O U R A D V I S O R S
Nicole Corning CFP® CRPC® AIF®
Managing Partner
Fundamental Choice Portfolio Manager
“Clear is Kind. Unclear is Unkind.”— Brene Brown
Meet Nicole
I’m the Managing Partner at Pathlight Advisors, where I have the privilege of helping individuals and families navigate their financial journeys with confidence and clarity. I hold several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), and I’ve been part of the finance and banking community here in Scottsdale, Arizona, since 2001.
I’m honored to be a member of the Retirement Advisor Council and grateful to have been named one of the Top Women Advisors by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA)* from 2018 to 2023, as well as a recipient of the NAPA Top Women of Excellence* award in 2024. Forbes recognized me as a Top Women Wealth Advisor* in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, a Top Women Wealth Advisor Best-in-State* in 2025, and a Best-in-State Wealth Advisor* in 2025. Forbes also named my team one of Arizona’s Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams* in 2024 and 2025.
Before settling in Arizona, I spent time in Washington, D.C., where I worked on two presidential campaigns and several congressional and senatorial races across the country.
Beyond my work in finance, I’m passionate about sharing ideas and supporting working mothers. I’m a published author and host a podcast that explores the challenges and triumphs of balancing career and family life. I’ve had the opportunity to appear on the Katie Couric Show and contribute to publications like Financial Planning Magazine, 401(k) Specialist Magazine, NAPANet Magazine, and Plan Consultant Magazine. In 2020, I had the honor of serving as the inaugural chairwoman of the American Retirement Association Council for Women.
Giving back is incredibly important to me. I serve on the board of the Care Fund, am a proud graduate of Scottsdale Leadership Class XXIV, and sit on the NAPA Governmental Affairs Committee. I graduated cum laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me spending time with my two wonderful sons, who bring so much joy to my life.
CA Insurance License #0I03854 Resident State: AZ
2024 NAPA Top Women of Excellence: Awarded October 2024; Data compiled by NAPA based on the time period from Jan. 2023 – Dec. 2023 (Source: napa-net.org). The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) Top Women of Excellence were nominated for consideration by NAPA BD/RIA Firm Partners, based on previous year's data about the practice, experience, and accomplishments as provided by nominees, and selected by a panel of industry experts chosen by NAPA.
2019 NAPA Top Women Advisors: Awarded October 2019: Data compiled by NAPA based on the time period from Jan. 2018-December 2018 (Source: napa-net.org. 2020 NAPA Top Women Advisors: Awarded October 2020; Data compiled by NAPA based on the time period from Jan. 2019 – Dec. 2019 (Source: napa-net.org). Fee paid for use marketing material. 2021 NAPA Top Women Advisors: Awarded October 2021: Data compiled by NAPA based on the time period from Jan. 2020- Dec. 2020 (Source: napa net.org). 2022 NAPA Top Women Advisors: Awarded October 2022: Data compiled by NAPA based on the time period from Jan. 2021 – Dec. 2021 (Source: napa-net.org). Fee paid for use marketing material. 2023 NAPA Top Women Advisors: Awarded October 2023: Data compiled by NAPA based on the time period from Jan. 2022 – Dec. 2022 (Source napa-net.org). Fee paid for use marketing material. The National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) Top Women Advisors were nominated for consideration by NAPA BD/RIA Firm Partners, based on previous year’s data about the practice, experience, and accomplishments as provided by nominees, and selected by a panel of industry experts chosen by NAPA. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
2026 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors; Awarded April 2026; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/24- 6/30/25 (Source: Forbes.com). 2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors; Awarded April 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/23- 6/30/24 (Source: Forbes.com). 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research, LLC based on time period from 6/30/22-6/30/23 (Source Forbes.com). 2023 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research, LLC based on the time period from 6/30/21-6/30/22 (Source Forbes.com). 2022 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2022; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/20-6/30/21 (Source Forbes.com). 2021 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2021; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/19-6/30/20 (Source Forbes.com). Fee paid for use for marketing materials. The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue, and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosure criteria.
2026 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2026; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/24-6/30/25 (Source: Forbes.com) 2025 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/23 - 9/30/24 (Source: Forbes.com). 2024 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/22 - 9/30/23 (Source: Forbes.com). 2023 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/21 - 9/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com). 2022 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State: Awarded February 2022; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/20 - 9/30/21 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
2025 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 9/30/23 - 9/30/24 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year's industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2026; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/24 - 3/31/25 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year's industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management (minimum variable by state), revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 12,787 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 6,149 (48% of candidates) were named 2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23 - 3/31/24 (Source: Forbes.com). This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 11,674 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 5,331 (45.66% of candidates) were named 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams. 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from3/31/22 - 3/31/23 (Source: Forbes.com). 2023 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/21 - 3/31/22 (Source: Forbes.com).The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year's industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.