WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Commonwealth Financial Network®, the nation’s largest privately held Registered Investment Adviser–independent broker/dealer, hosted more than 100 affiliated advisors at its Summit for Women Advisors—a conference to inspire growth and promote change—held June 26–28, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee.
The three-day conference encouraged attendees to connect with the community of diverse women throughout Commonwealth while actively participating in educational sessions, panel discussions, and networking events—on topics ranging from leading an award-winning culture, evolving into a partnership, and navigating courageous conversations with clients, to intentional prospecting, developing an internal successor, and fostering client and employee loyalty with an experience focus.
“The conversation, the energy, and the engagement were palpable,” said Maria Considine King, senior vice president, practice management, and conference lead. “The Summit was an outstanding success thanks to the community of like-minded women who joined me. Commonwealth is a dynamic community where we all strive to help one another thrive, and we are invested in continuing to design and deliver impactful programs and forums for our women advisors.”
Prominent keynote speakers offered insightful remarks. Courtney Ferrell, speaker, writer, and consultant, emphasized building community, fostering self-confidence, and fueling passion to generate new ideas. AmyK Hutchens, speaker, author, trainer, and business strategist, challenged advisors to change the frame of their story to break through thinking patterns and shape a stronger, more compelling future.
Chloe B. McKenzie, a financial advisor and founder and CEO of On A Wealth Kick, LLC, and BlackFem, Inc., inspired attendees with her mission to close the wealth gap and change the way we think about wealth by integrating wealth literacy into the core curriculum for students in grades K–12. “Wealth is a form of power,” said McKenzie, who encouraged advisors to support young girls and set them up for success through every life stage.
Attendees offered candid feedback. “[The Summit] was informative, thought-provoking, and, most of all, inspiring,” said Linda Levesque, supervising principal, chief operating officer, at MountainOne Investment Group in North Adams, Massachusetts. Alexandra Armstrong, chairman emeritus of Armstrong, Fleming & Moore, Inc., in Washington, DC, added, “I commend Commonwealth for hosting such a superior event for their female advisors. There was an infectious enthusiasm at the Summit—certainly everyone who attended, including myself, benefited greatly.”
“I loved the tone of the conference, and I truly appreciate Commonwealth taking the time to support women in our field,” added Andrea Stackland-Winterer, managing partner, financial planner, at e3 Financial Planning in Needham, Massachusetts.
Members of Commonwealth’s leadership team shared unique perspectives with attendees. Kate Creagh, managing principal, human resources; Miriam Manning, senior vice president, chief information officer; and Joni Youngwirth, managing principal, practice management, shared a panel to highlight Commonwealth’s culture and discuss how leadership stays true to culture through growth, technological change, and market and regulatory pressures.
“Hire for attitude, train for skill, and ensure your people know what is expected of them,” said Creagh. “And if you take care of your people, they will take care of you and your business,” added Manning.
Trap Kloman, president and chief operating officer, held a fireside chat to discuss the value of diversity of thought, why he is passionate about supporting the growth and evolution of women at Commonwealth and as advisors, and his vision for Commonwealth in an evolving industry.
Bloomberg Radio broadcast Bloomberg Markets on-site from the Summit. Hosts Lisa Abramowicz and Paul Sweeney held live interviews with Commonwealth’s thought leaders, including King on why the Summit is an important forum for advisors, and Kol Chu Birke, managing principal, technology and corporate strategy, on the importance of authentic diversity and inclusion efforts.
“Women’s issues are global business issues,” King commented from the mainstage. “Our work is not done.” Commonwealth’s cohort of women advisors will next gather at a reception during the firm’s National Conference in October in Aurora, Colorado, and again at the 2020 Summit for Women Advisors.
About Commonwealth Financial Network
Founded in 1979, Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, is the nation’s largest privately held Registered Investment Adviser–independent broker/dealer, with headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California. J.D. Power ranks Commonwealth “#1 in Independent Advisor Satisfaction Among Financial Investment Firms, Six Times in a Row.” The firm supports approximately 1,950 independent financial advisors nationwide. For more information, please visit www.commonwealth.com.
Commonwealth received the highest score in the independent advisor segment of the J.D. Power 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019 Financial Advisor Satisfaction Studies of customers’ satisfaction among financial advisors. Visit jdpower.com/awards.
Join Our Community:
https://twitter.com/CommonwealthFN
https://www.facebook.com/CommonwealthFinancialNetwork
https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealth-financial-network
https://blog.commonwealth.com/