Written by Monica VanDerWeide, ’95
Conventional wisdom says that a financial advisor would have studied finance, mathematics, and economics in college. But literature? Luke Hollister, ’24, has a decidedly different and completely Hillsdalian approach to his work at Innovest, an investment advisory firm specializing in faith-based investing, in Denver, Colorado. An associate consultant, Hollister uses his liberal arts background to communicate effectively and truthfully with clients on financial planning.
When Hollister, a native of Bellingham, Washington, arrived at Hillsdale sight unseen in 2020, he wasn’t sure what major he wanted to pursue, although economics was always in the back of his mind. His Admissions interview, which he described as “more like a deep conversation about the higher things and literature rather than an interview,” proved to be a foretaste of what was to come. “I took an English class with Dr. Benedict Whalen,” he recalled. “The evidence-based writing and critical thinking really drew me in. I fell in love with English in a way I wasn’t expecting.”
“I love studying English, but I love doing economics,” Hollister continued. “Studying English trains your brain and teaches you deep, fundamental truths. The critical thinking I learned from my English classes prepared me for the work I do today.”
Hollister had two summer internships that also helped prepare him for his current position. He conducted research for a hedge fund company after his sophomore year and then at a private equity firm after his junior year. At a Career Services job fair during his senior year, he met the father of a classmate who gave him some contacts at financial planning companies in the Denver area, which led him to Innovest.
At Innovest, a registered investment advisor with $60 billion in assets under advisement, Hollister works mostly on the portfolio side of the business. “We provide advice on what to invest in,” he said. “We work with colleges and non-profits, high net-worth individuals, foundations, and endowments. We have an intense process for evaluating investors to make sure they are aligned with Christian values. It’s very unique and sets us apart.”
The skills Hollister developed in researching and writing academic papers at Hillsdale, combined with the aptitude for public speaking he honed as the Head Student Ambassador in Hillsdale’s Admissions Office, play a vital role in his day-to-day work at Innovest. Whether he’s giving presentations to clients or co-writing articles with his colleagues on financial planning subjects, Hollister “loves crafting a narrative and leading my audience to a common understanding.”
Hollister recently passed the Certified Financial Planner exam, and he and his wife also became first-time parents with the birth of their son, Jack, in July. As strong believers in the value of a classical liberal arts education, the Hollisters have thought about starting a classical school in the future. But for now, Hollister is happy to apply his Hillsdale education in the realm of financial planning, while also taking full advantage of the outdoor recreation opportunities that Colorado offers.
“The most satisfying jobs are those where you use your whole human faculties,” Hollister said. “A liberal arts education trains the human being and separates you from AI. It trains you to search for truth well—a truly human endeavor. If you’re a well-trained hunter for truth, your work will be more fulfilling, and you’ll be better at it.”
Monica VanDerWeide is Director of Marketing Content for Hillsdale College. She graduated from Hillsdale in 1995 with a degree in English and German.
Published in September 2026
