Dalal Salomon named one of Forbes | SHOOK Best-In-State Women Wealth Advisors for 2026

The tenth annual ranking of Forbes | SHOOK Best-In-State Women Wealth Advisors highlights more than 2,800 women across the country with proven track records, collectively managing nearly $4 trillion in assets. Forbes’ rankings were compiled by SHOOK Research, which uses a rigorous methodology combining quantitative and qualitative data, including interviews with candidates nominated by their firms.

“Recognition like this reflects far more than individual achievement. It’s a testament to the strength of our team and the trust our clients place in us every day. At S&L, success is always a shared effort, grounded in collaboration, care, and an unwavering commitment to our clients.”
— Dalal Salomon, Founding Partner

See the full list here.
 
 

Methodology

Forbes’ top advisor rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, are the only advisor rankings with a focus on quality, including interviewing advisors in-person, virtually and by telephone.

Unlike other advisor rankings, SHOOK is not a “robo-ranker.” Numbers such as production and assets don’t tell the whole story, especially when much of the data is self-reported. SHOOK Research creates rankings of role models—advisors that are leading the way in offering best practices and providing a high-quality experience for clients. A focus on both qualitative and quantitative factors is imperative.

How We Rank

The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors and Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative data, learned through surveys and interviews conducted by telephone, in-person and virtually to evaluate best practices, such as service models, investing models and compliance records as well as quantitative data, such as revenue trends and assets under management.

All advisors have a minimum of seven years’ experience. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.

Advisors can complete a survey for upcoming rankings here.

Research Summary For All SHOOK Advisors (as of February 2026)

We don’t want 300,000 nominations so we set high thresholds to minimize the quantity we receive:

• 51,403 nominations received, based on high thresholds (11,840 women)
• 28,837 invited to complete online survey
• 25,611 total telephone interviews
• 6,727 total in-person interviews at advisors’ location
• 1,553 total virtual interviews
• 33,891 total interviews

The SHOOK Process

SHOOK scours the financial services industry—banks, brokerages, custodians, insurance companies, clearing houses and others for nominations. SHOOK accepts advisors who meet pre-determined minimum thresholds and acceptable compliance records.

Basic Requirements For Top Women Wealth Advisors

• 7 years as an advisor
• Minimum 1 year at current firm, with exceptions such as acquisitions
• Advisor must be recommended, and nominated, by their firm
• Completion of an online survey
• Business that is conducted with individuals is evaluated
• Acceptable compliance record

Quantitative Metrics

• Weightings assigned for both revenue and production data
• Assets under management—and quality of those assets—both custodied and a scrutinized look at assets held away (although individual numbers are used for ranking purposes, we publish the entire team’s assets)
• Client-related data, such as retention
• Portfolio performance is not a factor (audited returns among advisors are rare, and differing client objectives provide varying returns)

Qualitative Metrics

• Telephone, virtual and in-person meetings with advisors (telephone interviews are required; if an in-person meeting cannot be accomplished, exceptions are considered in which the interview will occur after a ranking has been published)
• Compliance records and U4s: Some “dings” can be overlooked such as firm or product failure beyond the scope of an advisor’s due diligence. The older a ding, the less we look. Since there are many gray areas, the SHOOK team is willing to listen to a firm that is willing to stand behind the advisor with written support from leadership.
• SHOOK measures client “impact,” a proprietary indicator that measures difference advisors make in the lives of their clients.
• Advisors that provide a full client experience: service model; investing process; fee structure; breadth of services, including extensive use of firm’s platform and resources (e.g. liabilities); credentials (years of service can serve as proxy); use of team & team dynamics; community involvement; discussions with management, peers, competing peers; telephone, virtual, and in-person meetings
• Credentials (years of service can serve as proxy)
• Use of team and team dynamics
• Community involvement
• Discussions with management, peers, competing peers
• Telephone, virtual and in-person meetings

Ranking Algorithm

The algorithm is designed to fairly compare the business practices of a large group of advisors based on quantitative and qualitative elements. Data are weighted to ensure priorities are given to dynamics such as preferred “best practices,” business models, recent business activity, etc. Each variable is graded and represents a certain value for each measured component. These data are fed into an algorithm that measures thousands of advisors against each other.

Disclosures

Neither Salomon & Ludwin, nor any of the firm’s employees paid a fee to Barron’s in exchange for the rating.

Neither rankings nor recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that the client will experience a certain level of results if the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services.