Month: October 2025
Culture, Collaboration and Career Change with Cerity Partners’ Claire O’Keefe

Culture, Collaboration and Career Change with Cerity Partners’ Claire O’Keefe

By |

What happens when a schoolteacher from Ireland follows her curiosity halfway across the world and ends up helping shape one of the nation’s largest wealth management firms?

In this episode of the Focused on the Future podcast, host Suzanne Siracuse talks with Claire O’Keefe, partner and head of partner development at Cerity Partners, about her unconventional journey from education to wealth management and the people-first culture that drives firm growth.

Claire shares insights on career transitions, cultural alignment in mergers and acquisitions, the importance of organic growth and how investing in people powers the future of wealth management.

Claire discusses:

  • How her travels from Ireland to the U.S. led to a career in wealth management
  • The key trends shaping M&A decisions for RIAs, from succession planning to client experience
  • Why cultural alignment and shared values determine successful partnerships
  • How top-performing firms prioritize training, development, and broad ownership structures
  • Her perspective on the future of small and solo firms in a rapidly evolving, AI-driven industry

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:

Connect With Claire O’Keefe:

About Our Guest:

Claire O’Keefe serves as Partner, Head of Partner Development, and member of the Leadership Team at Cerity Partners. She has a deep appreciation for the unique fabric of our firm which she regularly refers to as her “forever home”.

Central to Claire’s philosophy is human connection. As Head of Partner Development, she is passionate about building relationships with both current and prospective partners and colleagues who are excited by the vision of our firm, share our cultural values, and are committed to serving the best interests of clients, colleagues, and the communities in which we operate. She believes that authenticity, empathy, active listening, high emotional intelligence, and genuine curiosity, form the bedrock of effective communication and trusted relationships. In her words, “The magic of our partnership is our people.”

Cerity Partners is more than just a firm; it’s a community. A community where everyone’s voice counts, where an entrepreneurial spirit thrives, and where decisions prioritize our clients, free from external pressures.

Prior to joining Cerity Partners, Claire served as Chief Operating Officer and client advisor for two wealth management firms. In these roles, Claire’s responsibilities included strategic planning, client and colleague development, and client advisory for affluent individuals, business owners, executives, and nonprofit organizations.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More
Corporate Citizenship in Action

Corporate Citizenship in Action

By |

In this episode of Focused on The Future, host Suzanne Siracuse speaks with Pammi Bhullar, senior director of corporate citizenship at Edelman Financial Engines, about how the firm integrates purpose into its culture and client impact.

Pammi shares her career journey across multiple sectors and why she chose Edelman to align her passion for helping others with financial planning. She explains how corporate citizenship at Edelman combines inclusion, philanthropy, and environmental responsibility, supported by data-driven insights and community engagement.

The “We Aspire” program, which develops the next generation of financial planners, is also highlighted, as is the grassroots “Dollar Cents” financial literacy initiative, which now serves youth, parents, and veterans. Pammi also discusses how storytelling and vulnerability around mental health create stronger workplace communities and lasting change.

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:

Connect With Pammi Bhullar:

 About Our Guest:

Pammi Bhullar leads Corporate Citizenship at Edelman Financial Engines, inclusive of an award-winning Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy, charitable giving, and volunteerism. Throughout Pammi’s career, she has focused on elevating the voices around her, embedding authenticity and care into corporate cultures, and building community and bridges among people from different backgrounds.

Previously at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Pammi partnered with businesses globally on advancing DE&I best practices and managed and led the growth of early talent leadership development programs. Her experience spans the nonprofit space as well. After obtaining her MBA at Boston University, Pammi led the global nonprofit consulting program called ChangeTheWorld at the University of Maryland.

In her free time, Pammi enjoys going on adventures with her husband and kids, including train excursions, museums, and building obstacle courses. Pammi gets her energy from new experiences, travel, fresh air, and dancing with all her heart.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | More

Archives

Categories