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.

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.

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.

Do You Know What You, Coco Chanel, And Taylor Swift Might Have In Common?

Whether you’re a businesswoman like the late Coco Chanel, artist like Taylor Swift, stay-at-home mom, grandmother, or philanthropist, creating a well-thought-out, comprehensive financial plan that builds on your success for the long term – and isn’t swayed by short-term turbulence or fads – can help give you the confidence you need to make sound financial decisions for your family and add to your peace of mind.

It doesn’t require a passion for style, extraordinary singing/songwriting talent, access to a college education, or many zeros of net worth for a woman to successfully oversee the financial affairs of her family and enterprises. In fact, increasingly women are doing exactly that, and making financial history in the process.

In 2021, Janet Yellen became the first female Treasury Secretary of the United States. Yellen’s economic leadership example is significant as women gain wealth and influence.

A July 29, 2020 article by McKinsey & Co. predicts that by 2030, women in the U.S. will achieve unprecedented independence-granting success. They are also expected to inherit an estimated $30 trillion from aging parents or spouses.

‘Myth’ Information?

Recent reports continue to dispell myths that women are more conservative or risk-averse when it comes to investing. In fact, a February 28, 2022 UBS Women and Investing Report and a 28 June 2018 UK Study by Warwick Business School found that this is not the case, showing that women are simply more cautious and in fact, outperformed men by 1.8% in investing per annum, when portfolio building among 2,800 investors. According to the study, factors contributing to these results included more research, lower trading, and a longer-term investment perspective.

Considering that most Americans want to preserve retirement savings, patience is indeed crucial in investing, for meeting long-term financial goals. When planning for a future where the goal is to have peace of mind, compound growth usually involves steady investments over time, while speculative investments may carry an increased risk of loss. Financial decisions, such as pensions, career changes, retirement, and wealth transfer can be complex and time-consuming. It’s important that women, working with a qualified fiduciary advisor, play a key role in her family’s financial decision making, to help protect their lifestyle and legacy.

Some ultra-high-net-worth female family office clients are helping to set the standard in financial planning. Mothers and grandmothers often worry their heirs might not be prepared to take over when it comes to the management of the family estate or the succession of the family business. Under these circumstances, they typically opt for a well-thought-out, written financial plan to provide their family with a sense of clarity and security. Encouragingly, a March 2020 U.S. Bank Survey found that 37% of women said they had clearly defined financial goals and one-third of them were following a sound financial plan.

Women Know the ‘Score’

Recognizing that no two situations are alike, the Nichols Wealth Partners proprietary Scorecard can help you evaluate and “score” where you are across ten financial criteria. 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 take the first step to creating your own proactive family wealth plan. We believe the insights you will discover will be profound.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, Nichols Wealth Partners joins in honoring women’s excellence in financial stewardship and encourages even more women to assume leadership roles in financial decision-making and planning.

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

Investment advisory services offered through Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Destiny Wealth Partners also conducts business under the name Nichols Wealth Partners.

The expressed views, thoughts, and opinions in this article belong solely to the author and are not an investment recommendation or an opinion issued by Nichols Wealth Partners. Content provided is for informational and educational purposes only. Nichols Wealth Partners and its affiliates are not responsible for any human or mechanical errors or omissions. Learn more at https://www.nicholswealth.com/disclosures/

Destiny Family Office Named Prestigious Family Wealth Report Award Finalist

Destiny Family Office, a Destiny Wealth Partners firm, has been named a finalist in the prestigious 11^th Annual Family Wealth Report Awards in the Multi-Family Office category (up to and including $2.5 Billion in Assets Under Management/Assets Under Advisement).

According to ClearView Financial Media, publisher of Family Wealth Report, “The Annual Family Wealth Report Awards recognize the most innovative and exceptional firms, teams and individuals serving the family office, family wealth and trusted advisor communities in North America.”

“We founded our firm with a mission and purpose forged by what we saw as an unanswered need in the marketplace: families seeking advocacy, compelling wealth and investment management capabilities, and execution—without compromise,” said Tom Ruggie, ChFC^®, CFP^®, Founder and CEO of Destiny Family Office.

“While we serve many families, we operate as though we are the team serving a single family. We seek to get to know them intimately, coming to appreciate both their articulated and unarticulated needs, their challenges and aspirations. Only then can we truly deliver an exceptional experience uniquely tailored to them—a hallmark of our firm.

“From the perspective of our clients, it’s more than how we manage their financial needs and implement strategies; it’s how we stand beside them along their journey, helping them to better navigate the great complexity that encompasses their business, financial and personal worlds.”

The awards are judged by an expert panel of more than 40 judges, and finalists are selected on entrants’ submissions and their response to questions across a range of qualitative and quantitative criteria and performance metrics. The judging process is rigorous and independent.

Winners will be announced May 2, 2024, at the Family Wealth Report Gala at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City.

About Destiny Family Office

Destiny Family Office is a Multi-Family Office founded in 2016 by CEO Thomas Ruggie, a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and a 30+ year veteran of the investment and financial planning industries. It was created to simplify complexity for its high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth client families and to empower them to focus on what is most important, so they may live their best lives and have the greatest impact on the world around them. Tom Ruggie began his career in 1991 and subsequently founded Ruggie Wealth Management, also a Destiny Wealth Partners Firm. Destiny Wealth Partners exceeded $1B in Assets Under Management in July of 2023. Tom has been ranked among Barron’s Top 1200 Advisors 11 times, as a Forbes Best-in-State Advisor six times (since its inception and was 5th in N Florida in 2023), and has been a Forbes Finance Council member since 2016. In 2023, Destiny Wealth Partners was named by Forbes Among America’s Top 250 Advisory Firms, and by InvestmentNews among its 75 Fastest-Growing, Fee-Only RIAs.

About Family Wealth Report

Family Wealth Report provides unique and essential business intelligence on the world of North American family wealth—straight to subscribers’ inboxes every day along with an archive of almost 200,000 relevant articles. It is part of the global WealthBriefing Network. Family Wealth Report is published by ClearView Financial Media with more than 20 years of experience providing information to the international financial services sector.

Investment advisory services offered through Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Destiny Wealth Partners also conducts business under the name 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 Family Office 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 Family Office 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.