Three HUB RPW Team Members Receive 2025 PLANADVISER Excellence in Operations Award

Published

September 29, 2025

Economic Insights 2024

Three HUB RPW team members have been named to PLANADVISER’s inaugural Excellence in Operations award list! We are proud to celebrate:  

Zarah Bautista, Client Services Administrator (servicing Northbrook, IL and Mequon, WI

Erinn Metzger, Director of Operations and Relationship Management (Indianapolis, IN

Kimberly Wakeman, Relationship Manager (Indianapolis, IN

In its inaugural year, PLANADVISER’s Excellence in Operations award program recognizes more senior non-advisor operations staff that “make the practices run” and support the advisors who are the faces at the forefront of the industry. Whether focusing on operations, data, investment analytics, provider management, or some other piece of the business – it celebrates the vital personnel of an advisory practice.  

Learn more about HUB’s recipients below: 

In her role as a Client Services Administrator, Zarah supports plan advisors and relationship managers across fiduciary initiatives, including due diligence projects, fund changes, fee benchmarking, pricing proposals, investment review reports, and serves as the primary contact for advisory RFP responses.  

Internally, she uses her exceptional organizational skills and flexible mindset to develop and update procedures that streamline operations and enhance team efficiency. Her contributions to the team’s data collection and report generation process have significantly reduced turnaround time – allowing for faster, more efficient client service without compromising accuracy. 

Zarah’s collaborative spirit is reflected in the way she describes her approach to meeting clients’ evolving needs and expectations – “When plans evolve, the ability to pivot with purpose is crucial. Above all, it is key to understand the client’s goals through active listening in order to provide meaningful, effective support.” 

Read Zarah’s full Excellence in Operations profile here 

In her role as the Director of Operations and Relationship Management, Erinn focus on aligning the firm’s day-to-day processes with long-term business goals, ensuring that every system and workflow supports a seamless, compliant and scalable client experience.  

As a leader, she aims to build a team of high-performers that thrive on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Erinn nurtures her team member’s confidence and morale by encouraging them to never lose sight of the impact their work has on their client’s financial futures. Together, they blend operational discipline with a client-first mindset to strengthen relationships and deliver measurable results.  

Erinn sums up her commitment to her team and clients by saying – “Ultimately, I see my role as an engine behind the scenes—connecting people, systems and strategy to deliver an experience that’s not only reliable, but exceptional.”  

Read Erinn’s full Excellence in Operations profile here

In her role as a Relationship Manager, Kimberly wears many hats and is someone her team and clients can rely on to offer the support they need to thrive. She coordinates onboarding for new retirement plan clients, working with recordkeepers, TPAs and advisors to ensure a smooth transition, and oversees billing for the firm’s TPA and advisory practice.  

As a key voice in developing office procedures and operations, she also onboards new team members, handling everything from paperwork to systems access, and all the questions in between.  

Kimberly began her career in the Indianapolis office as an assistant with limited knowledge of the retirement industry. Over the years, as her responsibilities have expanded, so has her appreciation for the ever-evolving industry that keeps her learning and growing. Kimberly summarizes the purpose she’s found through her career in the retirement industry by saying – “It’s a space where you can build strong relationships, solve real challenges and make a meaningful impact—while being part of a team that’s always moving forward.” 

Read Kimberly’s full Excellence in Operations profile here

At HUB RPW, our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our team members feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our vision are valued. We serve our communities with integrity, focused on clients’ wellbeing and tomorrows for all. Wondering what’s it like to work at HUB? Check out our Careers page here

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At HUB RPW, we offer a suite of services to help individuals approach their finances with confidence and help employers lead employees to financial success. Our team of specialists is there to guide employees through every step of their financial journey.

From financial education to private wealth and retirement plans, our advisors work to improve outcomes for your workforce and empower individuals with tools they need to pursue their financial planning goals. With team members in all 50 states, we’re ready to help you be ready for tomorrow.