Women's History Month: Female advisors talk about 'trailblazing' and wealth management

It’s never easy being a trailblazer. Early entrants into a market or field often face challenges and even failure while later entrants benefit from both their mistakes and successes.

Luckily, there are bold women in the financial services industry willing to take the risk of being trailblazers and burst open the doors for future participants.

In the spirit of Women’s History Month, InvestmentNews has been asking female financial advisors for their perspectives on what it means to be a trailblazer in wealth management and what keeps them motivated to keep pushing forward. 

Adrianna Stasiuk, partner and investment advisor at Aaron Wealth Advisors:

“When I think about what it means to be a trailblazer, I think about women doing things that have never been done before or carving paths into careers or positions of leadership that haven't been taken before. It involves confidence, bravery, and doing scary things that nobody has done before. It's not easy, but it's definitely worthwhile and rewarding.”

“I decided to pursue a career in wealth management when I was in graduate school, making a career switch. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life until I discovered wealth management, a niche within finance that combines technical skills and emotional components. Working with families and individuals, who are humans with unique needs, drives my motivation to work in this industry. Combining my interest in economics and technical analysis with my interest in people led me to a career in wealth management.”

“What keeps me motivated is helping the families and individuals I work with. The most rewarding parts of my day are when clients tell me that I've made a difference or helped them achieve something they didn't think was possible.”

“My advice for young women looking to be trailblazers is to be brave, seek out help, and ask for advice from role models and mentors, regardless of their gender. Admitting vulnerability and challenges is important because nobody is strong and confident every single day. Seeking help, looking for mentorship, and learning from mistakes are critical for those looking to trailblaze into a career in wealth management.”

Rebecca Garcia, senior relationship manager at Premier Path Wealth Partners:

“The impact I can have on clients on a daily basis inspired me to pursue a career in wealth management. It's rewarding to be part of their big life moments and support them during difficult times. The success of other women in the industry also motivates me to keep going and challenges me to be better each day. Ignoring fears and seizing opportunities can lead to endless success in this industry.”

“My advice to young women entering the wealth management industry is to be curious and always ask why. Understanding the reasons behind everything you do for your clients transforms you from a task-oriented thinker to a strategic thinker, setting you apart in the industry. It's important for seasoned leaders to present younger generations with opportunities they might shy away from, empowering them to be confident and comfortable with the uncomfortable. This not only fosters their growth but also the firm's growth.”

“At Premier Path, seasoned professionals have empowered me by allowing me to raise my hand for any opportunity, regardless of my pay grade. Wearing multiple hats and being involved in various areas of the business has amplified my growth. They have consistently challenged me and presented new opportunities, helping me grow to where I am today.”

“A trailblazer is someone who is comfortable with the uncomfortable. What inspired me to pursue a career in wealth management was the endless opportunities and the impact I can make on clients' daily lives. When I first graduated college, I didn't know what I wanted to do, but landing in wealth management and seeing the impact and opportunities solidified my decision to pursue this career for years to come.”

Lauren Britt, wealth advisor at Quotient Wealth Partners:

“The term ‘trailblazer’ often means being a pioneer or starting on a path that's never been taken before. However, trailblazers can also be those who set their own course and stay true to their authentic selves, leaving the paths they embark on better for the next person.”

“In college, I didn't even know wealth management was an opportunity for me, and I struggled to find a good fit for a career in the business realm. Wealth management turned out to be the perfect fit because it combines both quantitative and qualitative skills. I can engage in complex financial strategy while also having a rewarding career by helping my clients achieve their life goals.”

“Two things keep me motivated in my wealth management career: learning and giving back. I believe in being a lifetime learner, and every client, coworker, and situation is an opportunity to grow. Additionally, I love teaching and supporting the next generation. As I progress in my career, I aim to pass on wisdom and become a better resource for future wealth advisors.”

“One of the biggest challenges I face in the wealth management industry is balancing my ambition with patience. As a go-getter and high achiever, I dove right in from day one. However, I quickly learned that the business world requires adapting tactics to achieve goals, which I liken to playing chess instead of checkers.”

“Wealth management is fundamentally a relationship business. I have been fortunate to have great mentors in my early career, both male and female. One observation I have made is that women tend to have an innate ability to understand clients' needs and connect with them, often referred to as EQ or women's intuition. This skill set makes them amazing advisors.”

“For young women looking to become wealth managers, I would advise them that in any field of finance, you have to work twice as hard to prove you deserve a spot at the table. By working hard and demonstrating through concrete examples that you earned your spot, no one can deny or doubt why you are a wealth advisor. Once you've proven yourself, you'll be able to redesign the field around you to better serve yourself, your clients, and the next generation of women in wealth.”

Elizabeth Cancelosi, senior vice president of relationship management with Dynasty Financial Partners:

“For me, a trailblazer is someone who takes the path that's less known, that's less followed. They look within themselves, their family, their community, to find the courage to be able to deal with that ambiguity and take on challenges.”

“I was inspired to pursue a career in wealth management because I love solving problems and I love helping people. I actually started my career as a client advisor and was able to work with families to really map out financial plans and make sure that they had appropriate investments to really create that financial security and stability. Now working at Dynasty Financial Partners, I'm very pleased to be able to work with advisors and entrepreneurs every day.”

“What keeps me motivated is that no day is the same. There's constantly new things to learn about investments and about operating businesses. So to me it's just a very stimulating and exciting environment.”

“I think that women are very well poised to be able to contribute to the wealth management industry. I would say generally speaking, men are interested in things and women are interested in people, and I think that people focus is so key to work with clients and families.”