Bellwethers in community leadership ring NASDAQ bell

The Invest in Others Charitable Foundation rang the opening bell at the NASDAQ this morning.

The charity was joined by finalists and honorees of the fifth annual Invest in Others/InvestmentNews Community Leadership Awards.

The awards were presented last night to financial advisers from across the industry in recognition of their philanthropy and commitment to helping others in their community and around the world.

Germaine Broussard of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC in McLean, Va., was named Volunteer of the Year for TroopTreats.com, which supports thousands of troops in active service abroad.

Barry Engelman and his team at Ameriprise Financial Services Inc., in Los Angeles, won the Volunteer Team Award for their work for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern California and Nevada chapter

David Benning of Ameriprise in Minneapolis received the Mentoring Excellence Award for his support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities

The Community Service Award was given to Michael Curran of CAPTRUST Financial Advisors in Raleigh, N.C., for his leadership roles with the Triangle Aquatic Center, a nonprofit aquatic facility built solely from private donations.

Dave Polstra of Brightworth in Atlanta won the Global Community Impact Award for his work with Medical Missions Ministries, which provides free medical clinics in rural Guatemala.

(Click on the following link to see the full list of winners and finalists)