Kitces Marketing Summit 2026

Michael Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL, is the Head of Planning Strategy for Focus Wealth Partners, a private wealth management and advisor TAMP platform based in St Louis, MO, that oversees approximately $50 billion of client assets.

In addition, he is a co-founder of XY Planning Network, AdvicePay, New Planner Recruiting, fpPathfinder, and FA BeanCounters, the former Practitioner Editor of the Financial Advisor Success podcast, and the publisher of the popular financial planning industry blog Nerd’s Eye View through his website Kitces.com, dedicated to advancing knowledge in financial planning. In 2010, Michael was recognized with one of the FPA’s “Heart of Financial Planning” awards for his dedication and work in advancing the profession.

Taylor Schulte, CFP, is the founder of Define Financial, an award-winning retirement and tax planning firm headquartered in San Diego, CA. In addition, he is the co-founder of The AGC Community, co-host of Kitces Summits, and host of two podcasts: The Stay Wealthy Retirement Show and Advisor Marketing Made Simple. Schulte has been recognized as a Top 40 Advisor Under 40 by InvestmentNews and as a Top 10 independent financial advisor by Investopedia. When he’s not perfecting retirement plans or nerding out on marketing, you can find him traveling with his wife and 3 kids, searching for the next best carne asada burrito, or trying to master Adam Scott’s golf swing.

Nate works with HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) and has grown his RIA to nearly 150 clients exclusively from short-form video and social media. He is one of the youngest CFP® certificants, receiving his letters at age 22. Three years later he is still driven by the same passion: making financial health a basic human right.

Katherine Fox is Founder and Advisor at Sunnybranch Wealth, an independent, fee-only firm dedicated to helping clients build a sustainable financial future while using their wealth as a tool for change. As a fourth-generation member of a philanthropic family that successfully passed both wealth and values across generations, Katherine believes that the privilege of holding wealth comes with a responsibility to give back and an obligation to explore how meaningful change can be created in the world. She founded Sunnybranch on this principle, with the goal of helping individuals and families plan for the future, grow their wealth, and become agents of change through impact investing and philanthropic giving.

Jason J. Hamilton is the founder of Keep It Simple Financial Planning. He works with individuals and couples approaching retirement to help them navigate the complex decisions that arise when savings turn into income. Jason’s approach centers on clarity and coordination. Rather than treating retirement as an investment problem, he helps clients align spending, income sources, and tax planning so decisions work together and tradeoffs are clearly understood. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Jason believes retirement success is less about optimization and more about making thoughtful, well-coordinated decisions at the moments that matter most. His role is to guide clients through those decisions with clarity, patience, and practical insight.

Shaun Melby is the founder of Melby Wealth Management, LLC, in Nashville, Tennessee. When he earned his certification, he was one of the youngest CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioners in the country. He has more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry, including nearly a decade working closely with some of the biggest names in music. He believes the financial planning process is one of the best ways to create and maintain wealth, which led him to form Melby Wealth Management to help as many people as possible work toward achieving their dreams and gaining financial peace of mind. Shaun grew up in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and moved to Nashville in 2005 to earn a BBA in Finance and Music Business from Belmont University. He and his wife now call Nashville home, and in 2019 they welcomed their daughter, followed by their son in 2022. In his spare time, Shaun enjoys attending Nashville Predators and Nashville SC games, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, exploring the local dining scene, traveling, playing with the family dogs, Hank and Bo, and spending time with family and friends.

Jerry Davidse has worked closely with leading families across the U.S. as a wealth manager since 2001, advising them on wealth planning, custom investment portfolios, and risk management strategies. He believes in clear communication with clients and provides simple recommendations for complex financial decisions. Jerry earned two degrees from the business school at Villanova University in 2001. Jerry was awarded the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2005 by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. He was previously a Vice President at Morgan Stanley and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch before founding Presilium Private Wealth in 2022. He was recognized by Forbes in 2021 as one of the top wealth advisors in Pennsylvania. Jerry enjoys traveling, golf, coaching youth sports and has run four marathons. He and his wife live in Radnor, Pennsylvania, with their son, Jake, and daughter, Emma.

Corbin J. Blackburn is a Wealth Advisor and Principal at Tempo Wealth, bringing over 13 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Corbin serves as a Fiduciary Advisor with a focus on the unique planning needs of corporate executives and medical professionals across the United States. Corbin delivers a comprehensive and personalized approach to financial planning, with an emphasis on investment management, retirement income strategies, legacy planning, and tax-efficient wealth building. He works closely with executives from both publicly traded and privately held companies, providing in-depth guidance on a wide range of complex compensation structures. As a fiduciary, Corbin is committed to putting clients’ best interests first, building strategies that integrate corporate benefits with customized investment and tax planning solutions. His ability to navigate complex financial situations has made him a trusted partner for high-net-worth individuals and senior executives. Corbin holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Ashland University. He has been featured as a guest on several “Ask the Expert” media segments and regularly shares insights on wealth planning and financial strategies through his LinkedIn page and the Tempo Wealth blog. He remains actively involved in the community, supporting organizations such as Junior Achievement, the CLHSA, and the Pierstorf College Fund. Corbin lives in Avon, Ohio, with his wife, Casey, and their three children. Outside the office, he keeps a full schedule pursuing his personal passions, Family Time, Sports, and Fitness.