R
aj Sharma, a celebrated philanthropist, best‑selling author, motivational speaker and one of the country’s leading financial advisors, has been named the keynote speaker for the Boston Real Estate Times’ 2025 Excellence Awards Gala. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, Massachusetts. Tickets are available by clicking here.
Sharma serves as Managing Director of Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch and heads The Sharma Group, a premier private‑wealth boutique that manages more than $8 billion in assets. With over three decades of experience advising entrepreneurs, executives, families and institutions worldwide, he is ranked the #1 financial advisor in Massachusetts and consistently appears in the national Top 10. His reputation for blending wealth strategy with purpose‑driven living has earned him a spot on Boston Magazine’s list of the city’s most influential citizens from 2023 to 2025.
Publisher Upendra Mishra praised Sharma’s acceptance, noting that his story of excellence, leadership and service mirrors the spirit of the gala. “The 2025 recipients showcase the best of our industry,” Mishra added. “In a time of challenge and transformation, these winners embody a bold future and the leaders building it today.”
The gala itself is a hallmark event for New England’s commercial real‑estate community, celebrating developers, architects, brokers and visionaries who shape the region’s built environment. Sharma’s address will explore how to optimize life, practice purposeful leadership, build intergenerational wealth, and harness business as a force for good—themes that echo his best‑selling book, *The Purposeful Wealth Advisor*.
Beyond his financial career, Sharma is a trustee of The Boston Foundation, co‑chairs high‑impact philanthropic campaigns, and is a founding trustee of the American India Foundation, supporting anti‑poverty initiatives in India. He also served as chairman of Boston Harbor Now, addressing environmental and public‑access issues in the Boston area. His contributions have earned him the Barron’s Hall of Fame for financial advisors, the Solas Award for cross‑cultural dialogue, and the 2023 New England Community Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.
As keynote speaker, Sharma will share insights on creating lasting impact through wealth, leadership and community engagement. His presence promises to elevate an evening already rich with recognition, networking and inspiration, underscoring the power of design, development and collaboration to shape a better future.
