2025 Elite Private Wealth CIOs Part 4

Kevin Grogan serves as chief investment officer of systematic strategies for Focus Partners, a platform that includes both Focus Partners Wealth and Focus Partners Advisor Solutions. He started at the firm in 2007. In addition to overseeing investment strategy and serving on the firm’s investment committee, he is deeply engaged in advisor and client collaboration, helping to demystify complex financial topics and support more informed decision-making. Grogan holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Missouri State University and an MBA from Saint Louis University. He is a CFA Institute-certified Chartered Financial Analyst and has his CFP Board Certified Financial Planner designation. Grogan has co-written three books with Larry Swedroe and has contributed to the Journal of Investing.

David Romhilt is a founding partner and chief investment officer of Summit Trail Advisors, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy and centralized advice team. With a focus on asset allocation and manager selection, he brings more than two decades of experience developing investment frameworks for high-net-worth clients across the private wealth industry. Before launching Summit Trail, Romhilt held senior investment roles at Barclays Wealth, where he served as global head of alternatives, chief investment officer of Barclays Wealth Trustees, and head of manager due diligence. Prior to his tenure at Barclays, he held similar leadership roles at Lehman Brothers and Neuberger Berman Trust Co., where he helped establish an open architecture wealth management platform and built investment processes for trust clients with more than $1.5bn in assets. He began his career at Cambridge Associates, supporting investment strategy and manager research for prominent endowments and foundations. Romhilt holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics and history from Wake Forest University and is a CFA charterholder. He is also a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts.

John Apruzzese is chief investment officer and partner at Evercore Wealth Management, where he leads the firm’s market outlook and asset allocation strategy. With more than three decades of experience managing portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and endowments, he brings deep expertise in investment policy and long-term strategic planning. Apruzzese joined Evercore in 2008 after a 24-year tenure at U.S. Trust, where he managed $2bn in assets for some of the firm’s most prominent clients. He also held key leadership roles, including chief investment officer of U.S. Trust of New York, head of equity investments, and chair of the equity investment committee. For over 15 years, he played an integral role on the firm’s Investment Strategy Committee, shaping overall asset allocation and market positioning. Earlier in his career, Apruzzese worked on federal budget issues as a staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. He earned a B.A. from Bucknell University and an MBA from New York University. He is a CFA charterholder and previously served on the board of the New York Society of Security Analysts (now the CFA Society New York).

Jim Worden serves as chief investment officer at the Wealth Consulting Group, bringing more than two decades of experience across portfolio management, investment strategy development, and platform oversight. His career spans advising clients directly, building advisory platforms, and managing mutual funds. Worden has designed a range of investment models, from fundamental and risk-based approaches to quantitative and technical strategies, incorporating mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and alternative assets. He has led efforts in both active and passive management, implemented core-satellite frameworks, and developed single and multi-factor strategies tailored to diverse client needs. Before joining the Wealth Consulting Group, Worden played a key role in portfolio management, research, and due diligence at Allworth Financial, where he supported $4bn in managed assets. Worden holds the Chartered Financial Analyst, Chartered Market Technician, and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations. He earned a Bachelor of Science in international business management from Brigham Young University–Hawaii.

Sandip Bhagat serves as chief investment officer at Whittier Trust Co., where he leads firmwide investment policy and strategy. With more than 25 years of experience in global investment management, Bhagat brings a deep understanding of equity markets, asset allocation, and multi-asset investment solutions. Prior to joining Whittier, Bhagat held senior roles at several major institutions. At the Vanguard Group Inc., he oversaw all active and passive equity strategies, as well as alternative investment platforms. Earlier in his career, he served as managing director at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, leading global asset allocation and systematic strategies. He began his investment career at Travelers investment management division, where he ultimately became CIO before continuing in senior roles at Citigroup Asset Management during a period of organizational transition. Bhagat earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Bombay, as well as a master’s degree in chemical engineering and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. He is a CFA charterholder.

Cameron Dawson serves as chief investment officer at NewEdge Wealth, where she drives the firm’s investment strategy, macroeconomic outlook, and thematic research. She collaborates with advisors and clients to help shape investment positioning grounded in the firm’s broader market and economic views. Dawson brings a strong foundation in macroeconomic analysis and equity research, with prior roles as Chief Market Strategist at Fieldpoint Private Securities and Senior Equity Analyst at Bank of America. Known for her dynamic and thoughtful market commentary, she is a frequent guest on financial media and a recognized voice in the investment community. Dawson is a former board member of the CFA Society of Orlando and holds both her undergraduate and MBA degrees from Rollins College.

Michael Serio serves as chief investment officer at Trilogy Financial, where he brings more than 25 years of experience shaping investment strategy and enhancing portfolio solutions. In his role, Serio helps steer the firm’s investment philosophy, collaborates closely with advisors to support client outcomes, and provides insight into macroeconomic trends and market dynamics. He also oversees investment due diligence and manages relationships with key third-party research partners. Before joining Trilogy, Serio held executive leadership roles at several prominent financial institutions. He served as Chief Investment Strategist at Ashton Thomas Private Wealth and was previously Regional Chief Investment Officer at Wells Fargo Private Bank, supporting advisor teams overseeing more than $49bn in client assets. Earlier in his career, Serio worked at JP Morgan and Citigroup, managing portfolios for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutions. He was also a founding partner of Wolf Creek Energy Partners, a firm focused on financing non-operating interests in the energy sector. Serio holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®) designations. He has taught CFA review courses for over a decade and served as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver and DePaul University.

Keith Cardoza brings decades of institutional and private wealth investment experience to his role as Chief Investment Officer at Brownson, Rehmus & Foxworth, where he has led the firm’s asset allocation and manager selection efforts since 2008. Drawing on a foundation built in the public and corporate pension world, Cardoza applies a rigorous, research-driven framework to guide investment strategy for high-net-worth families and nonprofit clients. Before joining the firm, Cardoza was responsible for managing the Illinois State Board of Investment’s $6bn equity portfolio. He later served at Boeing, where he chaired the Investment Strategy and Asset Allocation Committee overseeing $41bn in assets. His career has also included contributions to financial innovation, where he is credited with co-developing the first patented stock index grounded in intellectual property metrics. Cardoza holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®). A committed civic leader, he currently serves as President and CEO of the Malta Human Services Foundation and sits on the Smithsonian Institution’s Capital Campaign Leadership Committee. His past board roles include leadership positions with the Economic Club of Chicago, the Joffrey Ballet, and Steppenwolf Theatre.