Kimberly Watkins, Assistant Professor in the online Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Financial Planning and Financial Therapy program, has been named one of Financial Planning’s 20 people who will shape wealth management in 2026, an annual recognition spotlighting individuals expected to influence the industry in the coming year.

Each year, Financial Planning looks across the wealth management ecosystem to identify people whose work, leadership, or ideas are likely to set trends and shape conversations. The 2026 list reflects a period of continued change for the industry, driven by evolving policy discussions, shifting investor expectations, and innovation across education, technology, and practice.

Read Financial Planning’s profile of Dr. Watkins below:

Kimberly Watkins, University of Georgia

Even in the often overlooked world of financial planning academics, Kimberly Watkins is hard to miss. In her work as an assistant professor of financial planning, housing and consumer economics at the University of Georgia, Watkins has and continues to conduct critical research on financial socialization and the financial well-being of marginalized groups.

Watkins, who holds a Ph.D. in financial planning, teaches intro and advanced courses and has authored nearly two dozen academic papers. She also leads the Financial Planning Academy, a summer camp aimed at high school students interested in learning about the financial planning industry.

The camp, run in partnership with Texas Tech University and funded by the Charles Schwab Foundation, introduces students to the profession through real-world case studies, hands-on financial plan development and direct mentoring from practicing advisors. As the industry confronts a growing talent shortage, Watkins is helping broaden access to the profession and develop the next generation of financial planners.

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Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Financial Planning and Financial Therapy program.