BOSTON— The Boston Real Estate Times has announced that Raj Sharma—philanthropist, best-selling author, motivational speaker and one of the nation’s top financial advisors—will serve as the keynote speaker at its prestigious 2025 Excellence Awards Gala, taking place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel in Burlington, MA.
To buy a ticket for the gala, please click here.
A dynamic voice in wealth management, leadership, and purpose-driven living, Mr. Sharma is a Managing Director – Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch and leads The Sharma Group, one of the most respected private wealth boutiques in the country, managing over $8 billion in assets.
Recognized as the #1 Financial Advisor in Massachusetts and consistently ranked among the Top 10 Advisors nationally, Sharma brings over 30 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, executives, families, and institutions across the globe.
“We’re excited that Mr. Sharma has agreed to be the keynote speaker,” said Upendra Mishra, Publisher of the Boston Real Estate Times and its sister publications, Life Sciences Times and IndUS Business Journal. “He is recognized by Boston Magazine as one of Boston’s most influential citizens from 2023 to 2025, and his story is one of excellence, leadership, and service—qualities that reflect the spirit of this event.”
The announcement comes as the Boston Real Estate Times gets ready to honor the developers, architects, vrokers and visionaries, and changemakers shaping the built environment across New England. The gala has become a signature gathering for the region’s commercial real estate industry, drawing hundreds of leaders for a night of recognition, networking, and inspiration.
“The 2025 recipients represent the best of what our industry has to offer,” said Mishra. “At a time of both challenge and transformation, these winners reflect a bold future—and the leaders building it today.”
Sharma’s keynote will focus on optimizing life, purposeful leadership, intergenerational wealth, and the role of business as a force for good—topics that echo his best-selling book, The Purposeful Wealth Advisor, and his lifelong commitment to philanthropy and civic engagement.
In addition to his professional achievements, Sharma is a trustee of The Boston Foundation, one of the oldest community foundations in the country, and has co-chaired several high-impact philanthropic campaigns. He is also a Founding Trustee of the American India Foundation (AIF), supporting anti-poverty initiatives in India, and a former Chairman of Boston Harbor Now, working on environmental and public access issues in the Boston region.
His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Barron’s Hall of Fame for financial advisors, the Solas Award for cross-cultural dialogue and immigrant achievement, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Community Awards in 2023.
As the keynote speaker at this year’s gala, Sharma will share his insights on building lasting impact—whether through wealth, leadership, or community. His presence is expected to elevate an already inspiring evening honoring the power of design, development, and collaboration to shape a better future.
Event: 2025 Excellence Awards Gala
Location: Burlington Marriott Hotel, Burlington, MA
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Keynote Speaker: Raj Sharma, Managing Director – Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch
Rickets: Click here.
