About Fusion Financial Partners — Michael & Kimberly Papedis
About Fusion
The Firm Behind the Firm.
Fusion Financial Partners was built by industry veterans who have lived every side of the RIA ecosystem — as advisors, enterprise executives, growth leaders, and RIA builders. We don't consult. We build.
Our Mission
Independence, Architected.
Fusion Financial Partners was founded in 2017 with a single conviction: that the most successful advisors in the country deserved a true partner — not a referral list — to help them build the independent firms they had earned the right to own.
Since then, we have launched 78 teams, moved over $75 billion in client assets to independence, and built a reputation as the go-to strategic partner for breakaway teams, family offices, and enterprise firms seeking transformational growth.
Our proprietary process condenses what typically takes 12–18 months into 4–6 months — handling every critical decision, negotiation, and implementation so advisors can stay focused on their clients.
Our Founders
Built by People Who've Done It.
Career Highlights
Mike Papedis is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fusion Financial Partners. Since launching Fusion in 2017, Mike has helped breakaway advisors, family offices, broker-dealers, national enterprises, insurance organizations, and trust companies with a combined AUM of over $75 billion move to independence.
With 60 combined years of leadership exclusively in the independent space, Fusion leadership has facilitated more than $300 billion throughout their careers — combining transition project management, growth strategy, recruiting, M&A/capital solutions, and fintech architecture into one seamless platform for elite advisors and firms.
Prior to founding Fusion, Mike was Managing Director and Head of Business Development at HighTower Advisors, overseeing over 70 acquisitions totaling $80 billion in AUM. He also held senior roles at Fidelity Clearing & Custody and TD Ameritrade Institutional. Mike earned his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Iowa.
Career Highlights
Kimberly leads Fusion Financial Partners' institutional consulting engagements and international expansion. A co-founder of the firm, she works with financial institutions that retain Fusion to build independent advisory businesses, develop operating models, and execute strategic initiatives.
She leads these projects from strategy through execution. Her institutional work includes Fusion's consulting engagement with Thrivent to develop Thrivent Advisor Network. That experience extends beyond helping an individual advisory team establish independence to building the infrastructure and capabilities an institution needs to operate in the independent wealth management market.
Following a year focused on international expansion, Kimberly led Fusion UK's launch in July 2026. Her current institutional work includes supporting an established custodian's entry into the U.S. market, extending Fusion's company-building experience into cross-border market entry.
Before Fusion, Kimberly served as Managing Director, Head of National Sales & Platform Strategy at HighTower, where she rebuilt and relaunched its independent-advisor platform business. Earlier, she held executive leadership positions at Wells Fargo FiNet and a senior business development position at Raymond James Financial Services. She began her career as a financial advisor and owned her own advisory practice.
Across Fusion's institutional and independent-firm engagements, Kimberly connects strategy with the structure, people, and execution required to build and grow the business.
Recognition
Industry-Recognized. Peer-Trusted.
Fusion Financial Partners was named a Top 5 Wealth Management Professional Services Firm by Wealth Solutions Report in August 2024 — recognized alongside the most respected names in the industry for consistent impact, excellence, and demonstrated leadership.
"Fusion Financial Partners acts as the chief architect and outsourced chief operating officer for advisors on their journey to launch their own RIA."Julius Buchanan, Editor in Chief — Wealth Solutions Report, PRO 5 Award, Aug. 2024 →
Make Fusion Your First Call.
Every engagement begins with a confidential strategy session. We will assess your situation, walk you through the process, and give you an honest picture of what independence looks like for your practice.