Tag: Financial Planning
The WealthStack Podcast: How RIAs Can Prepare for The Latest SEC Cybersecurity Rules

The WealthStack Podcast: How RIAs Can Prepare for The Latest SEC Cybersecurity Rules

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SEC compliance is top of mind for RIAs across the country, and their cybersecurity needs are specific. RIAs have a fiduciary responsibility to protect their clients’ data and assets, which can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. A data breach could result in fines, penalties, and reputational damage. With the SEC proposing new rules to address cybersecurity risks, RIAs need to be prepared to future-proof their practice.

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Michael Cocanower, Founder and CEO of Advisercyber, about what pending regulations mean for RIAs.

Shannon and Michael also discuss:

  • What role the advisor plays when mitigating risks
  • Why the SEC believes firms are underinvesting in cyber solutions
  • What the AI arms races means in the context of regulation
  • How RIAs can effectively respond to and recover from a cybersecurity incident

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Michael Cocanower:

About Our Guest:

Michael Cocanower is the founder and CEO of AdviserCyber. He has over 25 years of experience in the IT field, and specifically designed AdviserCyber to assist Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in complying with the most sweeping SEC cybersecurity requirements in history. Michael has led IT consulting organizations empowering small and mid-market businesses with strategic guidance. Michael is recognized as an Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP ®), as well as a Certified Ethical Hacker.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Michael earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both finance and computer information systems from Arizona State University. He went on to serve in technology consulting positions for various Arizona-based companies, as well for industry giants such as Microsoft and Cisco. Michael served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners for many years and is also a past president of the Arizona Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization. Michael is a black belt in the Kang-Sul division of Hwa Rang Do, a trained sniper, and runs in excess of 50 miles per week. In his spare time he is up for just about any type of life adventure offers to him.

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The WealthStack Podcast: The Importance of a Growth Partner with Andree Mohr

The WealthStack Podcast: The Importance of a Growth Partner with Andree Mohr

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For financial advisors, having a growth partner is essential for achieving sustainable success and scaling their business. The right partner can provide strategic insights, and enhance an advisor’s operational efficiencies and client service capabilities. Through strategic partnerships, advisors can access new markets and opportunities more effectively, manage risks better, and stay ahead of industry trends, ultimately leading to increased client satisfaction and higher growth rates. 

 In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Andree Mohr, President of Integrated Partners, about the importance of a growth partner.

Shannon and Andree also discuss:

  • Why Integrated’s CPA Alliance is a game changer 
  • Successful transition stories, including an advisor who saw 96% organic growth
  • How the role of technology impacted Integrated’s strategy for onboarding, training, and supporting advisors
  • Tech that’s standing out in a crowded marketplace 

Resource:

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Andree Mohr:

About Our Guest:

Andree supports growth on many levels as the President of Integrated. In this role, She oversees the day-to-day operations, manages budgets, and drives the firm’s key objectives to ensure the consistent and healthy growth of the organization. A particular passion of hers is helping entrepreneurial-minded financial advisors implement strategic operations that enhance efficiencies, foster practice growth, and bring their business visions to fruition. Through Integrated’s CPA Alliance program, she assists CPA partners in monetizing their most trusted advisor status while simultaneously aiding clients in their financial planning and tax needs.

She is also the co-author of “Center Stage: How to Become the Star of Your Practice” along with Matt Ackermann. The book focuses on operational, team building, and business processing efficiencies to help empower advisors to streamline their practices. The end result: advisors will have a roadmap to grow their business, leave a lasting legacy, and ultimately provide a boutique, concierge, memorable experience for their clients.

Her professional background includes graduating from Northeastern University, with an emphasis on experiential learning. She has been supporting advisors in various capacities for the last 13 years and truly enjoys helping them with their growth endeavors, facilitating business optimization, and ultimately watching them realize their goals.

Rounding out her life involves spending time with her husband and twin daughters, passionately cheering on the New England Patriots, traveling, and supporting charitable causes that are important to her.

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The WealthStack Podcast: How LPL Approaches Digital Transformation with Greg Gates

The WealthStack Podcast: How LPL Approaches Digital Transformation with Greg Gates

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LPL Financial has been a leader in the independent broker/dealer space for years, serving nearly 22,000 financial advisors representing over $1 trillion of brokerage and advisory assets. This means the business needs its infrastructure to be fast, reliable and secure. Everything LPL does is positioned around helping advisors take care of their clients, with technology being a driving force. 

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Greg Gates, CTO of LPL, about how technological advancements are driving the firm’s digital transformation.

Shannon and Greg also discuss:

  • 2024 plans around tech spend 
  • LPL’s stance on artificial intelligence
  • How the firm prioritizes tech initiatives for advisors 
  • Striking the right balance when it comes to scaling the business 

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Greg Gates:

About Our Guest:

Greg Gates is managing director and Chief Technology & Information Officer for LPL Financial. In this role, Mr. Gates is responsible for managing all aspects of the firm’s technology and systems applications. He leads a high-performing information technology organization responsible for delivering technology solutions and market-leading platforms that enable positive, compelling experiences for LPL advisors and employees.

Mr. Gates joined LPL in 2018 with nearly two decades of senior-level management experience focused on the application of technology to solve business challenges on a global scale. Before joining LPL, Mr. Gates led Product Management and Engineering teams at PayPal from 2011 to 2018, focusing on internal technology platforms, merchant and consumer experiences, risk and security, and global operations. Prior to that, at Bank of America, he led a number of technology organizations, culminating in leadership of Bank of America’s Contact Center Technology from 2002 to 2011.

Mr. Gates earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1999, and successfully completed multiple leadership, continuing education, and certification programs from several organizations. He recently served on the Pega Platform Customer Advisory Board at Pegasystems, and previously served on Avaya’s customer advisory board. He is currently on Box, Inc.’s CIO Advisory Board.

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The WealthStack Podcast: Why Estate Planning is The Next Frontier of Wealth Management with Gene Farrell

The WealthStack Podcast: Why Estate Planning is The Next Frontier of Wealth Management with Gene Farrell

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Is estate planning the next frontier of wealth management? Estate planning solutions are becoming steadily more popular with advisors, especially those seeking to differentiate their services. As clients become increasingly aware of the complexities of wealth transfer, asset protection, and legacy planning, they expect comprehensive guidance from their advisors. By using estate planning tools, advisors can offer a holistic approach to wealth management, addressing not only investment strategies but also the essential aspects of estate distribution and tax implications. 

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Gene Farrell, CEO of Vanilla, about the emerging trends in estate planning and why it’s becoming a critical part of wealth management.

Shannon and Gene also discuss:

  • Why estate planning is becoming a differentiator for financial advisors 
  • The biggest misconceptions around estate planning
  • Why the great wealth transfer is driving technological changes
  • The impact AI is having on estate planning software

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Gene Farrell:

About Our Guest:

With over 25 years of executive leadership experience driving transformation and growth across the consumer and technology industries, Gene is a recognized thought leader and innovator known for building disruptive new businesses for global brands. He was named a 2019 Innovator of the Year by the Puget Sound Business Journal. 

Prior to Vanilla, Gene spent 4 1/2 years at Smartsheet where he helped take the company public and scale the business from $100M to over $500M in revenue. As Smartsheet’s Chief Strategy and Product Officer Gene was responsible for leading company strategy, corporate development, product management, product marketing, experience design, and strategic alliances. Gene joined Smartsheet from Amazon Web Services where he spent five years as a vice president responsible for enterprise computing. In this role, Gene pioneered new cloud businesses including Amazon WorkSpaces and Amazon Chime. Before Amazon, Gene was a vice president at the Coca-Cola Company, where he founded and led the creation of the Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage platform. His groundbreaking work on Coca-Cola Freestyle was recognized by Forbes as one of the best new products of the decade and received the Edison Gold Innovation and Catalyst Design awards.



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Derek Notman
The WealthStack Podcast: Keeping Tech Simple as a Virtual Advisor with Derek Notman

The WealthStack Podcast: Keeping Tech Simple as a Virtual Advisor with Derek Notman

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After spending years in a suit and tie and feeling held back by technology within the broker-world, Derek Notman, CFP®, made the decision to take his practice completely virtual. While that was back in 2013, he has since designed a tech stack that satisfies the needs not only for his business, but one that his clients enjoy using as well.

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Derek, who is also the founder of Couplr, Conneqtor, and host of Rethink – The Financial Advisor Podcast, on his future wealthtech outlook.

Shannon and Derek discuss: 

  • How he approached building his own tech stack 
  • Why he is on a mission to fix money
  • What to future holds for Couplr and Conneqtor (and where AI fits in)
  • Why the power of personal branding is critical for growth

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

Connect with Guest:

About Our Guest:

Derek entered the financial services industry in 2006 and experienced a high level of success early on which he attributed to the philosophy of “do what is right for my clients and eventually I will get paid.” After 3 years, he started his own firm.

In 2013, he made the decision to transition his practice to a Virtual model. Derek did this to best serve his unique clientele while also ensuring a great life-work balance for him to spend more time pursuing his passions and enjoying more of life’s moments with his wife and son. He is no longer taking on new clients other than direct referral for his RIA.

Knowing the financial industry & profession as both an advisor & fintech founder has given him a unique perspective on how to address and tackle some large problems which he is laser focused on via his four dimensions with:

  • Couplr
  • Conneqtor
  • Rethink FA Podcast
  • Intrepid Wealth Partners

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Lori Hardwick: How Technology is Revolutionizing the Wealth Management Industry

Lori Hardwick: How Technology is Revolutionizing the Wealth Management Industry

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Innovation and adoption of technology are rapidly redefining the way financial advisors work with clients – and are revolutionizing the wealth management industry. 

One of the most experienced and knowledgeable voices in the wealth management and WealthTech industries — Lori Hardwick, CEO of Red Rock Strategic Partner — stopped by the WealthStack podcast to highlight the developments in FinTech that all advisors need to know. 

Ms. Hardwick talks with Mark Bruno, the Managing Director of Wealth Management at Informa, about her key learnings sitting on the boards for major players in WealthTech, such as Orion, Cetera, and Vestwell. In addition, they discuss:

  • How emerging technology is improving every interaction advisors can have with clients
  • How technology is accelerating change in retirement plans
  • How financial planning, risk management, and asset management are converging to create a truly holistic and customizable wealth management experience. 

Connect with Lori Hardwick:

Connect with Mark Bruno:

About our guest:

Lori Hardwick brings more than 25 years of experience of working in the financial industry as a prominent voice and is known for her intense passion for continuous improvement in the financial advisory industry.

As CEO of WealthTech at RedRock Strategic Partners LLC and as a Strategic Advisory Board member of Genstar Capital, Lori works directly with C-suite level executives at some of the largest financial services companies, to help them create, and execute against, winning growth strategies and to improve the overall experiences for advisors and their clients.

Lori has been appointed to, and currently serves on, several corporate boards in the financial services and fintech industries including Orion Advisor Technologies, Cetera Financial Group, as Vestwell for which she serves a s Chairman. Lori previously served as Chairman of the Board at Riskalyze through mid-2021.

In 2017, Lori created and co-founded, Advisor Innovation Labs (AI Labs) which underwent a successful transaction in early 2020. Prior to founding AI Labs, Lori served as Chief Operating Officer for Pershing, a BNY Mellon company, sharing leadership responsibility with the CEO for managing the Pershing family of companies. Lori served as a member of Pershing’s Executive Committee and BNY Mellon’s Senior Leadership Team.

Previously and for the majority of Lori’s career, she was a Co-Founder and Group President of Advisory Services for Envestnet, overseeing its enterprise relationship management, institutional advisory sales, strategic partnerships and practice management programs. She had been with Envestnet since its founding in 2000 and served in a variety of roles managing its enterprise, sales, services, advisor orientation and onboarding divisions during her 16-year tenure at the firm.

Lori has been recognized as one of the “22 People who will Transform Wealth Management in 2022” by Financial Planning Magazine, and as one of Top Women of Wealth Tech by ThinkAdvisor, a “Winner in Wealthtech” by Wealth Management Today, a “Woman to Watch” by InvestmentNews and on Investment Advisor’s list of “The 25 Most Influential People in the Financial Industry”.

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