Sign In

John Thiel

Executive Advisor | Board Director

John Thiel is a prominent figure in the financial services industry, currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors at Cohen & Steers Income Opportunity REIT, Inc. He has a distinguished career that spans nearly three decades, primarily with Merrill Lynch, where he held significant leadership roles, including Head of Wealth Management from 2011 to 2016. During his tenure, he was instrumental in transforming the company's approach to wealth management and significantly increasing its revenue and profitability.13

Professional Background

  • Merrill Lynch: Thiel spent 27 years at Merrill Lynch, where he led initiatives that shifted the firm towards goals-based wealth management. He successfully grew revenue from $12.5 billion to $15 billion and reduced advisor attrition rates to historic lows.13
  • Current Roles: In addition to his position at Cohen & Steers, Thiel serves on the boards of Franklin Templeton and Decker Communications. He is also the Chairman of Don’t Ever Give Up, Inc., which is affiliated with the V Foundation for Cancer Research, where he has played a key role in fundraising efforts.14
  • New Ventures: In late 2024, Thiel announced the launch of an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm named Indivisible Partners, aimed at providing a new model for financial advisors seeking greater autonomy and support.35

Educational Contributions

Thiel is actively involved in educational initiatives as well. He was elected as a Trustee at Florida State University in 2020 and has been recognized for his contributions to the institution's mission and stakeholder engagement.14

Personal Insights

Thiel emphasizes a culture of caring in his professional endeavors and is dedicated to social impact work, particularly in cancer research and financial literacy for underserved populations. His leadership style focuses on building trust and fostering strong relationships within teams and with clients.12

Overall, John Thiel's extensive experience in financial services, combined with his commitment to social causes and education, positions him as a respected leader in both corporate governance and community engagement.

Highlights

Aug 16 · linkedin

Building a brand identity takes time and resources. A little help from Mother Nature is always appreciated. Lightning in a can? You will love the taste #AmericaDeservesaNewLightBeer

May 28 · linkedin

You may be successful... but are you significant? 

It’s a question I asked my teams often at Merrill Lynch. By many standard definitions, they were very successful. But significant? That’s the real question.

To me, significance comes with the lasting impact you leave by giving back in meaningful ways, both professionally and personally. The tireless work of the V Foundation is a constant example of this.

The V Foundation recently released the video below highlighting its incredible efforts to cure cancer. As a board member, I’ve found more fulfillment supporting this cause than I ever could have hoped for. My fellow board members now feel like family, and we have been so proud to see the foundation reach a total of $350M in grants supporting cancer research as well as rising scholars in the field. We have been thrilled to watch its scientific advisory committee grow to 23 leading US oncologists, who rigorously review and track the progress of every grant.

Cancer touches us all. It took my wife Karen’s father before I had the chance to ask for his blessing to marry her. It took my sister two years ago. We are more committed than ever to keep supporting this fight for a cure. It’s not only the right thing to do… it’s our duty to support the causes we feel passionate about. No matter how small or large a commitment you can make or how many lives you touch, it makes a difference. As you think about ways to give back during your busy career or as you dream up a post-retirement season, I challenge you:

Don’t just be successful—be significant.

#VFoundation #dontevergiveup #cancerresearch

Related Questions

What inspired John Thiel to transition from Merrill Lynch to starting his own RIA?
How does John Thiel's leadership style contribute to the success of his companies?
What are some of the key initiatives John Thiel has implemented at Cohen & Steers Income Opportunity REIT, Inc?
How has John Thiel's experience at Merrill Lynch influenced his approach to financial services?
What are the main goals of Indivisible Partners, and how does it differ from other RIAs?
John Thiel
John Thiel, photo 1
John Thiel, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

Clearwater, Florida, United States