Influential Woman · Financial Services

EVELYN GELLAR

Managing Director, Forest Hills Financial Group

Melville, NY 11747

8Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Fordham University Degree The American College of Financial Services Degree Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts Cert LUTCF® Cert FSCP® Cert RICP® Cert CLTC® Cert CDFA®

Her Story

About EVELYN

I’ve built my business with intention and now lead a team of high-potential individuals that I mentor. I’m hands-on in their development, holding them to a high standard while equipping them with the tools, structure, and mindset needed to succeed.

Today, my mission is clear: to develop the next generation of top advisors by duplicating a system that works. This is a simple business—but it’s not easy. It demands discipline, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset. I challenge my team to think like business owners without the traditional financial barriers. Instead of investing capital, they invest effort, consistency, and grit—and I stand beside them, providing a proven path and unwavering support as they build something meaningful of their own.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with EVELYN

01What do you attribute your success to?

My success is attributable to my ability to lead by example—remaining coachable, executing with consistency, and developing others through proven systems.

I’ve built my career not just on personal performance, but on the ability to duplicate success through people.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say that once you decide that this is the path that you want to take, to have a strong belief system in yourself. And just being open to coaching and development. And learning as much as you possibly can, but I think the foundation of all that is just having a strong belief in yourself.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Some of the challenges are not within our control - some of it is legislative, some of it is heavy regulation of our industry. Compliance is a big thing in financial services. But on the flip side, the opportunity is to be able to kind of duplicate Evelyn Gellar through the next generation of advisors that I'm developing and attracting to the business. I have a team of about 10 individuals right now that I'm coaching and mentoring. I've recruited all of them myself and work with them on a day-to-day basis. The challenge is attracting enough talent. This is a simple business, but it's not easy. You have to have that entrepreneurial mindset, and that can be a little scary. Even for me, when I was going into it, I was like, okay, you know, I've got this under control. It is scary, and you wake up some days where you're like, I don't know if I can do this anymore. So it's finding the individuals who are entrepreneurial, who understand that we have a model that supports them, trains them, and develops them. The unknowns for people is a big barrier to come into the business.

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