Around the Firm 4Q 2025
Written by: Tracey Blackford
Progressions & Team Updates
As we step into 2026, we’re still celebrating what made 2025 such a remarkable year at Innovest. Innovest is proud to share several team highlights that reflect our continued commitment to excellence and stewardship.
Congratulations to our newly promoted colleagues:
Joe Lemming – Vice President, Consultant
Christine Hudek – Vice President
Cheryl Wilks – Associate Consultant
Sydney Aeschlimann – Associate Consultant
Natalie Miller – Associate Consultant
Abigail Thomas – Senior Manager
Christine Fuhrman – Manager
John Brock – Manager of IT
Taylor Smith – Lead Senior Analyst
Denise Rice – Senior Analyst
Parker Cadieux – Analyst
Sydney Armstrong – Analyst
We also celebrate Joe Lemming on earning his CFP® designation and Ian Gilbert successfully completing level III of the CFA Program. Denise Rice, Taylor Lupica, and Parker Cadieux were recognized with Innovest’s Monthly Service to Others Award for their outstanding dedication to their colleagues.
Annual Awards
Each year, Innovest recognizes employees who exemplify our values and make a meaningful impact on our firm. We are grateful for the dedication, growth, and leadership our team brings to Innovest and are proud to recognize this year’s award recipients.
212 Degree Award – Awarded to the person who best exemplifies giving the extra effort to push something forward: Brian Curran and Taylor Smith
Yearly Service to Others – Awarded for consistently demonstrating outstanding service to others within the firm: Marisa Joseph and Christine Fuhrman
William Fender Mentorship Award – Awarded to the person who demonstrates outstanding mentorship: Abigail Thomas
Founders Award – Awarded to the person who best exemplifies our founding values: Sarah Newman
Awards & Publications
Innovest was named a "Best Place to Work" by Pensions & Investments for the 11th time in 12 years, highlighting our team’s dedication and commitment to a supportive and collaborative work environment. We were also ranked among the top 25 Corporate Philanthropists in the Denver area by the Denver Business Journal for 2024.
Principal Sloan Smith, was highlighted in Advisor Perspective with this article, “Is the Growth of Evergreen Funds Good or Bad for Private Markets?" Principal and COO, Peter Mustian offered timely insights into today’s credit environment in Financial Advisor Magazine with his article, “Why Credit Markets Warrant Caution.”
Service To Others
Innovest was proud to participate in Colorado Gives Day, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to service and community engagement. Team members volunteered with Christ in the City, serving lunch to individuals experiencing homelessness, and supported the Little Flower Assistance Center through the annual Joy Drive by collecting supplies and gifts for families in Aurora, Montbello, and Green Valley Ranch. Employees also volunteered at the Denver Santa Claus Shop, helping provide “A Toy for Every Girl & Boy.”
In addition to these service efforts, Innovest invested in the next generation by hosting a Shadow Day for five Regis Jesuit High School students, offering insight into careers in finance. Team members also volunteered with Junior Achievement USA to support W.C. Hinkley High School students participating in the Dream Accelerator program.
Conferences, Speaking Engagements, Webinars, and Sponsorships
In November, we attended and sponsored the Colorado Government Finance Officers Association (CGFOA) Conference. Innovest co-hosted the Navigating Markets, Policy, and Nonprofit Priorities Virtual Nonprofit Conference, where Principal Christian O'Dwyer, CFA, presented an Economic Update. Principal Sarah Newman and CEO Richard Todd attended the Givers, Thinkers, and Doers conference in Phoenix.
This quarter, Innovest participated in various wellness, career, and city fairs, where we provided financial wellness advice. Innovest also proudly sponsored and attended the Junior League of Denver Mile High Holiday Mart as well as the State Financial Officers Foundation’s Fall Meeting. We also sponsored the 2025 Weld Legacy Foundation Gala, supporting the foundation’s work to increase the capacity of health and education-focused nonprofits in Weld County.
Continuing our commitment to financial education, Innovest hosted several webinars. Jared Martin and Rick Rodgers partnered with Dimensional Fund Advisors for an engaging discussion about Investment Management Rooted in Financial Science. In another session, Rick Rodgers and Tomas Jansson shared practical insights in “7 Common Mistakes Employers Make with 401(k) Plans.”