Our Story | Cooke Financial Group

The Cooke Financial Group story.

In 1969, after returning home from flying KC-135A Stratotankers in Vietnam, John D. Cooke founded Cooke Financial Group with a simple belief. People deserve a coordinated approach to their financial lives, built on trust, continuity, and long-term thinking.

In 1992, his sons Chris Cooke and Brian Cooke joined the firm and helped carry that philosophy forward. In 2016, Chris and Brian made the decision to leave the wirehouse environment and become an independent advisory firm. Today, they lead the firm with the same continuity of purpose that shaped its beginning. Every decision is made with clarity, discipline, and focus on long-term outcomes for the clients we serve.

Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Click for full award disclosures.

Chris Cooke and Brian Cooke (2018-2026): Forbes America's Top 250 Wealth Advisors, created by SHOOK Research. Most recently presented in April 2026 based on data gathered from 06/30/2024 to 06/30/2025. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking. A fee was paid to hold out in marketing materials.

Chris Cooke and Brian Cooke (2018-2026), Tammy Williams (2025-2026): Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, created by SHOOK Research. Most recently presented in April 2026 based on data gathered from 06/30/2024 to 06/30/2025. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking. A fee was paid to hold out in marketing materials.

Chris Cooke and Brian Cooke (2026): Barron's Top 1,500 Financial Advisors, created by Barron's. Presented in March 2026 based on data provided as of 09/2025. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking. A fee was paid to hold out in marketing materials.

Tammy Williams (2025-2026): Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State, created by SHOOK Research. Most recently presented in February 2026 based on data gathered from 09/30/2024 to 09/30/2025. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

Chris Cooke and Brian Cooke (2009-2016 and 2021-2025): Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, created by Barron's. Most recently presented in March 2025 based on data provided as of 09/2024. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking. A fee was paid to hold out in marketing materials.

Chris Cooke and Brian Cooke (2025): AdvisorHub 200 Advisors to Watch (Over $1B), created by AdvisorHub. Presented in June 2025 based on data gathered from 01/2024 to 12/2024. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

Tammy Williams (2024-2025): AdvisorHub 100 Women Advisors to Watch (2024-2025), created by AdvisorHub. Most recently presented in June 2025 based on data gathered from 01/2024 to 12/2024. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

Tammy Williams (2024-2025): Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State (2024-2025), created by SHOOK Research. Most recently presented in August 2025 based on data gathered from 03/30/2024 to 03/30/2025. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

Cooke Financial Group (2023-2025): Forbes America's Top RIA Firms, created by SHOOK Research. Most recently presented in October 2025 based on data gathered from 03/31/2024 to 03/31/2025. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

Chris Cooke (2024): AdvisorHub 150 Advisors to Watch (Over $1B), created by AdvisorHub. Presented in June 2024 based on data gathered from 01/2023 to 12/2023. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

Tammy Williams (2023): AdvisorHub 100 Advisors to Watch (Over $1B), created by AdvisorHub. Presented in June 2023 based on data gathered from 01/2022 to 12/2022. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

Brian Cooke (2022): AdvisorHub 50 Advisors to Watch (Over $1B), created by AdvisorHub. Presented in September 2022 based on data gathered from 01/2021 to 12/2021. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

Cooke Financial Group (2022-2026): Expertise.com Best Financial Advisors in Indianapolis, created by Expertise.com. Most recently presented in January 2026 based on data gathered as of 08/2025. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials. Additional fee was paid for advertising.

Chris Cooke, Brian Cooke, Lisa Grimes, and Kevin McCurdy (2012-2016 and 2018-2025), Tammy Williams (2022-2025): Five Star Professional Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. Most recently presented in September 2025 based on data gathered from 11/2024 to 05/2025. No fee was paid to be included in the ranking or to hold out in marketing materials.

INTEGRITY
We act in our clients’ best interests and communicate with transparency.

PASSION
We take ownership of each relationship and go beyond surface-level advice.

EXCELLENCE
We hold ourselves to a high standard in planning, communication, and execution.

WISDOM
We rely on experience, judgment, and collaboration to guide complex decisions.

INDEPENDENT
We are free from product-driven incentives and focused solely on client outcomes.

DIVERSITY
We value different perspectives in our team and in the families we serve.

COMMUNITY
We invest time and resources in the communities where our clients and team live.

When I think about our team dynamic, support is the first word that comes to mind. Not just for our team and the individuals that are part of it, but for our clients as well. There’s a level of care and compassion that is rare and I am lucky enough to work with a whole team of people that posses those qualities.

Dreama Randolph
Registered Wealth Associate

I love being part of the Cooke Financial Group, building strong relationships with our clients, and providing them the personalized support they deserve.

Adrienne Monka
Registered Wealth Associate, Director of Operations

We have honest conversations, lots of laughs, and we all work toward a common goal. We treat our clients like family, and the longstanding client relationships reflect the excellent client service and friendships the team has fostered over the past 55 years.

Claire Cooke
Wealth Advisor