, CFP® Named To Barron’s 1200 Top Financial Advisors for 13th Time

Ruggie Wealth Management announced that Founder and CEO Thomas H. Ruggie, ChFC^®, CFP^®, has been named to Barron’s list of America’s Top 1,200 Advisors: 2025, the 13th time Ruggie has earned this distinction, and the 11th straight year.

As Barron’s explains, they publish their annual Top 1200 Advisors by State compilation to recognize advisors demonstrating exceptional professionalism, client service and community involvement. Among the factors the “Barron’s Top 1,200 Advisors” ranking takes into consideration are quality of practice, assets under management, revenues, and philanthropic work.

“It is an honor to again be ranked among our nation’s top financial advisors by one of the most respected names in the financial industry,” said Ruggie of the ranking which recognizes both an elite group of independent financial professionals and large wirehouses.

“I believe our clients turn to us because of our dedication to placing their interests above ours, for the strength of our processes and collective wisdom of our team, and for our unwavering focus on helping them achieve the financial goals they’ve been dreaming of and working for their whole lives. To once again be named among Barron’s Top Advisors is an honor that reinforces that what we are doing on our clients’ behalf brings real value to our relationship with them.”

Ruggie Wealth Management provides services to individual and corporate clients, as well as to a select group of endowments and foundations. As one of the flagship companies of Destiny Wealth Partners, Ruggie Wealth Management offers a broad range of services and products to help clients achieve their financial goals.

The firm has offices in Tavares, Winter Park, The Villages^®, FL. Destiny Wealth Partners also conducts business under the name Destiny Family Office in Winter Park, FL, Nichols Wealth Partners in Boca Raton, FL, and Destiny Wealth in Jacksonville.

The Barron’s Top 1200 Financial Advisors is a select group of individuals who are screened on a number of different criteria. Rankings are based on data provided by over 7,000 advisers from across the nation. Factors included in the rankings: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work. Portfolio performance is not a factor. Please see www.barrons.com for more information. Ruggie Wealth Management has not paid a fee to be eligible for this award. Barron’s does not require membership or payment in order for award participants and/or applicants to be considered for an award designation.

Investment advisory services offered through Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Newsweek Top Financial Advisory Firms 2025

December 6, 2024

Thomas Ruggie Named to InvestmentNews 2024 Hot 100

Thomas Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, CEO of Destiny Wealth Partners, on being named to the InvestmentNews Hot 100 for 2025!

A 30+ year financial-industry veteran, innovator, entrepreneur, and thought leader, Tom is setting new standards in wealth management, offering sophisticated investment opportunities, and helping empower clients to reach their financial destinies.

Explore how Tom and his team are transforming wealth management.

Forbes Names Destiny Wealth Partners to List of Top 250 RIA Firms

2nd Year in a Row for this Prestigious Recognition

Destiny Wealth Partners has been named to the third annual Forbes ranking of America’s Top RIA Firms, developed by SHOOK Research.

The ranking, published by Forbes on October 8, 2024, highlights the top 250 advisory firms that have “strong track records when it comes to stewarding client wealth and preserving it for the long term.”

Destiny Wealth Partners is an independent RIA based in Central Florida, which conducts business as Destiny Family Office, Ruggie Wealth Management and Nichols Wealth Partners. Founded by CEO Thomas Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, a 30+ year veteran of the financial industry, the firm has also been ranked #1 in North Florida in the list of Forbes 2024 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, and was recently named the 2024 InvestmentNews RIA Team of the Year.

Shook Research’s focus on how each client is actually treated by their independent advisor has led them to measure processes that are inherent in each client relationship, the team’s purpose and the underlying culture seen at all levels. They look closely at the leadership who is primarily responsible for shaping the client’s experience, and question, “Would we recommend this firm (or individual) to a friend or family member?

“Quality is always first; if we’re going to include a firm (or advisor) on our rankings, we have to make sure everyone is of the highest quality.”

The Forbes ranking, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. The algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.

(For the full list and more, visit www.forbes.com/lists/top-ria-firms)

Women: Five Steps to Planning Financially During a Divorce

Divorce can significantly impact a woman financially, especially if she hasn’t been actively involved in investing or other big-picture financial decisions during her marriage. However, the right approach, team, and advice, tailored to a woman’s specific needs, can be empowering, save valuable time and money, and reduce unnecessary stress.

A study conducted by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, showed that those who have gone through a divorce are more prone to have insufficient resources to maintain their desired standard of living upon reaching the age of 65. And for women it is even harder. A study published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office showed that women’s household income decreases by 41% after divorce, while men’s income only falls by 23%. Despite progress, husbands still earn 69% more than wives. Many women defer financial planning to their spouse, making them financially worse off. Rebuilding long-term income potential after taking a break from the workforce is challenging.¹

When a source of income stops and assets are divided, even the best financial plan can be disrupted, turning a family’s finances upside down.

It’s essential while navigating this transition, to have a gameplan to get organized, track down key documents, update information, and create an inventory of accounts and financial interests.

Here’s how to start managing the transition in 5 steps:

1. Choose Your Team

It may be prudent to consult multiple professionals, such as an estate attorney, a tax specialist, and a financial advisor. Accurate guidance is crucial during the initial phases of this transition to your new life. As Michele Lerner reminds us in her article for Forbes Wealth: “A common mistake is to delay financial planning until after a divorce. You want to understand what you’re up against financially before you agree to anything.”²

If you don’t have a financial advisor, it’s crucial to find one who understands your situation, and puts your needs first. Start by looking at two or three recommendations from other professionals (such as your attorney) and from friends who are happy with their own financial advisors. Arrange a meeting to assess which financial advisor possesses the expertise to help you understand the short and long-term impacts of the complex decisions you will be facing, has the temperament to advocate on your behalf and to provide compassionate guidance, and uses processes that best align with your preferences as you begin this journey.

¹ United States Government Accountability Office, “The Nation’s Retirement System,” 2017.
² Michele Lerner, a Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer, has been covering personal finance and real estate for more than 25 years. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including The Washington Post, Bankrate.com, The Motley Fool, REIT magazine, Fox Business News, National Real Estate Investor magazine, DailyFinance.com and NewHomeSource.com.

2. Create a Checklist

After forming a tailored group of financial and other experts for your unique needs, preferably independent from those of your soon-to-be ex-spouse, establish a structured plan that will offer a clear road map moving forward to a fair and just settlement.

The process begins by collecting crucial data for a comprehensive analysis by your team, such as Social Security numbers, income, expenses, assets, obligations, employee benefits, insurance policies, and credit reports.

3. Get Organized

To organize your finances, gather key documents like brokerage and bank statements, insurance policies, tax returns, loan documents, and Social Security statements. Update your information – including beneficiaries – and start taking steps to protect your assets and heirs. Finally, create an inventory of your accounts and interests, and be sure to also look at life insurance and long-term care policies.

4. Start with your Primary Residence

The primary residence is typically the first consideration in the process of dividing assets, and there are a number of financial aspects that should be looked at carefully before making the decision to keep the home or sell it.

It might be necessary to segregate the credit of each spouse and transfer the title and mortgage into the name of one owner, as certain couples opt to sell their residence prior to the completion of their divorce proceedings because of the tax implications.

5. Create a Road Map

Understand your goals and create a road map with your financial advisor to achieve them. By following these five steps, you can begin to make progress toward your new financial life, with ongoing support.

Our Nichols Wealth Partners and Destiny Family Office team guides, assists and empowers clients – including those who have high-net-worth and complex situations – gain the knowledge they need to simplify complex financial information and make better-informed decisions.

Our Nichols Wealth Partners Scorecard can help you evaluate and “score” where you are financially across ten important criteria you’ll want to consider as you begin this new phase of your life. You can gain clarity on where you are and where you’d ideally like to be in areas such as preserving wealth, mitigating taxes, and protecting yours and your family’s financial future in retirement and beyond. Complete the complimentary Scorecard, now and we can discuss it with you once it’s completed. We believe the insights you will discover will be profound.

Taiana Daniel is the Director of Business Development with Nichols Wealth Partners, a Destiny Wealth Partners firm.

Sources:

Burnham, C. (2018, July 13). States Should Re-Evaluate Their Assumed Rates Of Return. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherburnham/2018/07/12/states-should-re-evaluate-their-assumed-rates-of-return/

Contributor, R. W. (2015, December 16). Top Financial Concerns In A Divorce — And How To Plan For Them. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rbcwealthmanagement/2015/12/16/top-financial-concerns-in-a-divorce-and-how-to-plan-for-them/

Many Public Sector Workers Lack<br>Adequate Retirement Income, Study Says. (2011, October 19). https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/many-public-sector-workers-lack-adequate-retirement-income-study-says

Munnell, A. H. (n.d.). Do Women Still Spend Most of Their Lives Married? – Center for Retirement Research. https://live-crr1.pantheonsite.io/do-women-still-spend-most-of-their-lives-married/

Peralta. (2020, October 23). Taking Control of Your Finances after Losing a Spouse: A Guide for Women – Life Après. Life Après. https://lifeapres.com/taking-control-finances-losing-spouse-guide-women/

Taking Control of Your Finances after Divorce or Death of a Spouse: A Guide for Women | Morgan Stanley. (n.d.). Morgan Stanley. http://www.morganstanley.com/articles/women-financial-transition

Investment advisory services offered through Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Destiny Wealth Partners also conducts business as Destiny Family Office, Ruggie Wealth Management and Nichols Wealth Management. Rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Destiny Wealth Partners is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of Destiny Wealth Partners by any of its clients. Rankings published by magazines, and others, may base their selections on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Additional disclosures and other important information at https://www.destinyfamilyoffice.com/disclosures.

Destiny Wealth Partners named “InvestmentNews RIA Team of the Year”

We’re excited to announce that Destiny Wealth Partners was named “RIA Team of the Year (10 Advisors or More)” in the prestigious InvestmentNews 2024 Awards of Excellence. Winners were announced at a black-tie, red-carpet gala held June 20 at the elegant 583 Park Avenue in New York City.

Destiny Wealth Partners, which does business as Destiny Family Office, Nichols Wealth Partners, and Ruggie Wealth Management, currently manages approximately $1.1B in assets, and helps wealth creators, wealth inheritors and their families better navigate the complexity in their financial lives so they can have more time to focus on what they are most passionate about.

“The one word that comes to mind is, ‘Gratitude’,” said Tom Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, Founder and CEO of Destiny Wealth Partners. “I am so grateful for the clients who put their trust and confidence in us, to our team who shows an unwavering commitment to those we serve and to our dedication to never being complacent, which continually challenges us to do more and at ever-higher levels of excellence. We are truly honored to stand alongside a stellar group of peers.”

Our firm is focused on challenging the status quo in wealth and investment management, seeking to enable clients to achieve their destiny as a result. The InvestmentNews Awards honor the remarkable contributions and outstanding achievements of financial advisors and brokerages who have demonstrated steadfast dedication, exceptional professionalism, and unwavering commitment to their clients’ success.

Judging for the Awards was conducted by an expert panel of industry leaders and senior representatives. The category “Team of the Year” recognizes the significant work and achievements of the nation’s most outstanding advisory team for their excellence over the past 12-months in areas including client service and innovation. Finalists are selected based on their response to questions across a range of qualitative and quantitative criteria and performance metrics. The judging process is independent and rigorous.