DAC 2021 New Advisor Award Winner: Lewis Kent

Let nothing stand between you and your relationships. That’s the powerful mantra that has propelled Lewis Kent to exponentially build his financial advisory practice with the physicians on the front line of the pandemic.   Guiding these tireless professionals in their financial health has earned Lewis the distinction of the 2021 Distinguished New Award Winner at the Virtual Distinguished Advisor Conference, October 18.

The theme of the conference “Rediscovery- From Fragility to Stability”, has featured thought leadership from 22 of Canada’s most insightful speakers in an incredibly rich agenda.  As this year’s award winner, Lewis, a CFP, and Associate Advisor, at SPM Financial, London ON, received an educational scholarship to this prestigious educational event and a warm and hearty introduction from Tony Mahabir, CEO, CANFIN Financial.

“For physicians, it is critical that their advisory team works together-specifically their accountant, financial advisor and lawyer,” says Lewis, “I work very closely with two accountants as well as two lawyers that specialize in working with physicians.  This allows me to make introductions to clients that do not currently have a professional relationship. I strive to collaborate as a full advisory team with every client to create the best results with extremely busy people.”

At only 27 years of age, Lewis has ranked Top 10 in Canada for providing disability insurance solutions to medical students and residents. In addition to his 4 years in the finance industry, Lewis is listed on Business London’s “Top 20 in Their Twenties” and he maintains a leadership role in many areas of the London Ontario community such as the LEN (President), the TVEF (Member of Finance Committee), and the WMAA (Director).

“In helping physicians and their families with wise financial decision-making Lewis is instrumentation in helping them manage their risk while growing their wealth,” says Evelyn Jacks, President of Knowledge Bureau. “What’s so impressive about the career Lewis is building is that he has been an integral force in repositioning value with new systems and processes driven by technology to allow him to do what he does best. It is so impressive that Lewis has brought not only financial peace of mind, but also empathy and a significant commitment to his community by setting lofty goals and achieving them.”

Joining an illustrious Faculty of New Advisor Award winners, Lewis shared wisdoms about his success so far with the audience:

“Being able to provide advice to medical professionals who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic has been the single most rewarding part of my career to date. While medical professionals have always been there for us to help protect and maintain our health, they have worked harder than ever at the forefront of an everchanging and dangerous environment over the last 19 months. Throughout the pandemic, I’ve heard their stories from the frontlines, and it has been an honour and a privilege to work with so many hardworking clients that are making such a huge difference every day. “

Lewis also has an impressive athletic background that had him wearing many hats such as a Director on the Mustang Athletic Student Council, the Captain of the Western Cross-Country team, and the Distance Captain of the Western Track team. He is a proud alumnus of Western University and helps other students with employment through his Student Maintenance Company, which he is the owner and founder of.

Lewis is also a Beer Mile World Champion, which earned him an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show. He has documented these unique experiences in his recent book “A World Champions Guide to Running the Beer Mile.”

Backdrop: back in 2015, he set the world record three times in six months for the race (which includes four beers and four laps around a track). His book outlines the history of the beer mile as well as the event’s rise to mainstream media, with Lewis on the forefront.

The DAC New Advisor Award recognizes the next generation of new advisors and their contributions to excellence in their industry sectors.  Winners of the award receive a scholarship to the DAC, national coverage of their achievements and an opportunity to network with some of their most influential peers in financial services today. Previous winners include: Brandon Silbermann, Keeley Simpson, Lindsay Sawyer-Fay and Darren Ryan, Jon Earle, Joseph Alfie,  Kristin Ramlal, Steven Furtado and Frank Ryan.

ABOUT THE DAC NEW ADVISOR AWARD: Advisors who have been in the industry for 5 or fewer years may apply, by completing the online application.  The deadline is September 1, 2022. New advisors will demonstrate outstanding achievements in the following areas:

1. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: outstanding service satisfaction in managing family wealth
2. REFERRABILITY: demonstrated excellence in exceeding expectations in providing services
3. INDUSTRY COLLABORATION: a commitment to an inter-advisory approach to services
4. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: excellence in breadth of professional development activities
5. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP: participation in leadership at work and/or in the community
6. BUSINESS LEADERSHIP: demonstrated skills in working with a team to grow the practice
7. INNOVATION: “out of the box” thinking in practice management and client base development
8. BUSINESS GROWTH AND RETENTION: demonstrated business growth and retention rates

The award is open to new entrants in the tax and financial services industry, regardless of age. For more information about the speakers on the program, their topics and the venue, please call 1-866-953-4769 or visit the DAC website.

Join us next year LIVE in Niagara Falls October 16-18 for DAC Acuity 2022 when the educational extravaganza will continue in-person! Take advantage of early-bird tuition rates and reserve your spot!

Want to learn from this year’s thought leadership? The online certificate course from DAC 2021 is available and includes the recorded presentations of this year’s speakers. Enrol in the Integrated Solutions in Practice Management course by October 31 and save $200 on tuition with code: NEWCOURSE.