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Today’s episode of In The Suite with Martine Lellis, CPA, CFP® is all about making bold moves.

5 months before the COVID-19 pandemic entered into the world and changed our lives, Martine took a deep dive into uncharted territories. She decided to leave her previous company after 17 years of being a partner. Martine left the company without another position in mind and decided to take a sabbatical to travel the world and search for answers. 

Martine says, “I didn't have a job before I decided to leave. But I had confidence in myself that I would figure it out.”  

She made a bold move to change the direction in her life. Not only did she change her professional position, title, and company. She also changed her geographical location. That’s right, she moved from the state of Virginia to Colorado.

What she had in her, was faith and confidence that she would find the next best thing. Through calling upon her network of industry friends and having faith and confidence, she found herself in a new position as the Chief Talent & Business Solutions Officer at Mercer Advisors. 

In this episode, Martine shares her story about entering into a new position, becoming a National Technical Officer for USA Weightlifting, setting goals, and traveling during the pandemic. We talk about taking a chance, having trust in yourself, and how to make the bold moves in life. 

She trusted her gut feeling, and had confidence in herself that she would excel in the next steps in her life. Martine says, “Sometimes you just have to take that chance, and you just have to trust yourself.”

Join the conversation to hear about:

• Making adjustments to working from home (00:45)
• Celebrating one year at Mercer (03:45)
• Making big changes in life and considering bold moves (10:10)
• Taking the chance and trusting yourself (13:00)
• Relocation from Virginia to Colorado (15:30)
• Being open-minded during the job search (16:45)
• National Technical Official for USA Weightlifting (18:35)
• Martine’s motivation to becoming a stronger woman and Crossfit (23:30)
• Making a C-Suite level shift in her life (26:55)
• Reverse mentorship (34:55)
• Social media giving insights into life (36:00)
• Traveling during a global pandemic (40:10)

Referenced Materials

• Martine Lellis, CPA®, CFP - Facebook
• Martine Lellis, CPA®, CFP - LinkedIn
• Mercer Advisors Website
• Mercer Advisors - Twitter
• Mercer Advisors - Facebook
• Mercer Advisors - LinkedIn
• The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Michael D. Watkins on Amazon

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

❤️ Please follow us on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/inthesuitepod/

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Today’s episode of In The Suite with Abby Salameh is all about the simple things in life that money can’t buy. Freedom, family, love, a sense of adventure.

Three weeks from the date of this original podcast recording, Abby Salameh announced her departure from Hightower Advisors. What she told Ian Wenik of CityWireRIA is: “This was a very personal decision. Taking a reset to focus on family first, with three teens at home in this pandemic, has brought me to really think about what is important and what I want to do next.”

In this episode, Abby shares her thoughts on establishing your vision, what questions to ask to make it happen, how to build a work culture that people enjoy working, and so much more. We talk about how so much has changed due to Covid-19, from remote working to advances in technology to Abby’s entire mindset.

No matter what, she perseveres and walks forward, one step at a time.

“I've always enjoyed growth-minded organizations that have a desire to build and grow. And that's just who I am,” Abby says. “I love pushing things forward. I love moving the needle.”

Join the conversation to hear about:

• Welcome Abby to In the Suite (05:30)
• The 2-point criteria for attending in-person events (09:15)
• What is a rebrand? (12:40)
• Reprioritizing wealth and what it means to have wealth (16:20)
• Abby’s tip for women who want to dive into C-Suite Leadership (21:10)
• From finance to publishing: expanding her roles (27:05)
• Establishing your vision and the questions to ask to make it happen (29:40)
• Building a work culture that people actually want to work in (34:50)
• Leveraging testimonials in the finance industry (39:25)
• How to get in touch with Abby (45:50)

Referenced Materials

• • Abby Salameh - Twitter
  • Abby Salameh - LinkedIn
  • Hightower Advisors Website 
  • The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - Get It on Amazon
  • Reid Hoffman, Masters of Scale Podcast - John Foley (Founder & CEO of Peloton)
  • Peloton Cody Rigsby in People 
  • In The Suite Podcast Episode 28 with Suzanne Siracuse

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Today's episode of In The Suite with the life-inspiring Michelle Arpin Begina, CFP®, CIMA®, is all about creating wealth from the inside out. It also happens to be the foundation of her soon-to-be-released book, "Good With Money-Creating Wealth from the Inside Out." 

Michelle Arpin Begina, CFP®, CIMA®, is Founder and Gateway of her own company, MichelleAB (pronounced Michelle - Ay-Bee), used to empower professional women to step into financial freedom so that they can enjoy their wealth and make their boldest, most inspired decisions from a place of confidence. MichelleAB offers "Good with Money" financial workshops and coaching. 

Michelle has worked with 100s of executives, business owners, and entrepreneurs. She's a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), and a senior partner, managing director at Snowden Lane Partners. Michelle is also a member of the Forbes Business Council and has been featured in Forbes and Thrive Global. 

"Never let money stand in the way of something you want to achieve," says Michelle Arpin Begina. It certainly hasn't stopped, Michelle⸺so why should it stop you and me? 

Join the conversation to hear about:

• The Meaning Behind MichelleAB and Her Title "Gateway" (04:57)
• Building a Personal Brand and Starting from Scratch (08:31) 
• How Michelle was Inspired by Megyn Kelly (11:04)
• The Genesis of Michelle's New Upcoming Book (14:24)
• Michelle's Three Money Stories - Age 6, 10, and 17 (18:00)
• The Will is The Way (24:28)
• Michelle's First Unexpected Mentor (27:42)
• The Single Biggest Impact on Michelle's Life (33:16)
• Studying Financial Therapy at Kansas State University (41:55)
• How to Reach the Highest Level of Potential with Your Financial Advisor (47:12)
• The Difference Between Suitability and Being a Fiduciary (50:03)
• Working with Clients To Take Inspired Action (52:55)
• Michelle's Money Success Formula Guide - Download (56:34) 
• Michelle's Book Recommendation for 2021 (59:38) 

Referenced Materials

• MichelleAB Website
• Michelle Arpin Begina LinkedIn
• Michelle Arpin Begina Instagram
• Download Michelle’s Good with Money Success Formula 
• Start with Why:  How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek on Amazon 
• Brené Brown Website
• High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way by Brendon Burchard on Amazon 
• Kansas State University Online Financial Therapy Graduate Certificate 
• Tina Powell TEDx Talk 

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

❤️ Please follow us on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/inthesuitepod/

📧 Want to get in touch? Email me at [email protected]

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Today’s episode of In The Suite with Cathy Curtis, CFP® is all about feeding your soul by sharing your authentic self. Cathy Curtis, CFP® is the Founder & President of Curtis Financial Planning, an independent, fee-only Registered Investment Advisor located in Oakland, California that specializes in the finances of independent women. 

In this podcast episode, Cathy shares how she learned to market herself on social media to realize her dream job of launching a second career in financial services. One of the industry’s most notable female advisors, Cathy has been named to the coveted Investopedia 100 Top Financial Advisors for three years running and is a member of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council, an achievement unto itself.

“I have to tell you, you have to find what’s right for you, what feeds your soul,” said Cathy. 

Armed with the power of knowledge, she also aims to demystify many of the financial planning topics that specifically impact women through many initiatives, the first being her own podcast called Financial Finesse, which can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcast, and in video format on YouTube.

Join the conversation to hear about:

• A warm welcome to Cathy (05:10)
• Branding, spaghetti sauce, timing, and luck (08:20)
• How Cathy dove headfirst into social media (10:35)
• Rebranding and dealing with imposter syndrome  (12:45)
• Working one-on-one with women on their finances (16:40)
• How Cathy got into the world of podcasting (22:30)
• Why peer coaching can uplevel you (28:20)
• What a mastermind is and Cathy’s journey to joining them (31:20)
• Being authentic on social media (42:05)
• Finding your audience (48:30)
• Accessing the right people to ask questions to (51:00)
• The AGC™ and diversity in the financial services industry (54:45)

Referenced Materials

• Cathy Curtis CFP® - Twitter 
• Cathy Curtis CFP® - LinkedIn
• Cathy Curtis CFP® - YouTube
• Cathy Curtis CFP® - Instagram
• Curtis Financial Planning- Website
• Financial Finesse Podcast With Cathy Curtis, CFP®
• Investopedia 100 Top Financial Advisor 2020 
• Limitless Adviser - Stephanie Bogan
• Christine Benz - Morningstar
• Justin Castelli, CFP® The Advisor of Tomorrow Podcast
• Experiments in Advisor Marketing Taylor Schulte, CFP®
• The AGC 
• Commonwealth Club of SF 

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

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It’s a joy to welcome our guest Devika Kamboh, CFP®, CLTC, MBA to In The Suite. Devika is the Founder and President at Sohum Global Foundation and Founder and Managing Partner of Sohum Financial Planning. She’s a Certified Financial Planner who empowers her clients to create a road map to guide themselves to financial independence and their real life goals. 

She’s a risk-taker, always open to the next chapter of life. Devika packed her bags and moved from NYC to a ranch in Colorado.

“I realized that I need to bring balance not only to my clients' lifestyles, but also to move them away from this unilateral focus on money,” Devika says. She explains that we sometimes forget that money is a means, it's not the end.

Sohum, in Sanskrit, means to be “One with the Universe.” In this episode, Devika shares how deliberate manifestation makes all the difference. The purpose of the journey isn't to navigate life on autopilot, but to truly fly, to discover why you gravitate in a certain direction.

“Have the courage to communicate your vision,” Devika says.

Join the conversation to hear about:

• Welcome to Devika! (5:45)
• Taking the leap to a new journey and moving cross-country (7:25)
• Learning about Devika’s upbringing and family (11:05)
• How she came into the finance industry “kicking and screaming” (13:30)
• Accepting change and making a positive difference (18:45)
• Pushing past biases and unconscious behavior (23:50)
• Why women championing each other is so important (27:40)
• Focusing on working toward “lifestyle x” not just money earned (31:00)
• Cultural mindsets and mentorship (36:50)
• How Digital Inclusion Project came into play (43:50)

Referenced Materials

• Devika Kamboh CFP® CLTC MBA - LinkedIn
• Devika Kamboh CFP® CLTC MBA - Twitter 
• Sohum Mountain Ranch - Website 
• Sohum Mountain Ranch - Facebook
• Sohum Global Foundation - Website 
• Digital Inclusion Project - Video 
• Lady Shri Ram College in New Delhi
• Devika Kamboh Speaks with Pam Krueger at the Advisor Thought Leader Summit - Vimeo Video
• Marie Swift - Impact Communications, Inc.
• Zaneilia Harris - Harris & Harris Wealth Management
• Sadhguru YouTube Channel 
• Wise Earth School of Ayurveda

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

❤️ Please follow us on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/inthesuitepod/

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Today’s episode with Laxmi Ramanath is all about channeling your technical side. She’s a fintech CEO and founder of LaMeer, Inc. a Global Risk and Compliance Management Software Company that transacts business in the U.S., Europe, Canada, and the U.K., and has been named to the coveted RegTech100 list for 2021. 

Laxmi has over 25 years of worldwide experience in building complex financial market systems and was part of the moonshot to automate the Bombay Stock Exchange.  

“Using technology to help businesses is what I do best,” Laxmi says. And we would agree. With a backbone in physics, banking, and capital markets, Laxmi’s career has touched technology and left a paper trail of dust wherever she goes. 

Listen to this amazing episode to gain a deeper understanding of Laxmi’s origin story and background which served as the basis for LaMeer, Inc. You’ll also discover the importance and convergence of technology, risk management, and compliance, as ways to protect the common man and even predict potential situations from leading to a larger crisis. 

Join the conversation to hear about: 

·     How LaMeer, Inc. got its name (05:16)
·     The most important story of Laxmi’s life (08:09) 
·     Laxmi’s journey into risk management (10:00) 
·     LaMeer, Inc. leap into global markets (15:00) 
·     How Laxmi manages to stay ahead of the compliance curve (18:20) 
·     The effect of the COVID outbreak on Laxmi’s company (22:09)
·      How LaMeer, Inc. supports its enterprise customers (28:06) 
·      The meaning and importance of RegTech (32:05) 
·      How a degree in physics and an MBA helped form big picture thinking (38:51) 
·      Visibility and transparency in market dynamics (41:31) 
·      Looking back at the speed of tech (45:38) 
·      The importance of learning to connect the dots (52:02) 
·      Mentoring young girls at 100WomenInFinance (54:36) 
·      The one thing to do differently in the next 90 days (59:00) 

Referenced Materials

·       Laxmi Ramanath LinkedIn
·       Laxmi Ramanath Twitter
·       La Meer, Inc. Website
·       La Meer, Inc. – RegTech100 2021 News Release
·       100 Women in Finance
·       Premia – Professional Risk Managers’ International Association - San Francisco

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

❤️ Please follow us on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/inthesuitepod/

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Today’s episode of In The Suite with Stephanie Bogan is all about upleveling your life. She has 27 years of experience working in advisory firms and corporate boardrooms, so she’s seen the evolution in technology, strategy, work culture first-hand.

Stephanie is CEO and Founder of Educe Inc, where she established Limitless Adviser Coaching to help financial advisors and founders create bigger and better futures, and do it on their terms. 

“In the middle of our biggest challenges are our greatest teachers,” she says.

Listen to this episode to understand the difference between inspired action and effort in action, why time is your greatest asset, and why focusing on the outcome and experience truly matters most. You won't want to miss Stephanie's genius framework for great decision making with The Four Pillars: Mindset, Methods, Momentum, Mapping. 

Join the conversation to hear about:

• Five frogs on a lily pad (02:55)
• 2020 was the year of the squeeze (05:30)
• How Stephanie started her career (07:55)
• The stress of success (10:30)
• Finding yourself and allowing the uplevel in life (15:30)
• Processing your challenges in a healthy way (22:40)
• Why Stephanie started Limitless Adviser Coaching (27:10)
• Studying the science of success and leadership (30:50)
• What is inspired action vs. effort in action? (36:05)
• Fight or flight in a business environment (40:40)
• Reframing your mind and upleveling your story (45:40)
• Creating a safe and open space for your children (49:05)
• Overcoming the crisis of confidence (52:00)
• Who is Limitless Adviser Coaching for? (55:50)
• The Four Pillars: Mindset, Methods, Momentum, Mapping (60:15)
• Stephanie walks us through the Plus Minus Line exercise (67:00)
• Focusing on what matters: the outcome and the experience (73:30)
• Why time us your great asset (76:55)
• What's your big Why? (80:50)
• Changing limiting stories so you can flourish (85:10)
• The Five Freedoms (90:00)

Referenced Materials

• Stephanie Bogan  - LinkedIn
• Stephanie Bogan - Twitter
• Limitless Adviser Coaching - Website
• My Thank You Letter to 2020 - by Stephanie Bogan, Article in InvestmentNews 
• The Power of Practice Management: Best Practices for Building a Better Advisory Business - Matt Matrisian 

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

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Today In The Suite welcomes Sonya Dreizler, founder of Solutions with Sonya. Sonya is a leading industry consultant, speaker, and thought leader whose work focused on three main areas: Race, Gender Equality, and ESG. She works with RIAs, Broker/Dealers, and Custodians around the country and is a subject matter expert in ESG and responsible investing.

In this episode, Sonya, a White-American professional, shares why diversity, equity, and inclusion matters and how organizations should reflect the race, ethnicity, and population of the U.S. census, not just entry-level but to the boardroom. It’s a modern view of the world formed by Sonya’s 14-year history of working in traditional financial and investment roles, including CEO of a Broker-Dealer and RIA, and 4 years as a consultant.

Long before the riots, Sonya spoke up about diversity in the workplace as a powerful voice for doing what’s right. Today, she fosters candid conversations about gender and race in financial services and consults with other companies and business leaders to create more inclusive workplaces. She has a passion to speak and write about issues and current events focused on diversity and race relations—an unequivocal drive for equity and justice for all.

Join the conversation to hear about:

• The importance of race and gender in the workplace (5:41)
• Sonya’s early career in the financial services industry (7:34)
• Enjoying working in the back office (10:40)
• Sonya’s path to becoming the CEO of a Broker-Dealer (13:14)
• The Do Better Series: The Back Story & One Year Later (17:32)
• COVID-19 as an opportunity to reset (26:53)
• Three important phrases to use in situations of racial discrimination and harassment (30:05)
• The number one thing for women to do at conferences (35:40)
• How to bridge conversations around race (37:27)
• Sonya’s early exposure to Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and ESG
• Sonya’s involvement with CUESA – Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture
• What it means to find your voice (51:20)
• How Sonya is present and stays grounded in her work (55:06)

Referenced Materials:

• Solutions with Sonya Website
• Sonya Dreizler on Twitter
• Sonya Dreizler on LinkedIn
• Do Better Series
• To Get On Sonya’s Newsletter – Text “Solutions” to 33-777
• Minda Harts, The Memo Book on Amazon 
• CUESA – Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

❤️ Please follow us on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/inthesuitepod/

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Today’s episode of In The Suite with Nina O’Neal will motivate you! Nina is Partner & Investment Advisor with Archer Investment Management, financial advisor, mother, wife, contributing author, Founder, the list keeps going. Nina is a sought out national thought leader and commentator on industry topics and trends who has been featured in multiple industry publications. 

“Define what success is to you and then just take measured steps to get there,” she says in this powerful episode. Life can be difficult and things can go awry but keep your eye on the prize.

We are deeply inspired by Nina’s dedication to creating strong networks, serving to make the world a better place through access to financial knowledge. Nina has a sincere commitment when it comes to teaching young women and students about finances. 

Join us in this podcast episode to understand more about Nina’s journey to create a community as she juggles work and family. We talk about thought-provoking topics such as accepting that you can’t handle it all, why consistency is key when it comes to creating social media content for your company,  and we even delve into the very personal reason why Nina jumped into the finance field in the first place.

Join the conversation to hear about:

• Accept that you can’t handle it all (6:50)
• Being more than just someone’s financial advisor (10:45)
• Consistency is key (15:45)
• Why advisors need to use their own voice, not just the brand voice (17:25)
• The reason why Nina founded the Female Advisor Network  (19:30)
• Going national and creating a membership network (23:35)
• Types of work environments in financial services  (30:00)
• Rules of thumb for creating stronger networks with men (36:00)
• How men in finance have supported Nina’s career over the years (37:40)
• Learning to talk about her personal finance story (45:35)
• The personal and specific reason why Nina began in the finance field (48:00)
• How to get in touch with Nina (57:55)
• What is Nina’s superpower? (59:40)

Referenced Materials

• Nina O’Neal - Twitter
• How I Invest My Money: Finance experts reveal how they save, spend, and invest
• Nina’s Tweet about men in financial services
• Female Advisor Network - Website
• Archer Investment Management
• “The Juggle is Real” Video Series

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

❤️ Please follow us on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/inthesuitepod/

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Today In The Suite welcomes Kris Putnam-Walkerly, President of Putnam Consulting Group, to the podcast. Kris is a philanthropy advisor, speaker, and award-winning author. Kris’s advice is well-saught after for those looking to deepen their philanthropic commitments. 

Her clients have included the J.M. Smucker Company, Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, Blue Shield of California, and the Cleveland Foundation. As President of Putnam Consulting Group for more than 20 years, Kris has helped over 100 philanthropists strategically allocate over half a billion dollars in grants and gifts.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to give to charity when you’re not sure where to start, finding joy in philanthropy and getting clear on your own boundaries, as well as thinking outside of the box for philanthropy.

“You can give money, and that's very important, but you can also give your time, your talents. You can give the connections that you have, and the doors you can open for nonprofit leaders in your community,” says Kris. 

There’s a certain magic to giving. Ignite the flame of change for the issues that matter the most to you.

Join the conversation to hear about:

• Philanthropy and what it means to be a philanthropist (05:30)
• How does the US compare to other countries for philanthropy? (09:30)
• Connecting with ultra-high net worth individuals (12:35)
• Scarcity mindset and investing in yourself (16:20)
• What is delusional altruism and how does it affect giving? (19:45)
• Kris’s favorite compliment about her book from her husband (25:35)
• Investing in non-profit organizations so that they can thrive (27:20)
• How Covid and working from home has changed work culture  (31:45)
• Benefits of coordinated giving in a community (35:20)
• How to give to charity when you’re not sure where to start (39:10)
• Joy in philanthropy and getting clear on your own boundaries (44:00)
• Delving into why how you give matters (47:25)
• Thinking outside of the box for philanthropy  (52:45)
• What is Kris’s superpower? (58:45)

Referenced Materials

• Kris Putnam-Walkerly - Twitter
• Kris Putnam-Walkerly - LinkedIn
• Delusional Altruism: Why Philanthropists Fail To Achieve Change and What They Can Do To Transform Giving
• Confident Giving: Sage Advice for Funders from One of Philanthropy's Top Advisors
• Kris Putnam-Walkerly: Putnam Consulting Group - Website
• Million Dollar Consulting Book: Alan Weiss 
• Welcome to Win this Fight! - Win this Fight, Inc.
• 8 Things Every Philanthropist Can Do To Change The World

🤩 Thanks for listening, we appreciate your support and 5-star reviews of our show!!!

❤️ Please follow us on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/inthesuitepod/

📧 Want to get in touch? Email me at [email protected]