How have your values and personal background uniquely positioned you to work with your clients?
In all that I do, I operate on a simple belief: always do the right thing. Fortunately, this is also the philosophy on which Bernstein’s platform is built on. With that as my guiding principle, combined with the honesty and integrity that I lead with, I believe I’ll always be on the right side of the table. As a representative of a firm that adheres to the same moral compass and follows a higher standard than most in the industry, I recognize the importance of trust. Trust is earned over time, and I take this into account when partnering with my clients. They know that all my work and decisions are dictated by Bernstein’s impeccable research, and designed to achieve the best outcomes for them. Therefore, the level of trust they have in our firm is high.
Tell me about the types of clients you work with.
The families I partner with are typically first- or second-generation wealth creators. My clients’ wealth is a byproduct of hard work and ingenuity, which I have great reverence for. At times, their liquid assets are an afterthought to other, more pressing issues in their life such as family, business and philanthropic goals. There are many layers of complexity and a number of pieces to the financial planning puzzle, however, all parts are related in one way or another. My clients are usually aware of the glaring complexities and therefore, need my assistance to ask the right questions in order to uncover the less transparent issues. My team’s specialty is bringing our clients’ hidden issues to the surface, formulating a strategy to address their unanswered questions and developing a plan to generate client-driven outcomes.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Throughout my life, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have been surrounded by patient mentors. All of them challenged, guided and molded me into the person I am today. I’d like to think that I am an amalgam of many different influences. However, it would be a mistake not to mention my mom who is the most influential person in my life. The lessons she taught as a child became the foundation for my life: do the right thing, don’t be afraid to challenge people or situations where necessary, work hard and be loyal. Building upon those simple, too easily forgotten guiding principles has helped me to evolve over the years. Also, as a firm believer in karma, I live by those benchmark principles and let the proverbial chips fall where they may. There is a lot of peace living and working in that way.