What inspired you to join Bernstein?
The short answer is panic. Market panic often results in less than optimal decisions. However, this is precisely the time that a wise, caring, forward-thinking advisor can make all the difference in a client’s livelihood. We will always have highs and lows in the market. There will always be a variety of reactions to those movements. However, by planning for uncertain times, we can reduce the panic that comes along with them and, in turn, provide a sense of security to reduce anxiety.
How have your values and personal background uniquely positioned you to work with your clients?
I grew up in the Midwest. My parents worked hard, valued the time we had together and took every opportunity to explore the world around us. They taught me, from an early age, that traveling is the time to step away from the routines of everyday life. Every place we visited had a profound impact on my character and helped shape who I am today. These experiences also influenced the major decisions I made in my life from buying a house to choosing my profession to marrying the man I love. At Bernstein, we take a research approach to everything we do including how we make decisions. What we found is that the more your decisions are aligned with your values the more fulfilling and strategic they will be. Because of this, we start our relationships with an understanding of your values and design our recommendations from there, not vice versa.
If you didn’t work for Bernstein, what else would you be doing?
I have a deep love for animals. In fact, I am the proud owner of two dogs and a cat at the moment and cannot remember a time where there wasn’t at least one pet in our house. In our spare time, my husband and I volunteer together at a local animal shelter called PAWs Chicago. Animals bring such joy to our lives and become a part of our family. Growing up, I wanted to be a veterinarian. However, after observing a spaying and neutering and passing out in both surgeries, I realized it wasn’t my calling. If I were not working at Bernstein, my profession would focus on animal advocacy in the nonprofit space