What inspired you to join Bernstein?
The word “fiduciary” is a mouthful, and one that is often thrown around in the world of wealth management. Put in the simplest of forms, a fiduciary is an advisor tasked with placing their clients’ interests first. While many firms claim to meet this standard, Bernstein is perhaps the only one that truly lives up to its promise. From day one, Bernstein was built from the ground up in order to avoid conflicts of interest that are oftentimes par for the course in the finance industry. At Bernstein, we also have a wealth of resources that allow us to deliver custom, creative solutions for our clients so they can meet their individual goals. Bernstein’s fiduciary culture is the real deal as it lives up to the definition of the word. It is our firm’s truthfulness, when it comes to saying what we mean and doing what we say, that attracted me to join 10 years ago. It also guides every decision we make at the firm today.
What passions do you pursue outside of work?
I’ve dedicated much of my personal and professional life to serving nonprofits, and their missions, to execute on my own mission: making a positive difference in the world. I started at Bernstein’s Washington, DC, office and, very early on, was able to work closely with complex, national charities with myriad challenges. Over the last decade, I’ve developed my area of expertise in helping organizations make the most of their precious capital and limited resources. I still work with many nonprofit clients and also serve on several nonprofit boards in my spare time. I am particularly drawn to nonprofits whose focus is on education. I believe that by supplying disadvantaged students with proper education, we can help them overcome their socioeconomic challenges, break the cycle and live successful, fulfilling lives. It’s an honor to be able to work with nonprofits both within my role at Bernstein and outside of the firm.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of being an advisor to your clients?
Money is often a source of anxiety. My theory applies as much to those who are well-off as to people with financial struggles. Even for those with more money than they can spend, wealth presents a daunting responsibility. My clients want to protect, grow and use it to make a positive impact on their loved ones or causes they care about. At Bernstein, I’ve advised a diverse set of clients, including individuals, families and nonprofits, on how to assign meaning and purpose to their wealth. This starts with deep, analytical planning and defining what success means to them. I then work with my clients to build custom portfolio strategies, with state-of-the-art services, guided by our best-in-class global research effort. Over the years, I have ultimately helped hundreds of clients meet their long-term goals. Equally as important, I’ve provided them with peace of mind, purpose and confidence every step of the way. The ability to do that continues to make my career very rewarding.