Tag: Organic Growth
Culture, Collaboration and Career Change with Cerity Partners’ Claire O’Keefe

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

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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.

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Creating a Client-Centric Wealth Management Firm with Tom Orecchio

Creating a Client-Centric Wealth Management Firm with Tom Orecchio

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In the latest Focus on the Future podcast episode, industry veteran Suzanne Siracuse chats with Tom Orecchio, CEO of Modera Wealth Management, about the evolving dynamics and secrets to building a successful financial advisory firm. Tom brings in his wealth of experience, sharing stories from his inspiring journey into financial planning and revealing why he continues to foster long-term client relationships. They discuss the vital role that technology is playing in the advisor/client relationship, strategies for organic growth, and the magic behind nurturing client relationships beyond investments.

Key points:

  • The significance of personal connection in client relationships and the integration of digital advisory tools 
  • Modera’s tactical approach to client acquisition, incorporating traditional referrals, digital marketing, and centers of influence
  • The role of technology in enhancing estate planning and the essentials of client preparation
  • How Modera differentiates itself through fee-only fiduciary services and ownership plans for team members 
  • The industry’s future disruptions and how AI provides opportunities for more personal advisory roles 

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:

Connect With Tom Orecchio:

About Our Tom Orecchio:

With over 25 years of experience in wealth management, Tom has always believed that the best way to serve clients and provide objective advice is through the independent, fee-only approach. During that time, he has had the privilege of serving individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, foundations, trusts, and others in all areas of their investment and wealth management needs.

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Focused on the Future: Mariner’s Katrina Radenberg on Growth, Giving and the Future

Focused on the Future: Mariner’s Katrina Radenberg on Growth, Giving and the Future

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In this episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse kicks off Season 3 with a powerful conversation with Katrina Radenberg, chief investment officer of Mariner and president of the Mariner Foundation. Katrina shares her unique path from investment analyst to C-suite leader, the importance of mentorship and how intentional partnerships and niche marketing are fueling Mariner’s organic growth.

The discussion highlights how the Mariner Foundation—fueled by associate donations and company matches—has become a cultural cornerstone, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to community impact and attracting next-generation talent. Katrina also shares insights on emerging investment trends, the importance of customized client solutions at scale and why giving back and talent development are non-negotiables for building a sustainable, impactful wealth management firm.

This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors looking to blend business growth with a broader mission—and stay competitive in an evolving industry.

Key takeaways include:

  • Katrina’s unique journey from math-loving college graduate to industry leader in wealth management 
  • Proven strategies for organic growth within Mariner, including niche marketing and digital transformation 
  • The Mariner Foundation’s impactful role in community support and employee engagement
  • Innovative approaches to attract and retain next-generation talent in the financial industry 
  • Current trends in investment management focus on customization and client problem-solving 

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:

Connect With Katrina Radenberg:

 About Our Guest:

As Chief Investment Officer, Katrina oversees all aspects of investments across the firm. Her responsibilities include leading our investment committee and private investment committee. She is also a member of our risk committee.

Since joining the firm in 2007, Katrina has had a wide range of responsibilities throughout the organization, including serving on the investment and asset allocation committees and managing fixed income portfolios for high-net-worth clients. Before moving into a leadership role, she co-managed a tactical ETF portfolio. Katrina has 21 years of experience in the investment industry.

Prior to joining Mariner, she was an analyst for a hedge fund in Manhattan, Kan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from Kansas State University.

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