Omaha, Neb. – Sept. 29, 2026 – Carson Group, a leading wealth advisory firm with over $65 billion* in assets under management (AUM), today announced that Wealth Advisors Nikki Lude, CFP®, ChFC®, CAP®, BFA®, and Ciara Stewart, CFP®, have joined Carson’s independent advisor channel to launch Heritage Financial & Investment Services. The women-led team serves approximately $120 million and joins Carson from Commonwealth Financial Services.
Heritage Financial & Investment Services builds on the team’s legacy name, reflecting a new chapter grounded in its founders’ community relationships, disciplined planning and a commitment to serving families in southeastern Ohio. The firm’s client base includes retirees, pre-retirees, small business owners and women navigating major life transitions.
“Carson’s independent advisor model is designed to give advisors the flexibility, choice and support to build the business that is right for their clients, their team and their long-term vision,” said Gregg Johnson, National Sales Director for Carson Group. “For Nikki and Ciara, that means preserving their local identity and independent decision-making while accessing a broader solutions platform. We are proud to welcome this team to Carson and support them as they launch their next chapter.”
In choosing a partner, Lude and Stewart prioritized culture, flexibility and the ability to expand the client experience without compromising their independence. The team was drawn to Carson’s welcoming and transparent approach, as well as the firm’s ability to provide investment flexibility, back-office support, tax planning resources and technology designed to help advisors spend more time serving clients.
“We chose Carson because the people made us feel at home,” said Lude. “From the beginning, the team was welcoming, honest and thoughtful about how they could support the business we wanted to build. Our clients are our top priority, and we believe Carson’s platform gives us the premier resources, technology and planning support to keep raising the bar while still allowing us to make decisions in the best interests of the families we serve.”
The team’s all-women advisor leadership is a defining part of the new firm’s story, but Lude and Stewart say their approach is rooted above all in preparation, trust and long-standing client relationships.
“Our clients know us because we are part of this community, and we take that responsibility seriously,” added Stewart. “Launching Heritage Financial & Investment Services gives us the opportunity to create something that reflects who we are, where we come from and how we want clients to feel when they walk through our door.”
By joining Carson’s independent advisor channel, Heritage Financial & Investment Services gains access to Carson’s advisor platform, including investment management resources, advanced planning capabilities, tax planning support, operational infrastructure and technology. The partnership allows the firm to preserve its local identity and independent decision-making while expanding the resources available to clients.
About Carson Group
Carson Group manages over $65 billion* in assets and serves more than 60,000 client families among its advisory network of 165+ partner offices, including more than 50 Carson Wealth locations. For more information about Carson Group and partnership opportunities, visit https://www.carsongroup.com/work-with-us/
Carson offers investment advisory services through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. *AUM amount is based on total assets under Carson Group Holdings, LLC., which include CWM, LLC and Northwest Capital Management, Inc.
