Join host Suzanne Siracuse as she sits down with Lisa Crafford, Managing Director at Constellation Wealth Capital, to explore key strategies for building successful, future-ready wealth management firms.
Drawing on her deep experience working with financial advisors, Lisa offers valuable insights into the power of mentorship, strategic growth approaches, and fostering a strong community. She also sheds light on the pivotal role of technology in positioning firms for sustained growth and resilience in an evolving industry.
Gain insight and practical tips to advance your firm as this episode highlights:
Lisa’s three main pillars for firm growth – strategic planning, investment in people,
and leveraging technology
Ways advisors can connect with clients and niche segments to build relationships
The benefits of technology and the challenges faced due to regulatory restrictions
How to build financial literacy with younger generations
Lisa serves as the Head of Advisory at Constellation Wealth Capital. Her previous role as Director and Head of Business Consulting at BNY Mellon | Pershing was focused on working with wealth management and advisory firms to help them grow and strengthen their businesses. In addition to her consulting work, Lisa founded the INSITE University Student Experience, The Next Leadership Forum, and led the Pershing research efforts with industry media partners. Earlier in her career, Lisa was the Director of Business Management for an RIA in the DC Metro area.
In the latest episode of Focused on the Future, Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Bryce Skaff of Dimensional Fund Advisors to explore his unique journey from aspiring marine biologist to a career in wealth management. Bryce offers an inside look at DFA’s investment philosophy, deeply rooted in academic research, and how the firm’s growth aligns with the rise of independent advisors. Drawing from DFA’s extensive investor studies and advisor benchmarking research, Bryce shares his perspective on the evolving needs of today’s clients and the strategies advisors must embrace to thrive in a changing landscape. He delves into what separates top-performing firms from the rest, emphasizing keys to growth, scaling effectively, and meeting the demands of the future. Bryce and Suzanne also debate the future of smaller advisory firms, discussing whether solo advisors can still compete with larger firms expanding through mergers and acquisitions—or if the solo model is truly becoming a thing of the past.
Bryce Skaff is Co-Head of the Global Client Group (GCG) and serves in a leadership role on several of the firm’s key strategic committees. He helps to shape the vision and oversee the management of the GCG, a global team of professionals committed to delivering an outstanding experience to advisors, intermediaries, and institutional investors around the world.
Suzanne Siracuse engages in a conversation with George Nichols, CEO of the American College of Financial Services, to uncover strategies for success in financial advising. Nichols shares insights into significant areas for financial advisors, such as specialization, the future of retirement planning, and the importance of representation.
Nichols explored how understanding the diverse needs of various communities is crucial for advisors to succeed in the future. He emphasized that financial advisors must adapt to the evolving landscape by focusing on expertise and representation.
Key focus points from their conversation include:
The significance of specialization in financial planning for heightened success
Insights into the future of retirement planning and its evolving demographics
The role of inclusivity and representation in driving firm growth
Strategies for addressing the upcoming retirement cliff within the industry
George Nichols III, CAP®, currently serves as the 10th president and CEO in the storied history of The American College of Financial Services. Nichols joined The College after a 17-year stint at New York Life, where he held principal roles in sales, P&L, strategic initiatives, and public policy. In 2007, Nichols was named to the company’s executive management committee. He also served as executive vice president in the Office of Governmental Affairs.
Suzanne Siracuse interviews Vanessa Martinez, CEO and managing partner of Expressive Wealth, to explore how holistic financial planning and inclusive communication can transform the client experience. Vanessa shares her journey, rooted in the values instilled by her parents, who overcame educational limitations in war-torn Central America. This background shaped her commitment to empowering clients through education and comprehensive wealth management.
Vanessa also discusses the need for financial advisors to shift their strategies in the face of longer lifespans, emphasizing longevity risk as a critical factor in planning. She highlights the importance of understanding diverse and blended family dynamics, going beyond assumptions, and focusing on meaningful communication with clients.
Highlights from this episode include:
The role of psychology in financial planning
Why wealth management is not just about numbers, but about understanding clients’ behaviors, motivations, and family structures
Her fresh perspective on how advisors can build more impactful and sustainable practices by embracing diversity
How advisors can better serve clients of the future by adapting to evolving trends and truly listening to their client’s unique needs
With 15+ years of wealth management expertise, Vanessa is dedicated to aligning your financial goals with holistic well-being. Vanessa traveled abroad for her undergrad and earned her BBA in Guatemala, C.A. Returning to Chicago; she received her MBA in finance at North Park University while gaining insights from her time at JPMorgan Chase. Her commitment to comprehensive client wealth advisory led her to earn FINRA Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 certifications.
Are you ready to learn the keys to building a profitable, sustainable, and impactful business in the ever-evolving financial landscape?
Join us for an insightful conversation with Brian Hamburger, the visionary founder, president, and CEO of MarketCounsel Consulting, and founder and chief counsel of the Hamburger Law Firm. In this episode, Brian sits down with host Suzanne Siracuse to share his journey through the wealth management industry, exploring the challenges advisors face today. Together, they dive into the critical role of objective advice and strategic planning in successfully navigating these complexities.
Brian and Suzanne discuss:
How his father’s career in wealth management shaped his journey in the industry
Common frustrations and challenges faced by Independent Wealth Managers
The critical role of objective advice in helping advisors navigate their careers
The value of planning, discipline, and seeking external, unbiased guidance
Avoiding the most common pitfalls that advisors and firms face in transition
Brian is an entrepreneur, attorney, columnist, and outspoken industry advocate for independent investment advisers. For the past 19 years, he has served at the helm of the MarketCounsel companies and the Hamburger Law Firm. Brian was named an Innovator in InvestmentNews’ 2020 class of Icons & Innovators and included in “The IA25: Investment Advisor Magazine’s Annual List of the Top Influential People in the Industry” in 2020. In 2015, Wealth Management named Brian as one of the top thought leaders in wealth management saying, “Over the past decade, Hamburger has been the architect behind almost all of the highest-profile breakaway deals in the industry, helping advisors navigate the legal thicket of transitioning away from brokerages and into independent business models.
On the latest episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Sibyl Slade, founder and president of IntegriVest Wealth Advisors. Sibyl shares her journey from working at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to establishing her own independent financial planning firm. Their conversation delves into the evolution of her career, the what she learned after starting her own firm, and her innovative approach to structuring her fees in order to meet clients where they are.
Highlights from today’s episode include:
An overview of Sibyl’s time at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and how she focused on ensuring underserved communities had access to financial products and services
How her desire to aid families burdened by student loan debt drove her to establish her own independent firm, IntegriVest Wealth Advisors
Her fee structure that adds flexibility in order to serve all interested parties
The importance of non-judgmental and unbiased client interactions
Effective client event strategies that drive organic growth
How her Small Business Mastermind group has impacted her overall practice
Slade is the founder and president of IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, LLC. an independent financial services firm. She lends her 28 years of banking and finance experience to provide personalized comprehensive financial planning and advisory services to small business owners and professionals. In 2022, she was recognized as a Visionary for Advisor Group’s Women Forum. In 2019, she was a nominee for the Ladenburg Institute of Women & Finance. Before founding IntegriVest Wealth Advisors, LLC, Slade began her financial services career as a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed, where she was recognized as a recipient of Waddell & Reed’s 2015 Pacesetter as well as received her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Designation. In 2017, Slade became an independent financial advisor and became an industry thought leader. A 21-year veteran of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, in this capacity, Slade served as a senior regional community development manager for the Atlanta Fed’s community and economic development (CED) team whereby she provided regional and national input around these areas.
Join us on this episode of Focused on the Future as host Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Beth Bosworth, wealth advisor and head of planning at Perigon Wealth Management. Beth highlights her effective strategies for attracting and retaining next-gen clients, how being a member of the LGBTQ community influenced her planning services with clients, how she participates as a team member and leader, and her recommendations for evaluating which tech tools work best for your firm.
Key discussion points include:
Her unique journey from a banker on Music Row in Nashville to a leading financial planner
Why her mantra is “living life alongside her clients”
The importance of leaning into the personal
Why using inclusive language matters
Why advisors should throw traditional minimums “out the window” to attract next-gen clients
How offering financial education for clients’ children leads to engagement and retention
How tech assists with efficiency, but human’s own personalization.
This episode is a must-listen for financial professionals looking to modernize their practices, deepen client relationships, attract new clients, and embrace inclusivity as a core component of their firm.
Beth Bosworth is a Wealth Advisor with Perigon Wealth Management and oversees the firm’s financial planning operations alongside the Planning Team. Her passion is to help clients manage the risks associated with accumulating and preserving wealth. Her favorite part about her career is that she has the privilege of living life alongside her clients. She is an avid advocate of the independent wealth management space, and values protecting her fee-only practice.
Beth is a CFP® professional and holds a BA from the University of Georgia. She helps manage the Atlanta office and resides in Asheville, NC with her wife and two sons. She is an avid tennis player, enjoys golf, and spends the weekends hiking with her family and dog in the Mountains. Beth is also passionate about dedicating her time to worthy causes and has served the USTA (United States Tennis Association) for over 15 years.
Join us on this episode of Focused on the Future as host Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Liz Nesvold, Chair of Emigrant Partners. Liz highlights the three critical areas that firms need to focus on to ensure future success, discusses the key levers that contribute to obtaining a high firm valuation, and the profound impact her mother had on her leadership style.
Key discussion points include:
The subconscious influences that shaped her career path
The story behind her current role at Emigrant Partners
The importance of nurturing and retaining top talent
How next gen talent plays into your firm’s valuation
Why reinvestment into your business is key for future growth
Her advice for buyers and sellers’ post-deal.
The essential question every firm must consider before deciding to buy or sell
Why business evolution cannot exist without business continuity and succession planning
Join Suzanne and Liz for an insightful episode filled with career reflections, industry expertise, and practical advice that can help elevate your firm’s success. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just starting your journey in wealth management, this episode offers valuable perspectives on leadership, growth, and strategic decision-making.
Liz serves as Chair of Emigrant Partners and Vice Chair of Emigrant Bank. In her dual roles, Liz works closely with all units of the bank that provide solutions to the wealth management industry, including Emigrant Partners, New York Private Trust, Sarasota Private Trust, Cleveland Private Trust, Summitas and Personal Risk Management Solutions. Liz has 30 years of experience as a passionate advisor, investment banker, and executive. Over her career, she has specialized in mergers and acquisitions, capital planning and fundraising, succession and liquidity planning, strategic advisory, compensation structuring, deep-dive financial and businessanalysis, and organic growth consulting. Liz began her investment banking career providing M&A and strategic advisory services to asset managers and securities firms in 1991 at Berkshire Capital. She cofounded the industry’s first-ever specialist M&A practice serving wealth management firms in 1996. In 2007, Liz launched Silver Lane, a boutique investment bank that routinely ranked as the #1 or #2 most active M&A advisor to the industry. Liz and her partners sold Silver Lane to a Fortune 500 company in 2019, and she transitioned from investment banking four years later to joining the wealth management industry. A proud advocate and mentor for women in financial services, Liz was named 2024 Finance Executive of the Year on behalf of WSR Pathfinder Awards. She was honored with the prestigious M&A Advisor’s Leadership Award in 2021, and was inducted into the M&A Hall of Fame. In 2019, Liz was recognized as a Woman to Watch by InvestmentNews.
Join us on this installment of “Focused on the Future” as Suzanne Siracuse sits down with Stacy Francis, the Founder and CEO of Francis Financial, and the nonprofit, Savvy Ladies™. Stacy shares the heartbreaking story of her grandmother’s life, and how it impacted her becoming a financial advisor working with women in transition such as divorce or widowhood. Stacy also discusses her firm’s growth strategy focused solely on organic growth and why every advisor should start a succession plan earlier than they think.
Key discussion points include:
The story of Stacy’s grandmother and its impact on her career
Opportunities for advisors to get involved with Savvy Ladies™ through pro bono work
Discovering her “superpower” through adversity
The benefits of early succession planning
The power of a niche practice focused on divorced women
Don’t miss this compelling episode filled with inspiration and practical insights from Stacy’s journey. Get inspired and informed on “Focused on the Future.”
Stacy is the President and CEO of Francis Financial, a fee-only boutique wealth management, financial planning, and divorce financial planning firm dedicated to providing ongoing comprehensive advice for successful individuals, couples, and women in transition such as divorce or widowhood. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®), and Certified Estate and Trust Specialist (CES™) with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Stacy is also the founder of the non-profit, Savvy Ladies™, host of the Financially Ever After podcast, and the author of the white paper, Unveiling the Unspoken Truth: The Financial Challenges Women Face During and After Divorce and Financial Help for Widows – A Complete Resource Guide.
In this episode of “Focused on the Future,” Suzanne Siracuse interviews Shannon Eusey, Founder and CEO of Beacon Pointe Advisors. Shannon opens up about her unique journey, starting from her childhood experiences as the only girl on all-boys sports teams, shares her top 5 trends in wealth management, and discusses why scale is crucial for future success.
Key discussion points include:
How her childhood experiences in sports lead her to break down barriers in her career.
The pivotal moment when an assignment, while getting her MBA, became the catalyst for founding Beacon Pointe Advisors.
How being a woman in a predominantly male industry has shaped how she runs her business.
Her firm’s proactive strategies for better-serving women investors.
Beacon Pointe’s non-cookie-cutter approach to achieving organic growth.
Why scale gives you access to the best tech and talent.
How her firm is leveraging AI across various functions, from compliance to HR to marketing.
Join Suzanne and Shannon and get ready to be inspired!
Shannon is the Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Pointe Advisors (“Beacon Pointe”), which she founded in 2002. Beacon Pointe is one of the largest Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firms specializing in full-service financial planning and research-driven investments, partnering with institutions, retirement-sponsored plans, and private clients. Today, the firm has more than $30 billion in assets under advisement, with more than 55 offices and 500 employees nationwide.
Through Shannon’s passion for financial education, she is a founding member of the Beacon Pointe Women’s Advisory Institute (founded in 2011), and Beacon Pointe Advisors is proudly the largest female-led RIA in the nation. She also co-authored Your Dollars, Our Sense, an International Best Seller, having ranked #1 in six business and finance categories. Beyond her corporate achievements, Shannon actively serves or has served on numerous boards, including Banc of California, Viewpoint Ventures, Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Orange County Chapter, the Charles Schwab Advisor Council, the TD Ameritrade Advisory Council, CNBC Financial Advisory Council, as well as the UCI Athletic Fund Board, Sisters of St. Joseph in Orange, and the Trustee for the Friends of the Girl Scout Council of Orange County.
Shannon and Beacon Pointe have collectively been recognized for many achievements, showcasing the success of Shannon’s career and the firm’s accomplishments. Some of these recent accolades include:
Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firms
Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors
Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors
InvestmentNews Women to Watch of 2020
Worth Magazine’s 50 Women Changing the World
Top Wealth Advisor Moms by Working Mother Magazine
Financial Advisor Magazine Top RIAs
Forbes 100 Fastest Growing RIAs
Financial Times 401 Top Retirement Plan Advisers
UC Irvine Lauds & Laurels Award Recipient
Prior to founding Beacon Pointe Advisors, Shannon played a pivotal role in Roxbury Capital’s Private Client Group, overseeing investment policy, asset allocation, and equity strategy. She also managed Roxbury’s Socially Responsible Investments Team and contributed to the firm’s strategic direction as a member of Roxbury’s Management Committee.
Shannon earned her MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and her undergraduate degree from UC Irvine, where she also played on the Women’s Volleyball Team. She resides with her husband in Newport Beach, California, where they raised their four children.
