WealthTech on Deck

A startling 6.6% of Fortune 500 companies have women as their CEOs and only 23% of C-Suites are made up of women. Such statistics show that gender bias is prevalent despite increased traction and awareness around diversity, equity, and inclusion. While progress is slow, thankfully, it is not stagnant. Many businesses receive questions about the lack of diversity within their organization and what they are doing to fix it. In this episode, Jack speaks with three wealthtech legends: Noreen Beaman, Vice Chair Board of Directors at Orion Advisor Solutions, Lori Hardwick, Board Director at Cetera, Orion, and Cerity Partners and Board Chair at Vestwell and Docupace, and Cheryl Nash, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Supermarket at InvestCloud. The three discuss important themes that have led to their professional wins: embracing challenges, trusting your instinct, working hard, and surrounding yourself with a strong support system.Lori, Cheryl, and Noreen talk with Jack about the evolution of their careers, their advice for women in wealthtech, and their thoughts on where the industry is headed.Key Takeaways [02:47] - An introduction to Lori Hardwick. [04:01] - An introduction to Noreen Beaman. [05:39] - An introduction to Cheryl Nash. [07:43] -  The evolution of Noreen’s career.  [10:02] - How taking chances benefitted Cheryl’s career. [12:03] - An overview of Lori’s career. [15:10] - Cheryl’s advice for women in wealthtech. [17:02] - Lori’s professional pearls of wisdom. [19:15] - Noreen’s sage words for women in wealthtech. [24:31] - The importance of building your network to solve problems.  [27:20] - Lori’s view of the future of the business. [28:47] - Cheryl’s thoughts on the potential of the wealthtech industry. [30:18] - Noreen’s view on the innovation and digitization of wealthtech.  [32:34] - Cheryl’s key takeaway: find a support system. [33:20] - Lori’s key takeaway: be brave. [34:21] - Noreen’s key takeaway: be resilient. [35:21] - How Lori spends her time outside of work. [36:22] - How Noreen spends her time outside of work.  [37:48] - How Cheryl spends her time outside of work. Quotes[09:15] - “You need to take chances and try different things. It doesn’t mean you’ll always be successful at them, but without having those experiences, you will not really be able to move along in your career like you need to.” ~ Noreen Beaman[16:01] - “What gets measured really gets done. You should ask that your firms are measuring diversity, not just gender, and that you reward those who take it seriously and do the right things to keep women and diverse candidates and grow them.” ~ Cheryl Nash[33:24] - “I had someone tell me just a couple months ago, ‘you wrote your own story.  You didn't let anybody else be the author of your story.’ I really appreciated that and I want to make sure I encourage other women and men to do that as well.” ~ Lori HardwickLinks  Lori Hardwick Cheryl Nash Noreen Beaman Orion Advisor Solutions Docupace InvestCloud Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Technology is an agent of innovation and a driver of the digital world, where everything is smarter, searchable, and instantaneous. Gone are the days when you had to sift through hundreds of papers in a briefcase, send off important documents in the mail, or find contact information using a Rolodex. We typically think of digital natives as the main adopters of tech, but tech enthusiasts can be found in any age group.Rod Sayegh, Head of Digital Strategy at Fiduciary Trust International, has seen this technological adoption first-hand with some of his ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI) clients, who average 66 years old. In the past, clients received their financial data annually or quarterly, but they now have the power to view their information in real time whenever they log into their client portal. Rod recognizes that financial services err on the side of caution when it comes to change. Still, he remains passionate about improving client experiences and always strives to challenge the norms.In this episode, Rod talks with Jack about making the user experience attractive to all ages, bringing tactile experiences to clients’ finances, and embracing change by “reveling in the crazy.”Key Takeaways [01:18] - An introduction to Fiduciary Trust International. [03:28] - Rod’s career journey. [06:56] - Factors Rod considers before taking on a new role. [09:29] - What excites Rod about digital strategy. [10:10]  - The importance of “adaption” - adoption and adaptability. [12:48] - Bridging the gap for clients who aren’t tech-savvy. [13:17] - Misconceptions about older people and technology. [17:40] - Using FOMO to your advantage. [20:06] - Different ways to connect to a client. [21:33] - What is Punks & Pinstripes? [24:01] - Rod’s key takeaways. [24:40] - Rod’s hobbies outside of work. Quotes[09:41] - “Clients come to us for advice, not the amount of paper we hand them during a quarterly meeting. They come to us to help solve problems, and I believe that digital technology has made some of the complex issues that clients deal with in their finances a lot more tactile.”  ~ Rod Sayegh[12:50] - “We have to give options to everyone. And I'm not expecting 100% adoption in any way, shape, or form from advisors or clients. I try to challenge and give credible challenge to anyone who pushes back.” ~ Rod Sayegh[17:20] - “We are creatures of adoption.” ~ Rod SayeghLinks  Rod Sayegh on LinkedIn Fiduciary Trust International Franklin Templeton Punks & Pinstripes Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Technology has been changing the way we do business for years, and its impact will continue to affect our business outcomes as tech gets smarter. Still, no matter how good tech gets, human connectivity is irreplaceable in building a strong business. The combination of tech and human connectivity can be doubly powerful when executed properly. Enter Halo Investing, a platform that provides access to protective investment solutions that sits at the intersection of human connectivity and tech. Jack talks with Joanna Kanakis, Executive Vice President and Head of Institutional Business Development at Halo Investing. Joanna recounts her experience joining Halo as one of their earliest hires and leaving her investment banking job to transform the way Americans can invest. She speaks about the benefits that financial advisors experience using Halo’s platform, strategic partnership initiatives that have expanded the business, and the role of field engagement in building trusting relationships.In this episode, Joanna talks with Jack about what drew her to Halo Investing’s team, how to embrace the power of technology, and where Halo Investing is going in the future. Key Takeaways [01:10] - An introduction to Halo Investing. [04:39] - Joanna’s origin story. [09:37] - How Halo Investing entered the annuity product space. [14:14] - How Halo Investing is applied in portfolio construction. [15:59] - How financial advisors get the most out of Halo Investing. [16:56] - How field engagement propels Halo’s success and conversion rate. [17:35] - Halo Investing’s strategic partnership strategy. [19:30] - Where Halo Investing is going next. [22:03] - Joanna’s key takeaways.  [24:49] - Joanna’s hobbies outside of work. Quotes[22:49] - “I truly believe that the wealth firms that survive this explosion of innovation in the wealth management ecosystem will be those that have solved the tech Rubik's cube the most efficiently.” ~ Joanna Kanakis[23:21] - “There are solutions that are available and out in the ecosystem where you can be managing your client fears, still exposed to equities, but have that level of protection and safety on the downside.” ~ Joanna Kanakis[24:13] - “This is an absolutely critical time of rejuvenation, rebirth, and innovation in this space, and it is thrilling to be here.” ~ Joanna KanakisLinks  Joanna Kanakis on LinkedIn Biju Kulathakal on LinkedIn Halo Investing Halo Investing on LinkedIn Future Proof Riskalyze Wealth Management Edge Societe Generale Charles Schwab Citi J.P. Morgan Morgan Stanley Global Atlantic Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Physicians are some of the nation’s highest earners, but they are not without their own unique financial challenges. By the time physicians earn their MDs, several factors work against them: the time value of money, delayed earnings, and substantial debt. Compared to their corporate peers who have been working for 10+ years, there is a compressed number of years to accumulate wealth. Most financial advisors do not consider all of the specific needs or unique risks of this group, which complicates financial planning. Bill Martin seeks to alleviate the burden of financial planning for this group as Chief Wealth Officer of Forme Financial, a tech-led wealth management practice tailor-made for residents, fellows, and practicing physicians. Bill discusses how he ended up at Forme Financial, the powerful tech partnerships that enhance the platform, and how Forme Financial helps aspiring medical professionals build wealth. Furthermore, Bill highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making, the democratization of advice, and decumulation in the tech-led wealth management space.In this episode, Bill talks with Jack about the power of personalization in financial planning, the unique financial challenges faced by physicians, and the factors that are driving the future of tech and wealth management. Key Takeaways [01:21] - What is Forme Financial? [03:55] - How Bill ended up where he is today. [10:07] - Forme Financial’s tech partnerships that have shaped the platform. [13:40] - The aspiring physician’s financial dilemma. [18:34] - Where Bill sees Forme Financial going in the future. [19:12] - How data drives the future of tech-led wealth management. [22:48] - Bill’s key takeaways. [25:50] - How Bill spends his time outside of work. Quotes[04:13] - “What I had intended and where I am at today is very different, and I'm actually much more pleased with how life has kind of taken its course than what I could have ever imagined. But be prepared. Part of that is doing the hard work, investing in education, learning from really great mentors, and continuing to find added value to the clients that you're serving and the rest falls into place.” ~ Bill Martin[18:39] - “The speed of innovation, having been in this industry for some time, it’s just fascinating for me to watch. I feel like in many ways it's just exploding. There's some great opportunity in that and there's also a lot of challenges.” ~ Bill Martin[22:52] - “Data-driven decision-making allows us to have more personalization and better advice.” ~ Bill MartinLinks  Bill Martin on LinkedIn Forme Financial John Clendening on LinkedIn Jack Chung on LinkedIn Orion Advisor Solutions MoneyGuidePro Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

The word "retirement" is often associated with images of white sand beaches, golf courses, and senior discounts. However, the reality of retirement is changing. The traditional retirement model is no longer feasible for many people. No longer is it about sitting back and stopping work altogether. It's about living a life of purpose and meaning, finding new and creative ways to work, or staying active and engaged while simultaneously preparing for the unexpected.In today's episode, Jack talks with Ken Dychtwald, Founder and CEO of Age Wave. Ken is a psychologist, gerontologist, researcher, speaker, and best-selling author of 19 books on aging-related issues. Over the past 40 years, Ken has become a thought leader regarding the lifestyle, marketing, health care, economic, and workforce implications of the age wave.An acclaimed think tank focusing on the social and business implications and opportunities of global aging and rising longevity, Ken talks with Jack about the five forces shaping the new retirement journey, the four pillars of the new retirement, and what financial services need to improve to serve clients better.Key Takeaways [01:35] - Ken's journey in understanding the effects of the aging population. [03:22] - The five forces shaping the new retirement journey. [04:13] - Longevity [05:19] - The boomer generation [06:12] - Healthcare [07:29] - Pension is not guaranteed [08:43] - Choosing to live a purposeful life [10:41] - How COVID and inflation changed the way people think about retirement. [16:58] - Where financial services are headed in the future. [19:47] - The four pillars of the new retirement. [20:09] - Health [21:58] - Family and Finances [23:04] - Purpose [25:22] - What financial services need to improve to serve clients better. [33:37] - What people need to have when they're frightened of inflation. [38:52] - Why Ken is optimistic about the future. [43:24] - Ken's three key takeaways. [46:06] - Ken's interests outside of work. Quotes[02:28] - "Our lives had been shaped around the form and fit of youth. But due to declining fertility, the aging of the boomer generation, and rising longevity, everything from the auditory range in our telephones to how people have to save for a longer life was going to be transformed." ~ Ken Dychtwald[04:13] - "Demography, psychology, medicine, and economy bang together, and out of that rises a new stage of life for a new set of circumstances." ~ Ken Dychtwald[11:41] - "Today's success model is not people who stop working and go off to the sidelines but rather people who either reinvent themselves, do something different, or scale back their work." ~ Ken DychtwaldLinks  Ken Dychtwald on LinkedIn Age Wave Ken Cella Edward Jones HSBC David Brooks Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

In this episode, Jack talks with Ken Cella, Principal of Branch Development at Edward Jones. In his role, Ken empowers nearly 19,000 financial advisors and their branch teams to serve 8 million clients across North America. Also joining the conversation is Ken Dychtwald, Founder and CEO of Age Wave. Ken is a psychologist, gerontologist, researcher, speaker, and best-selling author. Ken Cella and Ken Dychtwald talk with Jack about the new retirement journey, how Edward Jones plans to manage the full household portfolio, and how the firm's leadership team commissioned Ken Dychtwald and the Age Wave team to conduct research on the changing face of retirement and specifically, what clients are looking for in terms of advice and guidance through their retirement journey.Key Takeaways [01:46] - What led Ken Cella to a career in financial services. [02:56] - What brought Ken Dychtwald and Ken Cella together. [05:34] - The new retirement journey. [09:45] - How Edward Jones applies the new retirement journey in their retirement planning. [14:51] - How Edward Jones helps advisors adapt to people's changing retirement needs. [17:59] - Why Edward Jones consistently receives high ratings from advisors and clients. [20:21] - How Edward Jones plans to manage the full household portfolio. [25:20] - What sets Edward Jones apart from the other asset managers. [27:38] - What Ken Dychtwald learned from Edward Jones. [31:30] - Ken Cella's three key takeaways. [33:37] - Interesting things Ken Cella does outside of work. Quotes[05:02] - "People care about four things. They care about their health, family, purpose in life, and what they stand for, and how their financial situation could support the first three." ~ Ken Cella[07:03] - "More and more people say they're getting wind of the idea that they may outlive what their parents or grandparents thought retirement was. So the idea of planning for three, four, or five years is over." ~ Ken Dychtwald[12:42] - "Partnering with Age Wave would be one of our best sources of high EQ knowledge. It helps our financial advisors do their job even better in connecting with their clients, understanding their concerns and their financial realities, helping them to navigate challenging times, and to remain steadfastly focused on their financial goals." ~ Ken CellaLinks  Ken Cella on LinkedIn Ken Dychtwald on LinkedIn Edward Jones Age Wave The Age Wave: How The Most Important Trend Of Our Time Will Change Your Future The Harris Poll Fortune J.D. Power Envestnet MoneyGuidePro Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

The demographic shift toward an older population, concerns about the financial sustainability of traditional pension systems, and lengthening life expectancies are just a few of the challenges facing retirement systems today. While having human and digital advice connected and coordinated is key to the wealth management ecosystem, how can financial advisory firms accelerate the development of wealth management platforms to meet the needs of the retiring age wave?In this episode, Jack talks with Steve Gresham, Chief Executive Officer of The Execution Project. Steve is also the managing partner of the premier executive community in the financial services industry, Next Chapter, and a senior education advisor to the Alliance for Lifetime Income. For nearly 40 years, Steve has been an asset and wealth management leader and a pioneer of managed accounts and advisor practice management. Today, Steve focuses on improving retirement solutions for a historic demographic wave of retiring clients.Steve talks with Jack about the challenges of combining human and digital advice to create a personalized client experience, how he sees advisor adoption being solved, and the importance of a connected and coordinated wealth management ecosystem.Key Takeaways [01:50] - The key role Steve plays in wealth management. [05:03] - A look at some of the findings of age wave research. [08:33] - The challenges of combining human and digital advice to create a personalized client experience.  [12:26] - How Steve sees advisor adoption being solved. [17:24] - Creating a coordinated ecosystem of wealth management. [23:43] - The challenges AUMs face today. [28:05] - One of the biggest lessons Steve learned from Fidelity. [29:23] - Steve's three key takeaways. [31:30] - Activities Steve engages in outside of work. Quotes[03:38] - "Two-thirds of America are connected in one way or another to an aging and retirement life. And retirement is not the first word that most of them use. It is the next chapter because there is, in many cases, the desire to do something different, and sometimes there is the need to continue working depending on their circumstances." ~ Steve Gresham[10:47] - "Innovation is very difficult because when the components are owned by different players with different levels of self-interest, motivation, and speed to action, it is extremely difficult to find the ringleader that will pull them together." ~ Steve Gresham[12:39] - "I'm not sold on the idea that the advisor should be the one that is driving the solution all the time. That seems like a gating mechanism. We're never going to grow and engage with the number of people we need to if we have to wait for a human to prioritize that in their day." ~ Steve Gresham[20:43] - "If you can solve the needs of those people and you don't get hung up in connecting a product to them immediately, you will become that person, that firm that can connect with them." ~ Steve GreshamLinks  Steve Gresham on LinkedIn Steve Gresham on Twitter The Execution Project Fidelity Investments Riley Etheridge Cheryl Nash John Thiel Ken Dychtwald Noreen Beaman Anne Ackerley Franklin Templeton Kathleen Murphy Morgan Stanley E*Trade Morgan Stanley Online Morgan Stanley at Work David Dintenfass Ben Huneke Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

A secure retirement doesn't just happen. It needs to start with planning and saving early. People are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of retirement savings as they age but still fail to save enough. While there are several reasons for this, others simply do not have easy access to a retirement savings plan at work.In this episode, Jack talks with Michelle Tran, SVP & Head of Enterprise Sales at Vestwell. Passionate about all things fintech and wealthtech, Michelle is a growth and sales leader with success in growing businesses and teams. She is a fintech and wealthtech leader supporting women in the industry and helping end investors and small business owners fulfill their financial legacies.As one of the top 100 women in fintech, Michelle talks with Jack about the important role that workplace retirement business plays in educating and guiding new investors, the convergence of workplace retirement and wealth management, and her commitment to empowering women in fintech.Key Takeaways [01:09] - Michelle's personal and professional background. [04:19] - The secret to Vestwell's phenomenal growth. [06:56] - How Vestwell enables participants to save. [08:58] - The various technologies Vestwell uses to make saving easier. [10:34] - The convergence of workplace retirement and wealth management. [16:14] - How partnerships between wealth management firms benefit advisors. [17:01] - The role Michelle plays for women in fintech. [20:07] - What the future holds for fintech, retirement, and women in fintech. [24:59] - The things that interest Michelle outside of work. Quotes[03:45] - "Not a lot of America has access to savings. If you think about the 401k space, there are 32 million small businesses in the U.S., and less than a million have actual workplace savings." ~ Michelle Tran[05:02] - "When you think about access and helping people save, you don't want people trying to save that extra hundred dollars to go through 10 different steps. You want to make it as easy as possible. That's how individuals will save for the long-term."  ~ Michelle Tran[20:46] - "Modern user experience is so important. It is how you continue to build a user experience that will effectively and efficiently engage users. And that's always going to be at the core of how businesses need to think about building their platform." ~ Michelle TranLinks  Michelle Tran on LinkedIn Michelle Tran on Twitter Vestwell BlackRock iShares Apex Clearing Robin Hood Foundation Aaron Schumm Franklin Templeton Goals Optimization Engine (GOE®) | Franklin Templeton Online Wealth Management | Morgan Stanley Morgan Stanley Fidelity Investments Charles Schwab Tiburon Strategic Advisors Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

One of the most important aspects of digital transformation is the need to bring together assets, people, and processes. The merging and acquisition of the best wealth management platform can bring together the best of all three. This strategy brings together the best of what each company has to offer— award-winning asset management, an industry-leading client experience, and the scale to service even the most complex client needs.In this episode, Jack talks with Edmund Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Empower. Edmund brings decades of broad leadership experience to his role. He was appointed as the inaugural President of Empower upon its formation in 2014. Since then, he has led the organization through a period of strong and sustained growth, positioning the firm as the go-to provider of financial services for more than 17 million investors. Under his leadership, Empower has grown into a national leader serving working Americans through all sectors of the U.S. economy and wealth segments. Edmund talks with Jack about his journey to the merging and acquisitions of the best wealth management platforms in the industry. He also shares how Empower values user experience, why client engagement is so important, and the silver bullet every wealth management company needs to consider.Key Takeaways [01:27] - What Edmund has been up to over the past couple of years. [03:43] - Edmund's strategy for managing multiple financial companies. [09:02] - Edmund's organic growth strategy. [13:03] - The importance Empower places on user experience. [15:59] - Why client engagement is so important. [18:59] - The silver bullet every wealth management company needs to consider. [22:57] - How Edmund helps investors navigate the challenges COVID brings to portfolio management. [27:21] - Edmund's key takeaways. Quotes[05:04] - "Acquisitions are hard. Most mergers and acquisitions fail to deliver on the stated objectives. Often, it's around financial or operational targets not being met. Usually, a cultural issue prevents the acquisition from being successful and delivering those results." ~ Edmund Murphy[27:58] - "Over the next 20 years, with the transformational wealth occurring in this country, the wealth management business, however you want to define it, will be one of the greatest industries in America." ~ Edmund Murphy [28:21] - "The appetite for advice is unabated. It can't be understated. As providers of products and services, you've got to be able to do that and do it well." ~ Edmund MurphyLinks  Edmund Murphy on LinkedIn Edmund Murphy on Twitter Empower Personal Capital MassMutual Prudential Financial Fidelity Investments Fifth Third Bank J.P. Morgan Merrill Lynch Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Nowadays, marketing is about more than just advertising. It's about creating a connection with your customers and giving them a positive experience that will make them want to return for more. In financial services, happy customers are worth their weight in gold. In this episode, Jack talks with Kimberly Beck, Chief Marketing Officer at YieldX. Kimberly has nearly 25 years of experience in the fintech and asset management industries. Before joining YieldX, Kimberly was Head of Wealth Marketing at Envestnet. She also held marketing leadership roles at both BlackRock and Nuveen. At YieldX, Kimberly is responsible for increasing brand awareness and generating revenue.Kimberly talks with Jack about how she helps advisors deliver better investment outcomes and helps firms deliver improved revenue. She also speaks about the importance of working alongside great people, the value of mentorship, and why happy customers are the best marketing tool. Key Takeaways [01:38] - Kimberly's history in asset management. [07:39] - What motivated Kimberly to move to start-ups. [08:41] - What YieldX can offer clients. [10:28] - Why YieldX is appealing to advisors. [12:11] - How Kimberly tells YieldX's story that resonates with the market. [14:29] - How Kimberly continuously advances financial services. [17:08] - Why mentorship means a lot to Kimberly. [21:10] - Kimberly's perspective on where wealth management is going. [24:52] - Kimberly's three key takeaways. [28:00] - Interesting things Kimberly does outside of work. Quotes[21:30] - "There's this tremendous shift in our industry that's needed to happen. It's been in the works for a while, but I finally see it coming to fruition. And that's the shift in our industry from advisors delivering products to delivering quality advice." ~ Kimberly Beck[22:55] - "I see more and more firms are helping people shape their financial lives for the better and helping make wealth more accessible to more people. It's not the same industry that I started in the 90s. It's changed and has this deep sense of purpose now." ~ Kimberly Beck[27:31] - "Every company has challenges and problems. But if you're working alongside great people to solve them and with people who make you excited, who make you do better at your craft and give you energy, 90% of the battle is with the people you work with." ~ Kimberly BeckLinks  Kimberly Beck on LinkedIn YieldX Envestnet BlackRock Money Management Institute Next Chapter Nuveen Bill Crager Merrill Lynch BlackRock Aladdin Adam Green Steve Gross Cheryl Nash Financial Advisor Magazine Ken Dychtwald Ken Cella Connect with our hosts LifeYield Jack Sharry on LinkedIn Jack Sharry on Twitter Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify LinkedIn Twitter Facebook