FAIRFIELD, IA – May 2, 2025 — Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. (“Cambridge”), a leading independent financial solutions firm serving more than 3,800 advisors nationwide, is proud to be a finalist in multiple categories in the 2025 InvestmentNews Awards. Cambridge is a finalist for both the Broker-Dealer of the Year and Employer of Choice awards, while Colleen Bell, President of Innovation and Experience, is a finalist for the DEI Trailblazer award. This year’s awards received a record number of entries, and finalists were selected based on their impact and contributions to the financial services industry. Winners will be chosen by an independent judging panel and announced during an InvestmentNews awards ceremony on June 24 in New York City.
Cambridge is up for two prominent organizational awards.3 The Broker-Dealer of the Year award is delivered annually to a firm that demonstrates excellence in areas such as employee value proposition, advisor service, recruitment strategies, innovation, and overall industry reputation. The Employer of Choice award recognizes a firm’s commitment to creating an inclusive workplace that empowers associates to build lasting careers in financial services.
Bell is up for the DEI Trailblazer award, which recognizes an individual for their impact on diversity in financial services. Bell joined Cambridge in 2006 following her experience as a securities examiner for the Securities and Exchange Commission. Today, she is part of the firm’s Office of the CEO and leads several of Cambridge’s service teams. Bell was a ThinkAdvisor ‘Luminaries With Heart’ honoree (2024)1 and received InvestmentNews’s ‘Allyship Champion of the Year’ award (2023)2. She is also an Executive Sponsor of Cambridge’s Commitment to Inclusion and Community of Women initiatives.
A complete list of finalists in all categories is available here.
About InvestmentNews
InvestmentNews is a leading source for news, analysis and information essential to the financial advisory community. Since 1998, the publication has educated, informed, and engaged financial advisors across the country using its weekly newspaper, website, newsletters, research, events, social media, videos and webcasts. InvestmentNews provides exclusive and up-to-the-minute news, as well as actionable intelligence, that empowers financial advisors to serve their clients and run their businesses more effectively.
About Cambridge
Cambridge is a financial solutions firm focused on serving independent financial professionals and their clients while preserving its internal control. Cambridge offers a broad range of choices for independent financial professionals regarding solutions for advice, growth, technology, and independence. Cambridge’s national reach includes: Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. – a large corporate RIA; and Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. – an independent broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, that is among the largest internally controlled independent broker-dealers in the country. Learn more at JoinCambridge.com.
Contact: Jeff Wulf, Senior Vice President, Cambridge: jeff.wulf@cir2.com or 800-777-6080
1 ThinkAdvisor LUMINARIES, Class of 2024. Honorees are chosen based on nominations. To learn about the award criteria, visit https://event.thinkadvisor.com/luminaries-awards/criteria.
2 The InvestmentNews Magazine Women to Watch awards recognize women in the industry who have demonstrated success, leadership, ability to effect change, and a willingness to help other female professionals and community service. Finalists and winners were chosen by an InvestmentNews selection committee.
3 InvestmentNews Awards Broker-Dealer/Custodian of the Year, Employer of Choice, and DEI Trailblazer 2025 Excellence Awardees (Finalists) can be nominated by any wealth management professional or organization and is determined by the InvestmentNews Awards team, who conduct research and draw on the knowledge and information gained through InvestmentNews. Excellence Awardees notified on April 10, 2025, and winners will be announced on June 24, 2025. For more information, please see https://investmentnewsawards.com/
Media & PR Contacts
Please contact Cambridge’s Public Relations Team at publicrelations@cir2.com for news media inquiries, executive speaking engagements, industry sponsorship opportunities, media planning, and community involvement.
Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and investment advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Both are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Cambridge Investment Group, Inc.
Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
1776 Pleasant Plain Road, Fairfield, IA 52556-8757
Business Development: 877.688.2369
Reception: 800.777.6080
