When did you realize that you wanted to be a financial advisor?
I began my career as a CPA at a Big 8 accounting firm. After two years as an auditor, I knew this was not what I wanted my long-term career to be. Soon after, I began working as a financial advisor for professional athletes at a prominent DC sports agency in the mid 80’s. At that time, there were very few women working with professional athletes in a similar capacity. The gentlemen interviewing me thought I would be particularly impressed with the high profile athletes they had as clients. Not only was I not overly enamored with athletes, I admit that I didn’t know who some of them were. I was more interested in creating and implementing long-term financial plans for these clients who absolutely needed a disciplined game plan so they would have money to live off of after their careers ended.
Was there a moment that you realized you were good at what you do?
Probably the most defining professional moment for me was soon after 9/11. One of my closest clients entrusted me to handle every financial matter for the widow of his best friend who tragically died in the World Trade Center on 9/11. My client was well-connected on Wall Street and could have recommended any of these Wall Street advisors. Instead, he entrusted the welfare of this very young widow and her children to me.
Thus began and continues to this day, a very close relationship with this amazing woman whose life was turned completely upside down in a moment. We have covered the financial and emotional gamut of pretty much everything over the past 15 years. Throughout our relationship, I have tried to instill a sense of confidence and calm that has sustained her and her family. I still get teary eyed thinking of everything we have accomplished together. I am truly honored to have this woman and the client who introduced us still in my life today.
How have other women helped you in pursuing your career?
My mom has been my biggest fan…she knows that I am passionate about what I do, work long hours and care deeply care for my clients’ financial well-being. She understands the importance and how this makes a difference to each woman.
In all honesty, I did not have a lot of female mentors when I first started as a financial advisor working with professional athletes since there were so few women in the financial planning and sports representation industries. They were dominated with men who had egos bigger than the athletes they represented. What became very evident is that many of my young professional athletes came from humble roots and had very strong mother figures who worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. I could easily relate to these mothers.
Today, I am very fortunate to be surrounded by many women professionals at Bridgewater Wealth who are very dedicated, experienced and compassionate to the clients we serve.
What impression do you hope to make on others?
I hope that clients and colleagues see me as a person of integrity, who earns their trust, cares deeply about them and their family, who is not afraid to work hard, gives them peace of mind and helps them accomplish their financial goals.
I sit on the same side of the table as they do, as their trusted fiduciary. Any advice I give to my clients I would do for myself personally.
