Barron's Advisor Alison Dooher: Why Data Is the Engine Behind RIAs That Scale
Nov 18, 2025
Alison Dooher, Managing Director at Charles Schwab, shares her expertise in advisor technology and data strategy. She emphasizes that top advisory firms make data their core asset, not just software. The discussion highlights the evolution of advisor tech, the impact of AI on operations, and how it can enhance client interactions. Alison warns about potential risks of losing various training opportunities due to automation yet advocates for using AI insights to improve training. Ultimately, she believes future success lies with firms centered around client relationships.
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Augment, Don't Replace With AI
- Use AI to augment advisors, not replace them, and keep humans in the loop with governance.
- Apply AI to speed tasks like note-taking while maintaining oversight to prevent risks.
Tech Creates Strategic Choices
- Technology creates choices: do the same services for more clients or offer more services to the same clients.
- Efficiency gains let firms decide whether to scale clients or deepen services per client.
Protect Junior Training Paths
- Preserve early-career training opportunities even as AI automates entry-level tasks.
- Intentionally design roles that develop critical thinking for the next generation of advisors.