Episode 82: Hannah Koch & Joe Walker

In Episode 82, Matt sits down with two well-accomplished RIA operators: Hannah Koch, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Chicago-based Altair Advisers, and Joe Walker, COO of Bradley, Foster & Sargent (BFS), headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, with nine total office locations. Altair Advisers serves individuals, families, foundations, and endowments, offering investment management, financial planning, and client education. BFS provides investment management services to individuals, families, entrepreneurs, professionals, non-profits, and institutions.

This episode dives deep into the real-world challenges and opportunities of RIA technology. Matt, Hannah, and Joe share candid insights on why successful tech implementation hinges as much on people and process as it does on the tools themselves. The conversation also covers:

• Why defining a specific business problem must come before choosing any technology solution
• The critical role of data governance and training before introducing AI across your firm
• Tips for approaching change management and setting your team up for long-term success
• The importance of seamless integration and data flow when designing your firm’s tech stack
• How focusing solely on the fiduciary duty can sometimes overshadow your people, and ways to become an employer of choice