2019 Innovator: Valerie Brown

2019 Innovator: Valerie Brown
Executive chairwoman, Advisor Group
FEB 04, 2019

Embracing change and diversity has been a hallmark of Valerie Brown’s career. With a background in engineering, consumer products and financial services, she knows what it’s like to reinvent oneself — and one’s organization.

Most recently, Ms. Brown, executive chairwoman at Advisor Group, led her firm to a new way of thinking in response to the highly publicized Department of Labor fiduciary rule.

“We didn’t react, we changed the way we practiced,” she said. “The focus [of the potential rule] was on compliance, but we focused on how could we take advantage of this new opportunity and move forward with confidence, not fear.”

This proactive approach resulted in a new pricing structure and new offerings, such as simplified fees and fee-based products with lower minimums. Comprehensive work was required throughout the entire ecosystem, including clearing, product managers and fee-based technology, Ms. Brown said.

She also has focused throughout her career on bringing more women into senior roles. The Advisor Group executive leadership team is 50% female.

“Diversity, whether in background, gender or style, helps management think differently — more innovatively versus incrementally,” Ms. Brown said.

The diverse perspective she herself brought to the table at a previous job many years ago also proved valuable. She applied her insights about consumer products to introduce a branding campaign for ING Group — a novel move at the time.

A big influence on Ms. Brown’s life has been family and mountains, as she lives in Jackson Hole, Wyo., close to her native Idaho. Her career migration to financial services stemmed from her father, who had his own book of business.

“He gave me a passion for the industry,” she said.

Latest News

Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients
Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients

Blue Anchor Capital Management and Pickett also purchased “highly aggressive and volatile” securities, according to the order.

Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors
Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors

Reshuffle provides strong indication of where the regulator's priorities now lie.

US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel
US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel

Goldman Sachs Asset Management report reveals sharpened focus on annuities.

Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice
Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice

Ahead of Father's Day, InvestmentNews speaks with Andrew Crowell.

401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors
401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors

Cerulli research finds nearly two-thirds of active retirement plan participants are unadvised, opening a potential engagement opportunity.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today’s choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave