Compass Financial Services, a woman-owned investment advisory practice serving high-net-worth families, has moved its assets under management to Arkadios Capital, a hybrid independent broker-dealer founded by and for growth-oriented investment advisor representatives.
Compass Financial Services, founded by industry veteran Ginger Kessel, serves approximately 200 households. Kessel previously affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and will continue to custody assets with National Financial Services, providing continuity for clients while gaining access to Arkadios’ entrepreneurial platform.
For advisors and investors alike, the move highlights a broader shift underway in wealth management. As large institutions merge and scale, many independent advisors are seeking partners that preserve autonomy while expanding access to institutional-quality resources.
“Independence gives me the ability to choose the tools and partners that are most relevant to my clients, rather than forcing my practice into a predefined box,” said Kessel. “Over 25 years in this industry, I’ve experienced nearly every business model, often amid constant restructuring and acquisitions. Each transition shaped the next chapter of my practice, but the common thread has always been relationships. Arkadios stood out because its service ethos and accessibility to leadership closely mirror the way I work with clients.”
Compass Financial Services is based in Walla Walla, Wash., and serves clients across multiple states. The firm focuses on customized investment, estate and tax planning strategies, emphasizing responsiveness, thorough analysis and highly individualized solutions rather than model-driven portfolios.
Paul Pilcher, director of strategic partnerships at Arkadios Capital, said the partnership reflects a growing demand among high-quality advisory firms for platforms that support, rather than dilute, their identity.
“Compass Financial Services exemplifies the kind of independent, client-first firm that continues to thrive despite industry consolidation,” Pilcher said. “Ginger has built a thoughtful, planning-driven practice, and Arkadios is designed to provide the resources, technology and fixed-income and portfolio expertise that help firms like hers scale without sacrificing independence.”
The addition of Compass Financial Services also highlights the growing influence of woman-owned practices one of the fastest-expanding segments of the wealth management industry. Arkadios is actively recruiting similar independent firms seeking an entrepreneurial alternative to large, consolidating institutions.
About Compass Financial Services
Compass Financial Services is a woman-owned investment advisory firm founded by Ginger Kessel. Based in Walla Walla, Washington, the firm serves clients nationwide, providing customized investment management, estate planning and tax-aware strategies. Kessel has more than 25 years of experience across wirehouse, boutique and independent business models. For more information, visit www.compassfinancialservices.com.
