Around the Firm 1Q 2026
Written by: Tracey Blackford
Innovest is pleased to highlight the accomplishments, service efforts, and thought leadership demonstrated by our team in the first quarter. Our commitment to stewardship, excellence, and community involvement continues to drive meaningful impact across the firm and beyond.
New Team Members
We were excited to welcome several new colleagues who bring fresh expertise, energy, and dedication to our mission. Amy Hanophy, Josh Arendt, Trevor Kirking, Eric Koeplin, John Truschel, Nathan Manahan, and Lauren Cadle joined Innovest across multiple departments, strengthening our capabilities and enhancing client service.
Service to Others
We proudly recognized Abigail Thomas, Luke Hollister, and Brooklyn Seymour with the Service to Others Monthly Award for their outstanding dedication to helping colleagues and the broader community.
Our team remained actively engaged through several meaningful service efforts this quarter, including:
Visiting residents of the Cambridge Care Center Nursing Home, bringing supplies, and spending meaningful time with them.
Creating handmade friendship bracelets for the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation to brighten the experience of children facing critical illnesses.
Organizing a Mardi Gras Food Drive in support of local food banks.
Conducting mock interviews for students at Arrupe Jesuit High School.
Awards and Publications
Innovest was recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) as one of the 2025 Top DC Advisor Teams.
Our team continues to contribute thought leadership across the financial, nonprofit, and mission‑driven sectors through several key publications, including:
Sloan Smith’s article “Private Debt: Are We Seeing Cracks or Is There Still Opportunity?” was published in Advisor Perspectives.
Sydney Aeschlimann, Ian Gilbert, and Taylor Truitt’s article, “A Fiduciary’s Guide to CITs: Four Common Misconceptions,” was featured in 401(k) Specialist Magazine.
Richard Todd authored “How Proxy Voting Is Reshaping the Energy Industry—Often Against Investors’ Values,” which was published in RealClear Energy.
Richard Todd and Sarah Newman co-authored “Dear Nonprofit Leaders: Values Alignment Matters in Finance Too” which was featured in The Daily Signal.
Firm Thought Leadership, Events, and Industry Engagement
Innovest hosted and participated in a range of impactful events that showcased our thought leadership and deep engagement across the retirement, nonprofit, and faith‑based sectors. The firm hosted the 2026: Economic Outlook Luncheon featuring economist Dr. Richard Wobbekind, as well as the Denver Nonprofit Networking Happy Hour, fostering connection and dialogue among nonprofit leaders. Innovest also hosted the Rocky Mountain Benefits Conference (RMBC), where Rick Rodgers presented on protecting plan participants, and the Rocky Mountain Nonprofit Conference (RMNPC), which featured insights from Christian O’Dwyer on the current economic and market environment and long‑term, diversified investment strategies tailored for nonprofits.
Our professionals served as speakers and participants at several prominent national and regional conferences, including the Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges (ABACC), where Richard Todd and Sarah Newman delivered a presentation titled “Economic and Market Update, and Why You Should Expect a Christian Portfolio to Perform Well.” Christian O’Dwyer and Sarah Newman presented the same topic at the Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference (DFMC) West and then, “Applying Mensuram Bonam to Your Diocesan Assets” at the DFMC South Meeting. Innovest attended the SEEK Conference, the Denver Institute of Faith & Work Conference, and the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. Through these forums, team members offered perspectives on finance, stewardship, and values‑aligned decision‑making to audiences across higher education, nonprofit, and faith‑based communities.
Innovest team members continued sharing expertise across webinars and speaking engagements throughout the quarter. Wendy Dominguez and Sarah Newman presented on best practices for defined benefit plans, while Rick Rodgers and Tomas Jansson led a session on “7 Common Mistakes Employers Make with 401(k) Plans.” Sloan Smith shared perspectives on navigating private markets during a conversation with Gregory Cashman, Co-Head of Direct Lending at Golub Capital. Sarah Newman and Rich Todd delivered presentations for Legatus and Newman Guide college presidents. These efforts were further supported through Innovest’s Quarterly Values‑Aligned Webinar Series and participation in the CBA Webinar.
Community Partnerships & Sponsorships
In addition, Innovest continued its longstanding commitment to community partnerships by sponsoring the Benedictine Scholarship Ball, Magis Night at Arrupe Jesuit High School, and the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, reflecting our dedication to supporting mission‑driven organizations and the communities they serve.