Diversity in Action™

Bridging the Diversity Gap in Financial Services

In this episode, we are joined by Suzanne Lawrence, CEO of Advisor Business Solutions. Suzanne shares her passion for increasing diversity in all aspects of business, and helping women and people of color find jobs. She also partnered with BLX to manage the program and help connect Black and Latinx college students and career changers with fee-only and fee-based financial planning firms. The BLX Internship Program would not have been possible without her generous time and her team. Listen to learn how we make an impact in an industry that everyone is passionate about! Notes:  In this episode, Shawn, Luis and Suzanne talk about:  * Current trends and driving factors impacting today’s RIA firms * How the robust BLX matching process connects firms and ideal candidates * The benefits of using BLX even if a firm has an established internal internship program * How firms can widen their pool of candidates to meet their talent needs And more……..  Resources:  * Website: https://advisorbusinesssolutions.com/ [https://advisorbusinesssolutions.com/] * ABS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advisor-business-solutions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advisor-business-solutions/] * Suzanne’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-patrick-lawrence/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-patrick-lawrence/] Episode Sponsor:  This episode is sponsored by Advisor Business Solutions, specializing in providing HR recruitment and succession planning solutions for independent financial services firms throughout the US. Their team focuses on guiding financial practices, primarily looking to hire C suite executives, licensed support staff and interns while building a diverse team, ABS is passionate about advising financial practice on shifting cultural hiring dynamics with retention in mind and coaching women in career transition and people of color seeking opportunities to access next level industry jobs. For more information and to connect with the team at Advisor Business Solutions, please visit advisorbusinesssolutions.com [https://advisorbusinesssolutions.com/] Diversity in Action™ is all about showcasing real stories of individuals who are making an impact in the financial planning industry. You will learn how they got started in the industry, how they built their foundation, where they are headed in their careers, and their passion for making the financial industry more diverse. It’s time to be inspired by those working to make a positive difference in the financial planning industry. It’s time to be part of this radical change! Diversity in Action™ is a project of BLX Internship - a program for aspiring black and Latinx financial planners. Visit our website at www.blxinternship.org [http://www.blxinternship.org/]

Shaping the Future of Our Industry Today

In this episode, we are joined by Sherri Trombley and Dr. Peter Fisher. Sherri is a Director at Schwab in Business Consulting and Education and Dr. Fisher is a founding partner and CEO of Human Investing. Tune in to learn the amazing things they are both doing to increase racial diversity, close the gender gap, and create fulfilling career tracks for the next generation of talent. Notes:  In this episode, Shawn, Luis, Sherri & Dr. Fisher talk about:  * How firms can cultivate the next generation of talent * The RIA Talent Advantage(r) Student Scholarship * The importance of cultivating the next generation of clients * Results from Schwab’s RIA benchmark study And more……..  Resources:  * Get the book: Becoming a 401(k) Millionaire [https://www.humaninvesting.com/becoming-a-401k-millionaire] * RIA Talent Advantage® Student Scholarship [https://advisorservices.schwab.com/riata-student-scholarship] * Visit the Human Investing $1 Million Endowment [https://www.humaninvesting.com/next-generation] * Schwab Impact 2024 [https://impact.schwab.com/] * Connect with Peter Fisher on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterfisher1/] * Connect with Sherri Trombley on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherri-trombley-9b701864/] Episode Sponsor:  This episode is brought to you by Schwab Advisor Services, in partnership with the Charles Schwab Foundation, which has been supporting firms for over 30 years. They focus on a client-first mentality and offer a perfect blend of personalization and technology. Through their University Grant Program, they have provided over $25 million in funding to universities and institutions since 2007. The goal is to support universities and organizations that can benefit from Schwab's involvement while developing high-quality talent for independent advisors to hire. For more information, visit schwab.com [https://advisorservices.schwab.com/].  Diversity in Action™ is all about showcasing real stories of individuals who are making an impact in the financial planning industry. You will learn how they got started in the industry, how they built their foundation, where they are headed in their careers, and their passion for making the financial industry more diverse. It’s time to be inspired by those working to make a positive difference in the financial planning industry. It’s time to be part of this radical change! Diversity in Action™ is a project of BLX Internship - a program for aspiring black and Latinx financial planners. Visit our website at www.blxinternship.org [http://www.blxinternship.org/]

Developing Your Talent Pipeline with Kate Healy

Kate Healy is THE Next Gen Growth Builder. Kate is the CEO & Founder of AdvoKate IQ, helping wealth management firms with their NextGen growth strategy. Her previous roles include Managing Director at TD Ameritrade Institutional, Managing Director at the Center for Financial Planning, and as board member of the FinServ Foundation, and Invest In Others Charitable Foundation. Kate is also an inaugural member of the CFP Board’s Women’s Initiative. Kate is also a passionate public speaker and moderator and a force for good in the wealth management space.  Notes:  In this episode, Shawn, Luis and Kate talk about:  * Embracing the unconventional career path in the wealth management industry * Looking beyond sales roles in financial services * How hiring Nex Gen talent is an asset for forward looking firms * The amazing transferrable skills that career changers bring to the industry * The importance of measurement and impact when it comes to DEIB And more……..  Resources: * Connect with Kate Healy on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateehealy/] * FinServ Foundation [https://finservfoundation.org/] * Follow Kate Healy on X [https://twitter.com/kate__healy] Episode Sponsor:  This episode is brought to you by eMoney Advisor, LLC. eMoney provides technology solutions and services that help people talk about money. Rooted in holistic financial planning, eMoney solutions strengthen client relationships, streamline business operations, enhance business development, and drive overall growth. More than 98,000 financial professionals across firms of all sizes use the eMoney platform to serve more than 5 million households throughout the United States. To learn more about eMoney, visit eMoneyAdvisor.com [http://emoneyadvisor.com/]. Diversity in Action™ is all about showcasing real stories of individuals who are making an impact in the financial planning industry. You will learn how they got started in the industry, how they built their foundation, where they are headed in their careers, and their passion for making the financial industry more diverse. It’s time to be inspired by those working to make a positive difference in the financial planning industry. It’s time to be part of this radical change! Diversity in Action™ is a project of BLX Internship - a program for aspiring black and Latinx financial planners. Visit our website at www.blxinternship.org [http://www.blxinternship.org/]

BLX Intern Success Stories with Isaac Craps & Mahogany Person

Today we are joined by two of our prior interns, Isaac Craps and Mahogany Person. We catch up with them to see where they are in their career journeys. Isaac was a student who majored in financial planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Mahogany is a career changer who was a former teacher before pursuing financial planning. They both have amazing stories about their trajectories and share with us their experience during their internships and the roles they’re currently fulfilling. Notes:  In this episode, Shawn, Luis, Isaac & Mahogany talk about:  * Their experiences during the BLX Internship Program * Where they are in their journeys in the financial planning industry * What surprised them the most working in financial services * Their long-term career goals And more……..  Resources: * Connect with Isaac on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaac-gregory-crapps-7248a5185/] * Connect with Mahogany on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahoganyperson/] * Mariner Wealth Advisors [https://www.marinerwealthadvisors.com/] * Envestnet – Money Guide Pro [https://www.envestnet.com/] * Fish & Associates Financial Planning [https://www.fishandassociates.com/] * Gianola Financial Planning [https://www.gianolafinancial.com/] * Brotherhood of Men Mentor Group [https://brotherhoodofmen.org/] Special Shout Out:  Today, BLX would like to give a special shout out to Invest in Others, the charitable arm of the financial services community. For nearly 20 years, Invest in Others has been celebrating and amplifying the outstanding charitable work of financial advisors, employees, and their firms. In total, Invest in Others has awarded over $6 million dollars in honor of more than 750 of our colleagues to the charities they care about. Go to investinothers.org to learn how you too can invest more in others!” Diversity in Action™ is all about showcasing real stories of individuals who are making an impact in the financial planning industry. You will learn how they got started in the industry, how they built their foundation, where they are headed in their careers, and their passion for making the financial industry more diverse. It’s time to be inspired by those working to make a positive difference in the financial planning industry. It’s time to be part of this radical change! Diversity in Action™ is a project of BLX Internship - a program for aspiring black and Latinx financial planners. Visit our website at www.blxinternship.org [http://www.blxinternship.org/]

Learn About the 10,000 Interns Foundation with Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell

Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell was an elite athlete who made history as the first Black woman to swim for Great Britain at the national level. She has represented both Great Britain and Kenya and eventually rose to world number one and clinched the title of British Champion.  Next, Honoured as one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in the Social Impact category and recognised by TIME as one of the 18 Black leaders working tirelessly to close the racial wealth gap, she currently leads the 10,000 Interns Foundation as CEO, a groundbreaking non-profit dedicated to championing underrepresented talent and reshaping the future workforce. Notes:  In this episode, Shawn, Luis and Rebecca talk about:  * How the 100 Black Interns initiative inspired the birth of the BLX Internship * How the 10,000 Interns Foundation is scaling diversity in Wealth Management in the UK * Rebecca’s experience feeling as an outsider, and her book, “These Heavy Black Bones” * Advice for how firms can create an inclusive environment And more……..  Resources: * 10,000 Interns Foundation [https://10000internsfoundation.com/] * Follow Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-achieng-ajulu-bushell-40434b1ab/] * Follow Rebecca on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/raajulubushell/] * Read her book These Heavy Black Bones [https://www.amazon.com/These-Heavy-Rebecca-Achieng-Ajulu-Bushell-ebook/dp/B0CP8F92CX] Episode Sponsor:  This episode is brought to you by Abacus. Abacus began with a vision to be a catalyst for people to not simply get richer, but to live a more fulfilling life. As a purpose-driven, values-centric financial advisory firm, they are focused on creating authentic and measurable impact by: * Delivering values-aligned financial advice to improve people’s lives * Being thoughtful about the impact their investments have on society and the environment. * Effecting change in the financial services industry to create and serve a more diverse and equitable profession and client base.  Learn more by visiting abacuswealth.com [http://abacuswealth.com] Diversity in Action™ is all about showcasing real stories of individuals who are making an impact in the financial planning industry. You will learn how they got started in the industry, how they built their foundation, where they are headed in their careers, and their passion for making the financial industry more diverse. It’s time to be inspired by those working to make a positive difference in the financial planning industry. It’s time to be part of this radical change! Diversity in Action™ is a project of BLX Internship - a program for aspiring black and Latinx financial planners. Visit our website at www.blxinternship.org [http://www.blxinternship.org/]