Title: 1) Vice President; 2) Managing Partner and Senior Investment Adviser
Company: 1) Equitable Holdings, Inc.; 2) FirstRise Investments
Location: Newtown, Connecticut, United States
Mark Verity, Vice President at Equitable Holdings, Inc., and Managing Partner and Senior Investment Adviser at FirstRise Investments, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Finance and Investments.
Mr. Verity has established himself in the financial services industry, marked by two decades of progressive leadership and a steadfast commitment to mentorship and client advocacy. As the managing partner and senior investment adviser at FirstRise Investments since 2025, he has focused his professional energy on growing the firm and guiding a 10-person team. Mr. Verity’s expertise in self-directed 401(k) plans is widely recognized, positioning him as a leading authority in this specialized area of retirement planning. Under his stewardship, FirstRise Investments has prioritized high-touch service and innovative solutions for employer-sponsored retirement plans.
Before his tenure at FirstRise Investments, Mr. Verity began serving as the vice president at Equitable Holdings, Inc., in 2020, where he continues to contribute to strategic initiatives and supports the development of investment advisory teams. His role at Equitable Holdings reflects his ability to balance concurrent executive responsibilities while maintaining a forward-looking approach to both organizational growth and individual mentorship.
From 2014 to 2020, Mr. Verity managed retirement counseling and client services at Prudential Financial, Inc. In this capacity, he led a team responsible for advising clients on complex retirement strategies. Notably, under his direction, the team’s production expanded from $600 million to more than $2 billion within a single year, demonstrating his leadership acumen and ability to cultivate high-performing teams. During this period, Mr. Verity also achieved a five-year retention rate exceeding 70% among advisers he mentored, far surpassing industry averages and underscoring his dedication to developing talent within the profession.
Before his work at Prudential Financial, Inc., Mr. Verity held the role of vice president at AXA. He was employed by the French multinational insurance corporation, which is headquartered in Paris, between 2007 and 2014.
Mr. Verity’s academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in finance and management from the University at Buffalo, completed in 2007. This educational background provided him with essential analytical skills and business acumen that have been instrumental throughout his career. Mr. Verity is also a licensed investment adviser.
Beyond his corporate roles, Mr. Verity is civically engaged as a volunteer with his local Rotary Club, reflecting his commitment to community service and ethical leadership. He is also the author of “Equitable Disclosure,” contributing thought leadership within the financial sector.
At just 24 years old, Mr. Verity earned the Management Development Award in 2010 for leading the fastest-growing team among hundreds of managers and thousands of advisers. This milestone remains one of his proudest achievements. Beyond accolades, many of the individuals Mr. Verity hired early in their careers have since built thriving practices, with several surpassing him in professional success, a testament to his ability to lead and mentor.
Throughout his professional journey, Mr. Verity has attributed his success to a genuine investment in people. He believes that prioritizing others’ growth has been foundational to his achievements. Additionally, Mr. Verity’s leadership style is rooted in empathy, demonstrated by caring deeply about colleagues and team members, and by communicating complex concepts clearly and accessibly.
Mr. Verity is currently pursuing the certified exit planning adviser designation to further enhance his technical expertise. He also plans to obtain the certified employee benefit specialist credential to deepen his understanding of Employee Retirement Income Security Act compliance and plan design, knowledge that will enable him to better support small business owners as they prepare for retirement.
Among other goals, Mr. Verity aims to establish FirstRise Investments as a household name and premier provider of self-directed brokerage account management within employer-sponsored retirement plans. He anticipates expanding the team, potentially opening additional offices and continuing to refine the firm’s service model while deepening his technical expertise through advanced certifications.
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