Indivisible Partners, a registered investment advisor founded by former Merrill Lynch Wealth Management head John Thiel, has added its first advisory team: New York-based Woodring | LeRoy Capital Advisors.
The team, led by advisors Lee Woodring and Robert LeRoy, departed Merrill Lynch to join Indivisible, bringing with them $640 million in assets under management. Four members of the Woodring team transitioned to Indivisible, while a third advisor from the Merrill team, Angelo Ponticello, has chosen to remain at Merrill Lynch. The brokerage declined to comment on the departure.
Thiel, who announced the creation of Indivisible last fall, positioned the firm as a game-changing platform for advisors. He emphasized its focus on providing "dedicated support," allowing advisors full ownership of their practices and offering equity participation in the broader enterprise.
“We’ve observed a growing need for an agile and adaptable advisory model, both from advisors and clients,” Thiel said during Indivisible’s official launch announcement. He described the firm's mission as empowering advisors with the independence and resources to deliver truly client-first advice. “Advisors are the most valuable asset in our industry, and they deserve more support,” said Thiel, now executive chairman of Indivisible.
The firm operates on a fiduciary advice model, a hallmark of RIAs aiming to attract advisor teams from traditional brokerages. Indivisible is leveraging this client-centric approach as a key differentiator in its recruitment efforts.
Woodring and LeRoy cited their commitment to professional independence, adherence to fiduciary principles, and the desire to enhance client value as driving factors in their decision to join Indivisible. “We saw an opportunity to align our practice with a platform that mirrors our values and enhances our ability to serve clients effectively,” they said in a statement.
Indivisible describes its model as an "accelerator" for elite financial advisors and independent RIAs. The platform combines the scale and resources of a large firm with the flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit of a boutique operation.
The firm’s leadership team is populated by veterans of Merrill Lynch, underscoring its deep industry expertise. In addition to Thiel, the executive team includes co-presidents Paul Lambert, Bill Lorenz, and Tom Fickinger, all of whom bring years of experience in wealth management.
Indivisible’s launch signals a shift in the advisory landscape, aiming to redefine how advisors operate by blending independence with institutional support.
January 7, 2025