FAIRFIELD, IA – November 8, 2023 — Cambridge, a leading independent financial solutions firm serving over 3,800 financial professionals across the country, congratulates Colleen Bell, President of Innovation and Experience, for winning the 2023 InvestmentNews Women to Watch ‘Allyship Champion of the Year’ award. One of nine finalists, Bell received the award at the publication’s annual Women to Watch ceremony in New York City on November 7.

“I’m honored to receive such an incredible award,” Bell said. “My career has been shaped by so many wonderful mentors and leaders, and I’ve always tried to pay it forward by empowering others in this industry to succeed. It was an honor to be named a finalist alongside eight other women who are making a tremendous positive impact in our industry, and I’m thrilled to be recognized with the award. I remain committed to building an inclusive and supportive environment for all, both at Cambridge and in our industry as a whole.”

Bell joined Cambridge in 2006 following her experience as a securities examiner and auditor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and is now a member of the firm’s ‘Office of the CEO’ and Board of Directors. As President of Innovation and Experience at Cambridge, her focus is on driving associate engagement and advisor satisfaction while advancing and discovering new ways to meet ongoing needs.

Bell is also an Executive Sponsor of Cambridge’s Community of Women, and previously served on the Women in Financial Services (WIFS) Board of Directors, an organization with which she remains an active member today. Early in her career, Bell created and hosted the ‘Empower Hour’, a weekly lunch where women at Cambridge gathered to spend time networking, bonding, and discussing opportunities for growth. As the host of these sessions, she was able to routinely share her knowledge with other women and help them advance in their careers.

Now in its eighth year, the Women to Watch awards program honors women around the financial services industry who are making an impact on their firm, their communities, and the profession as a whole. The ‘Allyship Champion of the Year’ is one of five award categories and was open to individuals of all identities who have supported and empowered women to fulfill their potential and achieve excellence in the workplace. Nine finalists were named and profiled by InvestmentNews prior to the ceremony, and all Women to Watch winners were selected by an independent judging panel.

A complete list of Women to Watch winners can be found here. More information about the award process can be found here.

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.

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.

Contact: Jeff Wulf, Senior Vice President, Cambridge: jeff.wulf@cir2.com or 800-777-6080

¹Cambridge and its predecessor broker-dealer