The WealthStack Podcast

Small to medium-sized businesses make up 99% of all U.S. businesses, and most of these business owners are unaware of their enterprise value. The episode dives into how Interval provides critical insights for business owners by automating business health analytics and delivering ongoing value monitoring, ultimately helping advisors provide better guidance by integrating business health data into their planning process.

Join Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, as she speaks with Trevor Greenway, Co-Founder & CEO at interVal, on how interVal is empowering financial advisors to attract, retain, and better serve high-value business owner clients through the innovative use of technology.

Shannon and Trevor discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Trevor Greenway is an exceptionally passionate leader who believes that when data is harnessed for good, everyone in the ecosystem benefits. He understands that business owners and their advisors can operate more efficiently when financial data is sorted and contextualized in meaningful ways. Believing that everyone succeeds with access to comprehensive information, Trevor led the development of a software platform that provides this data in real time.

Proactive client engagement through technology has become paramount, which means the role of the CRM has evolved. In an increasingly uncertain economic environment, advisors must future-proof their business models to scale operations and expand their reach. A key area to revisit is their CRM system, which has become crucial for delivering personalized services and enhancing client engagement. 

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with  Doug Fritz, CEO and founder of F2 Strategy, about the current state and future of CRM systems in the wealth management industry. 

Shannon and Doug discuss:

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Doug Fritz is the co-founder and CEO of F2 Strategy. Doug, a veteran CTO and sought-after WealthTech consultant leads an all-star team of executives in technology-driven operations, digital client engagement, performance, and implementation, among many other areas for clients. Through F2’s Outsourced CTO (OCTO) model and strategy consulting services, Doug is passionate about helping firms of all sizes deliver exceptional client and advisor experiences.

Mergers and acquisitions often mark the beginning of a transformative journey, filled with both incredible opportunities and challenging headaches. Few industries offer more enticing M&A potential than wealth management, a fragmented sector where performance, processes, and personnel must consistently operate at peak efficiency. For financial advisory firms, regardless of size or type, preparing for acquisition is vital, which is why thorough planning and having a well-defined project plan are crucial for a successful merger.

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Verity Larsen, Founder and CEO of Versoft Consulting, about the importance of a comprehensive post-deal integration strategy.

Shannon and Verity also discuss:

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Verity is Versoft’s heart and soul. She co-founded the company in 2015 after spending 7.5 years as Team Lead and Senior Consultant at SS&C Advent. Prior to entering the consulting field, she worked as Assistant Director of Information Systems at a Portland-based asset management firm and has been in the investment management industry since 2000.

Verity graduated with an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems from Portland Community College. She also spent 3 years on the Board of Directors for The Exchange Network (formerly Advent Users Group) serving as VP and President in her 2nd and 3rd years.

She’s committed to providing an exceptional consultative approach to every client and ensuring the work performed by the Versoft Team results in the highest level of customer satisfaction. Verity works to continue training and education throughout the Versoft team, passing on the knowledge she has gained being in this industry for so many years.  She also spends time building and maintaining relationships with vendors so the Versoft team can remain knowledgeable on technology platforms and tools, IT hosting, and data and outsourced service providers.

When she’s not doing CEO/Principal Consultant/Co-Founder things, Verity likes to spend time with family, including seven nieces and nephews and two great-nephews, in multiple states around the U.S. On rare occasions, she’ll hike around the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, and other places throughout the Pacific Northwest.

When it comes to direct indexing, adoption and understanding has historically lagged because the tools were not readily available to advisors, and/or they were not intuitive to use. The evolution of direct indexing is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in the investment management industry, driven by technological innovation and the changing needs of investors. It offers financial advisors a way to differentiate themselves by providing unique, personalized portfolio constructions that cannot be easily replicated by competitors.

In this special episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Patrick Shaddow, President & CEO of Syntax Data, about why direct indexing is set to transform the investment landscape.

Shannon and Patrick also discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Patrick Shaddow has been engaged in all aspects of indexation for over 15 years. He has worked directly with a wide range of financial institutions on index development, index production, data acquisition and dissemination, business development, and index marketing and promotion.

Patrick joined Syntax in September 2021 as President with a mandate to organize the company’s internal structure, scale up its operational resources, and commercialize its unique intellectual property. As President, Patrick initiated data sales and licensing processes with a wide range of financial intermediaries, providing clear “proof of concept” for roll-out plans.

Prior to joining Syntax, Patrick served as Head of Index Operations at S-Network Global Indexes, where he led a team of 20 professionals. At S-Net, Patrick oversaw the development and daily production of over 350 indexes, including approximately 100 indexes licensed to serve as the basis for financial products holding over $30 billion in assets under management. Patrick also oversaw the development of S-Net’s index production and distribution platform and the technology infrastructure that supported it. He negotiated and managed the company’s data licenses and entitlements, working closely with a range of providers including Refinitiv, Bloomberg, FactSet, the NYSE, and others. Patrick participated in the 100% equity sale of S-Net to a private equity company in 2020 and was a member of the management team of Alerian/S-Network until July of 2021.

Prior to joining S-Network, Patrick worked as an index analyst at Dow Jones Indexes. He is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Business with a concentration in management information systems. Patrick is married with three children.

When you’re a technology leader at a $1B+ wealth management firm, there’s a lot that can keep you up at night. Technology issues are evolving, but fortunately, so are solutions. When it comes to the role of the CTO, technical and analytical skills are only part of the job. It might be the case that no skill is as important as agility: the ability to assess the needs of your organization at a particular moment, and to change your tools and tactics over time to satisfy advisors and their clients.

In this special episode, Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Michelle Feinstein GM/VP Global Financial Services Solutions & Strategy Salesforce, about the findings from the 2024 CTO Think Tank that was hosted at Wealth Management EDGE.

Shannon and Michelle also discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Michelle Feinstein is general manager and vice president, Global Wealth & Asset Management Solutions & Strategy for Salesforce Industries. Her expertise is in digital transformation for wealth management. This process of digitization is complex, it requires firms to accelerate plans to harness data, digitize advisor-client experiences, and modernize service to scale and support growth.

It’s no secret that the healthcare and financial services industries are incredibly complicated and often don’t easily talk to one another. In fact, medical bills are reported to be the number-one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. Healthcare costs represent a significant portion of an individual’s or family’s financial landscape, especially as they age. Ignoring this critical component can lead to unforeseen financial burdens, which may disrupt even the most meticulously crafted financial plans. By proactively addressing healthcare costs, advisors can help clients better anticipate and manage these expenses, thereby ensuring a more secure and predictable financial future.

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Christine Simone, CEO of Caribou, about why healthcare planning can differentiate financial advisors in a competitive market.

Shannon and Christine also discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Christine co-founded Caribou in 2020, where she serves as the CEO and plays a central role in developing and offering their healthcare planning software. Prior to that, she worked at CoHealth (formerly Dash MD) from 2019 to 2020 as the Manager of Client Success and Implementation. At CoHealth, she oversaw the successful implementation of their mobile platform within healthcare systems and acted as a liaison for communication with partners. From 2017 to 2019, Christine worked at eSight Eyewear as a Special Project Coordinator and Vision Advocate, where she was responsible for growing the business in a designated territory and evaluating client eye conditions. Christine’s earlier work experience includes a role as a Researcher at Vancouver Coastal Health, where she gained valuable skills and knowledge in behavioral neuroscience and conducted research on potential novel therapeutics.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Biology from The University of British Columbia.

Philanthropy often remains an overlooked aspect in wealth planning, which traditionally focuses on wealth accumulation rather than distribution. But, high-net-worth individuals and families increasingly recognize that their financial legacy extends beyond the accumulation of assets. This growing interest in philanthropy demands a more integrated approach to planning, where giving is strategically aligned with overall financial goals. Platforms like PhilanthPro are bridging the gap by offering professional planning tools specifically designed for philanthropic giving. 

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Nicholas Palahnuk, Founder and CEO of PhilanthPro, about the importance of philanthropy in wealth planning.

Shannon and Nicholas also discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Nicholas Palahnuk is the Founder and CEO of PhilanthPro. Recognizing a gap in the financial industry, he brought to life a suite of tools to foster philanthropy for a brighter future.

Palahnuk also leads a wealth management group that empowers people to live and give comfortably through sound financial planning. The Globe & Mail Report on Business named him one of Canada’s top wealth advisors. In 2020, he was nominated top under 40 by the Investment Industry Association of Canada.

Palahnuk is a member of the Forward Global philanthropy community and studies global development at Harvard University. He also founded a private foundation in 2021 to fund innovative programs that build greater mental health resilience among young people. 

Passionate about financial planning from an early age, Palahnuk became the youngest Certified Financial Planner in Canada at the age of 21. He lives in Toronto and splits his time between Canada and the US.

SEC compliance is top of mind for RIAs across the country, and their cybersecurity needs are specific. RIAs have a fiduciary responsibility to protect their clients’ data and assets, which can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. A data breach could result in fines, penalties, and reputational damage. With the SEC proposing new rules to address cybersecurity risks, RIAs need to be prepared to future-proof their practice.

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack Content and Solutions, speaks with Michael Cocanower, Founder and CEO of Advisercyber, about what pending regulations mean for RIAs.

Shannon and Michael also discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Michael Cocanower is the founder and CEO of AdviserCyber. He has over 25 years of experience in the IT field, and specifically designed AdviserCyber to assist Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in complying with the most sweeping SEC cybersecurity requirements in history. Michael has led IT consulting organizations empowering small and mid-market businesses with strategic guidance. Michael is recognized as an Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP ®), as well as a Certified Ethical Hacker.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Michael earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both finance and computer information systems from Arizona State University. He went on to serve in technology consulting positions for various Arizona-based companies, as well for industry giants such as Microsoft and Cisco. Michael served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Microsoft® Certified Partners for many years and is also a past president of the Arizona Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization. Michael is a black belt in the Kang-Sul division of Hwa Rang Do, a trained sniper, and runs in excess of 50 miles per week. In his spare time he is up for just about any type of life adventure offers to him.

For financial advisors, having a growth partner is essential for achieving sustainable success and scaling their business. The right partner can provide strategic insights, and enhance an advisor’s operational efficiencies and client service capabilities. Through strategic partnerships, advisors can access new markets and opportunities more effectively, manage risks better, and stay ahead of industry trends, ultimately leading to increased client satisfaction and higher growth rates. 

 In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Andree Mohr, President of Integrated Partners, about the importance of a growth partner.

Shannon and Andree also discuss:

Resource:

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About Our Guest:

Andree supports growth on many levels as the President of Integrated. In this role, She oversees the day-to-day operations, manages budgets, and drives the firm’s key objectives to ensure the consistent and healthy growth of the organization. A particular passion of hers is helping entrepreneurial-minded financial advisors implement strategic operations that enhance efficiencies, foster practice growth, and bring their business visions to fruition. Through Integrated’s CPA Alliance program, she assists CPA partners in monetizing their most trusted advisor status while simultaneously aiding clients in their financial planning and tax needs.

She is also the co-author of “Center Stage: How to Become the Star of Your Practice” along with Matt Ackermann. The book focuses on operational, team building, and business processing efficiencies to help empower advisors to streamline their practices. The end result: advisors will have a roadmap to grow their business, leave a lasting legacy, and ultimately provide a boutique, concierge, memorable experience for their clients.

Her professional background includes graduating from Northeastern University, with an emphasis on experiential learning. She has been supporting advisors in various capacities for the last 13 years and truly enjoys helping them with their growth endeavors, facilitating business optimization, and ultimately watching them realize their goals.

Rounding out her life involves spending time with her husband and twin daughters, passionately cheering on the New England Patriots, traveling, and supporting charitable causes that are important to her.

LPL Financial has been a leader in the independent broker/dealer space for years, serving nearly 22,000 financial advisors representing over $1 trillion of brokerage and advisory assets. This means the business needs its infrastructure to be fast, reliable and secure. Everything LPL does is positioned around helping advisors take care of their clients, with technology being a driving force. 

In this episode, Shannon Rosic, director of WealthStack content and solutions, speaks with Greg Gates, CTO of LPL, about how technological advancements are driving the firm’s digital transformation.

Shannon and Greg also discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Greg Gates is managing director and Chief Technology & Information Officer for LPL Financial. In this role, Mr. Gates is responsible for managing all aspects of the firm’s technology and systems applications. He leads a high-performing information technology organization responsible for delivering technology solutions and market-leading platforms that enable positive, compelling experiences for LPL advisors and employees.

Mr. Gates joined LPL in 2018 with nearly two decades of senior-level management experience focused on the application of technology to solve business challenges on a global scale. Before joining LPL, Mr. Gates led Product Management and Engineering teams at PayPal from 2011 to 2018, focusing on internal technology platforms, merchant and consumer experiences, risk and security, and global operations. Prior to that, at Bank of America, he led a number of technology organizations, culminating in leadership of Bank of America’s Contact Center Technology from 2002 to 2011.

Mr. Gates earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1999, and successfully completed multiple leadership, continuing education, and certification programs from several organizations. He recently served on the Pega Platform Customer Advisory Board at Pegasystems, and previously served on Avaya’s customer advisory board. He is currently on Box, Inc.’s CIO Advisory Board.