When Christine Damico graduated from college, she immediately started her first job at an advisory firm. Before taking her next professional step four years later, she wanted to veer off the career path briefly and travel overseas. She wound up spending three months in South Africa volunteering on a wildlife reserve, and another month touring Central Europe and Vietnam. She might not have embarked on the enriching adventure if it weren't for encouragement from her mentor, Lisa A.K. Kirchenbauer.
At the time, Ms. Damico, who is now 27, had just finished a four-year financial planning residency at Cornerstone Wealth Advisors. She was worried about how her four-month break would be perceived by her next employer. That's when Ms. Kirchenbauer's advice made the difference.
“One of the things that Lisa said that I'll never forget is, "How can you encourage your own clients to live the life they want, if you're not willing to do it yourself?'” Ms. Damico said.
Ms. Damico first met Ms. Kirchenbauer, president of Omega Wealth Management, in 2012 at a Financial Planning Association Retreat in Scottsdale, Ariz. They were connected by Jon Guyton, Ms. Damico's supervisor at Cornerstone, because Ms. Damico had an interest in financial life planning, an area in which Ms. Kirchenbauer specializes.
Financial life planning revolves around understanding clients' goals and building a plan that integrates their values, vision and wealth.
As Ms. Damico was wavering about her international sojourn, Ms. Kirchenbauer encouraged her to practice what financial life planning preaches. That guidance helped calm any fears Ms. Damico had about how her colleagues or bosses at her next firm would react to her taking a substantial break from the work world.
“She's an adviser; she's a business owner,” Ms. Damico said of Ms. Kirchenbauer. “She appreciates the time I'm taking. She's saying it's OK to do it.”
The trip helped Ms. Damico understand herself better, Ms. Kirchenbauer, 52, said.
“Had she not gone on that sabbatical and done some of the things she's done, I'm not sure she would have as much clarity about what was important in her life and what she wanted to continue to bring into her life,” Ms. Kirchenbauer said.
Ms. Damico's travels also gave her experiences that help her build rapport during planning sessions.
“She can be a bit of a role model or inspiration for clients,” Ms. Kirchenbauer said.
The job that Ms. Damico started after her journey was as a client advisor at Glassman Wealth Services in Vienna, Va. That put her in the same metropolitan area — Washington — as Ms. Kirchenbauer, whose firm is located in Arlington, Va.
Now, instead of checking in with each other on Skype or at conferences, as they had to do when Ms. Damico was at Cornerstone in Minneapolis, they can get together for lunch.
Proximity is not the only thing that has changed in the relationship. It's also become a two-way street, with Ms. Damico helping Ms. Kirchenbauer develop young planners at the latter's firm.
Ms. Kirchenbauer has hired three recent graduates of Virginia Tech, Ms. Damico's alma mater. Earlier this fall, Ms. Damico visited Ms. Kirchenbauer's office to talk to them.
“She's been able to help me sort of understand how best to support and mentor the young folks I have here,” Ms. Kirchenbauer said.
Ms. Damico is happy to have a chance to contribute to Ms. Kirchenbauer's efforts.
“That's a great feeling to give back to Lisa when for the last couple of years, she's been the one helping me,” Ms. Damico said.
As a young woman in a field dominated by men, Ms. Damico continues to look to Ms. Kirchenbauer for advice on how to establish herself, especially with older male clients.
“Every time you have an interaction with them, show them you are competent,” Ms. Damico said as an example of coaching she's received from Ms. Kirchenbauer. “Don't be afraid to speak up in meetings. Eventually with time, that confidence will come in terms of the client feeling comfortable working with you.”
For Ms. Kirchenbauer, being a Sherpa for Ms. Damico has been fulfilling — not only because she sees mentoring as “part of my life mission” but also because she's motivated to help other women gain a foothold in investment advice.
“It feels important to me to put some energy and support into a young woman planner,” she said.
