AT WESCOTT, my responsibilities range from the daily management of our operations, client service, trading, marketing and compliance teams, to spearheading the firm’s growth efforts, executing Wescott’s business plans and fostering our relationships with custodians, strategic business partners and COIs. With my role, I am fortunate to be a part of our executive management council and lead the day-to-day needs of the business. This provides me a unique opportunity to gain a holistic view of the firm and understand the perspectives of everyone on the team.
This understanding inspires new ways to improve efficiency within the organization, continue to build a positive work environment and optimize our clients’ experience. Today, that means using data to make smart decisions and provide our advisors with readily available information to better serve our clients.
ONE AREA I’M FOCUSED ON IS constantly enhancing our cybersecurity protections. As a firm, Wescott has built solutions to address the cybersecurity concerns that both clients have brought to us, and the SEC and FINRA have highlighted. One such solution is myWescottVault®, our digital platform that employs the most advanced security features to keep our clients’ personal and financial data safe in one centralized location. We’re leveraging myWescottVault®, along with other educational efforts, to keep cybersecurity top-of-mind for our clients and employees and we’re continuously evaluating our processes to ensure our security protocols are lock-tight. The current system of checks and balances that we have in place has one singular goal in mind: ironclad protection for our clients’ data, and their assets.
THE MOST EXCITING THING I’VE EVER DONE IS visit Costa Rica. It’s one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. While it may be the size of West Virginia, it has a dozen different ecosystems. We had an incredible guide and toured a rainforest and a cloud forest. The experience was surreal – 100-foot trees, sloths and a variety of colorful birds, including a toucan, with the sound of howler monkeys in the distance. We’re thinking about taking my son as a graduation present.
ONE CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M PROUD OF IS leading the evolution of the Vanguard Ultra-High-Net-Worth business model for clients with $10M or more in retail assets. I was responsible for hiring the right talent to manage this complex client base; establishing a more high-touch business model including events and consultative services; expanding relevant thought leadership on tax, estate and philanthropic interests; and streamlining processes to optimize the client experience. A very rewarding role that allowed me to significantly impact the profitability, client experience and employee engagement of a large, strategic business unit.
ONE TREND I’M FOLLOWING IS the continued rise of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing. I’m excited to be part of an organization that’s driven to expand our portfolio and the strategy behind our offering. My son, Jason, is both an outdoorsman and environmental activist. He is currently working towards the rank of Eagle Scout. As a family, we are very involved in his service projects, focusing on clean water and nature preservation. Additionally, as a female professional in the financial field, I am passionate about issues surrounding pay equity and corporate accountability. This investment strategy is rooted in providing a voice to topics that have long been marginalized. It’s a meaningful intersection of my personal and professional interests.
THE LAST GOOD BOOK I READ WAS All In: How the Best Managers Create a Culture of Belief and Drive Big Results by Chester Elton and Adrian Gostick. It’s about developing an engaged, enabled and energized team. I’m passionate about coaching and mentoring others, particularly women, in the financial services industry.
IF I COULD GIVE ONLY ONE PIECE OF INVESTING ADVICE, IT WOULD BE… It doesn’t matter how much money you have, it’s always good advice to maximize all available retirement vehicles. I started saving for retirement when I was 18. The tax benefits and the power of compound interest over the course of a career really adds up.
