FAIRFIELD, IA – September 21, 2026 — Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. (“Cambridge”), a leading independent financial solutions firm, is pleased to announce that financial advisor Ben French received the Catalyst Award at the 2026 Invest in Others Awards Gala, held September 17 in Boston, Massachusetts. As the award recipient, French received a $75,000 grant to support his chosen charitable organization, Shepherd’s Way.

The awards recognize financial advisors making a positive impact in their communities through charitable work. Three finalists in each category were selected by a panel of industry judges based on the depth of their involvement, the results of their contributions, and the lasting difference they have made through their charitable efforts.

French is a financial advisor with CoreNorth Capital Planning in Wichita, Kansas, and president and founder of Shepherd’s Way. The nonprofit provides housing and holistic life coaching for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them develop practical skills and lead full, meaningful lives.

French’s work with Shepherd’s Way began in 2015, when he met a young man with an intellectual disability who needed stable housing and support. What began as an effort to help one person grew into an organization dedicated to creating greater independence, connection, and opportunity for adults with disabilities.

Through its peer-mentor model, Shepherd’s Way pairs adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities with trained mentors who support them in developing the skills needed to flourish. The organization has served more than 100 individuals across Kansas and Texas, and French has helped raise more than $2 million to advance its mission.

Learn more about French’s work and the growth of Shepherd’s Way in his Invest in Others finalist profile.

French was one of two advisors associated with Cambridge selected as a finalist in this year’s awards. Michael Brady, founder and financial advisor with Generosity Wealth Management, was a finalist for the Volunteer of the Year Award for his work with Frontier Horizon. Nine additional Cambridge-affiliated advisors received Honorable Mention recognition.

Invest in Others awarded a total of $800,000 to benefit the charitable organizations represented by this year’s finalists and Honorable Mentions. Learn more about the 2026 awards in the Invest in Others press release.

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 Invest in Others

The inspiration for the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation came directly from financial advisors who invest in others by giving back to their communities with overwhelming generosity and dedication. Since its founding in 2006, Invest in Others has amplified these efforts by providing a platform for advisors and other financial professionals to increase awareness, visibility, and funding to their favorite nonprofits. For more information, visit investinothers.org.

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

2026 Invest in Others Catalyst Award recognizes an advisor who has been an active stimulus for positive change and displayed entrepreneurial vision and leadership to a nonprofit organization for at least 3 years. Recipients announced September 17, 2026.