Tag: Technology

The WealthStack Podcast: Inside the CTO Mindset at a Modern Family Office with Dan Burke

The WealthStack Podcast: Inside the CTO Mindset at a Modern Family Office with Dan Burke

Family offices sit at the intersection of complexity and innovation, where the stakes are high and trust is everything. The challenge isn’t just adopting new tools, but ensuring they deliver security, transparency, and personalization for ultra-high-net-worth families. In this environment, technology has shifted from back-office infrastructure to the front line of client engagement.

In this episode, host Shannon Rosic speaks with Dan Burke, chief technology officer and founding partner at Callan Family Office, about how CTOs balance innovation with risk, build client-driven tech roadmaps, and why reporting and data remain the backbone of digital transformation in wealth management.

They discuss:

  • His journey from investment analyst to CTO and the founding of Callan Family Office
  • Why ultra-high-net-worth families need more than just investment management
  • The role of trust, data and assumptions in adopting AI tools
  • How Callan approaches risk management, cybersecurity and process improvement
  • The Tax Overlay Management program for after-tax optimization

Resources:

Connect with Shannon Rosic:

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About Our Guest:

Dan Burke serves as Chief Technology Officer at Callan Family Office and leads the development of the firm’s integrated technology offering for ultra-high-net-worth families and family offices.

Dan brings 20 years of tax-efficient portfolio construction and investment technology experience to his role guiding the firm’s technology strategy. He oversees data management, system integration, and the aggregated reporting platform that empowers Callan Family Office professionals to deliver customized advice and solutions. Dan manages a key component of this platform, CFO’s Tax Overlay Management program, and works directly with clients to design portfolios that seek to maximize after-tax, net-of-fee investment returns.

In addition to his technology leadership, Dan serves as a Co-Chair of the Callan Family Office Investment Committee.

Previously, Dan was Managing Director and Head of Institutional OCIO at Wells Fargo Private Bank, leading investment management for its largest institutional and philanthropic clients. He also held senior roles at Abbot Downing, where he led portfolio construction and developed the firm’s tax-efficient portfolio management framework. Dan began his career as an investment analyst at Morgan Stanley.

Dan earned his MBA with High Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, specializing in Finance, Econometrics, and Statistics. He holds a BBA in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from Bowling Green State University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

The WealthStack Podcast: How AI Is Reshaping the Advisor Experience with Mark Gilbert

The WealthStack Podcast: How AI Is Reshaping the Advisor Experience with Mark Gilbert

The rise of AI is creating a pivotal shift in wealth management—streamlining operations, enhancing client engagement, and helping advisors scale. While some firms remain hesitant, the future belongs to those embracing AI not as a replacement but as a co-pilot that empowers them to serve clients better and grow more efficiently.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, sits down with Mark Gilbert, founder and CEO of Zocks, to explore how AI is redefining client intelligence, product reliability, and compliance in the advisor tech stack. 

Shannon and Mark discuss:

  • How AI is being used to automate emails, capture meeting dat,a and reduce manual tasks
  • Why the first 60 days of tech adoption are crucial for long-term success
  • How client intelligence tools can surface key life events and strengthen relationships
  • The critical importance of data privacy, complianc,e and advisor control in AI systems

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About Our Guest:

Co-founding and leading Zocks for over two and a half years, they’ve pioneered a privacy-first AI platform for financial services that revolutionizes data capture from conversations. This role has allowed Mark Gilbert to leverage his skills in AI, enterprise, and fintech Platforms, as well as Go-to-market Strategy. 

Prior to Zocks, he held executive product and technology roles at Twilio, Hearsay Social, and Microsoft after graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) focused in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Harnessing the Power of Testimonials for Business Growth with Andrew Johnson of Testimonial IQ

Harnessing the Power of Testimonials for Business Growth with Andrew Johnson of Testimonial IQ

The use of testimonials creates a powerful opportunity to amplify the potential reach of positive experiences through word-of-mouth sharing to new audiences. For financial advisors, online reputation is becoming increasingly important as clients turn to digital channels for information. Understanding how to leverage testimonials effectively can be a game-changer for business growth.

In this episode of WealthStack, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content & Solutions, chats with Andrew Johnson, CEO, and Co-founder of Testimonial IQ, about why financial advisors should care about Google reviews, the role of compliance in managing testimonials, and how to align online presence with real-world client relationships.

Shannon and Andrew discuss:

  • Understanding testimonials vs. endorsements
  • Overcoming the fear of feedback
  • What advisors need to know about SEO
  • Future trends in online reputation management and the role of AI in compliance

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About Our Guest:

An experienced FinTech entrepreneur, Andrew previously co-founded Datalign Advisory, an RIA referral platform where he serves as a board advisor. Before Datalign, he worked in management consulting with a focus on B2C marketing and in product/operations strategy with Meta (Facebook). Andrew served for five years in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, including two deployments on the world’s finest Destroyer, USS O’Kane. Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Virginia and his BS from Davidson College. He resides with his family in Denver, CO.

Why Business Owners Deserve Better from Their Advisory Partners with Trevor Greenway

Why Business Owners Deserve Better from Their Advisory Partners with Trevor Greenway

Small to medium-sized businesses make up 99% of all U.S. businesses, and most of these business owners are unaware of their enterprise value. The episode dives into how Interval provides critical insights for business owners by automating business health analytics and delivering ongoing value monitoring, ultimately helping advisors provide better guidance by integrating business health data into their planning process.

Join Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, as she speaks with Trevor Greenway, Co-Founder & CEO at interVal, on how interVal is empowering financial advisors to attract, retain, and better serve high-value business owner clients through the innovative use of technology.

Shannon and Trevor discuss:

  • What data is most important in business valuations
  • How InterVal fits into an advisors overall tech stack
  • How wealth managers can act as the “quarterback” for business owners
  • The importance of having clear business goals when implementing AI

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Connect with Trevor Greenway:

 

About Our Guest:

Trevor Greenway is an exceptionally passionate leader who believes that when data is harnessed for good, everyone in the ecosystem benefits. He understands that business owners and their advisors can operate more efficiently when financial data is sorted and contextualized in meaningful ways. Believing that everyone succeeds with access to comprehensive information, Trevor led the development of a software platform that provides this data in real time.

The WealthStack Podcast: Unpacking The State of CRM with Doug Fritz

The WealthStack Podcast: Unpacking The State of CRM with Doug Fritz

Proactive client engagement through technology has become paramount, which means the role of the CRM has evolved. In an increasingly uncertain economic environment, advisors must future-proof their business models to scale operations and expand their reach. A key area to revisit is their CRM system, which has become crucial for delivering personalized services and enhancing client engagement. 

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with  Doug Fritz, CEO and founder of F2 Strategy, about the current state and future of CRM systems in the wealth management industry. 

Shannon and Doug discuss:

  • The shift from traditional CRM systems to more integrated, automated solutions
  • Key frustrations and wish list items for wealth management firms using CRM systems
  • Differences in how firms view CRMs as either operational tools or client engagement tools
  • The role of CRM maturity and workflow customization in increasing satisfaction

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Connect with Doug Fritz:

About Our Guest:

Doug Fritz is the co-founder and CEO of F2 Strategy. Doug, a veteran CTO and sought-after WealthTech consultant leads an all-star team of executives in technology-driven operations, digital client engagement, performance, and implementation, among many other areas for clients. Through F2’s Outsourced CTO (OCTO) model and strategy consulting services, Doug is passionate about helping firms of all sizes deliver exceptional client and advisor experiences.

Rick Bookstaber and Dr. Ashby Monk: The Evolution of Financial Advisors as Risk Managers

Rick Bookstaber and Dr. Ashby Monk: The Evolution of Financial Advisors as Risk Managers

As more individuals enter and approach retirement, the role of a financial advisor is changing rapidly. An increasing number of clients need their advisors to act as “personal risk managers” and focus on downside protection and stability, vs. growth and outperformance. 

To learn more about this evolution, Mark Bruno, Managing Director of Wealth Management at Informa, is joined by Rick Bookstaber, Co-Founder and Head of Risk at Fabric, and Dr. Ashby Monk, Executive and Research Director at Stanford University, to discuss the importance of understanding risk and the advisor’s role as risk manager for clients. 

Listen in as Mark, Rick and Dr. Ashby discuss:

  • The most prominent market, economic and planning risks in today’s environment
  • What financial advisors can learn from institutional investors about risk management
  • How advisors should balance long-term risks with short-term risks 
  • How risk management technology has evolved – specifically, the risk management tools and resources available to financial advisors.

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Connect with Dr. Ashby Monk:

About Our Guests:

Rick Bookstaber has worked in risk management with chief risk officer roles on both the buy-side at Moore Capital and Bridgewater, and on the sell-side at Morgan Stanley and Salomon. From 2009 to 2015 he served in the public sector at the SEC and the U.S. Treasury, drafting the Volcker Rule, building out the risk management structure for the Financial Stability Oversight Council, and developing an agent-based model to assess financial vulnerabilities.

Dr. Ashby Monk is the Executive and Research Director of the Stanford Global Projects Center. He is also a Senior Research Associate at the University of Oxford and a Senior Advisor to the Chief Investment Officer of the University of California. Dr. Monk has a strong track record of academic and industry publications. His research and writing have been featured in The Economist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Institutional Investor, Reuters, Forbes, and on National Public Radio among a variety of other media. 

Lori Hardwick: How Technology is Revolutionizing the Wealth Management Industry

Lori Hardwick: How Technology is Revolutionizing the Wealth Management Industry

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. 

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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”.

Dakota’s Carina Diamond: WealthTech’s Impact on the Future of Advice

Dakota’s Carina Diamond: WealthTech’s Impact on the Future of Advice

As technology for the wealth management industry evolves, financial advisors will have more options than ever before to enhance the services – and value – they deliver to clients. 

Understanding and navigating the readily changing WealthTech landscape can be a challenge for many, however. In this episode of the WealthStack podcast, Carina Diamond, the Chief Experience Officer at Dakota Wealth Management, shares her experience and perspective on how successful advisory firms are using technology to customize financial plans, improve and deepen relationships with clients — and ultimately run a more productive and profitable business. 

Carina and Mark Bruno, the Managing Director of Wealth Management at Informa, specifically focus on:

  • The role of technology in changing and improving client experiences 
  • How virtual platforms can help to facilitate stronger advisor/client relationships
  • Continued opportunities for advisors to leverage and invest in new technology
  • The primary contributors to Dakota’s growth in 2021
  • Insights into the acquisitions announced at Dakota earlier in 2021

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About our guest:

As Chief Experience Officer, Carina is responsible for providing leadership and mentoring to the other client advisors at Dakota Wealth, as well as directing marketing efforts for the firm. Before joining Dakota Wealth Management, Carina Diamond was founder and CEO of Springside Partners LLC.

3. The Value of Advice: Articulating and Demonstrating Your True “Alpha” with Jamie Hopkins

3. The Value of Advice: Articulating and Demonstrating Your True “Alpha” with Jamie Hopkins

Financial advisors often have an impact on the lives of their clients that extends well beyond investment performance. An ability to help clients navigate complex life and financial decisions – which are frequently intertwined – is at the core of any successful advisor’s long-term relationships. 

But how can you ensure that clients understand the true value of the services that you deliver – and ultimately the unique problems that only you can solve for them?

In this episode of the WealthStack podcast, Mark Bruno and Jamie Hopkins Esq., LLM, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, managing partner of Wealth Solutions at Carson Wealth, reveal how to articulate your unique advisor “alpha”. They dive into different ways to communicate your value with prospects and demonstrate what makes you different from other advisors. Jamie discusses how advisors are adapting to create experiences for clients, while also focusing on:

  • The most effective ways to communicate your value proposition
  • The role of technology as a differentiator for advisors
  • The difference between service and relationship for advisors and clients
  • The services, outcomes or solutions that have the most value for investors
  • How behavioral finance impacts clients’ advisor selection

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About our guest:

Jamie P. Hopkins, ESQ., MBA, CFP®, LLM, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP® is the Managing Partner of Wealth Solutions. He is a Finance Professor of Practice at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

A nationally recognized writer and researcher, Jamie is a regular contributor to Forbes, InvestmentNews and MarketWatch. A highly sought-after speaker in the financial services industry, Jamie has also been featured on Wall Street Journal podcasts, NPR radio and Fox radio, and has made multiple appearances for NBC10 Philadelphia, PBS and USA Today.

He’s been published in dozens of financial, educational and legal journals and developed educational materials for The American College’s CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® and RICP® programs, along with CE programs for attorneys.

Additionally, Jamie has co-authored three text books and has two ebooks on Retirement Planning, “Retirement Success In 10 Steps: How To Stretch Your Dollar To Last Through Your Golden Years” and “Retirement Risks: How To Plan Around Uncertainty For A Successful Retirement.” He is also the author of 2018’s “Rewirement: Rewiring The Way You Think About Retirement.”

 

2. Dani Fava: Why Embedded Finance is a Game-Changer for Financial Advice

2. Dani Fava: Why Embedded Finance is a Game-Changer for Financial Advice

Sponsored by: Nationwide

While most consumers rely on mobile apps for the majority of their daily purchases and purchases, financial services apps are largely utility functions that occupy a limited portion of investors’ routines and mindshares. 

Enter Embedded Finance, the next “big disruption” for financial services and wealth management. 

In this episode of the WealthStack podcast, Mark Bruno talks with Dani Fava, head of strategic development at Envestnet, about the future of advice – and importantly, how more financial services companies will directly integrate with consumer technology and mobile applications. Dani explains the concept of embedded finance and offers specific thoughts on:

  • Investors’ digital “relationships” with consumer mobile apps – and the potential to align investment and planning advice with mainstream brands
  • How super apps will impact the way we invest financially
  • Why it’s important for financial advisors to understand embedded finance now – and how they can build deeper client relationships with NexGen investors

Connect with Dani Fava:

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About our guest:

Dani Fava is creating the future of financial services. She was named #71 in top 100 Women in Fintech by Fintech Magazine, Woman to Watch by Investment News 2020, ThinkAdvisor IA25 recipient in 2020, one of top 16 Women in Wealthtech 2019 by ThinkAdvisor.