Episode 104: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Steve Reder, Partner & Head of Wealth Management at RWA Wealth Partners.

Kyle and Steve talk about the four pillars of generational wealth planning. They discuss how RWA Wealth Partners is a boutique firm of consequence, what that means in practice, and how Steve and his team help clients create lasting legacies through financial planning, investment strategy, tax planning, and estate planning. Steve also shares thoughtful advice on building generational relationships and delivering high-touch, in-house services in a scalable way.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:51) - Steve's money moment

(05:23) - What it means to be a boutique firm of consequence

(06:18) - The four pillars of generational wealth planning

(09:05) - Strategies for engaging kids in family planning meetings

(11:07) - In-house tax and estate planning

(13:32) - Why RWA rebranded

(15:43) - RWA's future model: Recruitment and strategic acquisitions

(18:36) - RWA's AUM-based model

(23:20) - The indispensable role of human advisors in the age of AI and technology

(28:07) - How advisors help successful people navigate the guilt of success

(32:03) - RWA's tech stack

(36:30) - Steve's thoughts about the future of the industry

(38:21) - Roadblocks to full integration and seamless advisor experience

(40:50) - What makes a great advisory platform

(42:10) - Steve's Milemarker Minute

Key Takeaways

Clients should see you, the advisor, as the primary source of value—not the technology you use. While tech platforms and planning tools are helpful, over-emphasizing them can commoditize your offering. Integrate them seamlessly, but position your expertise, empathy, and judgment as the core differentiators.

Strong client relationships create flexibility and grace, even when mistakes happen. Steve’s own journey began with an advisor who invested deeply in him as a teenager. That kind of trust and emotional connection builds loyalty and long-term impact far beyond any specific financial strategy or return.

Effective family meetings and estate conversations start with storytelling and values—not spreadsheets. Clients are often hesitant to disclose financial details to their children, but when advisors help lead with legacy, life lessons, and shared purpose, families become more engaged, and the next generation is more likely to stay connected to the firm.

AI and integrated platforms can dramatically boost efficiency, but they must be in service of deeper client interaction. Tools can enhance insight, but human advisors remain irreplaceable—especially in emotionally complex financial decisions. The firms that win will be those that use tech to empower advisors, not diminish their role.

Links 

Steve Reder on LinkedIn

RWA Wealth Partners

First Trust

Wealth.com

Salesforce

Orion Advisor Solutions

eMoney Advisor

Holistiplan

All-In Podcast

Connect with our hosts

Milemarker.co

Kyle on LinkedIn

Jud on LinkedIn

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The contents of this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as investment, legal, tax or insurance advice. Please consult with your investment, legal, tax or insurance advisor concerning any specific questions you may have. RWA Wealth Partners would like to clarify that the firm’s Assets Under Management as of 12/31/24 were $17.2 billion with $9.5 billion managed by the Private Wealth division and $7.7 billion managed by the Family Office division. RWA Wealth Partners is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. Tax services are available through a written agreement with our firm’s wholly owned subsidiary, RWA Tax Solutions.