Job title: Partner & Senior Wealth Strategist
Hometown: Smithtown, New York
Describe your role: My role as a Partner & Senior Wealth Strategist at AC Family Office is anchored in providing full-service wealth management to ultra-affluent families. While every client is unique, my role can often be summed up in two words: simplification and solutions. Oftentimes, this includes creating strategies around multi-generational engagement, long-term investment management, estate planning, tax optimization, and risk management. Other families lean on me to lead strategic business consulting projects and coordination of their full bench of advisors (attorneys, accountants, etc.), as well as overseeing execution of their philanthropic values. AC Family Office is an outsourced family office with 250+ years of collective experience serving complex clients nationwide. As independent fiduciaries, our mission is to simplify and manage every aspect of clients’ financial lives. This gives clients valuable time back and peace of mind that qualified specialists are leading a holistic financial strategy for their families and businesses.
Big accomplishment: One of my proudest accomplishments has been the transition I made last year from the structured environment of a big private bank to the independence and flexibility offered by a family office. Specifically, this move allowed me to embrace fiduciary independence; my team and I are able to create highly personalized wealth and business management strategies for clients sourced from the full universe of providers as we are no longer captive to the thoughts, research, and products of a single institution. Stepping in as a Partner at AC Family Office, while incredibly challenging in many of the traditional “business building” aspects, has given me the freedom to develop deep relationships with clients focused on a holistic approach to their overall financial success.
Achievements in the past year: In order to truly capture my professional accomplishments over the past year, I focus on my resilience and adaption. In the face of significant changes to the industry that raised me, I spearheaded a move that empowered me to cement the needs of clients at the very core of everything I do professionally. Taking on the leadership responsibilities that accompany stepping into ownership at AC Family Office provides a testament to my tenacity and ambition. My ability to navigate a rapidly shifting environment in a way that created positive outcomes for clients showcases my unrelenting commitment to excellence.
What motivates you? I am deeply motivated by the opportunity to help families and businesses achieve their long-term goals. I find great joy in unpacking a client’s need by issue-spotting challenges and then developing tailored solutions that can create lasting impact. The challenge of navigating complex tax and legal landscapes, coupled with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in clients’ lives, keeps me engaged and driven. Additionally, I find a deep sense of purpose in helping families navigate multigenerational challenges. The clients we work with at AC Family Office often face complex financial situations related to wealth transfer, estate planning, and managing assets across different age groups with varied financial needs and goals. I am driven by the responsibility of fostering financial literacy in rising generations and creating lasting legacies. Helping families understand the importance of passing down knowledge, values, and wealth in a responsible way is a powerful motivator for me.
What has been the most challenging part of your career? The most challenging part of my career has been navigating the complexities of building lasting trust and credibility. This was particularly challenging during the earliest chapters of my time in a male-dominated industry when I was proving my expertise and gaining the confidence of both clients and colleagues. To overcome this challenge, I focused on building deep technical knowledge and staying current with industry trends and regulations. I also made it a priority to develop strong communication skills, ensuring that I could explain complex financial concepts in a way that was clear and accessible to clients. Additionally, I sought mentorship from experienced professionals in the field, which gave me valuable insights and helped me avoid common pitfalls. Ultimately, through consistent dedication to learning, delivering high-quality service, and fostering genuine relationships with clients and peers, I earned trust and respect. Over time, my commitment to providing value and demonstrating my expertise allowed me to navigate this challenge and turn it into one of my strengths.
Next big move: My next big move is focused on continuing to grow as a leader while also balancing the responsibilities of family life. As I continue shepherding AC Family Office through its next chapter of growth, I see exciting opportunities to expand the ways in which I guide and inspire my team by modeling the importance of work-life integration. Balancing a rigorous career while also showing up for my family provides yet another frontier of growth. Strengthening muscle memory around things like time management, prioritization, and the need for a strong support system will be skills that directly contribute to my effectiveness as a corporate leader. As part of this, I plan to continue leading my team with a focus on fostering an environment that values both professional excellence and personal well-being. I want to demonstrate that it is possible to excel in one’s career while maintaining a healthy, balanced family life. One of my core goals is to empower my team to embrace flexibility in how and when they work, allowing them to juggle personal and professional responsibilities in a way that suits them. Ultimately, I believe that leading by example in this area will encourage my team to do the same, creating a supportive, high-performing work culture that values both achievement and well-being.
How do you give back? I am deeply committed to giving back to my community and draw on my professional experience and expertise to make a meaningful impact through various organizations. I currently serve as a Board Member on the Finance Committee for Denver CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which provides support and advocacy for children involved in cases of abuse, dependency, and neglect. I am also an Advisory Council Member for the Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship at CU Denver’s Business School as part of my commitment to laying groundwork for the next generation of business leaders in my community. Lastly, I strive to give back to my community through my deep commitment to mentorship. I’ve mentored junior talent at every stage of my career. One of my core values is “paying forward” investments that were made in me early on by sharing insights and experiences to empower future leaders.
Anything else? A special thank you to my family, peers, and friends who have been instrumental in my journey. Their unwavering support has shaped who I am today – personally and professionally. I am especially grateful to my husband, who has been a tremendous source of strength through every stage of my career, most especially this most recent transition to a leadership role at AC Family Office. And, of course, a heartfelt thank you to the Denver Business Journal for this recognition Congratulations to the other honorees – I am humbled to be amongst such inspiring company.
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