Technology promises speed and clarity, yet frustration keeps showing up instead. Many firms buy tools expecting instant results, only to find the real challenges start after launch.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic speaks with Jason Pereira, senior partner and financial planner at Woodgate Financial, about what actually broke in wealthtech adoption this year. They unpack why most failures are human, not technical, how unrealistic expectations derail implementation and why AI often complicates workflows before helping. 

They also explore where AI truly adds value, why surface-level integrations fall short, and what advisors should focus on before buying the next shiny tool.

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About Our Guest:

Jason Pereira is a financial planner who has lived and breathed financial planning for over 20 years. Over that time, he has become a recognized writer, commentator, speaker, podcaster, teacher, and voice in financial planning, practice management, and fintech. He has earned two degrees, nine professional designations, been nominated for or received more than 30 industry awards, and produced over 750 articles, podcasts, and interviews. JasonPereira.ca serves as his platform for sharing the insights, perspectives, and lessons he has gathered throughout his career.

Wealth firms are finally moving beyond “CRM as a Rolodex” and into a world where CRM, data and AI operate as the command center of the entire business. As growth pressures mount, advisor demographics shift and AI-driven tools flood the market, the firms that win will be those that treat their CRM as a true engagement and orchestration layer for advisors, clients and operations, not just a system of record.

In this episode of the WealthStack Podcast, Shannon Rosic sits down with Michelle Feinstein, former general manager of Salesforce, to unpack how leading firms are reimagining their data strategy and piloting AI agents to drive advisor productivity, deeper client engagement and real organic growth.

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About Our Guest:

Michelle Feinstein is the former general manager of Salesforce. 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.

When giving meets innovation, philanthropy transforms from a year-end transaction into a powerful force for ongoing impact.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic sits down with Sarah Angello, co-founder of Daffodil, to discuss how technology is modernizing charitable giving and helping advisors weave generosity into their clients’ financial planning. 

Sarah shares how Daffodil’s platform bridges wealth management and philanthropy, the rise of donor-advised funds and the next wave of “always-on giving” powered by artificial intelligence and data-driven insights.

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Sarah Angello is the Co-Founder of Daffodil. Sarah brings over 15 years of experience, blending tech-for-good expertise with experience working with donor-advised funds, philanthropic capital networks, and nonprofits. She has served on grants and advising panels for the City of New York, numerous private foundations, and social good enterprises throughout the US

Wealth management is no longer powered by people using technology, it’s powered by firms built on it. As artificial intelligence, data and digital experiences reshape the industry, the winners will be those who modernize from the inside out, and where infrastructure, integration and culture work together to deliver scalable, human-centric advice.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic sits down with JP Pattinson, chief information and digital officer at MAI Capital Management, to unpack how leading RIAs are transforming their tech foundations to prepare for what’s next. Drawing on his unique journey from advisor to technologist, JP shares how he’s bridging innovation and practicality. 

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JP Pattinson is the Chief Information and Digital Officer at MAI Capital Management, where he leads the firm’s digital and technology strategy, overseeing network infrastructure, management information systems, applications, and both client and advisor digital experiences. He joined MAI in 2024 after an extensive career at Merit Financial Advisors, where he served in multiple roles, including client service, relationship management, and 12 years as a wealth advisor before becoming Vice President of Technology. Outside of work, JP is actively involved with the Remember the Fallen charity and enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Services from the University of North Texas.

Client expectations in wealth management have leapt ahead: investors want the same seamless, mobile, and personalized experience they get from Netflix, Uber and even their bank. Yet most firms still rely on portals few clients open and emails lost in crowded inboxes, creating gaps in engagement, advice delivery, and growth.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic sits down with Tom Fields, founder and CEO of Fynancial, to discuss how digital experience platforms redefine advisor-client relationships. Tom shares the story behind Fynancial, the lessons learned from losing his biggest client, and how his communication-first mindset is helping firms modernize engagement, simplify their tech, and scale trust.

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Tom Fields is the CEO and Founder of Fynancial, the only Digital Experience Platform for Wealth Management—the easiest way to engage clients, integrate technology, and grow organically all on your own branded app.

Tom launched Fynancial in January 2023 and has worked with some of the biggest names in wealth management. He is an active thought leader in advisor technology, regularly speaking and sharing insights on digital engagement strategies that position RIAs to thrive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Family offices sit at the intersection of complexity and innovation, where the stakes are high and trust is everything. The challenge isn’t just adopting new tools, but ensuring they deliver security, transparency, and personalization for ultra-high-net-worth families. In this environment, technology has shifted from back-office infrastructure to the front line of client engagement.

In this episode, host Shannon Rosic speaks with Dan Burke, chief technology officer and founding partner at Callan Family Office, about how CTOs balance innovation with risk, build client-driven tech roadmaps, and why reporting and data remain the backbone of digital transformation in wealth management.

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Dan Burke serves as Chief Technology Officer at Callan Family Office and leads the development of the firm’s integrated technology offering for ultra-high-net-worth families and family offices.

Dan brings 20 years of tax-efficient portfolio construction and investment technology experience to his role guiding the firm’s technology strategy. He oversees data management, system integration, and the aggregated reporting platform that empowers Callan Family Office professionals to deliver customized advice and solutions. Dan manages a key component of this platform, CFO’s Tax Overlay Management program, and works directly with clients to design portfolios that seek to maximize after-tax, net-of-fee investment returns.

In addition to his technology leadership, Dan serves as a Co-Chair of the Callan Family Office Investment Committee.

Previously, Dan was Managing Director and Head of Institutional OCIO at Wells Fargo Private Bank, leading investment management for its largest institutional and philanthropic clients. He also held senior roles at Abbot Downing, where he led portfolio construction and developed the firm’s tax-efficient portfolio management framework. Dan began his career as an investment analyst at Morgan Stanley.

Dan earned his MBA with High Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, specializing in Finance, Econometrics, and Statistics. He holds a BBA in Finance, Magna Cum Laude, from Bowling Green State University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

As AI shifts from novelty to necessity in wealth management, the real unlock isn’t shiny tools, it’s smarter planning. Advisors need technology that compresses plan-build time, surfaces next-best actions and keeps clients engaged without losing the human in the loop. How can AI move firms from episodic planning to an additive, always-on model? By turning personalization at scale into a practical reality across the wealth stack.

In this episode, host Shannon Rosic speaks with Ken Lotocki, chief product officer of Conquest Planning, about innovations like Conquest’s Strategic Advice Manager, the role of hybrid models, and how estate and legacy planning tie into the next generation of client engagement.

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Ken Lotocki, Chief Product Officer at Conquest Planning, has nearly 20 years of experience in financial services technology, specializing in product management and business analysis. As a founder of Conquest, he shapes the firm’s product direction and drives innovation. Previously, Ken led technology strategy at Cambrian Credit Union and was the Product Director at Advicent, advancing NaviPlan’s strategy in North America. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba.

As artificial intelligence becomes table stakes, RIAs and enterprises alike are experimenting with tools to streamline workflows, improve client experiences and scale smarter. But while many firms are testing isolated tools, the real opportunity lies in weaving AI into the very DNA of a business, transforming it from a tech experiment into a strategic advantage. 

In this episode of the WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic speaks with John Bunch, CEO of Allworth Financial, to explore how one of the industry’s rapidly growing RIAs is pushing AI beyond pilot programs. With more than 40 active initiatives and an internal AI Council guiding adoption, Allworth is proving that the future of advice isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about strategy, culture and client impact.

John discusses:

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About Our Guest:

John Bunch is the Chief Executive Officer at Allworth Financial. Universally recognized within the wealth management industry, he has accumulated an extensive 30-year history of successfully leading and expanding award-winning organizations that serve both retail and institutional clients.

Before coming to Allworth, John spent over three years as the Chief Financial Services Director at Evelyn Partners (formerly Tilney Smith & Williamson), a leading integrated wealth management and professional services firm headquartered in the United Kingdom. Prior to that, he was the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Edelman Financial Engines – where he oversaw 130 branch offices – and the Chief Executive Officer of The Mutual Fund Store. Before that, he held several key institutional sector leadership positions, including Executive Vice President at TD Ameritrade and Divisional Senior Vice President at Charles Schwab & Co.

Decision paralysis is one of the biggest silent killers of RIA growth. With hundreds of tech tools, endless surveys and no clear roadmap, many firms freeze instead of scaling. The result? Wasted time, poor implementations and missed opportunities to run their practices like true businesses.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic sits down with James Cantwell, founder of WealthTech Select, to unpack why advisors struggle to make confident tech and growth decisions—and what it takes to move past the noise. James has spent nearly three decades across wealth management, asset management and technology, and he’s now building RIA Ascent to help firms find the clarity and direction they’ve been missing.

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Drawing from 25 years across investment management, banking, and WealthTech, James Cantwell brings a unique 360-degree perspective to digital transformation. His journey from GAMCO Asset Management and AST Trust (now Broadridge) to leading SS&C Advent’s consulting practice revealed a critical insight: firms need a better way to evaluate and implement technology.

After guiding hundreds of RIAs and family offices through implementation challenges, he founded The Cantwell Advisory and WealthTech Select to revolutionize how firms assess and adopt wealth management solutions.

What happens when an advisor leaves the safety net of a big broker-dealer to start fresh—and hand-pick every stitch of technology? For Jordan Raniszeski, co-founder and senior managing partner of Carnegie Private Wealth, it meant balancing efficiency with humanity, testing everything from AI meeting assistants to client portals, and building a culture that embraces innovation without becoming tech-dependent.

In this episode of The WealthStack Podcast, host Shannon Rosic flips the script—interviewing an advisor about the real-world process of building a stack that empowers advisors and delights clients.

Shannon and Jordan discuss:

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About Our Guest:

Jordan is a leader in the Wealth Management industry and Senior Managing Partner at Carnegie Private Wealth, where he’s helped build a team of well-regarded and experienced advisors. The advisors of Carnegie Private Wealth collectively serve more than 519 households with over $1,100,000,000 in brokerage assets as of January 30, 2025.

In his more than 20 years of experience as an advisor working with high-net-worth individuals and families, Jordan developed expertise in helping corporate executives, professionals, and business owners. As a business owner and organizational leader himself, Jordan intimately understands the time constraints and complexities facing these clients and helps them build a plan to pursue their goals while balancing many different priorities.

Jordan’s career path showcases his leadership and commitment to client service. He began at Deloitte’s individual tax practice, honing his skills in tax and estate planning strategies. Later, at Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo), Jordan helped build the Executive Financial Planning practice. Partnering with Angie Ostendarp, he then grew one of Wells Fargo Advisors’ largest brokerage practices. Throughout his journey, Jordan has remained a devoted student of the industry, constantly seeking innovative ways to serve clients.

Leadership has been a constant theme in Jordan’s life. From roles in student government and charitable organizations to positions on sports teams, he has consistently stepped up to guide others. Jordan’s experience made him a natural fit to lead Carnegie’s formation. He now guides the Carnegie team, focusing on a shared vision for wealth management’s future.