Press Releases
SHOOK Research Founders R.J. and Liz Shook to Step Away from the Firm to Focus on Philanthropy
Molly Bennard Named CEO to Lead the Firm’s Next Chapter
BOCA RATON, Fla. June 17, 2026 - SHOOK Research, the industry’s trusted standard for financial advisor quality and integrity, today announced that founders R.J. and Liz Shook are stepping away from the firm to devote more of their time and energy to philanthropic causes that have long been important to them. Molly Bennard will lead SHOOK going forward as its CEO, carrying on the Shooks’ commitment to holding advisors to the highest standards of quality and integrity.
The Shooks founded SHOOK Research on the belief that financial advisors deserved to be evaluated on merit and that investors deserved to know who the best ones were. Over the course of their careers, the Shooks became one of the most significant contributors to elevating standards across the industry, developing a methodology built on qualitative and quantitative research, in-person interviews, and an uncompromising commitment to independence that redefined how advisors are recognized and how excellence is measured in wealth management.
Under their leadership, SHOOK became the most trusted name in financial advisor rankings, producing the Forbes | SHOOK rankings that have become the benchmark for excellence across the industry. Their work didn't just build a company. It shaped the profession.
“From the beginning, our goal was to create higher standards for the profession—ones that recognized not only success, but integrity, excellence, and the positive impact advisors have on the lives of families,” said R.J. Shook. “We’re proud of what SHOOK has become and the role it has played in advancing those standards across the industry. As Liz and I increase our focus on philanthropy and causes that have long been meaningful to us, we do so with tremendous confidence in Molly and the entire SHOOK team. They are exceptionally well positioned to carry the mission forward and build on the foundation we’ve created.”
“For us, SHOOK has always been about recognizing people who make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Liz Shook. “That belief extends well beyond our work in wealth management. We’re excited to devote more of our time to our philanthropic passions, while watching SHOOK continue to thrive under Molly’s leadership.”
Beyond the rankings, R.J. and Liz were driven by the belief that purpose-driven advisors change lives and that they deserve to be recognized for it. That conviction is the foundation SHOOK was built on, and it remains the standard the firm holds itself to today.
“R.J. is a true pioneer,” said Molly Bennard, CEO of SHOOK Research. “What he built – the rigor, the independence, the standard – changed this industry in a real and lasting way. We're grateful for everything he created, and I’m proud to carry it forward.”
SHOOK has strengthened its leadership team in recent months as it plans its next phase of growth, appointing Bennard as President and now CEO, along with Blake Eggemeyer as Chief Marketing Officer and Josh Opp as Vice President of Accounting & Finance. Frank Berland remains Managing Partner and is committed to supporting the company’s key relationships.
Today, SHOOK remains focused on its core mission: delivering rigorous, independent research that recognizes excellence and advances standards across wealth management. The company will continue to build on this foundation by deepening its research platform, expanding its events and content offerings, and increasing its reach across the advisor community.
“Our responsibility now is to build on that foundation,” Bennard added. “We are focused on expanding the platform, deepening and expanding our relationships across the industry, and continuing to deliver the quality and integrity that define SHOOK.”
About SHOOK® Research
SHOOK Research represents the industry standard for advisor quality and integrity and is the independent research organization responsible for conducting the annual rankings of the Top Wealth Advisors, Teams, Women, Next Gen, RIAs and Financial Services Professionals, published in partnership with Forbes.
The Forbes | SHOOK rankings are the only ones rooted in rigorous, in-person and telephone due diligence. SHOOK meets every eligible advisor face-to-face, assessing them on both quantitative performance and the qualitative integrity that numbers alone can't capture.
Founded by R.J. and Liz Shook, the firm's mission is to promote the value of financial advice by raising professional standards and facilitating the exchange of best practices within the wealth management industry. Through its rankings, research, and industry events, SHOOK brings together leading financial advisors nationwide to share insights and elevate standards.
For more information, visit www.shookresearch.com.
Media Contact
Ray Hennessey
VOCATUS
rh@vocatusllc.com
