Attending my first Advyzon conference was a powerful moment of reflection and action for me. As an RIA owner and human capital strategist, I operate at the intersection of wealth, technology, and leadership and engage these lenses in every walk of my life. Advyzon’s second annual conference reminded me of the progress and the persistent gaps in our industry as one of the few Black, female CFP professionals in attendance. While representation remains an uphill battle, the power of innovation, strategic networking and cross-generational collaboration continues to offer a path forward.
My conference experience underscored that financial services still struggle with inclusivity at the highest levels. Notably, the Advyzon C-Suite team had only one woman, Advyzon Chief Marketing Officer Samantha Schwimmer, highlighting another layer of underrepresentation in leadership. Yet, there were also moments of inspiration, most notably the keynote speech delivered by American businessman, investor and Shark Tank television personality Daymond John. Witnessing from the front row a grounded and successful Black entrepreneur of his caliber on stage was a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and strategic innovation.
As an advocate for inclusive dialogue, I designed my icebreaker at the opening reception as a thought-provoking question: ‘What is it like to be a White man in today’s environment?’ I genuinely wanted to understand their perspective as members of the financial majority navigating a polarizing political landscape. I am keenly aware of what it means for me as part of the global racial majority with meager capital infusion.
Interestingly, the responses skewed to men who didn’t appreciate the current representation of their gender and racial segment in politics and expressed frustration with family members fueling the polarization. “Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays were challenging family gathering times,” expressed one attendee. They genuinely appreciated being asked about their feelings and having a safe space to share their perspectives. Demonstrating the behaviors you wish to see in others can go a long way.
The Search for Seamless Integration in Wealth Management Tech
What excited me most about attending the conference was the opportunity to explore in greater depth a tech tool I onboarded when launching my new RIA in July 2024. I strategically replaced my previous CRM, client vault, billing and investment reporting systems with Advyzon. As a Gen Xer returning to solo ownership and practice as a boutique RIA, I needed cutting-edge technology that seamlessly aligned with my evolving financial planning and wealth management business model.
Like most financial planners, I crave robust integration, operational efficiencies and an enhanced client experience. I found Advyzon’s tagline, ‘One Platform,’ intriguing and promising, particularly in its application for smaller RIAs with modest budgets. I am also closely following Advyzon’s expansion into the family office space with the launch of Auria.
In the session, “Digital Meets Personal: The New Paradigm for UNHNW Client Engagement,” one of the panelists commented on the customization (e.g., manual labor and proprietary) required to design a client’s net worth statement that detailed all of its accounts and holdings. As financial professionals, it’s clear that we are all rooting for fintech leaders who truly understand our challenges and develop meaningful solutions.
From Onboarding to Opportunity: Elevating the Next Generation of Leaders
The greatest highlight for me was meeting in real life Advyzon’s Client Success Manager, Christopher “Chris” Forst, in person, who was warmly handed off to me by Account Executive Henry VanDerLaan. Chris’s energy, expertise, and patience as a Gen Zer working with a Gen Xer has been invaluable. Navigating a tight timeline to ramp up my technical knowledge and seamlessly onboard my clients in Q3 2024 was no small feat! He celebrated my keen listening, the embrace of his guidance, and extensive research during and after our onboarding meetings. This seasoned CFP professional enjoys being a lifelong student, and the Gen Zer enjoys leading the way!
When Chris introduced me to his colleagues, I asked if they had ever met the CEO, Hailin Li. I had previously introduced myself to Hailin as one of his newest platform users while he was actively discussing deals at the reception with powerhouse and colleague Carina Diamond, chief executive officer at Gries Financial Partners, and Brian Layton, senior vice president, RIA & Custody Services at Raymond James, who was intrigued by my exuberant introductions. I encouraged Chris and his colleagues to meet Hailin, introducing them as the next C-Suite generation if Hailin and his team chose continuous investment in them. To commemorate the moment, I captured a photo of them as a symbol of Advyzon’s potential mentorship and succession planning opportunities with the next generation of innovative leaders.
Advyzon CEO Hailin Li (right) with Next Gen employees
The evolution of wealth management technology in closing gaps in access, efficiency and client experience requires having the right leaders, voices and representation at the table. Seamless integration is essential for financial professionals striving to deliver real and consistent value. My experience at the Advyzon conference reinforced the importance of diverse voices in shaping fintech’s future and fostering the next generation of leaders. I invite my fellow professionals to join the conversation, challenge the status quo and push for smarter, more inclusive solutions.
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