What are your areas of expertise in solving problems for clients?
While I work with clients from many different backgrounds, my expertise is in pairing complex planning strategies with the right investment solutions for clients. It is extremely rare that one of our clients has only one particular issue they need solved; rather, we often serve in a “quarterback” role for our clients by helping them navigate the complexities that come with areas like planning around business sales, wealth transfer, engaging with younger generations on financial education, balancing traditional and alternative investments, and charitable planning. Our goal as a firm is to fully understand these strategies ourselves and be able to frame, educate and advise clients on the path for them and their loved ones.
What passions do you pursue outside of work?
I am a competitive marathoner and triathlete. Endurance sports have a lot of crossover into my day-to-day work—there is always an opportunity to try something new, see if there is a new edge I can gain, and push myself to improve. In addition to training for and competing in marathons and triathlons, I am an avid sports fan (Go Liverpool FC and Lehigh Lacrosse) and a lover of long-form podcasts and interviews and nonfiction books.
What has inspired you to stay at Bernstein for as long as you have?
We are a team.
This phrase is often overused in the corporate lexicon, but Bernstein’s approach and culture are truly team-oriented. As a former captain of a Division 1 college sport where I had over 40 teammates in any given season, I have seen what strong—and weak—teams look like. Collaboration, constructive feedback, coaching and educating are what makes great teams—Bernstein has all of those qualities. Hence my ability to forge connections and relationships with advisors, strategists and analysts from over a dozen Bernstein offices around the country.
On a personal level, I am fortunate to work in an advisor team with two excellent partners: Eric Steinmiller and Jamie Mallinson. We each look for ways to teach and mentor one another, with the specific goal of providing better advice to our clients. This “advisor team” approach is very intentional and allows us to be responsive and available to our clients whenever they might need us.