Focus Financial Network, a $9.5 billion registered investment advisor (RIA), announced that Winchester, Virginia-based Employee Benefits Administration has joined the firm. Owner, Gayle B. Canini, MBA, BFA, CPFA, will continue serving clients while gaining access to additional planning resources and support through Focus Financial Network. Financial advisor, Jennifer McDonald, QPFC, joined the Winchester office early in July, strengthening the firm’s ability to serve clients throughout the region.
Employee Benefits Administration is led by Canini, a 45-year financial services veteran who took over her father’s insurance brokerage in the 1980s and transformed it into a successful wealth management practice serving more than 1,000 clients throughout the Winchester region. “Gayle has built an outstanding reputation by always putting clients first, and that’s exactly why this felt like such a natural fit,” said John Bina, president of Focus Financial Network. “We’re excited to support Gayle and Jenn as they continue serving the Winchester community.”
“This decision was ultimately about doing what’s best for our clients,” said Canini. “Joining Focus Financial Network allows us to continue providing the trusted relationships our clients expect while expanding the resources available to serve them for years to come.”
McDonald will join Canini in serving Employee Benefits Administration clients through Focus Financial Network. An advisor with more than 20 years of wealth management experience, McDonald brings deep planning expertise and a strong reputation throughout the Winchester community. “Jenn shares my commitment to putting clients first,” said Canini. “I’m excited to welcome her to the practice and know she’ll be a tremendous resource for our clients.”
Beyond her practice, Canini has long been active in the Winchester community and has earned national recognition for her leadership, including InvestmentNews’ Advisor of the Year Excellence Award and multiple AdvisorHub honors.
Learn More About Jenn McDonald & Gayle B. Canini
Investment advisory, insurance and financial planning services offered through Focus Financial Network, Inc. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services mentioned here are independent of Osaic Wealth. The 2025 InvestmentNews Advisor of the Year Excellence Award winners were determined by the InvestmentNews Awards team through a two-step process: initial research and selection of excellence awardees, followed by additional submissions reviewed by a panel of industry judges. Winners were chosen using a points-based system, based on criteria such as business development, investment knowledge, client service, education, community involvement, and compliance. There were eight finalists in the Southeast Region. Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client’s evaluation. 9013589
