InvestmentNews recognized Lincoln Financial Network (LFN) leaders for their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Angela Ribuffo and Lawrence T. Smith were awarded the 'See It, Be It' role model award. This is the second year in a row that LFN leaders have been recognized.

Angela Ribuffo, CFP®, RICP®, ChFC®, CDFA®, CLTC®, and Lawrence T. Smith, CFP®, CRPC®, CRPS® have been recognized by InvestmentNews for their tireless efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the finance industry.

Individuals who have made an impact on the industry through their success, leadership, willingness to share their experiences, and contributions to the community are recognized with the InvestmentNews 'See It, Be It' role model award. Honorees were also judged on their dedication to inspiring others from diverse backgrounds to succeed in the financial services industry. This is the second year in a row that LFN leaders have been recognized for their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion have long been cornerstones of LFN’s culture and important components of our strategy to ensure that our network of financial professionals reflects the diversity of consumers in America,”

said Sam Hunter, head of LFN Multicultural Markets.

“We are thrilled that InvestmentNews has recognized both Angie and Lawrence and their commitment to promoting equity and inclusion and for developing the next generation of diverse leaders in our industry.”

Ribuffo is the president of Raion Financial Strategies LLC and a Lincoln Financial Securities registered representative. She is currently the chairman of the Board of Directors of LFN's WISE Group, whose members are committed to assisting LFN female financial professionals in the growth and development of their practices through strategic partnerships and mentoring opportunities.

The WISE Group also educates female clients on the importance of comprehensive financial planning so that they are better prepared to manage their finances. Ribuffo was also the national president of Women in Insurance and Financial Services (WIFS) from 2017 to 2018. She has received the WIFS Circle of Excellence award for nine consecutive years, and in March 2019, Ribuffo was named one of the 2018 Women to Watch by InvestmentNews and inducted into the Anchorage Athena Society.

Smith is the president of ELS Vision Wealth Management and a Lincoln Financial Advisors registered representative. He currently serves on the board of Lincoln's African American Financial Professional Network (AAFPN) and was instrumental in establishing this enterprise-wide initiative to better support the unique needs of African American financial professionals and clients.

The AAFPN is intended to support advisor development efforts, attract more Black financial professionals to the finance industry, and assist in the development of new strategies for serving multicultural clients. Smith's work has earned him the Rookie of the Year, Advisor of Now, and the 2019 and 2020 Five Star Professional Wealth Manager awards. He is the recipient of a Life Happens Foundation scholarship and was recently named to the Association of African American Financial Advisors' 50 Under 50 list.

Source: LFG newsroom