What passions do you pursue outside of work?
At a young age, I was introduced to the wonders of the stock market. I was immediately hooked by the fast-paced, high intensity, risk-reward environment of Wall Street. But beyond trading, I wanted to fulfill my desire to live abroad and immerse myself in another country’s culture. After starting my trading career at the Boston Stock Exchange, I had the opportunity to put the Japanese language skills I had developed at Middlebury College in Vermont to work as I moved to Tokyo to be a Japanese equities sales trader. I spent 10 years abroad, advising hedge fund managers across the globe on which Japanese stocks were best for their portfolios. In my free time, I explored the mountains, lakes and rivers of Japan and became an avid hiker. I expanded my footprint by taking the 500-mile journey known as the Camino de Santiago, from the French border across northern Spain. I was inspired by the locals I met to learn about organic farming and volunteered on farms across the US.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My mother was always my biggest influence, supporter and cheerleader. Tasked with raising three children on her own, she earned her real estate license and quickly became a top producer at her company. But what inspired me was not her “success” in the financial sense. I watched her work tirelessly on behalf of her clients. Her authenticity when interacting with her clients is what helped her build trust, credibility, friendship, and ultimately, a tremendously successful business. What I learned from watching her was that her success was measured by her ability to produce positive outcomes for her clients. Her stories were not about double-siding a deal. They were about winning out for her clients when there were six other offers on a home. She took pride in helping people secure their first home or add additional income through purchasing an investment property, and supporting her clients in a multitude of other scenarios. She genuinely cared about her clients’ success and happiness.
What inspired you to join Bernstein?
When interviewing firms for my transition from being a stock trader to helping private clients manage their wealth, I was looking for a firm that stood out from the pack. Bernstein was distinctly positioned within the industry as a fiduciary, with one of the largest investment research offerings on the street. While the firm is global, the structure is such that I knew I would be able to act as a financial concierge to my clients, rather than just being a one-man act as one of 20,000 advisors at a big firm. Bernstein offers resources such as the 40-person Investment and Wealth Strategies team, which caters to around 220 advisors across the firm and with which I collaborate on customizing the best portfolios for clients based on their individual needs. I can tap the Philanthropy team or the Family Engagement team when needed, or consult the business owners’ unit for their expertise in helping founders plan for an exit. The resources are immense, and the approach is that of a boutique firm that offers clients a holistic approach to planning.