Elizabeth Shabaker Named 2026 InvestmentNews Women to Watch Excellence Awardee
Versant Capital Management Co-CEO recognized in Independent RIA Leader of the Year, Female-Led category
PHOENIX — August 25, 2026 — Versant Capital Management, Inc., an independent, employee-owned multifamily office, announced today that Elizabeth Shabaker, CFP®, CDC, Co-Chief Executive Officer, has been named an Excellence Awardee in the Independent RIA Leader of the Year, Female-Led category of the InvestmentNews 2026 Women to Watch Awards.
The Women to Watch Awards recognize women across the wealth management industry for their leadership, professional accomplishments, contributions to their organizations and influence on the future of financial advice. The Independent RIA Leader of the Year category specifically recognizes a female leader who has demonstrated leadership in building, growing or scaling an independent registered investment advisory firm in the U.S.
“Liz has played an important role in Versant’s growth and evolution,” said Royce Ramey, CFA®, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Versant Capital Management. “She cares deeply about our clients and our people, and she brings that perspective to how we make decisions and continue to develop the firm. It’s great to see her leadership recognized by InvestmentNews.”
Shabaker has helped co-lead Versant through significant growth while maintaining the firm’s focus on serving multigenerational families. Under her co-leadership, Versant has expanded its team and capabilities, strengthened its presence in both Phoenix and Dallas, and continued to invest in the people, resources and technology that support its client families.
Beyond her leadership at Versant, Shabaker has advocated for the advancement of the independent advisory profession and the development of women and emerging leaders within the industry. She serves on the Schwab RIA Talent Advantage Advisory Board and has been involved with industry organizations and initiatives focused on strengthening the profession and expanding opportunities for the next generation of advisors.
The 2026 Women to Watch Excellence Awardees were selected from a record number of nominations, according to InvestmentNews. Criteria for the Independent RIA Leader of the Year category include business growth and performance; leadership and vision; client experience; development of team culture, talent and succession planning; and industry contributions through mentorship, advocacy and thought leadership.
About Versant Capital Management
Founded in 2004 in Phoenix, AZ, Versant Capital Management, Inc. is a multi-family family office, wealth management, and independent registered investment advisory (RIA) providing investment portfolio and financial services to people throughout the U.S. The firm serves a diverse range of high-net-worth private clients, including multi-generational families, entrepreneurs, and women undergoing life transitions such as divorce, the death of a spouse, retirement, or professional advancement.
Disclosure: Elizabeth Shabaker was announced as a finalist for the InvestmentNews Women to Watch 2026 Awards Independent RIA Leader of the Year (Female-Led) on August 6, 2026. The nomination window opened on April 20, 2026; a nomination was submitted on June 18, 2026; and the nomination window closed on June 19, 2026. Versant Capital Management, Inc. [“Versant”] is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of Versant by the SEC, nor does it indicate that Versant has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Awards and recognition by unaffiliated rating services, companies, and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Versant is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide financial and investment advisory services; nor should they be construed as a current or past endorsement of Versant or its representatives by any of its clients. Neither Versant nor its representatives paid a fee to participate in some of the surveys. Rankings published by magazines and others are generally based on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized advisor. Any past performance information contained herein, directly or indirectly, if any, is not indicative of future results. Methodology: InvestmentNews invites individuals to nominate themselves or third-party candidates and/or companies who exemplify outstanding accomplishments through their leadership, passion, creativity, and willingness to help others. The Women to Watch Awards team will conduct research and draw on knowledge and information gained through InvestmentNews to support and supplement nominations received and to ensure that no one deserving of recognition is missed. “Excellence awardees” (shortlisted Finalists), in each category, will be determined from both pools of information. All submissions from their Excellence Awardees are forwarded to the independent judging panel. The panel will assess and vote for their winners in each category according to the relevant category criteria.
