What has inspired you to stay at Bernstein for as long as you have?
The people. Everybody we work with is very smart and I learn something new every day. This drives me to be better at my role advising and supporting clients. Over my many years here, there have been so many colleagues who have invested in me and my professional development. I have forged some great relationships that I truly value, including with my partner, Darius Sidebotham, who has been at Bernstein since 2006.
Bernstein has a collaborative culture, where we can learn from the vast experience of our team for the benefit of our clients. We can leverage the knowledge of other advisors across the firm, as well as our wealth and investment strategists, to help clients solve complex problems. The resources we have available allow us to focus on understanding what is most important to our clients and leverage those resources to provide the best client experience.
In working with our clients, unique situations frequently arise, which I find fulfilling because I love having a complex problem to break down, make more manageable, and ultimately solve. Being able to do that every day with such a wonderful team around me is why I’m at Bernstein.
What differentiates you from other advisors?
My partnership with Darius and our approach to our clients. We have a multigenerational focus, and our partnership is specifically set up to work with complex families, business owners and busy professional clients by utilizing our complementary strengths as well as our ability to tailor our approach to each client’s distinct needs. Darius and I have worked together for years, and our partnership is based on mutual respect.
We understand that many of our clients generally don’t have time to think about the nuances of their finances. We take the time to get to know each client and understand what is most important to them so we can tailor financial solutions to each situation that arises over their lifetime. Darius and I work particularly well with multigenerational families by pulling from Darius’ deep experience and my empathetic approach to ensure that each generation feels they have someone they can relate to and speak frankly with. In addition, our partnership ensures stability so our clients can feel comfortable knowing there is a long-term team in place that is familiar with them and their families.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My mother. I grew up in an entrepreneurial family where my mother was the breadwinner. She founded a couple of businesses in the food and beverage space. There have been both struggles and successes over the years that have made me understand how managing a business impacts a business owner’s professional and personal life. Both of my parents believe that hard work is incredibly important and must be prioritized while also balancing family commitments. My mother has put a great deal of energy into her businesses and it has been inspiring to see her as a pioneer in her industry. She has forged a path for other women like her through her exceptional ability as a connector of people and her will to succeed. Seeing the way that she makes others feel special and important has led me to model similar behaviors with our clients. Every day I aim to understand what is most important to our clients and determine how we can use their financial means to achieve their wider life goals.