Forbes 2026 Best-In-State Top Financial Security Professionals List

Edited by Sofia Chierchio and SHOOK ResearchJuly 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM

The Highlights

Joyce Yoo

Firm: Wisely Financial Strategies
Location: Chicago, IL
Total Value of Policies: $541 million

“In the Bay Area all they care about is if you're smarter than them [in finance]... And I thought, ‘If this is the game, then I can play this game easily.’”

Reva Azeez

Firm: ROA Partners
Location: Houston, TX
Total Value of Policies: $1.2 billion

“I make sure that whatever I say, a grandmother and an elementary school kid can both understand.”

The Forbes | SHOOK® Top Financial Security Professionals and Best-in-State Financial Security Professionals rankings are the product of SHOOK Research, LLC's independent research and due diligence and its proprietary ranking methodology. The rankings are published and distributed by Forbes. Data as of December 31, 2025. Published by Forbes (July 2026). SHOOK Research's proprietary methodology and ranking algorithm incorporates in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each professional across criteria such as client impact, industry experience, client retention, review of best practices, credentials, compliance records, and firm nominations, as well as quantitative factors including assets under management, sales figures, and revenue generated for their firms. Financial Security Professional ("FSP") refers to those professionals who are properly licensed to sell life insurance and annuities. FSPs may also hold other credentials and licenses which would allow them to offer investments and securities products through those licenses. Investment performance is not a criterion, as client objectives and risk tolerances vary and these professionals rarely have audited performance reports. SHOOK Research's rankings are intended to help investors identify and evaluate financial services professionals and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The rankings are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation or endorsement to hire any specific financial services professional. SHOOK Research does not assume any liability for actions taken based on the rankings. Neither SHOOK Research nor Forbes receives compensation in exchange for placement on the rankings. For a full description of SHOOK Research's methodology, please visit www.SHOOKresearch.com. SHOOK® is a registered trademark of SHOOK Research, LLC.

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Methodology: 2026 Forbes | SHOOK Top Financial Security Professionals

The annual Forbes | SHOOK ranking of Top Financial Security Professionals (FSPs) identifies those professionals who specialize in life insurance and annuities and whom families rely on for wealth planning and protection. Extensive research is conducted by SHOOK Research.

Molly Bennard

This $541 Million Chicago Advisor Turned Her Reception Desk Job Into A Thriving 17-Year-Old Business

New York Life representative Joyce Yoo says being outside her comfort zone has propelled her to be ultra-prepared and thus more successful. She never set out to become a financial advisor.

Sofia Chierchio

This $1.2 Billion Houston Advisor Started At An Italian Restaurant

Chinese immigrant Reva Azeez says financial planning is like building a house from the ground up. With almost 20 years of experience, she says roofing is now the primary focus of most of her clients.

Sofia Chierchio