Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG), a privately held independent wealth management provider, announced today that Elite Advisor Kathy Keadle has been ranked No. 19 in Georgia on the 2026 Forbes | SHOOK Best-In-State Top Women Advisors list.
The annual ranking recognizes top-performing women advisors across the country who demonstrate excellence in client service, long-term planning, and disciplined wealth management. Keadle’s placement among Georgia’s leading advisors reflects her commitment to helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with confidence and clarity.
“Kathy’s ranking is a powerful recognition of her leadership, expertise, and dedication to her clients,” said David Fischer, Co-Founder and CMO of Independent Financial Group. “In a profession where women have historically been underrepresented at the highest levels, her success reflects both her individual excellence and the growing impact of women advisors who are shaping the future of wealth management.”
Keadle has been affiliated with IFG for more than 10 years and has held Elite Advisor status since joining the firm. She is a Retirement and Financial Educator with Keystone Financial Services and holds the Certified Financial Educator® (CFEd®) designation.
“This recognition is incredibly meaningful because the work we do is centered on people, not numbers,” said Keadle. “Helping families understand their financial benefits and guiding them toward a secure retirement has always been my passion. Over time, many of our clients become like family, and being part of their journey is what makes this work so rewarding.”
About Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State
The Forbes | SHOOK Best-In-State Women Wealth Advisors ranking recognizes top-performing women advisors across the United States who demonstrate excellence in client service, long-term planning, and disciplined wealth management. The 2026 ranking highlights more than 2,800 women who collectively manage nearly $4 trillion in client assets.
Rankings are compiled by SHOOK Research using a rigorous methodology that combines quantitative metrics and qualitative insights, including in-depth interviews with firm-nominated candidates. The list aims to celebrate the achievements of women advisors and their growing impact on the wealth management industry.
About Kathy Keadle
Kathy Keadle is a Retirement and Financial Educator with Keystone Financial Services and has worked in the financial services industry since 1997, when she began her career as a personal banker with Wells Fargo. She specializes in helping employees understand and maximize their workplace benefits, particularly retirement plans such as 401(k)s, to support long-term financial security.
Keadle focuses on serving everyday families who are often overlooked by traditional wealth management models. Through her work with employee communities across the Southeast, she has built long-standing relationships with clients and guides them through key financial milestones including retirement planning, family changes, and long-term wealth strategies.
About Independent Financial Group
Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG) is a privately held independent wealth management provider based in San Diego, California. Founded in 2003, IFG supports more than 600 independent financial professionals in over 400 offices nationwide with a comprehensive suite of business solutions. IFG has been widely recognized as a leading independent broker-dealer. In 2025, Financial Advisor Magazine listed IFG as the 15th largest national independent broker-dealer and #2 for privately held broker-dealers based on gross revenue. Financial Planning Magazine ranked IFG 1st for women as a percentage of producing representatives in 2025 and 7th for financial advisor payout in 2024. InvestmentNews ranked the firm in the top 10 for payout and account assets in 2024. IFG is an eight-time winner of the Inc. 5000 list of "Fastest Growing Private Companies in the US" and the San Diego Business Journal ranked IFG #7 among the Largest Private Companies in San Diego in 2022 and 2023.