The work-from-home dilemma and the lack of diversity in conference agendas

Episode 80

Episode Summary

As the InvestmentNews Podcast reaches its 80th episode, Bruce and Jeff tackle big industry issues with Brian Hart from KPMG, including when and how employees are expected to return to the office, and talk to Sonya Dreizler of hellochoir.com, which is a trailblazer in the effort to set new industry standards for diversity at big conferences.

Episode Notes

In this episode, you'll hear about:  

  • What happened to big firm plans to return to the office by January 2022?
  • When will we be called back to the office?
  • In this work-from-home culture, how do companies retain talent and incentivize a return to the office?
  • What are the regulatory challenges of a work-from-home culture?
  • Hellochoir.com launches with the goal of setting a new industry standard for diversity in the big conference space.
  • How does Choir qualify a conference?

Related Article: www.investmentnews.com/advisers-focus-working-from-home-in-2022

Guest Bio:

Brian Hart leads KPMG’s Financial Services Regulatory and Compliance Risk Network in the U.S. In that capacity, he supports clients across the financial services and regulatory sectors to devise and implement large scale programs that combine driving commercial benefits (lower cost, greater scalability and effectiveness of compliance and risk management programs) while improving alignment with regulatory expectations and improved risk-taking.

Sonya Dreizler is co-founder of Choir. She is an author and speaker, and an outspoken advocate for racial and gender equity in financial services. She has a 20-year history in the field, including serving as a broker-dealer and RIA executive.

Recent episodes
  • Episode 206
  • May 14, 2026

Alts fans take notice: Why is Nick Schorsch buying up restaurants in Rhode Island?

Bruce Kelly talks to local Rhode Island reporter Eli Sherman about the former nontraded REIT czar, Nick Schorsch, and his group’s investments in beloved local eateries in the Ocean State.

Alts fans take notice: Why is Nick Schorsch buying up restaurants in Rhode Island?
  • Episode 205
  • May 04, 2026

Compliance nerds, alert: These are the latest scams and troubles financial advisors should be on alert for

Bruce Kelly speaks to longtime compliance expert Sander Ressler about elder fraud, artificial intelligence and GWG Holdings and what advisors and their broker-dealers and RIAs should be guarding against.

Compliance nerds, alert: These are the latest scams and troubles financial advisors should be on alert for
  • Episode 204
  • Apr 17, 2026

What’s the latest at Cambridge Investment Research?

Bruce Kelly is joined this week by Jeff Vivacqua of Cambridge Investment Research, who breaks down the company's success as a recruiter of financial advisors.

What’s the latest at Cambridge Investment Research?
  • Episode 203
  • Mar 13, 2026

What can we expect in 2026?

Bruce Kelly is joined this week by InvestmentNews Managing Editor James Rogers as they look ahead to what the financial advice industry can expect in 2026 after a tumultuous start to the year.

What can we expect in 2026?