Ethos Benefits Advisors Honored at Health Value Awards

Donovan Ryckis and Chelsea Ryckis recognized as Charter Fiduciary Advisors by Validation Institute

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Ethos Benefits, the nation's first fiduciary benefits consultant, announced that co-founders Donovan Ryckis (CEO) and Chelsea Ryckis (President) have been recognized among the Validation Institute's elite Charter Fiduciary Advisors at the 9th Annual Health Value Awards. The awards were presented during the YOU Powered Symposium in Savannah, GA, a premier gathering of employers, advisors, and innovators dedicated to advancing transparency, accountability, and proven outcomes in healthcare.

Why it matters

This recognition from the Validation Institute validates Ethos Benefits' fiduciary-first approach to employee benefits consulting, which puts the interests of employers first rather than those of insurance carriers, PBMs, or other vendors. It reinforces that employers deserve advisors who are legally and ethically bound to act in their best interests.

The details

Ethos Benefits was founded on the principle that employers deserve the same fiduciary protections in healthcare consulting that investors receive in financial advising. Operating on a fee-only model with zero vendor conflicts, the firm applies securities-level ERISA fiduciary standards to every client engagement. This approach has consistently delivered 30–50% claims reductions for employers with self-funded health plans, serving companies with 200 to 5,000 employees.

  • The 9th Annual Health Value Awards were presented during the YOU Powered Symposium in Savannah, GA on February 17, 2026.

The players

Donovan Ryckis

Co-Founder and CEO of Ethos Benefits.

Chelsea Ryckis

Co-Founder and President of Ethos Benefits, and the 2024 BenefitsPRO Advisor of the Year.

Ethos Benefits

The nation's first fiduciary benefits consultant, delivering healthcare cost transparency, strategic plan design, and aligned incentives to employers across the country.

Validation Institute

A trusted authority helping benefits advisors and healthcare leaders differentiate through integrity, ERISA fiduciary compliance, and proven health value.

Al Lewis

Founder and Chairman of Validation Institute.

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What they’re saying

“Attending the YOU Powered Symposium and receiving this recognition was an incredible honor for our entire team. This award validates the fiduciary-first approach we've built our firm around since day one. It reinforces that employers deserve advisors who are legally and ethically bound to put their interests first... not the interests of carriers, PBMs, or other vendors.”

— Donovan Ryckis, Founder & CEO of Ethos Benefits (einpresswire.com)

“The YOU Powered Symposium brought together some of the most forward-thinking minds in healthcare, and we were honored to be among them. This recognition from Validation Institute is not just about us — it's a signal to every employer that fiduciary, fee-based consulting is the standard they should demand.”

— Chelsea Ryckis, Co-Founder & President of Ethos Benefits (einpresswire.com)

“These folks are the future. It's great to be in a business where the more prospects learn, the more they choose you.”

— Al Lewis, Founder and Chairman of Validation Institute (einpresswire.com)

What’s next

The Validation Institute will continue to recognize and validate fiduciary advisors who put the interests of employers first, providing a $100,000 ERISA Immunity Guarantee to both the advisors and their clients.

The takeaway

Ethos Benefits' recognition as a Charter Fiduciary Advisor by the Validation Institute underscores the growing importance of fiduciary-first benefits consulting, where advisors are legally and ethically bound to act in the best interests of employers rather than insurance carriers or other vendors. This trend signals a shift towards greater transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes in the employee benefits industry.