In the Suite

Today In The Suite welcomes Sonya Dreizler, founder of Solutions with Sonya. Sonya is a leading industry consultant, speaker, and thought leader whose work focused on three main areas: Race, Gender Equality, and ESG. She works with RIAs, Broker/Dealers, and Custodians around the country and is a subject matter expert in ESG and responsible investing. In this episode, Sonya, a White-American professional, shares why diversity, equity, and inclusion matters and how organizations should reflect the race, ethnicity, and population of the U.S. census, not just entry-level but to the boardroom. It’s a modern view of the world formed by Sonya’s 14-year history of working in traditional financial and investment roles, including CEO of a Broker Dealer and RIA, and 4 years as a consultant. “We should look like, and be from, the communities we look like and serve.” Long before the Black Lives Matter movement, Sonya spoke up about diversity in the workplace as a powerful voice for doing what’s right. Today, she fosters candid conversations about gender and race in financial services and consults with other companies and business leaders to create more inclusive workplaces. She has a passion to speak and write about issues and current events focused on diversity and race relations—an unequivocal drive for equity and justice for all.

Today’s episode of In The Suite with Nina O’Neal will motivate you! Nina is Partner & Investment Advisor with Archer Investment Management, financial advisor, mother, wife, contributing author, Founder, the list keeps going. Nina is a sought out national thought leader and commentator on industry topics and trends who has been featured in multiple industry publications.

We’re thrilled to welcome Kris Putnam-Walkerly, President of Putnam Consulting Group, to this episode of In The Suite. Kris is a philanthropy advisor, speaker, and award-winning author with over 20 years of experience helping people make the most out of their charitable giving. In this episode, you’ll discover the magic of giving and how you can ignite the flame of change for the issues that matter the most to you. As President of Putnam Consulting Group for more than 20 years, Kris’s advice is well-saught after for those looking to deepen their philanthropic commitments. Wealthy families, ultra-high net worth donors, foundations, Fortune 500 companies, and celebrity activists work with Kris to transform their giving and catapult their impact for maximum change. She’s helped over 100 philanthropists strategically allocate over half a billion dollars in grants and gifts.

Chelsea Emery is Senior Editor at Deke Digital, an expert news solutions company that powers national, business and trade news pieces with expert insights, data, and intuition. The company takes its namesake from the word “DEKE” - an ice hockey technique used by a player to get past an opponent. “Financial journalism is the surest thing we have in a really unsure world,” she says. This expert approach to creating quality journalism, free from bias and other forces, helped guide her path to Deke. She also joins an award-winning, extraordinary leadership team consisting of Dave Maney (Chairman), Nicole Volpe Miller (CEO), and Greg Moore (Editor-in-Chief). Chelsea Emery’s work in financial services and wealth management is impressive not only because of her experience and seniority, but because of the sheer variety—from teaching Japanese, to running an award-winning trade news platform at Financial Planning, to accepting her current role to work alongside a visionary founder and innovative news engine platform at Deke.

Today’s episode of In The Suite with Sheryl O'Connor is all about retirement and finance. Sheryl comes with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. She’s a CEO and Founder of a SaaS product called IncomeConductor®. She has earned a notable list of accolades such as being listed as a 2020 inspiring fintech female in the founder division for NYC FinTech Women. She’s a Board Member for the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC), a senior member of Women in Finance Association/WIFA, and more.

Maree Moscati is CEO of Copytalk, a mobile scribe transcription service that makes documenting your important information faster and easier than ever before. From CRM and API integrations to macros to fresh tech, Copytalk is making strides with Maree at the wheel.

Dr. Bryant is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed Mental Health Service Provider who has taught at Coppin State University and Washington Adventist University for 20 years combined. She received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from an Historically Black College & University (HBCU), Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. She continued her educational pursuits and obtained her Master of Social Work from Andrews University in Berrien Spring, Michigan, followed by her Ph.D. at the University of Maryland.

Suzanne is CEO and Founder of Suzanne Siracuse Consulting Services, LLC where she advises financial services firms on innovative business strategies, financial literacy, next gen talent, and distinctive marketing programs and impactful advocacy initiatives around diversity. She spent 23 years at InvestmentNews in her roles as Publisher and then CEO.

ennifer Goldman, CFP®, is a problem solver and a process geek with more than 30 years of experience transforming service businesses within the finance industry. She’s a mom, wife, and schools activist with a huge heart for community, service, and volunteering.

As the company’s first female CEO, Faisa has seen Life Happens grow from every angle. She’s worked at Life Happens since 2003 back when it was called The LIFE Foundation, a small non-profit fledgling working its way to fly out of the nest with the other birds of prey. Well, they flew the coop big-time! Now Life Happens has Brooke Shields as a spokesperson.

Marie Swift is President and CEO of Impact Communications. She has spoken at major industry conferences such as IAA, FPA and NAPFA events. She even established her own conference called the Advisor Thought Leader Summit, now in its third year.

Today’s episode of In The Suite with Rosa Chalekian is a can’t-miss. Rosa and I have been friends for years, always crossing paths since we’re in the financial circuit. Rosa is a blogger, lifestyle fashionista, future sommelier, wife, mother, and Vice President of Operations at Lake Avenue Financial and co-host of “The Chalekians” on YouTube along with her husband Alex, Founder and CEO at Lake Avenue Financial.

As President of RFG Advisory, a hybrid RIA, multi custodial, based in Birmingham, Alabama, Shannon was presented with an amazing opportunity to help build RFG 2.0 with her partner Bobby White, Chairman and CEO of RFG Advisory.

Velera is a powerhouse author, speaker and coach with 15 years of marketing strategy experience working at Fortune 500 companies. As a champion of women, Velera is committed to helping ambitious women lead with confidence in relationships, careers and everyday life. In fact, Velera received industry-wide recognition when she was named as a Money 20/20 USA Rise Up Woman in 2018.

Lori is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® at Pathway Financial Advisors. Lori knows how the power of financial planning can transform lives. She’s a co-author and editor of a book. Don’t forget she’s also a JD, Juris Doctor. Is there anything Lori can’t do?

Today we’re excited to welcome Zaneilia Harris, CFP® into In The Suite. Zaneilia is President of Harris & Harris Wealth Management Group, LLC, author of the book, Finance 'n Stilettos: Money Matter for the Well-Heeled Woman. Zaneilia brings a wealth of knowledge gained from her more than 25 years of experience in the financial and accounting industry. Her expertise has been featured in prominent publications and media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, US News & World Report, Forbes, Today Money, Women’s Day, Essence, Black Enterprise, Women’s Wear Daily, and PBS. She resides in a Maryland suburb just outside of Washington, DC, with her husband and daughter.

Kelly is Chief Marketing Officer of Orion Advisor Solutions. At Orion, they help advisors find success by offering personalized financial management continuum, including advisor technology and investment solutions.

Marsha is a multi-hyphenate businesswoman who, while having a full-time career in Financial Technology, also manages to be a bestselling author, speaker, business coach, and CEO of HerSuiteSpot.

Keena has navigated her career for nearly half a century. She made a revolutionary move away from all the tech solutions, instead focusing on establishing conversations as an opportunity to create a result. She has an almost clairvoyant capacity to recognize the moment to jump ship, breaking patterns and barriers as she does it.

Nami is an innovative and ambitious woman who finds herself at a unique point in time: a FinTech founder working at the intersection of finance and technology. And as an investment banker turned executive turned female founder, Nami has illustrated through her career the beauty of the pivot.

As the managing director of Generation Next at TD Ameritrade Institutional, Kate supports current and future Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and independent financial advisors. She’s a woman who wants to help others empower themselves in their careers, whether that’s positioning themself for a new position or her philanthropic efforts to offer financial advice to those who can’t access it.

As a financial wellness specialist and educator, Eugenié helps corporate and private clients lead their best financial lives. Eugenié is a determined and refreshingly transparent woman who shares how she was able to move past feelings of unworthiness to knowing she was more than enough through her journey with money.

From starting as an intern in FinTech nearly two decades ago to working her way up to her current role as Head of Regional Product Management for the Americas at Finastra, the third largest FinTech company in the world – Stephanie’s career is one of risk-taking, perseverance and continued learning.

Julie is the founder and CEO of Absolute Engagement. Absolute Engagement focuses on helping advisors, advisory firms, and enterprises use the voice of the client in their business.

Teri is President of Carson Group and has the distinct honor of being the first woman appointed to Carson Group’s Executive Team. But it didn’t come easy nor arrive on a silver platter; on the contrary. Teri’s professional journey to the C-suite was decades in the making after working numerous roles, receiving mentorship, and what she describes as ‘finding her voice’—thanks in part to Ron Carson, Founder and CEO of Carson Group.

Sheryl serves as the CEO of two companies, including one of the most successful private membership organizations in FinServ, Females and Finance. In addition to leading Females and Finance, Sheryl is the CEO of Unified Financial Network and AVP of Business Development at Highland Capital Brokerage. Through all expressions of her career, Sheryl brings her energy and her desire to serve.

Our guest today, Cheryl Nash, CEO of Tegra118, has pioneered this effort for the last 35 years and changed the lives and careers of countless professionals in financial services and fintech.

Today In the Suite welcomes Dani Fava, Director of Product Strategy & Development at TD Ameritrade Institutional. Dani is a spirited woman in FinTech who, through her work at TD and beyond, pushes those in the industry to be more confident, more courageous, and, certainly, more innovative. At TD Ameritrade Institutional, Dani oversees the development of advanced investment management and technology tools designed to help independent registered investment advisors compete and thrive in a world of accelerating change. But Dani’s desire to future-proof the world is visible in everything she touches – from her engaging Twitter pages to her wardrobe to bringing AI to work – Dani’s innovative spirit knows no bounds. In this episode, Dani shares how she created an engine of creativity within a corporate environment; walks us through how AI is affecting FinTech, Healthcare and every industry in between; and shares how we can push innovation no matter what room we’re in. Join the conversation to hear more about: Dani’s path to lead innovation at Ameritrade (12:44) Dani’s advice for pitching the role of your dreams to your employer (19:39) The benefits of creating a future-looking resume (21:20) The best work that Dani created as Director of Innovation (26:42) The easy way Dani describes AI and what we should all know about AI (31:37) An easy, Coronavirus example of AI at work (35:10) The tech product recommendation we all need to know about (40:50) When creativity strikes Dani (42:53) Dani’s valuable advice to find creative confidence (44:2o) Why Dani has chosen to pursue a CFP (47:00) The one thing we should all be finding time to do, even during the Pandemic (51:19) What Dani needs to tap into her superhero strength (58:30)

Today In the Suite welcomes Mary Beth Storjohann, CFP® Founder of Workable Wealth and the Chief Marketing Officer at Abacus Wealth Partners. Mary Beth is an enterprising author, speaker, and financial coach who has made more than a living, but a beautiful life, out of her passion for educating and empowering women around money. Mary Beth’s own exposure to the financial planning industry began in college and she’s been pushing the industry forward ever since. Her first book, Work Your Wealth – 9 Steps to Making Smarter Choices with Your Money, is Mary Beth’s own blueprint of the exact money moves she teaches her clients in order to align finances with values. In this episode we learn the financial advice for both millennials and women of all ages; how firms can be consciously diverse; and Mary Beth’s timeless advice for those looking to go into financial planning.

Today in the In the Suite guest chair we welcome Bonnie A. Sewell, CFP®, CDFA®, AIF®, CEPA® - CEO of American Capital Planning, LLC. American Capital Planning, LLC is a female-owned, fiduciary, and fee-only wealth management company located in Leesburg, Virginia outside of DC. Much of Bonnie’s work at American Capital Planning is around giving back and teaching women who are going through divorce and other life transitions about how to be fluent in their own money and confident in their financial lives. According to Bonnie, if you pay attention, most conversations go back to money. Instead of fearing finances, Bonnie encourages us to take a thoughtful approach to good decision making while asking tough questions head-on.

In the Suite is a podcast that shares amazing stories of women in business in the financial services and wealth management industry. The podcast features interviews with inspiring, top women leaders in business and some of the biggest names in the wealth management industry. In the Suite is where you’ll discover their best secrets and top strategies to grow a great business, build a strong brand, and lead teams in the 21st century. In the Suite podcast is hosted by Tina Powell, TEDx Speaker, former NYU Professor, Marketing Consultant and CEO of C-Suite Social Media.

Today in the In the Suite guest chair we welcome Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP®, RICP® CEO of Blue Ocean Wealth, an investment advisory firm. Marguerita stepped into the position at Blue Ocean Wealth after serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise...

Today we welcome Carolyn McClanahan, M.D., CFP®, Founder of Life Planning Partners to the In the Suite guest chair for this special bonus episode on Coronavirus. Carolyn was one of the few financial planning professionals to read the COVID-19 tea leaves...

Welcome to In the Suite Podcast, with Tina Powell, CEO of C-Suite Social Media, TEDx Speaker, former NYU Professor, Marketing Consultant and Entrepreneur in the financial services industry.

In this episode of In the Suite podcast, Tina interviews Deborah Fox, CEO and Founder of AdvisorTouch in San Diego.