What inspired you to join Bernstein?
A mentor and friend originally put the thought in my head that it was a good idea for me to join Bernstein. However, it was learning in-depth about the role and the people I met during the interview process that kept me in pursuit of the opportunity to work here. Bernstein acts as a financial fiduciary and this gives me the freedom to truly make decisions in my clients’ best interest. I view it as my responsibility to fully understand their priorities and goals so that I can serve their needs in the best way possible.
When I first learned about Bernstein, I was at a point in my life where I was deciding as to whether or not I should become an entrepreneur or embark upon an entirely new career path. As I continued to learn about Bernstein and the firm’s commitment to serving clients at the highest level, I felt that every single aspect of the financial advisor role and this organization matched my personality perfectly. In reflecting back on my path to Bernstein, I was definitely meant to end up here.
What differentiates you from other advisors?
To say my career and life journey have been nontraditional is an understatement. I have always, literally and metaphorically, marched to the beat of my own drum. After graduating from Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts school in Pennsylvania, I launched a career as a professional drummer. During this time, I was afforded the opportunity to play with well-known musicians and musical groups in the industry. I worked as a musician in Europe for eight years, primarily based out of Paris, France, and Barcelona, Spain, and played concerts in 16 different countries and countless cities overseas. As a musician, I listen to music more closely than other people. I hear everything from the bassist to the pianist, and truly listen to the lyrics. I absorb all of those elements collectively and on their own. After my career in the music industry, I worked in pharmaceutical sales and also as a sales coach and manager. In both these roles, active listening was critical to interacting, in a positive way, with the doctors and my team. I became a better listener because of those positions. Today, in my role at Bernstein, I believe that listening is the key to understanding others. Through listening, I know which questions to ask my clients in order to elicit the information I need to achieve the right outcomes for their situation.
What passions do you pursue outside of work?
Outside of work, I serve as a board member and International Service Project Chair for my Rotary Club. Volunteering and giving back is very important to me. I also love to travel with my family. We have been to China, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and all over the United States together so far. I am also an avid coral reef aquarist and have maintained several tanks over the past 17 years. In addition to that, I enjoy reading, mostly nonfiction, and keeping up with current events. Finally, I continue to play the drums for relaxation and stress relief.