Invest in Others Charitable Foundation and InvestmentNews Honor Financial Advisors for Community Service at Fifth Annual Community Leadership Awards

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Invest in Others Charitable Foundation and InvestmentNews hosted the fifth annual Community Leadership Awards on September 14, 2011, at Cipriani, 42nd Street in New York City. Financial advisors from across the industry were recognized during this event for their leadership and commitment to making a positive impact on their communities.

"Invest in Others is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of financial advisors from across our industry who have given of themselves to help others," said Kandis Bates, president, Invest in Others Charitable Foundation. "Their stories of hope and determination exemplify the spirit of Invest in Others and the power of a single individual to make a profound and lasting difference in the lives of others."

"After reviewing hundreds of nominations from financial advisors who give generously of their time, talents, and resources, selecting a handful of finalists was more difficult than ever," said Suzanne Siracuse, VP/Publisher of InvestmentNews and a director of the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation. "Our judges were inspired and humbled by the difference these financial advisors make each and every day in their communities. This year's finalists truly represent what is best about the financial services industry."

Awards were presented in the following five categories: Community Service, Global Community Impact, Mentoring Excellence, Volunteer Team and Volunteer of the Year. The Invest in Others Charitable Foundation presented a donation of $20,000 to each category honoree's charity and a $5,000 donation to all category finalists' charities. The category honorees include:

• For Community Service: Michael Curran of Raleigh, North Carolina, Senior Vice President at CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, affiliated with CapFinancial Partners LLC was honored for his work with Triangle Aquatic Center.
• For Global Community Impact: David Polstra of Atlanta, Georgia, Partner and Wealth Advisor at Brightworth, affiliated with Charles Schwab Advisor Services was honored for his service to Medical Missions Ministries.
• For Mentoring Excellence: David Benning of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial was honored for his service to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities.
• For Volunteer Team: Barry Engelman of Los Angeles, California, Private Wealth Advisor at Ameriprise Financial was honored for his team's support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Southern California and Nevada Chapter.
• For Volunteer of the Year: Germaine Broussard of McLean, Virginia, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney was honored for her work with TroopTreats.com.

Jeff Henderson, award-winning chef, bestselling author and popular public speaker, served as the event's keynoter. Jeff is host of the Food Network's The Chef Jeff Project, where he commits to turning around the lives of at-risk young adults by introducing them to the culinary world and equipping them with knowledge, skill and opportunity.

The Community Leadership Awards accepted hundreds of nominations for financial advisors from over 100 different broker/dealers and custodians. The organizations benefiting from the involvement of dedicated financial advisors represent a broad range of important humanitarian causes, including education, housing, medical research, after-school programs, violence prevention and many more.

Following this year's awards dinner, Invest in Others honorees and finalists visited the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City's Time Square this morning, Thursday, September 15. In honor of the occasion, Robert Moore, Chairman of Invest in Others, and Ms. Bates, rang the Opening Bell.

About the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation
Established in 2006, the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charity founded with the mission of encouraging and supporting the philanthropic and volunteer activities of financial advisors in their local communities.  The Invest in Others mission is achieved through a community-based approach to philanthropy that seeks to strengthen neighborhoods from within by empowering those who are committed to serving others in their professional and personal lives. As mentors, volunteers, fundraisers and leaders, financial advisors lend their unique skills and perspectives to the challenges and opportunities facing their neighbors. Invest in Others is proud to support and promote these efforts to better our world one community at a time. For more information, visit www.investinothers.org.

About InvestmentNews
Published by Crain Communications Inc, InvestmentNews (www.investmentnews.com) covers developments that affect the business of financial advisers, including news of industry trends and competition, legislation, people, products, suppliers and technology. It also covers the economy, retirement issues, taxes, estate planning and investments including mutual funds, equities, bonds, alternatives and real estate.  

Media Contacts:
Invest in Others Charitable Foundation
Kekst and Company
Michael Herley
(212) 521-4800
[email protected]

InvestmentNews
Diana Cheruvil, Marketing and Events Manager
(212) 210-0184
[email protected]

SOURCE Invest in Others Charitable Foundation