Mesirow Wealth Management has brought on Paul Arnold, previously the global head of multi-asset research at Morningstar Investment Management, to fill a newly created managing director role as head of investment solutions. The Chicago-based firm announced the appointment on October 6, 2026, positioning the hire as a cornerstone of its effort to sharpen its investment platform for advisors and high-net-worth clients.
In his new capacity, Arnold will oversee strategic asset allocation, manager research and due diligence, portfolio construction, and the development of proprietary investment strategies. The move comes as Mesirow Wealth Management, an employee-owned firm that has appeared on Barron's Top 100 RIA list for five consecutive years, manages roughly $14 billion in assets under management and advisement as of March 31, 2026.
Morningstar pedigree
Arnold brings more than two decades of experience in multi-asset portfolio construction and research. At Morningstar Investment Management, he served as lead portfolio manager for the firm's ETF Asset Allocation, Active-Passive Asset Allocation, and ESG Asset Allocation managed portfolio series, overseeing a team that managed over $10 billion in assets. His background spans quantitative research and practical portfolio implementation, a blend that Mesirow said was central to the role.
"We're continuing to build a best-in-class investment platform for our advisors and clients, and bringing Paul in is an important step in that strategy," said Brian D. Price, CEO of Mesirow Wealth Management. "Paul's depth of experience in investment research, portfolio construction, manager due diligence, and investment solutions will help us continue to strengthen and differentiate our offering."
Arnold framed the move as an opportunity to extend his work translating complex research into actionable client strategies. "Joining Mesirow Wealth Management is an exciting opportunity to work alongside a talented team that is laser-focused on helping people achieve their financial goals," he said. "I look forward to building on the firm's strong investment capabilities and deepening the resources we have to support and empower our advisors and clients."
Growth trajectory
The appointment reflects a broader pattern of expansion at Mesirow Wealth Management. In September 2023, the firm acquired Chicago-based Front Barnett Associates, an RIA with more than $1.2 billion in client assets at the time. The following year, it added Florida-based Price Wealth Management. More recently, it closed the acquisition of LeafHouse Financial Advisors on July 1, 2026.
Investment platform depth has become a key competitive differentiator for wealth firms vying for both advisor talent and affluent clients. Mesirow's decision to create a dedicated head of investment solutions role—and to fill it with someone who ran a multi-billion-dollar multi-asset operation—suggests the firm is positioning its research capabilities as a distinct selling point rather than a secondary function.
Arnold's responsibilities will span Mesirow's wealth advisory team, which currently includes 40 wealth advisors in the Chicago area. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute and graduate degrees in analytical finance and economics from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Mesirow's recent moves echo broader industry trends, as firms like Aspen Standard Wealth's acquisition of a $1B Louisiana RIA and wirehouse veterans joining Denver RIAs highlight the competitive landscape. For more on Mesirow's advisor additions, see this roundup of recent hires.
