Tag: Wealth Management
The Healthy Advisor: When Pressure, Setbacks and Life Transitions Collide With Terri Kallsen

The Healthy Advisor: When Pressure, Setbacks and Life Transitions Collide With Terri Kallsen

By |

Terri Kallsen has had an outstanding career in financial services over the last 30 years. During her tenure at Charles Schwab, she led 7,000 employees and managed $1.6 trillion in assets, played a key role in transforming Wealth Enhancement Group as COO and over the last two years, she has been instrumental in building Rise Growth Partners, the RIA investing company started by former United Capital CEO Joe Duran. And this year, she’s serving as chair of the CFP Board, a huge undertaking.

Terri has done this all while raising three children, moving three times and being a mentor to many women and young professionals in the industry. The path was not always easy. Through it all, running has been a constant for Terri, and a form of therapy through stressful times. She has completed 21 marathons, 50 half-marathons and numerous triathlons, and she brings the same endurance, discipline and vision from the course to her approach in wealth management.

In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton interviews Terri Kallsen, managing partner and head of partnerships at Rise Growth Partners and chair of the CFP Board, about her journey through leadership, ethical crossroads, and personal resilience. Terri reflects on integrity, fiduciary duty and building a career aligned with her true north.

She discusses:

  • Balancing executive leadership, motherhood and earning the CFP through intense life transitions
  • Choosing integrity over trends when fiduciary concerns conflicted with firm strategy
  • Building a wealth management culture grounded in planning, ethics and client focus
  • Using marathon training to develop discipline, resilience and long-term thinking
  • Finding clarity by defining your true north during high-pressure career moments

Resources:

Connect With Terri Kallsen:

Connect with Wealth Management:

About Our Guest:

Terri Kallsen, CFP, is an accomplished wealth management executive known for leading strategic initiatives and driving innovative solutions across both large institutions and rapidly growing RIAs. As Managing Partner and Head of Partnerships at Rise Growth Partners, a minority investor and strategic advisor to leading firms, she leads enterprise transformation for partner firms—supporting strategic planning, organic growth initiatives, client experience innovation, and platform and performance reporting enhancements. 

Before joining Rise, she served as Chief Operating Officer at Wealth Enhancement Group (WEG), where she oversaw advisor teams, platform and digital strategy, high-net-worth offerings, and trust services. Prior to WEG, she was Executive Vice President of Investor Services at Charles Schwab, where she led 7,000 employees and $1.6 trillion in assets under management. 

Known for her innovative thinking and commitment to advisor advocacy, Terri is a respected speaker and writer who has been featured in Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MSNBC, CNN, and other leading outlets. 

She has been recognized numerous times for her dedication to mentorship, empowering women in the workplace, and advisor advocacy:

– San Francisco’s Financial Woman of the Year in 2019

– InvestmentNews Women to Watch 2024 Female Trailblazer of the Year Finalist

– Named by Financial Planning as one of 20 People who will shape wealth management in 2025

– InvestmentNews Top Financial Professionals in the US | Hot List 2025

Terri currently serves as Chair of the CFP Board of Directors. She also sits on the Hollins University Board of Trustees. 

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University in Minnesota and a Master of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Terri earned her CFP certification in 2005 and is also a Certified Wealth Strategist. She received her Finance CFO Certificate at the University of Chicago Executive Education Program.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
The Healthy Advisor: Viewing Cancer as an Opportunity, Not a Fight with RJ Moore

The Healthy Advisor: Viewing Cancer as an Opportunity, Not a Fight with RJ Moore

By |

Throughout his career, RJ Moore has led some of the largest wealth management firms in the industry through challenging times. He’s held CEO positions at Cetera Financial Group, Legal & General Investment Management America, and ABN AMRO La Salle Bank. He’s also the former president of LPL Financial.

But perhaps his biggest challenge came during the summer 2023, when he was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma. His doctor called, saying the skin cancer had spread to much of his body, including his brain, heart, lungs, the lymphatic system and liver.

When he got the news, RJ made a conscious decision not to view the cancer as something he had to fight or battle. What if the adversity could become a turning point for gratitude, perspective and a deeper connection with others?

In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton speaks with RJ Moore, partner at Private Advisor Group, about his unexpected journey with melanoma. He shares how the diagnosis reshaped his view of life, leadership, and daily priorities. 

He discusses:

  •     The moment RJ learned his melanoma had spread rapidly throughout his body and vital organs
  •     How meditation and breathing practices helped him stay calm after hearing he had months to live
  •     Why RJ replaced the idea of “fighting cancer” with a mindset centered on grace and gratitude
  •     The impact of support from family, friends and the advisory community during treatment
  •     Practical ways advisors can stay present and appreciate everyday moments in busy lives

Resources:

Connect With RJ Moore:

Connect with Wealth Management:

About Our Guest:

RJ Moore is a Partner at Private Advisor Group and helps lead the overall governance of the firm. He brings over 30 years of experience in financial services to the team.

Prior to joining Private Advisor Group, RJ has held CEO positions at Cetera Financial Group, Legal & General Investment Management America, and of ABN AMRO La Salle Bank. He was also President of LPL Financial.

RJ earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Financial Management Services from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts of Business Administration from the University of Texas.

He is the former chair of Invest in Others and has also served on the boards of The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Historical Society, and Jane Addams Hull House. In addition, he is an ardent supporter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Navy Seal NSW Family Foundation. In 2024, RJ was honored at the AIM Steps Against Melanoma Foundation walk.

RJ lives in San Diego with his wife, Sarah. Outside of work, he enjoys visiting family and friends across the U.S., spending time in Palm Springs, and reading Historical Biographies.

RJ Moore is solely an investment advisor representative of Private Advisor Group, and not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
The Healthy Advisor: Turning Loss into Purpose with Jamie Hopkins

The Healthy Advisor: Turning Loss into Purpose with Jamie Hopkins

By |

This month, Jamie Hopkins’ new book, “Your Retirement Sketchbook,” co-written by Bonnie Treichel, hits bookstores, and a lot of advisors know Hopkins as a retirement planning expert. Less known is his own personal story, which includes the passing of his father in a job-site accident when he was 8 years old.

“This has impacted so many things in my life—my desire to be a dad, a sense I would die early, a fear of heights and a scarcity mindset for years around money,” he writes in the book.

In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton chats with Jamie Hopkins, CEO of Bryn Mawr Trust and co-author of “Your Retirement Sketchbook,” about those fears and how childhood loss shaped his approach to retirement planning and life. He also explains the importance of financial advice access for underserved workers, the career decision that helped him be more present with his children, and why protecting health and relationships should matter as much as building wealth.

Jamie discusses:

  • The childhood tragedy that shaped his perspective on money, planning and family priorities
  • Why many workers in trades and small businesses lack access to retirement guidance and financial advice
  • How one comment from his son reshaped his approach to work and travel
  • How scarcity around money can influence lifelong habits and emotional relationships with finances
  • How Jamie invests in his own health

Resources:

Connect With Jamie Hopkins:

Connect with Wealth Management:

About Our Guest:

Jamie P. Hopkins is CEO of Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors and CWO of WSFS. A Wall Street Journal best-selling author, educator, and executive speaker, Jamie has previously served on numerous advisory boards around the financial services industry, such as Wing.app, Wealth.com, C2P, IncomeLab, and was a national trustee member of NAIFA. He currently sits on the advisory board of Focal, an AI startup. Jamie is also the founder and president of the 501(c)(3) non-profit, FinServ Foundation, and was recognized as the 2021 RIA Thought Leader of the Year by WealthManagement.com and Top 10 Investopedia 100 Top Financial Advisor for 2023. Jamie has also taught financial planning courses and created course content at Creighton University and American College of Financial Services since 2012.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
The Healthy Advisor: The Toll of Caregiving with Melissa Caro

The Healthy Advisor: The Toll of Caregiving with Melissa Caro

By |

In 2018, Melissa Caro’s perfectly healthy 72-year-old mother was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, and within 24 hours she became her sole caregiver, her financial planner, her life coach and her healthcare advocate. At the same time, her 87-year-old stepdad was falling apart and spiraling into dementia, and her husband was in the hospital with severe back problems.

As a Type A personality, she struggled significantly during this time. During one doctor’s visit for her mother, a nurse reminded her to take care of herself.

In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton speaks with Caro, founder of My Retirement Network, a financial education resource for clients and the advisors who serve them, on how she navigated caregiving while managing her career and other responsibilities.

She discusses the emotional complexity of caregiving, the gap in financial literacy for those without advisors, and how her experience shaped her mission to help people understand their finances during life’s most challenging moments.

She discusses:

  • Her journey into financial services
  • The sudden shift from professional routine to full-time caregiving
  • The financial, physical and emotional toll caregiving can have on a person
  • The things that helped her cope and get through the struggling times
  • How financial fear intensifies during illnesses
  • How her caregiving experience shaped the work she does today with My Retirement Network
  • How personal loss can help advisors listen, communicate and frame their role with clients

Resources:

Connect With Melissa Caro:

Connect with Wealth Management:

About Our Guest:

Melissa Caro is a Certified Financial Education Instructor, CFP, and the founder of My Retirement Network, a digital media platform dedicated to promoting financial literacy. With a mission rooted in the belief that knowledge empowers people to create the future they envision, Melissa brings decades of experience in finance and education to her work. She has witnessed firsthand the positive impact that understanding finances can have on people’s lives, far beyond just numbers.

Melissa’s goal is to make financial literacy accessible and meaningful for everyone. My Retirement Network was created to bridge the gap between complex financial concepts and the everyday decisions that shape financial futures. The platform empowers individuals at every stage, whether they’re planning for retirement, starting a career, or teaching their children about money, to understand and take control of their financial well-being. Through education and awareness, Melissa supports people on their journey to building a stronger, more informed financial foundation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
The Healthy Advisor: Taking Control of Your Finances with Bridget Venus Grimes

The Healthy Advisor: Taking Control of Your Finances with Bridget Venus Grimes

By |

After facing divorce, financial hardship and even losing her home in a wildfire, Bridget Venus Grimes rebuilt her life and career around helping other women do the same, taking control of their finances, finding community and redefining success on their own terms.

In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton sits down with Grimes, president of WealthChoice and co-founder of Equita Financial Network, to explore her journey from Wall Street trader to pastry chef to financial planner for breadwinner women.

From personal struggle to powerful purpose, Grimes reveals how she built a network to uplift female advisors and how coaching, balance, and connection helped her thrive through life’s toughest seasons.

She discusses:

  • The unconventional path that led Bridget from trading floors to Paris kitchens and back to finance
  • How divorce, debt and disaster shaped her passion for empowering women through financial planning
  • Why pay inequity and lack of flexibility persist for women in financial services
  • What inspired her to create Equita Financial Network
  • How coaching, community, and boundaries can protect advisors from burnout

Resources:

Connect with Wealth Management:

Connect With Bridget Venus Grimes:

About Our Guest:

Bridget Venus Grimes, CFP, is President of WealthChoice, a wealth management firm for women executives, and Co-founder of the SEC-registered investment advisor Equita Financial Network, a community of women-led financial planning firms. Bridget began her career in 1987, trading stocks for private hedge funds in New York City, before pursuing her passion for financial planning for women.

Bridget believes in empowering women to take confident steps toward a better life. She authored the best-selling book Corner Office Choices: The Executive Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom and has written countless articles for major US media channels. Her commitment to women’s financial education extends not only to women professionals but also to fellow financial planners. She has spoken at major industry conferences and co-hosted the Financial Planning Association’s Women’s Knowledge Circle.

Bridget splits her time between Arizona and California and enjoys boating, golf, entertaining, anything French, and, most of all, cooking. She holds a B.A degree in German language and literature and a minor in Art History from Mount Holyoke College.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
The Healthy Advisor: An Unexpected Stroke and the Way Forward With Mark Singer

The Healthy Advisor: An Unexpected Stroke and the Way Forward With Mark Singer

By |

For 35 years, Mark Singer owned an independent financial planning firm, Safe Harbor Retirement Planning, in the Boston area, a Commonwealth Financial Network affiliate. During that time, he was living life at full speed—running three businesses, exercising, playing golf, boating, spending time with grandchildren—until he had a life-changing stroke in October 2022.

He lost his ability to speak, swallow, eat and perform the most basic functions. His recovery forced him to slow down and retire from the business earlier than he expected.

In this episode of The Healthy Advisor, host Diana Britton talks with Mark Singer, a retired financial advisor, about how the stroke reshaped his view of success and identity. His story points to the strength of resilience, perspective and compassion, both in business and in life.

Diana and Mark discuss:

  • Mark’s journey from textile manufacturing to founding Safe Harbor Retirement Planning in Boston
  • The moment the stroke upended his life, and how he figured out a way forward
  • Mark’s mantra of “focus on the what is, not the what if.”
  • How things played out with his financial planning business
  • The role of friendships, community and client relationships in his recovery
  • Lessons learned from 35 years as an advisor

Resources:

Connect With Mark Singer:

Connect with WealthManagement.com:

About Our Guest:

Author Mark Singer has been recognized for his vision and creativity within the world of financial planning. He is the author of two books, and the most recent, The Six Secrets to a Happy Retirement, is available on Amazon.com. Drawing upon his over three decades as a founder of one of the leading retirement firms in Boston, the book profiles the financial, emotional, and physical issues associated with the transition into retirement.

He retired from his role as president of Safe Harbor Retirement Planning in 2022, and had served as the Retirement Guide to thousands of investors since 1986. Mark’s approach was to focus on each individual client and ask the questions that other advisors and investors often overlook.

Mark is a frequent speaker and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, ABCNews.com, FoxNews.com, and Bloomberg Radio, as well as locally (Boston) on NECN and WRKO. 

Mark is also a multiyear recipient of Boston Magazine’s 5 Star Wealth Manager Award.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
The Healthy Advisor: A Heart for Serving the Neurodivergent with Ryan Marcus

The Healthy Advisor: A Heart for Serving the Neurodivergent with Ryan Marcus

By |

Ryan Marcus has a passion for helping the wealth management industry better serve the neurodivergent community. He argues that the industry is not serving them in an intentional way.

Neurodivergence refers to divergence in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal. It’s frequently used with reference to autistic spectrum disorders.

The issue is personal to Ryan, whose nephew, Nicholas, is on the spectrum. That experience revealed how unprepared the wealth management industry is to serve this growing community, even as trillions in wealth shift to younger generations.

In this episode of The Healthy Advisor podcast, WealthManagement.com Executive Editor Diana Britton speaks with Ryan Marcus, chief business development and engagement officer at Binah Capital, about what he’s learned from his nephew, why authenticity matters, and how advisors can embrace practical, human changes that make a big impact.

Ryan discusses:

  • His personal connection with his nephew and the lessons he’s learned about authenticity
  • The financial obstacles neurodivergent clients face, from sensory overload to complex communication  
  • Small office and meeting adjustments that remove barriers and improve comfort
  • The gap in how the financial services industry serves the neurodivergent community
  • The opportunity advisors have to better serve individuals on the spectrum
  • How financial literacy and wealth management both play critical roles in long-term well-being

Resources:

Connect with Ryan Marcus:

Connect with WealthManagement.com:

About Our Guest:

A recognized connector in the wealth management industry, Ryan Marcus has over two decades of experience leading strategy and client engagement across respected firms such as United Capital, RBC Advisor Services, and MarketCounsel Consulting. He has driven growth by aligning people, ideas, and opportunities, with a focus on enhancing client experience and deepening relationships. Known for building trust and offering strategic insight, Ryan has shared his perspective through industry panels and publications. His work continues to shape how firms think about client service, business development, and scalable infrastructure in an evolving regulatory and competitive landscape.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More
The Healthy Advisor: How a Near-Death Experience Became an ‘Origination Point’ With John Connell

The Healthy Advisor: How a Near-Death Experience Became an ‘Origination Point’ With John Connell

By |

The summer after his freshman year in high school, John Connell went on the Texas Giant rollercoaster in Arlington, Texas, the tallest wooden rollercoaster in the U.S. at that time. John ended up in the hospital, with injuries the doctors weren’t sure he’d recover from. That became an “origination point,” a wake-up call that forever changed the trajectory of his life.

In this episode of The Healthy Advisor podcast, WealthManagement.com Executive Editor Diana Britton talks with John Connell, co-founder and CEO of Focal, about the life-changing experience. It shaped his perspective, inspired his relentless curiosity, and ultimately led to the creation of Focal, an artificial intelligence meeting management solution for financial advisors.

John opens up about the accident that nearly claimed his life as a teenager, how it fueled a lifelong commitment to impact, and why he believes hardship is a hidden teacher. He also shares how his global travels, time at Microsoft and passion for scaling meaningful change converged to create a company that helps advisors spend more time with clients and less on paperwork.

John discusses:

  • His childhood and early experiences that shaped him
  • His near-death experience and its long-lasting impact on his worldview
  • Lessons from global travel and embracing different cultures
  • The role of technology in driving societal change
  • How Focal is helping advisors reclaim their time and serve more clients

Resources:

Connect With John Connell:

Connect with WealthManagement.com:

About Our Guest:

John leads Focal as CEO, an AI note-taking platform and automation services provider. Focal goes beyond AI note-taking by helping firms automate KYC, onboarding, planning, and more. We are trusted by executives across Ritholtz, Fidelity, Vanguard, KPMG, and more as the industry’s most secure note-taker and automation provider, helping advisors save 8 hours a week and scale serviceable clients by 30%.

John started his career at Microsoft, where he managed a $1B P&L for Office 365 and contributed strategically to Microsoft’s landmark acquisition of LinkedIn. After relocating to San Francisco, he joined a video conferencing startup that was acquired by Dialpad. He then leveraged his expertise in enterprise SaaS and AI/ML to invest at a $5B AUM venture capital fund, later scaling an AI/compliance startup from its early stages as the first business hire to securing $36M in funding within three years.

John graduated from the University of Texas, combining studies in Finance and Management Information Systems with foundational experiences in wealth management at Merrill Lynch and equity trading at Jefferies in New York.

If you have a struggle and wish to share your experiences and help others in similar situations, please reach out to Diana at diana.britton@informa.com.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

FEATURE
The Healthy Advisor: Struggling With Anxiety With RBC’s Shareen Luze

The Healthy Advisor: Struggling With Anxiety With RBC’s Shareen Luze

By |

In her role as head of culture and field experience at RBC Wealth Management U.S., Shareen Luze is responsible for making sure the firm’s 2,200 financial advisors feel supported and have a similar employee experience as those in the home office.

One particular area of focus, which has become more acute in the global pandemic, has been mental wellbeing. 

 But Shareen has had her own mental health challenges, having struggled with anxiety for years. She first realized she had the mental health disorder after the birth of her first child, a son. At the time, she wanted to make it look like she had everything together to the outside world. But on the inside, she was dealing with feelings of excessive worry, an inability to relax or sit still, and lack of sleep. She was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety.

 WealthManagement.com Managing Editor Diana Britton speaks with

Shareen Luze, head of culture and field experience at RBC Wealth Management U.S., who opens up about her mental health and how these experiences have shaped her approach to employee well-being.

 Shareen discusses: 

  • Her journey with postpartum anxiety and her realization about her mental health
  • The impact of perfectionist tendencies and societal pressures on mental well-being
  • Why she initially avoided talking about her mental health at work
  • How her life changed after being more vulnerable at work
  • Her experience with breast cancer and how she dealt with her anxiety during that time
  • The biggest mental health challenges facing financial advisors

 Resources:

 Connect With Shareen Luze:

 Connect with WealthManagement.com:

 About Our Guest:

 In her role as head of culture and field experience for RBC Wealth Management–U.S., Shareen Luze dedicates herself to ensuring the firm’s purpose-driven culture and strong values are at the core of every business decision. She has built a career around providing compassionate advice and counsel to employees, managers, and leaders.

 

If you have a struggle and wish to share your experiences and help others in similar situations, please reach out to Diana at diana.britton@informa.com.

 The Healthy Advisor podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever podcasts are found.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

BB Image
Transparency with Diana B.: The Road to Recovery

Transparency with Diana B.: The Road to Recovery

By |

Advisor Gary Schwartz was always able to make money; at the young age of 12, he started delivering newspapers in the Bronx. That’s also when he discovered drugs and alcohol, which became a way for him to self-medicate and cope with his self-esteem issues. From there, the addiction progressed; cocaine and speed were his drugs of choice. 

In this episode, Diana Britton, managing editor of WealthManagement.com, is joined by Schwartz, president and CEO of Madison Planning Group in White Plains, N.Y., who’s been clean for 32 years. Gary shares about how he eventually got on the road to recovery. But once he got clean, he felt the need to overcompensate for his addiction and his past by buying things for his family and sending his kids to the best schools. But that eventually caught up to him as well, and he nearly had to file for bankruptcy. 

He discusses his journey of overcoming those struggles to build his own advisory business, which is now thriving. 

Gary discusses: 

  • The experiences that shaped him early on in life;
  • What led him to become addicted to drugs and alcohol;
  • What his career looked like while he was struggling with addiction and how it has changed throughout recovery;
  • How family and friends played a role in getting help;
  • How his desire to overcompensate eventually led him to near-bankruptcy; and 
  • How Gary’s experiences shaped his career in financial services.

Connect With Gary Schwartz:

Connect With Wealth Management & NREI:

About Our Guest:

Gary Schwartz opened the doors to Madison Planning Group in White Plains, N.Y. in 1997, followed by the Syracuse office in 2007, Long Island office in 2013 and Lake Worth, Fla. office in 2017. He attributes the firm’s success to the fact they are focused on one thing: managing the success of every single client. As part of his personal commitment to financial education, Madison Planning Group provides worksite educational seminars for employees of state agencies, unions, as well as financial workshops for employees of private and public corporations.

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More