Kestra Holdings Companies and Leaders Named Finalists in 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards

We're excited to share that Bluespring Wealth (Bluespring), Kestra Financial (Kestra), and Kestra Investment Management (KIM), all subsidiaries of Kestra Holdings, have been named finalists for the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards, a program that honors individuals and organizations driving innovation, leadership, and progress across the wealth management industry.

• M&A Leader of the Year: Pradeep Jayaraman (Bluespring Wealth)
• Public Relations Campaigns: Kestra Financial and Bluespring Wealth for Succession Misalignment Between G1 and G2 Advisors
• Thought Leadership and Education: Kara Murphy (Kestra Investment Management)

This recognition underscores our ongoing commitment to powering financial success for advisors and their clients.

Pradeep Jayaraman Named Finalist for M&A Leader of the Year

Pradeep Jayaraman, President of Bluespring Wealth, has been named a finalist for M&A Leader of the Year, recognizing his leadership and thoughtful approach to growth through partnership.

Under Pradeep's leadership, Bluespring has focused on building meaningful relationships with high-quality wealth management firms that share a commitment to serving clients and preserving their unique cultures. His philosophy centers on creating long-term value for partner firms while helping advisors continue to grow and thrive.

"Over the years, I've learned that successful M&A isn't measured solely by transactions," said Jayaraman. "What I'm most proud of is the quality of the firms we've partnered with and the opportunity Bluespring has to help them continue to grow."

This recognition highlights the collaborative effort behind Bluespring's continued success and the team's commitment to helping advisory firms navigate growth, succession, and long-term business planning.

G1/G2 Succession Research Campaign Earns Public Relations Recognition

Kestra Financial and Bluespring Wealth were also named finalists in the Public Relations Campaigns category for their succession research study, Succession Misalignment Between G1 and G2 Advisors.

The research explored how the next generation of financial advisors views leadership, ownership, succession planning, and the future of the profession. By examining perspectives from both founding advisors and emerging leaders, the study shed light on one of the industry's most pressing challenges: establishing a succession plan that ensures continuity of client service and longevity of the business.

The resulting campaign helped spark important conversations around succession planning and business continuity while providing advisors with practical insights to help them prepare for the future. Through research-driven thought leadership, media outreach, and educational content, the campaign elevated awareness around the opportunities and challenges facing advisory firms as they navigate generational transitions.

Kara Murphy Recognized for Thought Leadership and Education

As President and Chief Investment Officer of Kestra Investment Management (KIM), Kara Murphy has established herself as a top voice on markets, investing, and economic trends. As CIO, Murphy oversees approximately $5 billion in assets under management while providing timely, actionable insights that help advisors navigate increasingly complex market environments.

Through a robust cadence of market insights and educational content, Kara delivers valuable perspective to more than 1,400 financial advisors across the Kestra ecosystem. Each week, she shares timely analysis through Markets in a Minute and Money with Murphy, helping advisors stay informed on market developments and economic trends. Beyond her weekly commentary, Kara and the KIM team provide a weekly newsletter, monthly webinars on timely market topics, and comprehensive monthly and quarterly market outlooks. Her ability to translate complex market developments into practical guidance has made her a trusted resource not only within the Kestra ecosystem, but across the broader industry.

Kara's expertise is regularly sought by national media outlets, including Bloomberg and CNBC, where she shares her expert insights on markets, economic conditions, and investment strategy. Her recognition as a finalist reflects not only her personal expertise, but also KIM's commitment to equipping advisors with the knowledge and investment solutions they need to serve clients with confidence.

A Shared Commitment to Industry Advancement

While each finalist recognition reflects a unique achievement, together they represent a common theme across the Kestra Holdings ecosystem: a commitment to excellence across all aspects within the wealth management industry.

Whether through market education, strategic business growth, or research-driven leadership, our teams remain focused on delivering meaningful value to advisors and helping them build stronger businesses for the future.

We are honored to see these efforts recognized by ThinkAdvisor and congratulate Kara Murphy, Pradeep Jayaraman, and the teams at Kestra Investment Management, Bluespring Wealth, and Kestra Financial on this outstanding achievement.

Winners of the 2026 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards will be announced later this year.