Meridian Blog

Meridian Financial Partners is proud to announce that Sarah Irving, Partner and Senior Financial Advisor, has been named to InvestmentNews’s Rising Stars 2025 list, which recognizes the nation’s top wealth management professionals and advisors under 40. The annual list highlights emerging leaders who combine technical skill with the interpersonal strengths that differentiate today’s most successful advisors.

InvestmentNews selected its Rising Stars following nominations and an exhaustive review process. Winners were chosen by an independent panel based on career accomplishments, contributions to the industry, leadership potential, and demonstrated impact serving clients. The program underscores how forging connections and deeply understanding clients’ needs are central to delivering exceptional wealth management.

Read more in Sarah Irving’s profile in InvestmentNews:

I love my day-to-day responsibilities as a financial advisor, and being the best advisor possible for my clients has always been my priority. However, as I continue to grow my leadership capacity at Meridian, my focus will expand beyond the practitioner role into managerial and entrepreneurial responsibilities. I know shifting this focus will not only aid in our firm’s growth, but our capability in serving our current and future clients beyond where we can today.

Irving’s path to wealth management is unconventional: she studied acting with a minor in business administration, a background that sharpened her listening, empathy, and communication skills—qualities she leverages daily in client relationships. Joining Meridian in 2017, Irving embraced the firm’s transparent culture and partner-driven approach. She earned her CFP® professional designation and became a partner at Meridian, where she balances direct client work with growing leadership responsibilities across the firm.

“Sarah brings a rare combination of empathy, curiosity, and technical skill to client relationships,” said Sarah Yakel, Founding Partner at Meridian Financial Partners. “Her ability to connect with clients, especially younger and female investors, and to translate complex concepts into confident decisions makes her a natural leader in our firm and in the industry.”

About the InvestmentNews Rising Stars Program

InvestmentNews’ Rising Stars honors advisors 40 or under who are committed to careers in wealth management and who have demonstrated notable achievements and leadership. Nominees were vetted through compliance verification and reviewed by an independent panel of industry experts. The list celebrates the next generation of advisors who are shaping the future of the profession through service, innovation, and client-centered practices.

About Sarah Irving

Sarah Irving is a Partner and Senior Financial Advisor at Meridian Financial Partners. With a background that blends the performing arts and financial training, Sarah excels at building trusting client relationships and providing clear, actionable advice. Her CFP® professional credential and hands-on approach help clients navigate financial decisions with confidence, while her leadership at Meridian focuses on expanding the firm’s capacity to serve clients and grow sustainably.

Disclosure: InvestmentNews annual Rising Stars 2025 list highlights advisors 40 or under (before Oct 1, 2025) committed to a career in wealth management, with a clear passion for the industry.  InvestmentNews accepts nominations from advisors and industry professionals. Rankings were determined by an independent panel of industry leaders and were based on the nominees’ key achievements, career goals, and contributions they’ve made to shaping the industry.  Recommendations from managers and senior industry professionals were also taken into account.  Neither Meridian Financial Partners nor its financial advisors paid a fee to InvestmentNews to obtain or use the ranking. All information on nominees had to be verified by their compliance team before it could be accepted.