Waddell & Associates

12/12/2025

It’s our 40th birthday! Founded on December 12, 1985 by Duke and Clara Waddell, W&A has spent four decades championing an investment approach rooted in comprehensive financial and life planning—supporting clients as they navigate and celebrate life’s milestones, big and small.

We’re planning a year-long celebration of our own for 2026—of our history, our team, and our community. Today, we’re proud to unveil our commemorative 40th anniversary logo!

Thank you for being part of our story.



*Waddell & Associates became a Focus Financial firm in 2016

11/18/2025

We honor the life and legacy of Phyllis R. Scruggs, who set standards that were instrumental in shaping our early approach to financial planning. Her leadership helped lay the groundwork for the way we serve clients today.

With her MBA, CFA®, and CFP® credentials, Phyllis helped advance W&A’s approach to wealth management—championing comprehensive planning, continuous communication, and an unwavering dedication to understanding each client’s goals and story.

Her influence reached far beyond our walls. Phyllis shaped industry standards, guided clients through life’s biggest moments, and championed the culture of integrity and service that still defines W&A.

In her final interview with Authority Magazine, Phyllis reflected on the lessons that shaped her remarkable career and the legacy she hoped to leave behind. She believed in blending technical rigor with deep empathy, in holding your ground with confidence, and in working hard at the start so you can build a sustainable, meaningful career. She also spoke powerfully about mentorship, work-life balance, and the importance of authenticity.

We invite you to read her insights here:

Authority Magazine: https://hubs.la/Q03TSlZt0

CEO David Waddell’s Letter to Phyllis: https://hubs.la/Q03TSfP80

Her wisdom and spirit will forever remain at the heart of our firm.

10/15/2025

We’re proud to celebrate two incredible team members from the W&A family!

Patricia Reeves has been recognized by the Memphis Business Journal for her promotion to Chief Administrative Officer & Chief Compliance Officer, and Nicole Bean has been featured in the Nashville Business Journal for her promotion to Marketing Manager.

Their leadership, hard work, and dedication continue to shape the future of Waddell & Associates — and we couldn’t be more excited to see their impact recognized.

Congratulations, Patricia and Nicole!

10/10/2025

W&A is proud to sponsor , a women's empowerment event hosted by Jill Herman, where women all over the country will come together to connect and get inspired, with the goal of leaving inhibitions behind.

We believe financial confidence is a key part of empowerment. When W&A opened its doors in 1985, Registered Representative reported that women made up only about 13% of financial advisors/brokers in the industry. According to Investment News, that number has only grown roughly 11% since. Today, our own roster of CFP® professionals is 44% women, a statistic we strive to keep high by investing in financial education.

We're honored by the opportunity to support an event that encourages women to empower themselves—financially and beyond.

Waddell & Associates is an SEC-registered investment adviser. This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

10/09/2025

We’re excited to share that W&A has been named one of Forbes/SHOOK’s Top RIA Firms in America for 2025!

This recognition is a testament to the trust of our clients and the dedication of our incredible team.

Source: Forbes/SHOOK Top RIA Firms 2025, published October 2025.

W&A did not pay to participate or be considered for this ranking. W&A was independently selected by Forbes/SHOOK as one of the Top RIA Firms in America for 2025. The ranking is based on quantitative and qualitative data; no compensation was provided for inclusion.

10/06/2025

W&A has been named a 2025 Best Place to Work by the Memphis Business Journal!

From day one, we’ve worked to create a culture where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow. This recognition reflects the strength of our team and the care we bring to our clients and each other every day.

Thank you to everyone who helps make W&A a truly great place to work.

Read more about what makes W&A a Best Place to Work: https://hubs.la/Q03Mptlt0



The “Best Places to Work” recognition is awarded by the Memphis Business Journal based on employee survey feedback and workplace culture metrics. This honor is not related to investment performance.

09/23/2025

Common: Waiting for the “right time” to discuss wealth transition with the next generation.

Result: Family conflict, strained relationships, and wealth becoming a source of division.

Strategic approach: Facilitate transparent discussions while everyone's healthy and thinking clearly.

Result: Aligned families who strengthen bonds while building lasting legacies.

In a recent article, W&A wealth strategist Shelly Baker explains what we’ve seen play out for families and how we guide clients through these complex dynamics: https://wealthstrategists.com/2025/08/13/navigating-family-wealth-management-how-to-align-values-expectations-responsibilities/



This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or investment advice. Opinions are those of the author and may change. Waddell & Associates is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please consult your professional advisors before making financial decisions.

09/15/2025

Why do three generations in the same family seem to speak completely different "money languages"?

It's not about right or wrong perspectives.

The grandparent who lived through economic uncertainty has fundamentally different values than their grandchild who's never experienced a major market downturn.

A key insight from wealth strategist Shelly Baker: Start with the "why" behind each generation's approach to money. Understanding drives alignment.

Read more from Shelly here: https://wealthstrategists.com/2025/08/13/navigating-family-wealth-management-how-to-align-values-expectations-responsibilities/

Ultimately, when families grasp where each generation comes from, they can move from speaking different “languages” to having aligned conversations about their shared future.



This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or investment advice. Opinions are those of the author and may change. Waddell & Associates is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please consult your professional advisors before making financial decisions.

08/15/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Wealth Strategist, Robby J. Graham, CPA, CFP®!

We’re thrilled to share that Robby has been named to the Forbes Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors list for 2025.

This recognition highlights Robby’s dedication to helping clients achieve their financial goals through thoughtful strategies, personalized advice, and a commitment to excellence.

We’re proud to have Robby on the W&A team, striving to make a lasting impact for our clients and community.

📄 Learn more about the list here:
https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-next-gen-advisors/

Forbes Next‑Gen Wealth Advisor Best‑in‑State 2025 recognition, developed by SHOOK Research in collaboration with Forbes (data as of March 31, 2025), highlights financial advisors born in approximately 1985 or later—typically under age 40—with a minimum of four years of experience. Finalists are first nominated by their firms, then assessed via in‑person, virtual, and telephone due‑diligence meetings. An objective, algorithm‑based evaluation considers both qualitative factors—such as client impact, industry experience, professional credentials, best practices, and compliance records—and quantitative factors like assets under management and revenue generated. Investment performance is not evaluated due to variance in client goals and lack of audited data. SHOOK Research independently conducts the analysis; neither Forbes nor SHOOK receives compensation for inclusion. Past recognition is not an assurance of future outcomes; results may vary and are not indicative of any particular client’s experience.

08/14/2025

Shelly Baker, CFP®, CTFA recently worked with five sisters who inherited significant wealth after their parents passed within three months of each other. What should have been a time of grieving became months of contentious family meetings.

The issue wasn't the money itself.

It was that the parents had never explained their estate structure or the values behind their decisions. One sister felt betrayed discovering a separate trust for the grandchildren, while she had no children of her own.

The parents meant well, but without open conversations, their thoughtful planning felt like favoritism.

Here's what we've discovered:

Families that navigate multi-generational wealth transfer most successfully prioritize ongoing communication. When family members understand the "why" behind decisions, wealth becomes a tool for opportunity rather than conflict.

Read more here: https://wealthstrategists.com/2025/08/13/navigating-family-wealth-management-how-to-align-values-expectations-responsibilities/

Or, visit our website to learn how W&A helps families navigate both the technical and emotional complexities of wealth: https://wealthstrategists.com/



This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or investment advice. Opinions are those of the author and may change. Waddell & Associates is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please consult your professional advisors before making financial decisions.

Waddell & Associates was established in 1986 with a clear vision: to address what we believed was a critical shortcoming in the wealth services industry.

07/31/2025

📣 The 2025 Halftime Report with David Waddell is almost here!

⏰ Today at 10 AM CT
📍 Live on Zoom
🔗 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4017504468654/WN_kSCHrF7AQkyzqvPdbUydqg

Join Waddell & Associates’ CEO and Chief Investment Strategist, David Waddell, as he unpacks:
✅ Key market moves so far
✅ Big-picture economic and political shifts
✅ What to expect in the second half of 2025

🎯 You don’t want to miss this — tag a friend or colleague who should tune in too!